Ten years ago I moved to Ras al Khaimah, UAE. As I sit here reliving the night I arrived, I know time has passed. I can see it in the lines deepening between my brows. But I still remember RAK in the days when no one had addresses, only directions by landmarks. I can still remember the completely weather inappropriate, pink sweater I wore, the first-time feeling of walking through a sea of South Asian men outside of Terminal 1 at DXB at 1 am, and the squinting and searching for life among the sand dunes we passed in darkness on 311.
These are not the letters of a young love, full flippant infatuation, but a love tested by time and the other’s loud chewing habits.
Anniversaries are important. They cause you to reflect, look for the good, laugh at the bad, and press on ahead. So to commemorate this 10 year anniversary I am going to write a series of blog posts doing that. These posts are an open love letter to the city I’ve given the best years of my life to. These are not the letters of a young love, full flippant infatuation, but a love tested by time and the other’s loud chewing habits. With the honesty of a woman who has seen it all and still folds your socks, I’ll write about waiting for wifi connections, 6 for 100 dhs salon services, and so many juices.
I love you, Ras al Khaimah. Let’s stick together.
Busy Nothings 