Dating in Dubai: Chapter 27...

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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!