What is this blustery, sandless place?

HOME! My toes have been frozen since I stepped off of the plane, but I am oh-so happy to be back home, freakish neck-and-hand tan and all. And OH! The catching up I have to do...my bloglines widget is registering quadruple digits...I have something like 1,025 blog entries to read. Whoo! Endless, excellent reading for days and days to come! I am very much looking forward to reading/seeing what everyone has been knitting this past month while I've been desert-bound. As for me, I have tons of photos to share from my month in the UAE (archaeology-related photos and knitting news to follow in separate posts this week). A few of my favorite photos of the UAE are posted below. Enjoy and happy Monday, all!

The village of Mleiha (Emirate of Sharjah), where I lived.


Desert sands and shadow, Mleiha, Emirate of Sharjah.


Dubai Archaeological Museum, Old City, Emirate of Dubai.


Fujairah City Mosque, Emirate of Fujairah.


Gulf of Oman, Emirate of Fujairah.


Desert and mountain in Mleiha, Emirate of Sharjah.


Al Dhaid souk, Emirate of Sharjah.


Alley in Old City, Dubai, Emirate of Dubai.


Date palm garden protected by Arabian scarecrow, Wadi Hayl, Emirate of Fujairah.


Detail of Arabian scarecrow.


Desert caravan, Dubai, Emirate of Dubai.


Dune, Thuqaibah, Emirate of Sharjah.


Boat traffic on Dubai Creek, Emirate of Dubai.


Camel and baby, Mleiha desert, Emirate of Sharjah.


Camel herder, Mleiha desert, Emirate of Sharjah.


Islamic cemetery, Wadi Hayl, Emirate of Fujairah.


Moon and desert, Mleiha desert, Emirate of Sharjah (take that, Ansel Adams!).


Stay tuned...more to follow soon!