Joining the locals

We dropped by a cafe to see Uruguay play England, and it turned out to be, well, a more local experience than we realize‎d.

There are no expats here, only local Arab men (0 women - am cursing my decision to wear shorts.. feeling very self-conscious here) in their full traditional garb. ‎Naturally, the expats have gone to hotels or other bars that serve alcohol. While waiting for the game to start, one of the guys here took two selfies of himself. No culture is immune..

As we are riveted to the screens, it's a hectic time for the staff dealing with the orders - it may be 11pm but people still need to gorge on entire pasta meals, caesar salads‎ and drink smoothies and coffees exotica. Some of them staff are wearing football jerseys; Neymar was the usher at the parking lot..pity the guy who has to wear the Fabregas shirt..oops.

The commentary is in Arabic - we don't understand any of it but it sounds far more energetic and passionate than English. We are waiting for a goal to happen, we will then find out if the locals go wild too?? (edit - Uruguay scores! The whole room erupts into frenzy. The beautiful game does have the same power to everyone.)

Oh btw, we filled up our gas tank at ADNOC and petrol is 1.80 dirhams/liter. Oh my that's 60 Singapore cents we couldn't even believe the meter. And before that we went to by a liter of coconut water that costs 10x more. Ironic stuff.