Generating Social Change at the Grassroots Level

Jessica creating social change by daring to step off the curb and hail a cab.

Glitter at the gold souk.

Susan arrived today, joining this mission from San Francisco. Those of us who were already in Dubai hadn't a clue what she looked like, she, in turn, hadn't a clue what we looked like. No green carnation, but we clearly we screamed out Bpeace to her when she walked into the hotel business center--we were all working away at our computers. "You must be from Bpeace," she said feeling the love.

We topped off our day of preparing for the BARTies arrival with a visit to the gold souk--bought a barrel full of virtual jewelry and affected some serious cultural shifts. We needed a taxi. Groups of people, 6 deep, also needed taxis--it was bedlam. Jessica, a seasoned New Yorker but a novice to Dubai, did what any honest New Yorker does when she needs a taxi--she went out into the street. Shock and awe. Then one by one other people walked out into the street. Her arm shot up. Other arms shot up...quickly she had the entire crowd of people hailing taxis like New Yorkers. What a beautiful sight!



As we write this, Sandi and Ladan are on the phone to Iran, seeing how Farah is. She hurt her leg and was unable to make the flight to Dubai this afternoon. Susan, social justice advocate today, but formerly a techie, is setting up a cheap printer we bought as an ingenious solution to print shops being closed on Friday (the weekend here). Jessica and Ray are stuffing gift bags for the Associates that include Bpeace pens, Bpeace calculators, Bpeace training DVDs, and comfort goodies including hand lotion, fruit and chips. Khatera and Wendy are due later tonight. Laurie and Toni are bugging each other.