19 – 28 October

National Lampoons Summer vacation…THE IN- LAWS!!!

 

No, really, I love my in-laws. They are all crazy and you can tell they definitely come from the same genes! The one is crazier than the other…you thought Vinnie was bad…try mixing that with a mad- Guinness-for-blood- Irish father Billy, a faster-than-the-speed-of-light-talking English sister Marion, a half-Brit-half-Ozzie-daredevil brother Anthony, a cigarette- smuggling brother (partner?)–in- law with the nickname Chink….throw in a very well behaved teenage-Irish-dancing Chelsie for the balance…. and top it all off with a non-stop-hyperactive-pink shoe and princess-loving 4 your old Charlie!!

 

Anthony arrived Thursday morning- we went to Vinnie’s office, supermarket and that was about it. Lazed by the pool and went to the Wanderers in the evening. Friday, we got the house ready for the arrival of the rest. Had a lovely steak bbq for lunch (SA meat, can’t beat it!) and went to the airport the night. The men stayed up till about 4 am the next morning in the bar!

 

Saturday, still Ramadan, everyone was a bit hung over, we stayed home, relaxed, swam, and shopped a little. We went to the blue souq. Had another SA steak and boerewors braai...and another late night!

 

Sunday we headed into Dubai, Karama markets. Still Ramadan. The evening we went to a party at Andre and Rosie’s home..had a lovely evening.

 

Monday was the start of the Eid holidays. We had a birthday/family party at home…kicked off at 1 pm. I can’t even remember how many people there was..but it was another good one! Everyone was on form. I believe we went to bed around 2:30 with a couple of people passed out. The person and place would however, remain a dirty family secret forever!

 

Tuesday…was a bad head day. Marion was in bed most of it. Vinnie, Anthony, Chink and Billy headed into town..dont know how they managed it! Chelsie and I went shopping in the afternoon at City Center and got a few good bargains! We ordered Chinese in and think had an early night!

 

Wednesday, we headed into Dubai again…did a little sightseeing. We popped into my exhibition, then off to the Marina…then Mall of the Emirates. Vinnie went skiing, Ant snowboarding and Chink took Charlie into the snow park. We dropped Billy in the coffee shop and the girls went shopping!! I had to go to an art meeting in the evening, so the family went to the Irish village. They had to go home early as Charlie came down with bad ear infection. More junk food was ordered and to bed early..well, at least we did…I believe the men were up until 4 am –ish again!

 

Thursday was supposed to be sky-diving day! Nervous as hell, we went to the Dreamland aqua park in Umm Al Quwein, next to the airfield. Jenna came with us, as she was also down to jump. By lunchtime, we heard that the dives were postponed to the next day…so we immediately had a drink to celebrate! We then went to the beach with Per to water ski instead. In the evening, we met Jenna’s man Mike in the Wanderers for dinner, the girlies left the men there to retire home!

 

Friday, the dreaded jumping day! I was so nervous I couldn’t eat a thing all day. Vinnie and I had to go to Dubai to meet someone that was on holiday, for coffee first. We headed to the airfield around 2 pm. I was first, I couldn’t wait any longer. We had our 2 second training…and off we went! I had a little tear before I went up as I was very nervous then, but when I got into the very small plane, I was fine. The flight took about 30 minutes to reach 9000 feet. There were other jumpers with me so they went first…after giving me the ‘secret handshake’ (which is killing Vinnie as I refuse to show him...it’s only for jumpers!!). I flung my legs out of the door and there we went! The free-fall was a little worrying, as I felt like I couldn’t breathe..so I had to take shallow breaths. I knew it would only last a few seconds so I tried not to get too panicky…plus, at this stage, the camera man was in my face and I had to look cool! Hahahaha. When JJ pulled the shoot open, there was a tremendous pull upwards. I had a little scream then..but it was fun. I felt so safe as I was so tightly attached to JJ, I never once felt like I was falling loose or anything.

In fact, once we had opened up and were gliding/ flying through the air, I actually was uncomfortable with my chest strap and he loosened it for me a little. He offered the reins to me to ‘drive’ but I didn’t feel comfy doing that and just wanted to enjoy the ride. The view was amazing, desert on one side and sea on the other. The worst part was when he started to turn the shoot around to fly around a little. That seriously turned my stomach! It was over so quickly. You would be amazed with the speed we land with! I just had to pull my legs up and let him do the work. But we landed safely and in probably 2 or 3 steps I was on the ground. It was awesome and I would definitely do it again! It is so much better than bungee jumping and ten times better than any roller coaster I have ever been on! Pity it goes by so fast!

 

After me, it was Marion. She was a bit nervous, and you can see it well in the video. Poor Anthony had to wait for almost 2 hours before he went, as we only had 1 camera man on the day to jump with us.

 

Afterwards, we came home with Per (who is doing his license and was diving as well) and Annette ..along with Donna, to watch the videos again and order food in.

 

Saturday..last day! Anthony went to the airport in the morning for his flight home to Oz. Chelsie went to have her nails done..I took Marion, Chink and Charlie shopping. Marion for a friend’s ring, Chink for cigarettes and Charlie for his “arab”..the local dish dash dress.

I had to go to another art thing in the afternoon, so they all went to the Wanderers for Charlie to go to a Halloween party. Then off to Dubai. I met them in the evening for dinner, then off to the airport.

 

That was it! A mad week of crazy people and crazy stuff. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did!

Hope to see them again next summer….if not before.