Same Blood, Different Blood

Was working in Abu Dhabi on a show. The television show was over, not much to do, had been assigned to sort of oversee the small details, made sure they got done. Back to the point, one of the local workers started a discussion with me about the nature of how Isreal was established by the English and an Englishman in particular. Actually, the conversation started with this guy, think his name was Qaadi, not exactly sure, he was Lebanese, moved to the Emarities like so many of his counterparts, to make some real money, siphon off the rapidly develping wealth in the Middle East due to the nature of a recent spike in oil prices. Well, I told Qaadi I had no idea who he was referring to and took me as the natural idiot of America, he would later detail as a nation who had their head in the clouds. Once he began to explain, the British involvment in the genesis of the Isreali state, it became apparent which direction the conversation was headed. He wanted my take or moreover to give his take on the conflict between the Arabs and the Isrealis. I basically told him, where the hell is the Arab alligence, I have traveled through a few Arab nations and they seemed awfully nationalistic, as example, using the recent war between the Isrealis and Hamas, why did Eygpt shut its borders down to those Palastinines who wanted to flee the conflict, where was the unity? He blamed his own people so to speak, us of same blood, Qaadi stated, Arab blood could not get their shit together, too busy fighting amongst themselves about the proper direction to the take the Arab world. Well, there seems to be a big disparity between the Palastinines and Saudis, do the rich Arab countries throw the poor ones a bone by letting them work in their country, there were people from all over the world here, working on contract for years at a time that offered a set salary, medical benefits, and month off with free plane ticket back home and from the sight of things, there looks to be plenty of people from this world of 6 billion have taken the UAE and Abu Dhabi up on developing the decadent superstructures of the 21st century.

The downtown skyline of Abu Dhabi is lined with giant cranes an array of towers mostly half built, quickly becoming over the last year victims of the global economic collapse, but as pride will have it, slowly to fade, the construction continues to excessive levels. The streets are empty at night, five lanes in each direction as I was shuttled in a Mercedes Benz to my hotel, sure it was cool, limo style back seat area, extra room, being driven around the city, no hassles or worries, pretty sure Qaadi did not drive an MB, but could be wrong. Western policy and Middle East posturing had put Palastine right in the middle of a bigger fight, who cared about the people, didn't seem like anyone, two kids fighting over a toy, both hands on opposite ends, tugging back and forth, a toy full of delicate things, shaken, shattered, and eventually the toy is rendered useless from all the violence. Qaadi said by to a co-worker, he tells me, "Same Blood" Arab blood. Money looks like the only thing driving the bus here. Not much different than Vegas, not as much activity, drugs are illegal, drunk driving will get you automatic prision, having drugs in your blood stream is the same as possession, no public affection between woman and man, think man and man is okay. I had to be on my best behavior, they would throw away the key in this place if they got their hands on me. No such luck, they had us safely tucked into a inlet of tourist hotels that catered to westerners, the hotel left the bar open to 4am every night, on Friday there was a club music night, at least it was something to do. Abu Dhabi nightlife did not stray too far from Western culture, drink readily available, though the taxi driver could rat you out for being too drunk, drop you off at the police station, this is word of mouth, nothing substantiated, a large cross section of prostitues available. It was pretty obvious, the women sort of hung around they did not fit the tourist mold especially in a city of this nature. Reminded me of one of the first nights where this old geezer came in the place with 10 hot Russian models/prositutes, every guy began thinking of ways to penetrate into the inner circle of all these fine women. No time was wasted, the porn stash brothers got right into the middle of all those hot asses, looking to get some booty grinding on, which I figured was illegal too, but why not push the limits. The Russian women knew the game, this old man must be a billionaire, something, none of them strayed from his nest, no matter how much game the guys in the bar thought they had, denail across the board. I did not bother, found my own way downtown, easy enough to get what you want. These women are not going anywhere, went back to my room, no co-workers, good, people get chatty when you pull someone, like hey, look at pimp daddy there, either way, living the good life and being of same blood were not totally mutually exclusive but I did not figure Arab unity was coming anytime soon, resulting in equal distribution of oil profits.

Qaadi had his say and it did not change my opinion about the conflict in the middle east, it was an interesting conversation, but I had already done my recon, gathering much more intel than his fifteen minute dialouge could offer. This place was no different than the states, gross excessiveness was the rule, the only rule, hedonistic hotels that probably cost more than the annual Gross National Product of many nations throughout the world. Why should I complain, I received the benefits of all these workers here, especially at the bar tonight, where a mainly European crowd runs themselves ragged amongst the many urgent calls for service, luckily I heavily tipped a few bartenders earilier in the night, so getting a beer was never a problem, others only grumbled as their pleas were ignored and mine answered, so spoiled, here on the outposts of greed, where oil tankers line up offshore awaiting the next shipment of liquid gold heading toward the shores of the western infedels, petro dollars ruled this land, for now.