Report #66: +43C, 20% humidity

Report #66: +43C, 20% humidity

I've been complaining about bottom-of-the-barrel people in Dubai, but when I look around, I've met some of the best MEN too. Let's face it, the women / hookers in Dubai remain- well, hookers.

 

Jail in Dubai

My colleague went to jail for two days for a bar fight. Not only did he and the other guy go to jail, but also a third guy who tried to intervene. In Dubai they don't bother with minor details such as whose fault it was.

 

When he tried to go to Saudi last week, he was stopped at the airport and taken into custody because he had not paid the AED1,000 fine for intoxication.

 

Moral of story: Don't have an outstanding court date because you're not able to leave the country.

 

So much for security

The box for the access card to enter my building is frequently broken. The law abiding tenants stop their cars by the security guard booth and show their access cards to be let in.

 

Me, I've had it with all the bullshit with this apartment and the high rent, so I don't flash any freaken access card or stop by the security booth. I flick my hand to the security guard to open the gate as I pass the booth and don't even slow down to wait for them to open the gate. It better just open by the time I reach it.  Driving a rental is so good!

 

On the same note of benefits of driving a rental

A middle-aged man in a Mercedes tried to steal my parking space I was backing in to. He blocked the parking so I couldn't get in. A second later he realized that I wasn't even attempting to stop but was about to back into his Mercedes. Then he very quickly backed up.

 

I've noticed that when other drivers realize you're not going to stop before you hit their cars, they will move.

 

Kids, unless you drive a rental, you may not want to try this at home, though.

 

Springtime in Dubai

Spring has reached Dubai! +43 C (108F) and low humidity of 37% so it's OK – actually never mind the low humidity. When it's +43C it doesn't matter what humidity it is. It's freaken hot!

 

Sharks

Was just informed that there are sharks here… This is why I don't go in the water! Shouldn't +45C be too hot for the sharks anyway?

 

Goodbye party for Aleem

He's moving back to Calgary. I felt so sad as I drove home from the party at 2:30 am with the techno music* we've become accustomed to blasting from my rental car's loudspeakers.

 

Aleem's departure highlighted the mortality of the Dubai-stay. Dubai has a finite ending for everyone. Even people who claim to enjoy it, know they will only stay here for 3-4 years.

 

*Pre-Dubai, nobody listened to techno. However, in Dubai nightclubs and bars only play techno so you start liking it.

Dubai changes you. I never thought I would find it sexy to watch men dancing Arabic dance to Arabic music.

 

MAC

Hung out with my colleague and a Swedish client and had a really good time! Went to outdoor bar, sat on the beach, suffered while the boys played "dare", ate 2am Lebanese dinner, and drove home to my expat-compound.