• 154 replies
    marye
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    Who are you? Where are you? What's up in your life? People who attended the Egypt shows are, of course, cordially invited to post their experiences as well!

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  • stuman
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    DESERT RATDOGS
    hey ikoiko ,, I never looked for one , but is there a Ratdog fan web site ? know there is some imformation on this site.. My brother in-law doe`s promotional work for the various night clubs here in Jacksonville,FL. next time i talk to him i`ll see what he can do to get a hold of Ratdog,, you never know what this kid can do.. he has got some famous artist to the clubs ,,(smoopdog,ect..) maybe Ratdog for you ..I`ll see what he can do ,,...
  • ikoiko
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    DESERT RAT!!
    when i was in the states, i had prejeduice ppl call me desert rat LOL, i love it!! check it out .. DesretRat .. RatDog >> DesertDog :) far out !!
  • ikoiko
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    DESERT DOG!!
    Hey bro' .. fascinating choice of words, titles, concepts, oh my oh my!! i mean Sonic Surfari! Desert Dog, wow, how cool .. re Powers That Be .. that notion crossed my mind while i was writing you about the idea, i wonder too .. i've been designing the whole event in my head and can actually visualize it completely, the venue, media coverage, organizing the whole thing, it's all within my reach i hope. i think it would be awsome culturally & musically enlighting, definetely the time for it with all the crazy stuff going on, i think it will have a strong eco! politically too, big time. it'll be sort of a private, limited audience concert, over nite camping, bazzare, and definetely heavy security and i'm well connected with the best security company here specializing in concerts. I have connections with stage designers and manufacturers, Audio, catering and wht ever is necessary to make this a one of a kind experience in the history of this land. notice how much importance the Egypt tour has and its been 30yrs since it took place! I think the tour should be coupled, trippled (i donno the next value :), there's always Egypt again, Israel (palestine), Jordan maybe and Europe, let's not get carried away .. re hauling your bag around .. it's just my way to hide from being asked to play :) you know u can get over here if you want, wait a bit, maybe the concert idea works :) think of a way you can help with this. Let'smaikit (smaik is my last name :) now about
  • Mr. Pid
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    Sonic Surfari
    Hangin' ten with ya, my brother! I am loving your Desert Dog idea, and wish that I had some way to realistically help you bring it off. I think it would be really cool. I have no idea if any of the Powers That Be ever read any of the stuff here, and I certainly don't blame them for never weighing in directly (could you imagine the tsunami of PM's their ID's would get?) but perhaps there are backchannels, and you never know. I do know that several of the Europeans here have lamented about the lack of shows there. Perhaps the notions could be coupled. I'd be surprised if such an undertaking couldn't be put together in an economically viable way. Thank you for your kind offer of assistance should I figure out a way to get over there. I hope to be able to take you up on it. I certainly wouldn't ask you to haul my bag around. I'd like it better if you wanted to play instead! While some people play golf as a competition against other golfers, to me it's more of a competition against the course itself. And in my case, the course usually wins. But I always have fun, no matter what I shoot. Beats the holy living tar out of work, as far as I'm concerned. As for your misplaced friend, have you considered a post in the looking for people thread? Who knows, he may show up around here. How cool would that be? Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
  • ikoiko
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    good vibrations!
    i'm glad we're on the same wave. one of my dreams is to invite RatDog to play in Dubai, I know I can do it! it's nothing difficult or strange and I believe Bobby wouldn't mind or would actually like to do so due to his love for venturing into other cultures and places. Santana was here couple of months ago and we have an annual Desert Rock concert which attracts all the famous and well known bands. I'd love to see a similar Egypt experience repeat gain! I'm actually eligible to innagurate the event, I have a business license at Dubai Media City www.dubaimediacity.com which I can easily add Events Activity to it. I can then start my corresponding with The Band and hopefully reach some sort of an agreement. As you mentioned there are plenty of Golf activity going on here and I don't see why you can't visit, maybe you would have to wait till next winter where the weather is nice. I'll caddy for you :) let me know if interested, I'll gather some information for you and try and get you the lowest deals. When I first saw your picture you reminded me of a friend of mine, a fellow deadhead: Jeff Cobb, I lost contact with him after I left but I hope to find him someday. It is morning now, it's 11:00AM but when posted my last comment I think it was after 2:00AM, can't really remember but I stay up late/early almost everyday, Till the morning comes .. I sometimes feel grateful that my mom passed away and didn't live to see what the world is turning to these days, eventhough She's Gone 3 yrs ago, things has changed radically since then. This year is a very weird one due to numerous astrological fluctuations, events and changes. People often think that they control the ways of life and don't stop to think for a minute that they're only a small particle in this cosmo's cause and effect phenomena. I know one thing for sure: if we don't stop this madness and the way we think about ourselves which is ultimately eachothers, things are gonna get worse to eventually get better! it's a basic pendelum concept but do we really have to go to that extreme? When will we ever contemplate the middle path and learn from our historical mistakes. Mankind is so stubborn. Peace
  • Mr. Pid
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    You are welcome, and correct, sir!
    At least as I see it. We are all one people, and it is a shame that more don't choose to see what should be so intuitively obvious. Especially when those people are in leadership roles. Thank you for your insight. and I appreciate your desire to help spread the concepts of peace, tolerance and understanding. I am sorry to hear about your mom. I hope that her passing was peaceful, and doesn't weigh on you too heavily. Peace be with her. If you hadn't noticed, I'm also an inveterate golf junkie, and since I've heard that they speak golf in Dubai, it's actually on my list of places I'd like to get to one day. Unfortunately, that probably won't happen any time soon. One of my uncles graduated from Kent State. See, we're closer already! And you certainly are up late, or is it early? Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
  • ikoiko
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    that's very kind!
    thanks brother! I was a student at Kent State in the late 80's studying art and i met with so many beautiful and kind people that flipped my whole perspective about the US. When the war broke up in Kuwait in 1990, my family was still there and I found my self in the hands of strangers that soon turned out to be my second family. It took alot of diversity, conversations, exchanging of thoughts, beliefs and emotions in addition to sincere persistence to flip the table around. I found serenity and peace in the deadheads accompanied by "high" intellect, insight and hip thoughts that added a touch of grey to the false beliefs and convictions we both had about each other. Western deadheads found in me knowledge they lacked and I managed to bring them closer to the truth as it is and not as they perceive through propaganda and vice versa :). I came back to proof my family wrong in their thinking that I went astray and was lost for good (actually, I also wanted to be sure too myself, hehe). I also wanted to fulfill my mom's wishes and be close to her, but now she passed away and I no longer like it here. At the time, suddenly the east seemed to be a more joyable place now that I had been to the west and seen it all, I started appreciating the east. It's polarity in a sense. It's all the same, we're all one.
  • Mr. Pid
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    Yes it is
    Sorry, didn't mean to throw you there, I'm always intrigued by new perspectives and bored by repetition, so I like to encourage others to speak freely. That's part of why I like the Dead so much. No performance is ever the same, they're always reflective of and informed by the circumstances of the moment. More like a conversation than a recitation. I think there are many troubles in the world that could be better handled by an increase in frank, honest and open communication, coupled with a willingness to listen, and an understanding that simple differences of opinion or perspective don't have to escalate into conflict. It's not necessary to agree with someone to understand their point of view, but it is necessary to hear them if you want to understand their point of view. And if a person expects to have their point of view respected, then they should be prepared to respect other's points of view as well. Seems simple enough to me. I don't get to interact directly with many people from the middle east. Since I'm reasonably certain that most of what passes for information about the region here in the US has been thoroughly whitewashed, I'm quite pleased to make your acquaintance. I saw on your profile that you caught two shows. Congrats! What brought you over here? What led you back there? Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
  • ikoiko
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    it's a tagline!
    mr.pid! Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's. didn't see that coming :)
  • ikoiko
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    moving much too slow
    hey now! thnx for the speach tip, i'm trying buddy, eventhough i can't draw a clear line between the two. Sometimes your mind is someone elses .. I think. I'm a native of the region, but an expat of the country, don't make much sense now does it? I was born in Kuwait 1966, Jordanian national, palestinian origin and been "half" around this world, so it's been a long strange trip. I've been here for 9 yrs, now considering migrating to Canada or Newzealand, donno yet. pls. do emphasize on "speaking your mind", I'd like to learn if you can teach. Cool picture!
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Who are you? Where are you? What's up in your life? People who attended the Egypt shows are, of course, cordially invited to post their experiences as well!
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.Looking forward to the shows! I wonder if they'll do one in Mecca. Just kidding. Imagine that. Go Israel, stay safe! Peace to ALL MidEast Deadheads! absurd thought - God of the Universe says outlaw ALL dancing moving bodies to music must be seen as evil . All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech there can be no real freedom. .
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Any Deadheads in Istanbul, Turkey? I go every summer to visit my in-laws and it would be cool to hook up with a Deadhead there. On my last trip I was riding my bike in a fairly remote area and came upon a VW bus - I was praying for a GD sticker!!! No dice...
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Im getting ready to deploy to Iraq as a medic. I'd love to hook up with some deadheads and jam out over there. later, Doc
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safe travels to you. Feel free to tell us your adventures and let us know how you're doing. And bless you for your healing work.
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keep yer head down, bro.........from an old squid
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Hey Now, I'm in the UAE for most of Feb and maybe into March, I'm looking for someone to clue me in to some kind of Jam Band scene if it exists. Bike Week(end) was fun. JazzFest is good for a few days but I want a place to hang out. I'm tired of the Philipino cover bands, etc. There has to be some good music in this town if I poke around. Hophead
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are you in the Middle East?
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govern tomorrow, before the army fills a vacuum.
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sorry so long, in not getting into the group and discussion, I am a universality deadhead, became a Muslim in the states about 1996, after Jerry death, when in 96 i had an accident and was at brown university hospital and was told by the Doc. if i did not quit drinking, i would be "locked up or covered up" this is what i did in my search for Serenity exploring many of man kinds sciences and paths i choose Islam as the religion that appealed to my intellect, (in a philosophical tree climbing way) to channel the good freethinking vibes, to constructive use after years of tour and travel of the globe I took bible study coursed from various sources , went to the oldest synagogue in america, studied, and studied more , on tour I have been to Naroopa, boulder, an ashram out side goose creek Colorado, Lindisfarne, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, in Marin, lived in Italy considered a heretic,(Masonic) i was not catholic but i took advantage of being near RoME, and studied art history, while there also, reading on the real history of the church, as depicted in paintings. I was raised an American in Naples Italy, (origin of the Funiculì, Funiculà) lived there three different times, total of 13 years, between our trips around the globe, (father was Navy) we lived in mare island Vallejo, California, my great great grandfather is buried in Mount Tamalpais cemetery. so i was more local to the area I was about 1982. then stopped a few other places in the USA, between 1980 to 1984, my family did many road trips across the Usa, what i always could remembering all the cool folks on the roadways of America. various tours; been to the 25 reunion of woodstock in Bethel, New York 94, stayed two weeks and got in on the clean up of that site , the freedom fest and camp arrow head. 94 world unity fest in south rim of grand canyon, black mountain in Arizona, subsequent rainbow gatherings, from 92-96. I was in palm springs, California area may to July 95 I greyhounded to Rhode island from California, stopped in Oklahoma city, two weeks before Jerry un timely death, I was in Newport, Rhode island, and was considering a road trip to NY for the annual gathering at woodstock, then catching the Newport folk fest, that years folk fest was; whew... Now being here in Kuwait for 9 years where gas is cheaper than water per liter. I have the only cars in Kuwait with dead head stickers. 2004 Pajero , with 4 inch dancing bears across the rear bumper, and a titanium syf sticker, as well as a STF sticker on a 2003 honda civic 4 door. ,and a 1982 Maserati quattroporte, If i can figure out how to post the photos here would be cool. I married a wonder full Kuwaiti Woman, with whom i met when she was visiting for seminars at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, in 2001, we met through one of her Kuwaiti relatives I knew from the local mosque in fairfax, Virginia.we have 4 little boys and they demand Jerry in the morning, while driving I have raised them on the dead and may of the few "streams" to get them to listen with me. i wear tie dyes on a regular basis, (you cannot show up at a mosque in a tie-dye) I been to the hajj in mecca in 2002. I have taken my other wise conservative Muslim wife to the haight ashbury street fair in 2007, every place between Vallejo and Monterrey, On 9/11, of which I was TWO KM as the crow flies from the pentagon, after all the interrogations from the secret service, I had a yacht repair business on the Potomac river, servicing the marinas, people threw all the work contracts out the window , because i did not keep it a secret that i was a Muslim long before 9/11, at my core i am an american, well I moved to Kuwait, and started supporting the US Army as a mechanic, body shop, As well as working my own angles with the boating and yachting industry in Kuwait. this is a very conservative society so the only way i introduce musicians here about the dead i let them listen to Garcia/Grisman "Arabia" for some reason the song stirs the Arabian soul ; i try to bring out some musical awareness, so most Arabs think we (deadheads) are christian a cult of the dead in america, this is from from a religious point of view, and first impressions, then if you know names of popular Arabian musician, then they get the idea, the deal is to learn the language, and the society in which you live, they are all different in the gulf region, what goes for one does not for the other. thanks for letting me introduce my self
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Hey now .. I hope you're all well and happy.Last time I posted here I was living in Dubai, but now I moved to Amman/ Jordan. I wanted to let everyone know that I have a cool & creative business center & Fine Art Gallery on the main rd. to the DEAD SEA (also the Amman airport rd.). I named it GD (Gallery Docart). If you happen to pass this way please come and visit me and as a member of the "clan" :) I'll make sure you have a good time and try and help with anything you need, beside, The Dead tunes are always playing in the background (i use gdradio). Coffee, Wi-Fi, laptop usage are on the house for Deadheads. In return, if you're coming from the states, please bring me a GD something! anything, a sticker for example ... that would be very kind of you. In addition, if you like to learn more about the place and investigate the potentials of trade for Tie Dye t's, tapestry, beads,..etc. drop me a line, maybe we can do something. You can find more details on Facebook: Smaik Design Center or Gallery Docart or even on my personal page: Nedal Smaik. I really look forward to see you!! THX.. Love+Peace+Happiness
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thanks for the info ikoiko. Last time I was in Amman was 1997... no GD hangout there then I am sure, but I have many happy memories of Jordan. I'll be sure to look you up if I get back there.
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long time no see! Nice to hear from you!
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It's good to hear from you too! and just incase you wondered why i disappeared, I was in jail in Dubai then Sharjah/united arab emirates for 13 straight months for smoking a cannabis joint!! originally sentenced for 4 years then got out with a pardon and deported, lost everything i built in 15 years including my business and my wife too! but now im back on my feet again, my wife is back too and i hve a nice business setup in Amman/ Jordan. I look forward to seeing any fellow deadheads visiting Jordan, you all know you have a a friend here. thx again.. Peace
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well, that's certainly a cautionary tale! glad things are better now! Ay-yi-yi!
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Hi Marye, I hope you're well. From your experience, do u think there is any chance that Further would consider coming to play here in Jordan or Egypt (again)? if "things" quite down in the region some time in the near future? and if guarantees and precautions on top levels concerning security are provided .. i personally think it would be magical! The Dead Sea, Petra, Pyramids .. we have a couple of fantastic (functional) and ancient amphitheaters. Jordan is a peaceful place that cherishes freedom and thrives for democracy. The whole experience for both sides would be .... historical! just a .. persisting .. thought. Peace
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about that! You might go over to Furthur.net and post, and see what kind of conversation came about!
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thx for the tip .. i'll do tht when i gather enough ... confidence or something!
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They used to have a Jazz Festival at Amman Amphitheatre in the Spring. Do they still do that? Or what about Jerash Amphitheatre? .I saw Fairuz there many years ago. That was quite something.
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thx cosmicbadger for corresponding .. Amman amphitheatres Jazz fest. is still on so as Jerash, wow Fairuz, lucky u :) .. I imagine Wadi rum, deadsea, aqaba, petra would be future potential venues, amazing but not expolited magical places -in my opinion-. com by n visit sometime pls. :) peace
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...considers the conflict in Afghanistan to be the "good war", and basically hasn't done anything different than "W" over there, including "murdering brown skinned people", will the "Deadheads for Obama" still vote for him in November?? ANSWER: Of Course They Will !!!!!!!!!
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Just moved to Abu Dhabi this year and it's a great place. But I haven't met a single head out here! Is there anybody around that wants to get together and play some tunes together or even just swap some music? There's only so much pop music a girl can take!
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I came over to help start the newly created special education department in a private non-profit school for local kids (mostly-- there are a few expats in the mix but not many) It's amazing and fulfilling work. The teachers are from all over the world and it's been incredible getting to know everyone. Still, it gets a bit lonely at times not having any heads around to talk to. More than ever I am realizing how much of a unique culture we deadheads have and how it shapes who we are and how we view the world. My friends and colleagues here are quite tolerant of my "crunchiness" in a place that is renown for decadent lifestyles and glamorous ways, but I don't feel that connection that I get when I'm at shows. Luckily, I will have my summers off and can go on tour!
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Are the Muslims in AD "Jack Muslims"? (Backsliders, for want of yet another term). I know they do ridiculous things in the desert like ski in climate controlled warehouse-like buildings. The disconnect from the rest of their culture must be massive.
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Hey now .. I left the UAE scene last year and i now reside in Amman/Jordan about 1 hr away from the Dead Sea. I still have few friends in Abu Dhabi, non are dead heads :). Enjoy your stay, look at the bright side of things while in this region (if any). If you get a chance pls stop by and visit, you have friends (and fellow deadhead) here. If you come across any trouble while in abu dhabi, pls let me know, I may be able to help. All the best .. Good loving vibes .. nedal smaik (nedal smaik on facebook) IKOIKO
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Nice to see you again.
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its always nice to see you too, thanks!
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hey now Anna, i hope ur well, safe and happy. lol re. "jack muslims" or backslider, i had to dig the meaning from the dictionary: To revert to sin or wrongdoing, especially in religious practice. not all of the muslims my fellow dead head are backsliders, but most of them, just like any other faiths that went astray, i'd say maybe half the population or even more! im a muslim by birth and geographical region .. but i also realize that i'm a child of the universe and all faiths and believes, i appreciate all "the others" and realize myself as any ordinary man, free from all the unnecessary burdens and lies of .. The Backsliders, being muslims or not.. if the "others" show the same sentiments and emit the same vibes as mine, i get along with any "other" ethnic or religious fellow humans, regardless of any discrimination of any type. my motives and beliefs is to see every human live in peace and harmony, no poverty, no wars and no pain for a mother, child or man. share the same goals and concerns, share the wealth that is given to all of us through out the history and the entire globe. we're all one and share the same fears, hopes and desires, we cry and laugh the same way, we love the same love, the one true and only love, but when we hate .. we hate in many ways that were planted by backsliders :) have a grateful day .. love and peace nedal
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It is quite true. Though I wouldn't agree with the sentiment that it is the backsliders that cause most of the conflict. In fact, it is the true believers who tend to be most intolerant. A cursory examination of all the world's religions would show this to be as true as a generalization can be. Looking at the conflicts in the world today, it seems to be the true believers among the Muslims who are causing a lot of conflict and problems for people on almost every continent. I do also fault the economic designs of industrialized countries for encroaching where they don't belong for some of the problem. Not to open a whole other can of worms here, but I am very close to the Nepali people and their culture. Many of them are servants in the homes of even ordinary people in most Middle Eastern countries and they are treated like dirt by a minority of the families because they are "non-believer" Buddhist and Hindu. Some of the abuses are egregious in the extreme - so graphic I can't go into detail here. I am not impugning your culture or religion in any way. The "True Believers" of every religion all over the world act in much the same way. Do have a grateful day, Nedal
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thnx so mch for ur comment and yes what u reflect is valid regarding "true believers" (but who are the true believers or think they are?!) and being the main cause of conflicts through the entire world. i wish we can discuss this further and exchange views and visions, perhaps some time soon.. kindest thoughts .. nedal
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i thought about that while writing my post
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Just wanted to say thanks for the good wishes. I am having a lovely time here (it helps that my job is amazing) I have been hoping to get out to Jordan next year, so I will certainly try to get in touch if and when I actually get that together ;-)
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its great to hear that ur having a lovely time and enjoying your job! travelling to Amman from AD is not costly (400-450Dhs) and there are no complications. Once here (if u come :) we'll visit dead sea (search for some scrolls :), petra and wadi rum, jerash and mt. nibo,..etc. pls keep n touch. :) kind thoughts and peace, nedal
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Hi deadheads im a 30years old male from Iran im new here Am i the only deadhead from Tehran here? I know many GD fans in Iran its surprising to see many young people listening to more earlier sound of GD here
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Hi, my name is Sandya and currently living in Dubai with my husband, David. I was curious to know if there were any other Deadheads here in Dubai or relatively close? We just received the Spring 1990 collection and were enjoying listening to the shows and got to thinking there has got to be other deadheads here.... please say there is. :)
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Hi guys! So I'm in the same country at least, here in abu dhabi. I have wanted to hear that Spring 90 collection as my husband and I did that tour together. Great memories!
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Looking for some good music here in the holly land. Just moved here recently and looking for some help from my deadhead brethren.Keep truckin
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Hey I am an American living in Istanbul. The musıc scene is wonderful here but I wonder, are there any other Dead Heads here?!! SOS!
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I've never been there, though some friends' family is from there originally. It sure looks like an interesting place in the travel shows!