Love and Tea Time

Everyone told us that we had to have High Tea at the Burj al Arab while we were visiting Dubai. Being the Americans we are, we weren't sure why having tea would cost so much, but we were assured that it is the best experience and that we cannot leave Dubai without doing it.

So, we put it off. I still wasn't entirely convinced. But, one of Hub's classmates went over the weekend during training and raved about it, so we were sold. She, like everyone else talks about the never-ending tea, the seven-course meal and the great view from one of the highest buildings in the city, right on the beach. Sounds perfect, right? And we were on vacation, so we can splurge, right?

First, I called in to make my reservation and they were all booked for the High Tea on the top floor. But Afternoon Tea on the atrium level was still available. So we booked the tea that comes with a "complimentary" glass of champagne and I informed them that we were on our honeymoon, hoping for some extra perks. It's not a lie nor an act. We are in a permanent state of honeymooning. Hubs, who I am convinced cannot even fib if it would save his life, was instantly nervous that someone would quiz us on our marital status and was uncomfortable with the whole setup. He's lucky to have me to cover that stuff.

We took a cab to the Burj and actually had to show a security guard at the gate our reservation and he checked us in. Fancy. We pull up to the front, circling a pretty extravagant fountain. Fancy. We walk inside, greeted by a team of staffers dressed in traditional silk dresses and vests. Fancy. Deeper inside, there are even more fountains, putting on a real show. Fancy. The escalator takes us upstairs alongside a giant fish tank filled with exotic fish. Fancy.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, Hubs gets a little uncomfortable. I know he's uncomfortable because under his breath, he swears that if anyone looks at him funny, or tells him he doesn't belong there, he's kick their ass. To which I tell him that he's wearing khakis, for goodness sakes. Who on earth would kick out the guy wearing khakis? Not to mention the fact that every single person we've passed by has smiled and welcomed us. But, I will agree that there is something about fancy fountains and afternoon tea that is unsettling.

We order tea, and the food starts coming. Everyone was right, it is delicious. Delicious, but miniature. The sandwiches were amazing. Petite little guys on different varieties of bread, all stacked neatly on silver platters. Next, a slice of chicken with gravy and a squirt of mashed potatoes. Delicious, but miniature. And then, the desserts. At least four of the seven courses were the most decadent desserts I have ever tasted. Chocolate, shortbread, tarts galore! By the end, we were so full of sweets, we couldn't handle another bite. That's what people were talking about when they said it was a full meal. Kind of deceiving, but delicious nonetheless.

We finished our first glass of champagne and were offered another. Thinking that they would be comping our glass because we are, after all, honeymooning in Dubai this weekend. But, no such luck. And we spent more on our two refill glasses than we did on the entire case of champagne we bought for the wedding. (True story.) That may not be a good way of describing how expensive our refills were, since we did buy the cheapest champagne for the wedding, but you get the idea.

I think we did pretty well for being completely out of our element. I think the key was the whole "honeymooning fib". We maintained our dangerous, adventurous side, all while sharpening our prim and proper "which fork do I use for what" side. In the end, they gave us a red rose to celebrate our wedding. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful rose, and the experience was wonderful, I'll never forget it. But it made me think of a time while Hubs and I were still dating and he got me flowers. He had worked 24 hours out of town and stopped by to see me at work on his way home to give to me Texas wildflowers he had pulled over on a tired, country road and picked for me. He said that every time he passed by them, he thought of me and had to bring some back. He truly is the sweetest, most thoughtful man, whether he's giving me a red rose at an expensive Afternoon Tea or whether he's giving me a splash of colorful wildflowers on a Saturday I had to work.

Cheers to the grand life. Expensive, average or simple, and always filled with love.