When in Rome

There are some things that, while you are doing them, make you think:"I would never do this in my country". Like the other day when I couldnt take it anymore and went to get water to drink bc its nasty in my apt (and,yes,Ive had the water in other places and it was fine). Anyway, it wasnt late but it was dark. The corner store is literally a minute outside my door. On the way back I walked to see if the internet cafe was open. An older man asked if I was looking for the pharmacy. I wasnt. He motioned and asked me to sit after he asked me where I was from and I told him.
He was extremely nice and the first 5 mins consisted of a conversation in my head about how things like this work here. He talked about how proud they are to have us here and that Americans are treated with a different kind of respect. He talked about how nowhere else will you see so many Nationalities in a matter of minutes no matter where you are. He talked about work and leisure and told me about his restaurant. We ended up going there. A literal minute walk.He gave me juice that was native to his country and told me it would be good for my blood. I also talked to the coowner who is from the UAE but has an accent that I was not at all expecting as he has lived in the UK for (apparently) quite some time. It was a bit confusing,lol. Oh, and let me know forget that he has also lived in Minnesota.
We talked for well over an hour about everything:government,politics, social responsibility, the governments responsibility to the people,giving-I taught him a new word,philanthropy,language acquisition,business ventures,Arabic food,etc. Im sure Im forgetting something. He invited my husband and myself to his home for dinner and he wants to meet my husband and Im sure they could talk for hours. I also had tea with him. The inital man offered to make me a meal but I declined as I had other engagements.
Finally, I tore myself away from the rest. only to be "detained" by a much older man outside the rest. (They sit around and converse day and night and its nothing to see men sitting around talking at 3 or 4 in the morning). I passed by and he motioned as if to say goodbye which really means come here,lol. He talked about living in Germany and being around soldiers. He asked me a series of questions which repeated themselves. I think maybe he was a bit senile:how old are you?how you married?how long were you married?married before that?you have baby?You married before that?you have baby Inshallah.Ill bring you a device that when you sleep with your husband youll have a baby Inshallah! How old are you? Nooooo.How long you married? lol. This went on for a few minutes. He also told me he liked my face and was still motioning for me to come back as I was leaving.
I enjoyed the fellowship and will probably go back to taste the food. That in and of itself is an accomplishment for me,lol.

I went to Dubai the other day and-wouldnt you know it-my cam battery was dead. We didnt see a whole lot but had fun at the mall and at a beach rest/bar with yum burgers! 80 dhm worth of yum,lol.