Britney of Arabia

31 Days of Sobriety

2012-02-01T18:30:00.000+04:00

Hello, old friend...

No judgement, no superiority, no smugness, just a few things you notice when you stop drinking for ONE WHOLE MONTH:

Non-Alcoholic Drinks Can Bore Off

What do you drink if you’re out and you’re not drinking grape? I’m not a soft drink lover (with the occasional exception of ginger ale – yes, I am 90) and not a massive fan of imbibing pints of liquid at the best of times. Which leads me onto….

Bar Staff in Dubai Have Never Heard of Lime and Soda

Honestly, try asking for this in a bar. At best you will get a glass of soda water with a cursory bit or lime – or lemon – thrown in. At worst you will get a half pint of cider. Yes, CIDER. Shudder.

You Don’t Need Water by the Bed

The usual routine of the pint glass of water at the end of the night is rendered obsolete. Obviously if the house was burning down it might come in handy, but when retiring to bed sober, there is no rapacious need for cold, delicious aqua at 4 am.

(At the start of the month) You Question Your Mother Potential

"How do women give up wine for nine months?" you ask yourself, whilst looking anxiously over your shoulder for social services.

(Towards the end of the month) You Start To Consider a Life of Zero Alcohol

Once through the initial shock of not reaching for the juice box when you fall through the door from work, and have settled into a level of calm resignation, crazy thoughts occur to you such as:

· “Maybe I could be sober ALL THE TIME?”

· “Is this what Russell Brand feels like?”

· “Perhaps I could live in Saudi after all.”

There were more observations but I'm too busy reaching for the fizz to type them....

Back To School

2012-01-29T10:36:00.000+04:00

Just beautiful..

One of the things I love about Dubai is that even after almost four years, I still stumble across exciting new things and experiences. Take last weekend for example. I’ve caught an abra across the creek COUNTLESS times. I’m always strolling through the spice and toy souks, stocking up on Frankincese and and soaking up the atmos. And yet, after taking a few twists and turns through unfamiliar alleyways, I found THE most beautiful old restored school.

Al Ahmadiya School was the first regular school in Dubai, opened way back in 1912 when life was hotter and harsher. It’s been beautifully restored, and as it’s most definitely off the beaten track, we had the place almost all to ourselves. Treat! I felt a bit like Indiana Jones, only with better shoes, more make up and over-sized sunglasses.

There’s a gorgeous Heritage House next door which is just as exciting (yes, I know I’m a geek). The gift shop alone was worth the visit - they're selling the most beautiful dirham purses, currently in Galleries Layfayette at 300DH for just....15DH. I had to check the price twice and felt like I'd robbed the shop keeper as I skipped out with a handful!

There’s something very intriguing about these beautiful old buildings next to the creek. If you close your eyes to the glittering skyscrapers for a minute, you can almost drift back to days when life in Dubai revolved around pearl diving and dhows…simpler but tougher times.

We also came across the cutest hotel which I’ve earmarked for a night’s stay. As we headed back to the abra station the adhan kicked in and it was nothing short of beautiful. I’m not sure what I’d do without my weekly creek fixes!

To Post...or Not To Post?

2012-01-29T10:30:00.000+04:00

Rarer than unicorns!

It’s a well known fact here in Dubai that our postal system is virtually non-existent. Post is not delivered to the door of your villa or apartment, only to a PO Box. Some, not all, apartments come with these. In the main I use my office address as it has a PO Box number and it’s easier for parcels.

This however, is still not foolproof. I’ve had numerous cards and parcels from well meaning friends simply never make it – if you use regular Royal Mail – forget it. I received one Christmas card,posted on December 20th,last week, one whole month later. To be sure of anything you need to use Fedex – and understandably no one wants to fork out for this.

It’s the same the other way – Dubai to the UK. Whilst the UK may have a good (?!) postal system, our terrible one means you’re gambling with your items unless you Fedex them. Despite the cost (20 quid plus for a letter) I’ve started doing this regularly, it’s just not worth the pain of losing things.

As I’ve never ACTUALLY posted a letter, I was intrigued, nay excited, to spot a REAL LIVE POST BOX when exploring Deira at the weekend. There it was, resplendent and red and shiny. I couldn’t believe it! Had a very good look at it, in manner of pig staring at a wristwatch, took a photo, then continued on my merry way. Nice to know they exist, but I still wouldn’t risk it!

Growing a Big Bush

2012-01-26T12:16:00.000+04:00

What I'm aiming for...

Despite having a father who has green fingers for a living, I’ve never been very good in the garden or plant department. Back in the UK I did at one point have a very large garden, which involved a lawn and a mower. Needless to say I paid a man to sort this for me….

When I moved into the city centre I swapped a garden for balcony, and after killing a wide variety of foliage I settled on the perfect solution: artificial plants. They were expensive but very realistic, and I figured that in the long run, I was saving money. Not to mention lives.

Since moving to Dubai I’ve completely eschewed plant life, despite a variety of lovely balconies. My main priority has been comfy seating from which to watch the world go by and (most importantly) to recline on whilst in bikini with trashy mags and a G&T.

That changed last weekend – maybe it’s the cooler weather, maybe it was my good mood, maybe it was the giddy plant seller next to the ‘Falcon Café’ (no, really) just off Sheikh Zayed Road…who knows. But I found myself back at home with TWO bougainvilleas – one a short fat bush, the other taller and skinner. Both beautiful and full of pink and yellow flowers.

The terrible weather and wind that howls round the balcony has meant I’ve kept the little guys in the lounge all week, but this weekend I shall be ensconcing them in their new sunny home. I’m really quite excited! Let’s see how they take to it. My (green) fingers are crossed.

Passport, Ready!

2012-01-26T12:13:00.000+04:00

Watch out, wombats!

The latest trip is in the diary: Down Under! Heading to Sydney for the wedding of an old, very good friend of mine and am giddy as a goat to get there. Being the international citizen that I am, I have a list of friends to catch up with before and after the main event, which also (luckily for me) translates into places to stay too.

Apparently Sydney is very expensive, but after 4 years in Dubai I remain unconvinced that anything is going to shock me – ten quid for a glass of wine takes some beating!

Obviously there’s an itinerary in process (recent quote used to describe me “she plans like a brain surgeon”) and in between the champagne catch ups and wedding joviality there is already a Big Bus Tour! Yes, I like to make sure I share my munter tendencies with the Antipodeans.

So, any Oz tips, do just let me know!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

2012-01-26T12:09:00.000+04:00

Rare, but can happen!

I can’t let this week pass without mentioning the weather. We’re in the grip of a cold snap here. When I say cold, I mean 16 degrees….yes I KNOW that 16 degrees is positively balmy in the UK, but after four years in the heat, it’s absolutely Baltic to me! AND it snowed in Ras Al Khaimah last night - ridic!

When I first arrived here I used to view grey, windy weather with suspicion, nay terror. Years of living in Manchester had conditioned me to expect hideous weather to set in for weeks or even months, so at the merest glimpse of a cloud here I descended into an emotional slump. I couldn’t understand why my fellow Dubai-dwellers leapt out of their seats with excitement at the merest sniff of a drop of rain. I may have even sneered when this happened.

Fast forward four years and I’m one of them: the hysterically excited people who LOVE a bit of wind and grey sky. Living on the 28^th floor also gives me an amazing view as clouds roll in from the sea or the marina.

Never fear, I have no desire to live anywhere where this is a perpetual weather situation. I’m strictly a temporary cold weather girl. And as all too soon we’ll see the temperature gauge ticking up up and away, I’m enjoying this whilst it lasts (apparently 3 days, fact fans).

On the Wagon

2012-01-16T15:07:00.000+04:00

Ho ho!

I had a tradition back in the UK where each year I had a dry January. After stuffing my face with everything in sight, both food and liquid, during December, this was actually a blessed relief. And as many of my friends were either doing the same thing, or watching their finances after a festive blow-out, I usually succeeded.

Last year in Dubai I managed to stay dry for exactly half the month. Which as I mentioned in my blog at the time, is not bad going in Dubai, where so much socializing revolves around licensed premises, and 12 hour working days can drive you straight to the fridge when you eventually stagger home from the office.

So far I’m 16 days in without a drink. I’ve survived a weekend away, dinner at Frankie’s, dinner at Ravi’s (both are usually happily oiled with vino) and even an art event where it took all of my resolve to resist the (free! free!) champagne. A lot of people seem to be in training for something this year, or making more of a conscious effort to be healthy.

But this year I’ve noticed something different about my UK chums: they’re not only eschewing the dry month, but embracing being wet. A few comments from friends:

Man down....had half bottle of red ...I may be a loser but am feeling great...
I am realistic about what I can and can't give up - wine is not a thing I can live without. I have cut down (no booze Monday - Thursday) but I cannot cut out.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been close, camel’s-whisker-close to cracking and ordering a glass of something infinitely more interesting that lime and soda. Somehow I’ve managed not to. Watch this space.

Less Zola, More Phoebe

2012-01-11T12:52:00.000+04:00

We're MUCH slower than Phoebe...

I’m still running. Yes, you heard correctly! It fell off the schedule in December, mainly due to excessive eating and drinking being my top priority over the festive period, but I’m back into it with a vengeance.

And it has (gradually) got easier, I can now run for almost 25 minutes without stopping. This may seem paltry, but six weeks ago I could barely manage three. I've declined JT's request to join him on the 10k at the end of the month, but maybe soon...

In addition to this, I’m…BOXING! Yes, boxing. After 3.5 years of boxing bootcamp I may not be Amir Khan but I do have a repertoire of moves, which we usually go through for fifteen minutes after the run. Two things spur me on:

The Route

Walk out of my front door, gaze up at the Burj Khalifa, cross over the road and head down to Burj Park. The most beautifully designed stretch of grass with paving, wooden decking, restaurants, cafes, bridges and…the world’s biggest fountains tinkling merrily as you go past. Step circuits at the Burj Plaza are almost enjoyable when Whitney is belting out ‘I will always love you’.

The Company

I find it almost impossible to run alone. Even my ipod chock full of early nineties house music struggles to keep me going. But with a companion I’m somehow spurred on. Oh, and it does mean there’s ample gossip opportunities.

Top running comments of recent weeks:

“Does a pain in my shoulder mean I’m having a heart attack?”
“I want to stop.” “When you want to stop think of skinny jeans.”
“I want to stop.” “When you want to stop think of fat girls.”
“I want to stop.” “When you want to stop think of Elle Macpherson.”
“Please go easy on the sex noises when we’re doing the steps.”

If you see two blondes limping around Burj Park of an evening, do wave and say hello!

A Truth Universally Acknowledged....

2012-01-11T12:15:00.000+04:00

With this attitude, the husband may take some time...

Some might say a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle. Well, no sane person would, but you are definitely an object of interest here in Dubai if you don't have a husband.

Add into the mix being (ahem) out of your twenties and you are regularly scrutinized by other nationalities who are often married off and up the spout at an age where I was happily raving on podiums in a lycra catsuit. Ah, those were the days.

Example below - a real conversation between a friend and her (Indian) office boy:

Aziz: You find husband this year?
Friend: Yes Aziz
Aziz: Good, you need husband. You like English husband?
Friend: I like Arabic husband
Aziz: You speak Arabic?
Friend: No, but I am learning
Aziz: Good then you will find husband
Friend: Inshallah (if God wills it)

Only in Dubai. Inshallah, indeed!

A REAL Explorer

2012-01-11T10:32:00.001+04:00

One incredible journey

If you live in Arabia and think of exploring, one name usually springs to mind: Wilfred Thesiger. He was an English pioneer who, in addition to globetrotting to all sorts of places around the world, spent 5 years exploring the desert with Bedouin. He wore the clothes of the Bedouin and spoke their language; they called him Sheikh M’barak from the North, because rival tribes would have killed him if they found out he was English. He’s a legend – a real life Lawrence of Arabia and greatly admired and respected by locals here. He counted Sheikh Zayed as one of his best friends.

Last weekend I was lucky enough to visit a new exhibition dedicated to the great man, in Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain.

Not only is it a stunning record of his travels – beautiful sepia grainy images which have been chosen to work within the unique display environment of the fort – it’s a very moving account too. This is an age where the only way of life was the desert way of life. No real possessions, no luxuries, just camels, the odd barasti house, if you were lucky and living off your wits and instincts. His stories of days without food or water actually made my toes curl.

One part which touched me the most was the story of two teenage boys who left their families and homes to explore the Empty Quarter with Thesiger for years. Their loyalty and friendship lasted long after their great adventure and they were reunited thirty years later. Very moving.

It’s made me even more eager to visit Liwa and re-trace some of his steps, although I’ll hold my hands up: I’ll be relying on some modern comforts for that trip….

Where No Man Has Gone Before....

2012-01-11T10:27:00.001+04:00

I do like an adventure and to try to make the best use of weekends here. Yes we do occasionally watch men in tight trousers on a Friday, and of course beach club is high on the agenda in the warmer months, but whilst it’s cold (26 degrees) it seems criminal not to get out and about exploring.

Which saw me CROSSING A MOUNTAIN PASS last weekend. Yes, you read right. If you head into neighbouring Oman via Al Ain and Buraimi, then drive for about 30 minutes into the mountains, you find one of the most beautiful and hidden treasures: Khutwa Oasis. It’s so unknown that when asking for directions at a hotel 20 minutes away, they’d never heard of it.

After pootling through the stark Oman landscape, driving through tiny villages where life looks to have stayed the same for years, and driving up up and UP we finally crossed a teeny mountain pass. To be greeted by a flash of green in the middle of such dusty, dry scenery was pretty impressive – I squeaked very loudly.

The oases have been in existence for thousands of years – evidenced by ancient ruins, old villages and iron smelters inside them. Walking around them in the shade of the date palms, watching workers go about their day in a way that’s been unchanged for thousands of years, is a very calming experience and so good for the soul. Dubai with its glitz and glamour seems a very very long way away.

If you haven’t been (and I’m assuming 99.9% of people won’t have) I can’t recommend it enough. We left feeling very blessed to have seen such a place and very giddy to visit the neighbouring Jazira Oasis next time.

Thanks to this journalist who described Khutwa Oasis in such enchanting detail that we just KNEW we had to go and find it. Oh and if it wasn’t for their directions we might never have found the place.

Feline Bothering

2011-12-19T11:51:00.000+04:00

Admit, he's handsome, isn't he?

When I left the UK for Dubai, I left a variety of things behind me: friends, family, winter clothes, an umbrella and….one fat and fluffy black and white feline who went by the name of Frank. I won’t dwell on that as it can still get me a bit misty eyed….he has a lovely new home and apparently still counts watching the telly as one of his favourite hobbies.

Anyway. It’s rare that I get to bother felines these days, but there is one rather lovely specimen. She’s black and slinky and called Molly and she lives……in our favourite Dubai pub. As cats do, these days it seems! She’s often to be found wafting around the bar stools and tables, and (as with most cats) is rather partial to anyone who has had food delivered to their table.

As is customary last Saturday night we headed to the pub for a few vinos before heading to Ravi’s for a street curry. Maybe it was the sudden drop in temperature (I was freezing even I n fur lined boots, jeans, cardigan and scarf), maybe it was the thought that I was about to order food, maybe it was just because I can talk to the animals and was once a zoo-keeper for the day…..who knows! But the slinky black cat made a veritable bee-line for my lap, did a few quick furry turns and then settled down for the evening. Then ensued a beautiful few hours of ear rubbing, chin stroking, and general feline bothering. With regular deliveries of white wine. An absolute treat.

It was hard to drag myself away from her and it did cross my mind just how lovely it would be to have a permanent furry friend at home. But in my heart of hearts, I think it’s best for cats to have some outside space – especially as so many here in Dubai are re-homed alley cats who are used to life on the mean streets. Just another reason to move to that villa in Satwa, hey?!

National Pride

2011-12-18T16:33:00.000+04:00

The days before the Maqta Bridge...

The UAE is (quite rightly) very proud of its heritage and has been whipped into a complete frenzy before, during and after the 40^th National Day. Of course, I was also caught up in this frenzy. And it turns out that this frenzy has gone global.

You may have heard of Saadiyat Island – it’s just off the coast of Abu Dhabi and is famous for the Middle Eastern Louvre and Guggenheim being built there. And they also have a fabulous ’UAE Pavilion’ which I was lucky enough to visit on the way to Sade. Designed by Lord Foster, it’s a beautiful creation, originally erected in Shanghai for last year’s World Expo, then dismantled and put back together again on Saadiyat. Amazing.

At the moment it’s housing a celebration of the UAE. Called The Union, it’s a selection of photographs chronicled by a fascinating man called Ronald Codrai, who lived in the Emirates when it was just a pile of sand and oil was a twinkle in the Bedouins’ eyes.

The images are huge, which makes them extremely impactful and we spent a very happy couple of hours roaming around, reading the accompanying stories and even watching specially commissioned films which documented the creation of the UAE. It was a truly wonderful and moving experience. The exhibition ends on the 20^th, so if you haven’t seen it, you probably won’t. I’m very glad I was lucky enough to catch it.

Your Love is….FABULOUS!

2011-12-18T16:30:00.000+04:00

She sounded just as good as she looked..

I’m fresh back from a weekend in Abu Dhabi. Thankfully the days when I used to drive there twice a week, every week, for work, are a distant memory – and long may things stay that way. So this time when I head there it’s usually for pleasure – and oh what a pleasure it was! We fitted a lot into one weekend, but the main reason behind the visit was to see the amazing Sade in concert.

There’s something pretty great about heading to an outdoor concert in the middle of December, though I have to confess that I felt a bit chilly and had to take a scarf. And wear skinny jeans and knee high boots. Brrr! The concert was in the purpose built Yas Arena, nest to the Formula One track. It’s an impressive piece of kit and I’ve happily danced the night away to Stevie Wonder and Britney here.

And what was Sade like? WELL. Incredible. Breathtaking. Amazing. Add as many adjectives as you like here. Quite aside from the stunning stage show, which I really wasn’t expecting, and the superb band, have you SEEN Sade lately? She has the skin of a 20 year old (she’s actually 52. 52!!!!) and is still whippet thin. When she emerged from the floor for the opening number in skin-tight trousers, a tight sheer top and enormous cage shoes, I cheered inside. There’s just no excuse to slide into fat middle age anymore, is there? (Note to self: easy on the mince pies this Christmas).

The REAL Dubai

2011-12-15T16:11:00.000+04:00

Scruffy villa, shiny skyscrapers: hello Satwa!

I’ve blogged before about how I much love Satwa. Last Friday, when much of Dubai’s great and good were staggering around brunches, swigging beer and insulting waiters, we took a drive through Satwa. Not the main street, but the area adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road. A few years ago there were plans to knock this whole area down and put a new development in its place. They started this, but thankfully didn’t finish.

It’s THE most enchanting and magical place. It has none of Dubai’s glam and glitz, which is precisely why I adore it so much. As we drove around at sunset, the adhan swooping through the open car windows, we watched the community, who usually drive our taxis, clean our floors and serve our food, hang out and relax.

The buildings are crumbling, you dodge chickens and fat (and skinny) alley cats, if you’re lucky you even stumble across a few rogue peacocks (just how they got there from the Zabeel Place is anyone’s guess!).

An overwhelming sense of calm always washes over me when I spend time there. It has a spirit which is palpable. With the glittering skyscrapers of Sheikh Zayed twinkling in the sunset next to the corrugated iron low rises, you can’t help but feel that this is the real Dubai…love it.

Christmas Fever!

2011-12-15T16:08:00.000+04:00

He's even in the desert, you know!

So, it happened. I caught Christmas Fever! To be fair, I’d been actively courting it since November 30^th, but a busy schedule and distinct lack of real Christmas trees in Satwa meant that I was a little delayed in getting on board. Thankfully, that’s all changed, and my new (oh so beautiful) tree is resplendent at Harvarde Towers.

Don’t ask quite how we managed to fit it into a four door saloon car, suffice to say I ended up in the back seat with my face pressed against the rear view window for the journey home, but oh, it was worth it. I’m actually excited when my key is in the lock each night, knowing the beautiful twinkly vision that awaits me. And the smell of fresh tree is just a joy!

In addition to the tree I have a variety of festive treats around the house: stockings, crackers, Bethlehem snow globe (no, really), Bethlehem donkey, Christmas candles, festive room spray, Christmas tunes, movies….oh it’s such a treat being home right now!

As I had the foresight to take a day off work last week to plough through the Christmas shopping, there’s also piles and piles and PILES of presents under the tree. Now it’s time to go through the now traditional ‘will they won’t they make it stress’ due to the hideous UK weather. I have everything crossed.

Dating in Dubai: Chapter 27...

2011-12-04T18:24:00.000+04:00

War zones: less dangerous than dating in Dubai?

I’ve blogged before about the perils of dating in Dubai. For the sake of balance, I’ve also included some dire dating stories from the UK too. (The names are always changed to protect the innocent.)

When planning a friend’s birthday celebrations here in Dubai, our minds went blank and it was decided to go through the contact lists in all the mobile phones on the table. It’s customary for single girls in Dubai to give their dates nicknames, and we very quickly realized that these dating contacts read like a who’s who of complete and utter munterdom. They’ve been accumulated over a relatively long period of time, to be fair, but should there really be such a plethora of oddly nicknamed dates in one city?!

Here’s the list. I’m not making any of these up. And I’m not going to reveal just whose phone contained which names.

The Belgian Blubber
Gorgeous but Married
23 with Girlfriend
Sex Pest xxx
Xxx The Rapist
Specky 4 Eyes
Tennis Cutie
Hercules (this is a real name)
The Cook
Chicaman
Vincent Chase lookalike

All the single ladies, read it and weep….

Christmas Joy!

2011-12-04T16:40:00.000+04:00

Dubai Mall's tree: a bit big for my apartment..

One of the many beautiful things about living in Dubai is the way that nationalities (all 200 of them), religions and cultures not only exist side by side, but are positively encouraged. In the last few months we’ve actively celebrated Diwali, Thanksgiving, National day and next, we have Christmas. We make an effort to share our different rituals amongst office colleagues and friends – thankfully many of these revolve around food!

One ritual which is hard to explain (and you can’t eat it) is how to choose a Christmas tree. For years I went to B&Q back in the UK and chose my tree, but I honestly don’t know if I ever found it as tricky as I do here. Firstly there’s the environment - I love the ritual of heading down to Plant Street in Satwa, but it’s hard not to feel pressured with crowds of shop assistants crawling all over you. Then (and call me tight) there’s the fact that these trees are going to cost you the best part of a hundred quid – somehow it makes it all the more important to get the just right tree.

Things I’m looking for: fatness, bushiness, colour, smell and the one thing that you can’t put your finger on or explain: charisma. When I see the tree I’m going to enjoy for the best part of a month, I just KNOW. Which explains why I left Satwa without a tree yesterday. New deliveries are flown in on Wednesday…until then I’ll have to make do with (last year’s) Marks and Spencer Christmas room spray.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2011-12-04T16:39:00.000+04:00

Me, by January?!

I never really believed people who said ‘oh you acclimatize to the heat in Dubai’ when I first arrived here, sweating and puffing my way through 50 degree days on a sun lounger. I clearly remember one miserable day in Doha where we got caught outside whilst waiting for our driver in the height of summer. I actually thought that my eyelids would stick to my eyeballs and they’d pop out cartoon style, such was the dry, brutal sunshine.

Yet I have definitely noticed a change. When my parents visited in May they really struggled with outdoor eating, whereas I sailed through it. I even had dinner on a terrace in late July this year, when the mercury was hitting 40. (I’m not saying I looked attractive during this process, but I did handle it without a grumble.)

And as I head into my fourth winter, I’ve noticed that this works both ways. I’m cold. All the time. And it’s not AC induced. At the beach last week I sashayed down to the sea only to be faced with Baltic water. I was forced in up to my waist but let me tell you, that won’t be happening again until at least June next year. Hideous.

My latest purchase: a pair of fur lined Uggs. I originally intended to wear them round the house as slippers but recently I’ve been sporting them during trips to the park (freezing when the sun goes down) and during cinema visits. I’m drawing the line at a wooly hat, scarf and gloves, but I did eye up a pair of fur-lined ear muffs in the mall the other day. What next, an electric blanket? Hmmm, now you mention it….

Visitor Season!

2011-12-04T16:36:00.000+04:00

Anything I've missed?

The festive season and cooler weather herald a number of things: I start the annual quest for iced mince pies (thus far, never been found), and visitors normally start arriving in Dubai. OBVIOUSLY I have numerous itineraries in the back pocket which get tailored and amended to suit guests, and although it gets challenging to find new things to do for those who have visited before, it’s no less exciting to be a tourist in your own city.

Last week we entertained first time guests, and the joy in their each and every experience was infectious. From the creek , abras and souks to the new glittering Burj Khalifa, their giddy updates at the end of each day were a joy to hear.

With my family arriving in a little over two weeks, I’m racking my brains for new experiences for them. Thus far I’ve come up with feeding the penguins in Dubai Mall (told you I was struggling) and one FABULOUS thing which I can’t share as my dad reads this blog and it’s a birthday/Christmas surprise for him. If anyone has any tips which you think I may have missed, I will gladly hear them!

Happy 40th National Day!

2011-11-29T18:27:00.000+04:00

Excited much?

It's hard to believe that this weekend will be my fourth National Day in Dubai. I blogged about my first one here. This year is particularly special as it marks 40 years since the United Arab Emirates were formed. And it's fair to say we're going all out.

Unlike the UK where patriotism is almost un-PC, EVERYONE loves National Day. We're having a 3 day weekend to enjoy the celebrations. There are ceremonies all over town, parades, fireworks - so much to choose from that my mind is boggling! There's also the huge array of National Day themed merchandise - my office is looking particularly resplendent right now. It's hard not to get excited about it all, especially when I love my adopted home so much.

Although I don't know what I'm doing, I do have the outfit sorted: themed dress, hat, two scarves, BOOM! Full updates and photos to follow. If I don't make the front page of Gulf News it will be a travesty.

Simple Pleasures

2011-11-28T15:38:00.000+04:00

Where else can you find therapy for 5 dirhams?!

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I ADORE Dubai parks. They’re havens of joy and happiness and amongst the best therapy I’ve ever experienced after a tough week. And I’m clearly not alone, as at the weekend they’re packed with all nationalities and all walks of life, all united in one thing: having a fabulous carefree time. Over the last few years we’ve accumulated a pile of park necessities and I’m always on the look-out for more. I’ve actually started staring at other park-goers, not just because it’s great people watching, but also to see what park paraphernalia they may have that I need to get involved in!

So far these park items include:

Special fold-out ‘thing’ for sitting on. You need something waterproof as the grass is irrigated at night and can be surprisingly wet.
Special soft rug. Not an essential for everyone but I don’t leave home without it. This can be a fluffy throw or a camel blanket, depending on whatever is closest to hand.
Cool bag or picnic basket. Have been looking for a picnic basket for ages, without success. Have decided to save the dirhams and stick to the cool bag.
Some sort of game. Now I NEVER thought I’d be one of ‘those’ people who plays stupid games or frisbees in the park, but it turns out, I am! Current favourite is a bizarre game which is basically two discs which you use to bat a small runner thing made of string. Sounds ridic, but it hilarious. I am now hankering after a badminton set. No, really!
Cushions. The bigger the better, ideal for lounging on when exhausted from the aforementioned games, chowing down on some picnic food, or simply gazing up at the perpetually blue sky.
Picnic. Perennial staples: egg sandwiches and cold sausages. Optional extras: pretzels or ice cream.
Kite. This is a very recent addition. Ours is National Day themed and cost 10 dirhams (about 1.40 GBP).

So there you have it. What with the 5 dirham entry fee and cost-effective accessories, what price happiness? Not much!

Spotted!

2011-11-27T14:46:00.000+04:00

Eurgh is all I'm saying..

Regular readers will know my on/off again love affair with bootcamp. When it’s good (i.e you are going regularly) it’s really really good. When it’s bad (i.e you haven’t been for months – hello!) it’s horrid. It can also be a pain to get to – after a 10 or 12 hour day it can be hard to find the motivation to schlep your way across the city to their usual park or beach location.

So when we heard about a new Downtown bootcamp, our hearts leapt. We signed up faster than a rat up a palm tree. And in the main, it’s good. Typical bootcamp fayre: running, circuits, boxing. The one thing I hadn’t considered was how many of my friends live in Downtown. Added to which my office is in Downtown. Added to which Downtown is a very popular destination to visit even if you don’t live or work here. This means HUGE potential for being spotted by someone that you know, whilst looking far from your best.

Last week the worst finally happened. I had an email from an old friend that I haven’t seen in quite some time. “I saw someone that looked quite a bit like you running through Downtown clutching what looked like a basketball. Can you confirm or deny?!”

Sadly I had to admit that this was indeed me. Thankfully the friend was either too far away or too kind to also describe the sweaty mess that was me in any more detail. Is a disguise taking things too far in future?!