A new holiday tradition that faded away

[clyrc]

I've lived in the United Arab Emirates for the last 8 years, and when I first got here it was a challenge getting everything together for holiday meals. I used to have to beg and scheme to get to the other side of Dubai ( I do not drive in Dubai!) and pay too much money at a couple of stores to get the ingredients for my meals. In the last couple of years, though, I've been able to get the things I need closer to home. But the thing is, I miss the long journey to Safestway and Choithrum in Jumeira. It was a holiday tradition for 6 years, and now I don't get to see the farthest side of Dubai any more.

For someone who grew up a military brat, I get weirdly attached to temporary traditions. For several years after I got married, each holiday season we drove to Florida from either Oklahoma or Texas. To this day, I miss driving by the houses lit up with Christmas lights.

Or, I don't know, maybe it's just long car rides I miss. I spent so much of my childhood in a car, because when my dad had time off we were always taking road trips, and of course we moved quite a bit. It's slightly less embarrassing to admit that I love long car trips than to admit I miss a couple of grocery stores.