Isaac and Jenni Marshall: Liquid Sunshine?

As I prepared to leave school today it took me a good 2 minutes to figure out how to turn on our car's windshield wipers. Why, you might ask, would you need to use your windshield wipers? Don't you live in the Middle East?? You know, the dry and arid desert??? I was pondering precisely the same thing as I fumbled with switches and levers surrounding my steering wheel. However, for the last 5 days Dubai has experienced steady rains, culminating in today's massive downpour. Ick! The sky is dull and gray, and I can't help but think we brought a little of the Pacific Northwest back with us after Christmas.
We found quite a surprise as we left for work this morning- the whole underground parking lot of our building was under several inches of water. What an interesting start to our day!
As we made our way along the flooded roads to school, the insanity levels of fellow drivers must have peaked (I honestly didn't think these people could be any crazier on the road). If we weren't sure before, we are certain now that Dubai is the Land of the Honking Horn! Beep! Beep! Beeeeeep!!! Sheesh! People are glued to those noise makers! Vehicles were stalling all along the freeway in areas of deep water, and within moments cars were backed up and frustrated drivers were laying on their horns. As if that is going to start the car again?! It took us an hour and twenty minutes to get to school- about three times the normal commute. Though we arrived late, a security guard opened the gates for us and we were shocked to find a shallow swimming pool where the staff parking lot once existed. Luckily having a big car payed off and we maneuvered through the water to a parking spot on higher ground.
The kids were absolutely wired today because of the rain and the playground was so waterlogged that all recesses were held in the classrooms, which meant no breaks... eek!
Before heading home we were advised to avoid Sheik Zayed, our biggest highway, as it was littered with abandoned, semi-submerged vehicles. The likelihood of making it home was slim when using that route, so I opted for Al Wasl and Beach roads, both of which had their fair share of standing water. There were times when the wakes produced by passing vehicles washed over the top of our SUV. Another week of this rain (and lack of drainage) and I fear we will become the next Atlantis! Flooding is occurring everywhere! Good thing we brought our snorkels=).
The silver lining of all this liquid sunshine is that we have tomorrow off of school! Woo hoo! Two days off in one week=). The first was thanks to a visit from G Dubbya. The government heightened security big time, closing off 3 of the main roads running through the emirate and declaring the day a national holiday so folks would stay home. So, we are looking forward to lounging in our jammies and staying dry.