It Rained & UAE Reigned!

It has been hectic the last couple of months that I was not able to find few minutes to blog at all.

Since things are slowing down a bit now, I was planning to blog a very long post soon.

But what happened yesterday deserves a post!

It rained yesterday…. Not literally, though UAE did get few showers this winter!

Ismail Matar (Rain) of the UAE football team gave UAE its first Gulf Cup with a great shot at minute 72 precisely placed at the left corner of the Omani goal. Oman & UAE never won the premier regional tournament, and for 30+ years both teams ranked at the bottom. Both countries dreamt of this cup, had the teams to give them the cup, and played each game in the tournament with hunger and passion to possess the cup. With around 50 thousand people cheering for UAE and a need to revenge for their loss at the opening match, the host got the advantage at the end.

In the last three matches (vs. Q8, KSA & Oman), Matar managed to rush from nowhere, strike at the last minutes, depositing a great goal, shattering the chances of the other team, and the to stop and stand still to listen to the thunders of cheers. He is the Hero. He has made many people happy!

The second the referee whistled to end the game, Manal , mom & I went racing out with flags to participate in the celebratory parade.

I’ve been to many Q8i parades in my life. Q8i people know how to celebrate and have fun! I can not say the same about the locals.
Yesterday’s parade was BoRiNg! Yes many people showed up, but they were all quite. SING PEOPLE SING! But there are no UAE team or patriotic songs that could be sung HAPPILY!
At least honk your horns right people! Follow my lead, it goes beep beep beep/beep beep/beep not BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Oh well… it was a quiet celebration except in our car, we still partied and had fun!