The tsunami

U.A.E is like Florida in reverse – a peninsula that juts north instead of south. Dubai is on the west coast of that peninsula, on the Persian Gulf. The tidal waves lashed the east side of our peninsula, in Oman, but tucked inside the lip of the Gulf, we saw no effects. The east coast of Africa, to the south and farther from the quake than we are, was also battered. In other words, we are a coastal city and were close enough to suffer. We were protected only by the grace of God and geography, though all of my neighbors are Indian and some of their families may have been affected. Dubai residents have given charity aid in vast quantities, though the city being what it is, of course you hear stories like the man who donated a $1,000 designer suit.