So Bush has finally left Dubai and the UAE, but everyone is still twittering about his visit. Mostly people are aghast that the city had to shut down so completely for one man (see George W Bush Public Holiday). I'm aghast, as well, but I'd also like to point out that the fact that this city is so poorly planned also played a large role in the need to completely shut down for security's sake.

Still it's a little odd to have non-American expats, who are generally so civil, say things today like, "well, he's YOUR president ..." in a pinched tone. Wait, you really think that this was my fault?

Cripes.

And I haven't even heard from my business-people friends yet, but the newspapers are all aflutter that the shutdown yesterday could have cost Dubai businesses in the ballpark of $120 million.

And this was his idea of a goodwill tour?

Anyway, here are some fun photos that are circulating on the web. Sadly I'm not sure of their authorship, so I can't credit them all.

I must say that I had the same idea to take photos from the overpass near our apartment, but by the time I got my duff out there Sheikh Zayed Road was already open again. Bummer.

Bush with Sheikh Mo and friends