Note to self: Avoid the liquor store on Thursday nights

Here's the front of the liquor store I mentioned back in March. Tonight it was the scene of chaos. The front area you see above was lined with SUV's honking their horns. (Emiratis do not go in the liquor store. They wait for the Indian workers to come take their order and money and bring the alcohol to them.) The side parking lot was full of cars like mine. Inside the store the line went 20 deep. I was the only westerner, the rest were Indian. Unlike a visit in February none of them were refused service.

Fridays are a holiday for most workers and the liquor store is closed. If these workers guys – all guys - want to live it up on their one day off they have to make the purchase tonight.

Two items were flying off the shelves: Cheap brandy and gin. Each bottle is 15 dirhams. How cheap is that? The Big Mac value meal is 16 dirhams!