Etihad – Echoes of My Neighbourhood

May 4, 2017May 4, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

Roughly translated, Etihad means ‘together, join into one,’ and that’s what the UAE is all about. The United Arab Emirates is made up of 7 Emirates that came to become one Federation, yet each Emirate is autonomous.

The enormous, extraordinary development this region has experienced can only be better appreciated when you see the stark, arid, unforgiving surroundings that it was carved out of.

My foray last week took me to Etihad museum. The museum is located on the same historical site of the Union House, which is where the constitution of the UAE was signed in 1971 to establish its independence.

Etihad is equipped with a library, an education centre, exhibition halls, restaurant/cafe. It offers a series of interactive pavilions, photos, films and more, where visitors can explore the UAE’s history with particular emphasis on the significant period between 1968 and 1974 – through photos, films and more.

It’s always my wish to develop better understanding and appreciation of where ever I am, which is why I haunt museums. Doing so gives one a glimpse into the history and heritage of their surrounding and allows you to see the place through different eyes.

Beautiful photos of fresh snow from Lady Lee’s neighbourhood.

On another hand, after much deliberation, Echoes of my neighbourhood will be evolving a bit. It has run consistently every week for well over a year and I am honestly surprised that I kept up with it. Sometimes, we don’t know how far we can go unless we start.

Going forward, it will evolve into a monthly feature on this blog and no longer weekly. The last Thursday of each month will offer a collage of photographs and post for Echoes. I am in the process of aligning my projects and other interests to create better balance.

You are most welcome to join Echoes of my neighbourhood – last Thursday’s of the month.

Etihad museum, contemporary museum, United Arab Emirates

Dubai

The Iconic Emirates Towers – A Click A Day.

September 23, 2016September 23, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha12 Comments

The Emirates Towers which was built 16 years ago is a marvelous structure that is perhaps the one of its kind in the whole world. It sits majestically on The Sheikh Zayed Road and was designed by the architect Hazel Wong.

This unique edifice is a twin tower with 54 and 56 floors respectively and houses the lavish Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel as well as offices.

Travel

A Little Hiatus

August 12, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha

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Going off on a road trip to some other part of the Emirates with my family. I love to travel 🙂

May or may not be able to log on and blog.

Have a great weekend folks and remain blessed 🙂

Jacqueline

Support Me.

Wordless Wednesday

Break it down!

May 25, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha2 Comments

I wonder what’s wrong with it?

P.S. You are invited to our monthly blog party this weekend. It’s fun and you get to meet fantastic folks 🙂

Below is my first Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

I hear you in my thoughts…

your words of wisdom,

of love and encouragement…

they are etched upon my soul.

They keep me warm.

*an excerpt from my poem*

Echos Of My Neighbourhood · Photographs · Travel

Ajman and Kempinski…Echoes Of My Neighbourhood # 17

May 5, 2016May 5, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha19 Comments

Today’s echoes experienced an unexpected delay because I’ve been on a road trip and for some reason, my photos couldn’t load up on my pad. My apologies.

On Thursday’s, I share pictures about ‘Echos of my Neighbourhood.

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Every Thursday, share a photo of bits and pieces of wherever you are at any point in time. It could be a house, backgrounds of your neighbourhood, activities and so forth and you can tag it Echos of my Neighbourhood, add my link to your post so that I will get the ping from your post.

Every other Thursday, I will publish a post with the links of all those who participated the previous week.

This is just a fun way of getting to see more of the World around us through your eyes since we cannot all be at those places, we could, at least, see them through you.

Watching them off-load made me think of smugglers and pirates 😉

Last weekend found us visiting Ajman which is one of the Emirates (the smallest member State) that makes up UAE which comprises of 7 Emirates.

It’s a leisurely one-hour straight drive from Dubai if there’s no traffic, so it’s easily a day trip of 2-3 hours to and fro, but to enjoy the benefits of the pristine Gulf as well as getting a feel of the Emirate, an overnight stay wouldn’t be a bad idea.

A direct opposite of Dubai’s energetic pulse, it’s calm and much slower. Good for a quiet family weekend away.

There are several beautiful hotels to choose from, though we got a deal at Kempinski by making an early booking.

Last Week Echoes took us to different neighbourhoods, hop on let’s go see and we will be glad to see some of yours.

Giggles and Tales You’ve got to love Europe’s architecture and it’s passion for cycling. I remember my awe years ago, the first time I visited Amsterdam and saw all the bikes at a bike station.

Spring is in the air The only words to describe this is ‘gorgeous and fabulous’ 🙂

Boys come out to play Boy’s will be boys no matter how small they are 😉

Mercury Colliding Kat has a nice fairy that works very hard. I wouldn’t mind one myself.

Earnestly Debra joins us with a sea ferry, whale watching adventure that I wouldn’t mind experiencing.

Munich Lady Lee shows us spots of Munich through her lens and a sumptuous meal to go with it.

Do show us just a peek of your neighbourhood, please 🙂

Until Thursday, next week, have a good weekend.

For ease during our road trips, we use:Garmin nüvi 2597LMT 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth Vehicle GPS with Lifetime Maps and Traffic

Below is my first Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha’s poems portray images that stare us right in the face. Images of love, joy, death, pain, challenges, violation, and freedom. She writes in a language that’s rich in imagery, earthy, honest, vulnerable, yet full of the promise of hope, of loving and of Grace. A collection of light and dark soulful prose.

Photographs · Wordless Wednesday

Blowing the trumpet…Wordless Wednesday.

April 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha1 Comment

Dubai · Personal · Photographs · This Is My Life · Travel

It’s A Mix…Echoes Of My Neighbourhood 13

March 10, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha45 Comments

On Thursday’s, I share pictures about ‘Echos of my Neighbourhood.

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Every Thursday, share a photo of bits and pieces of wherever you are at any point in time. It could be houses, backgrounds of your neighbourhood, activities and so forth and you can tag it Echos of my Neighbourhood, add my link to your post so that I will get the ping from your post.

Every other Thursday, I will publish a post with the links of all those who participated the previous week.

This is just a fun way of getting to see more of the World around us through your eyes, since we cannot all be at those places, we can at least see them through you.

Buying men stuff for dear Himself. He’s not fond of shopping.

Depiction of ancient Egyptian art at Wafi

A lazy evening of eating Shawarma. No kitchen duty tonight 🙂

The gleam of the glinting Lamborghini had me looking for my glasses.

The pictures above are taken from here and there. During the course of a week, I take pictures as I go along sorting each day’s issues.

When I am going out by myself, I prefer to leave the ease of driving myself and opt to take a train, bus or taxi depending on. The first two are my first options.

In a good number of areas, the bus stops have a pair of shelter, one for women and children and a separate one for menfolk. Due to the heat which can be unbelievable at times, they are air-conditioned and well maintained.

If you want to get to know a city, to meander free and get to know it’s people, get a map and use public transport.

It free’s your eyes to stare, snap and interact.

When I drive, half of the time, my eyes are glued to the GPS screen trying not to miss a vital turn.

Last Week Echoes gave us some peeks of different neighbourhoods, hop on let’s go see and do show some of yours 🙂

Ladylee Manila shows us some beautiful looks of Manila.

Oba takes us up close and personal to her neighbourhood in Lagos.

Deb of Bookyglover catches good snips of my Lagos and it’s eccentric nature.

Dollops of heedful ramblings showcases beautiful art walls.

Murals and Soulful strut are eclectic shots from urban gypsy.

Cherry blossoms pretty as a picture photos from Paula.

Giggles & Tales Denmark is good for a visit. There’s decadent chocolate and wine too.

Kat‘s photos makes me want to sing a song. Yes, they are beautiful.

The wishing well Colette introduces us to her Nottingham. Welcome Colette 🙂

Areas of life Mandi’s quite the lady. Her collection makes me smile and those tot photos are priceless.

Thoughts and entanglements There’s something so satisfying about this picture.

Writing in North Norfolk Kim has wonderful neighbours 🙂

I hope you enjoy the views.

Regards.

Photographs · Travel · Uncategorized

From Here To There….Echoes Of My Neighbourhood.

March 3, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha53 Comments

On Thursday’s, I share pictures about ‘Echos of my Neighbourhood.

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Every other Thursday, I will publish a post with the links of all those who participated the previous week.

This is just a fun way of getting to see more of the World around us through your eyes, since we cannot all be at those places, we can at least see them through you.

I love the pretty night lights of my evening walk.

Viewing traffic from an overhead walk way.

Catching up on the gist at the train station

From the pictures above, last few days found me perambulating quite a bit. These were taken in the course of last week.

From attending the food festival and sugar craft show, to going to Bastakiya, the coffee museum and imbibing in coffee so potent that it could knock off your socks and you will float in the air with the buoyancy that it delivered.

I learnt a lot about coffee and took hundreds of photos.

It was thick heavy brew, served in small cups. I couldn’t finish mine because, it seriously gave me bright eyes and I think my hair stood on ends from the buzz that I got.

A bit bushy-tailed if I may say so.

Last Week Echoes harvested quite new awesome peeks of different neighbourhoods, so board the flight with me and let’s go have a look see.

Bookyglover Deb shows us some of the rustic parts of my Lagos.

Hell’s kitchen and beyond from Roaming Urban gypsy have you been to Hell’s kitchen?

Fun photos what’s your thought? Would you drive this?

Giggles & Tales more lovely photos from Stella in Stockholm.

Mercury Colliding Kat shows us some part of her neighbourhood that most of us don’t like to visit.

Thoughts and Entanglements These pictures are so haunting they belong in a book

What’s up doc Cute! Took me back to my growing up years.

Looking back A blessed lineage from Mandi

Paula’s I must tell you that I am so envious of Paula’s community 😉

Are we enjoying these views yet? Take a peek at them.

So, when will you add some of yours? Pretty please with a cherry on top 😉

Regards,

P.S. I hope I didn’t miss out anyone’s link? I have that funny feeling.

Dubai · Life · Travel · Uncategorized

DESERT STORM…

February 28, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

Since I am living in a desert city, I will write my prompt based on being stranded on a deserted sea of sand.

The desert is a fascinating landscape yet it can be merciless in retribution. A sand storm can spring unannounced and those fine, endless sand can get into areas better left imagined.

Living here and driving by huge expanse of sand ever so often, makes me appreciate the flowing robes, ‘Thobe for the men and Jalabiya for women,’ that the Middle -Easterners wear as their national attire. It is not just a symbol of religion, but also derived over the ages as an attire of comfort and adaptability to their environment.

The blistering hot arid sands of the afternoon, quickly gives way to alarming freezing cold at nights that one must be well equipped to survive in the environment.

So, for me the five items would be:

A loose fitting robe, with flowing scarves, so that I can wear other things under to keep warm when needed, then use the scarf to keep out the fine sand that can get into eyes, the nostrils, the mouth, the ears, the underside and everywhere.

A huge flask of water to abate the thirst. Yes it’s arid and bone dry and who knows where the next oasis will be. Thirst and dehydration kills faster than not having food for days.

I will need my phone and charger with full service so that I can use the GPS to find my way, to make a call for help and to listen to music.

Food, food, food, even if they are just dry dates and energy bars and tins of beans.

Now for this last part, I will cheat by sneaking in somethings: A desert tent and pillow, some good read and a convertible gas lamp which can be used to warm stuff, keep an eye out for the desert snakes and all sorts of vicious creatures. Maybe those their wicked looking curved blades might me handy for any marauding Berber.

Can I bring my husband? He can be quite handy you know 😉

The Daily Post Prompt Five Items.

Blog · Echos Of My Neighbourhood · Photographs · Travel

Souk Madinat, the Mosque and Others..Echoes Of My Neighbourhood.

February 25, 2016June 7, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha25 Comments

On Thursday’s, I share pictures about ‘Echos of my Neighbourhood.

I would like to invite you to participate. The challenge is quite simple.

Every other Thursday, I will publish a post with the links of all those who participated the previous week.

This is just a fun way of getting to see more of the World around us through your eyes, since we cannot all be at those places, we can at least see them through you.