Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Rules from the Hood... the Dubaihood

I thought it might be fun to share a few things that we’ve learned about Dubai.

Rules from the hood
  • Driving at night with your headlights turned ON is entirely optional. Turn signals aren’t ever needed either.
  • When at a red light it’s required to beep at the person in front of you about 0.5 seconds after the light turns green.
  • “Same same” explains a lot.
  • When you don’t know the answer it’s best to say “It is no problem.”
  • When a service company tells you “inshala” that means they have no freaking idea when they will get your problem fixed.
  • Oh and “It is no problem” means, in fact, there is a big problem.
  • Since there are no side walks, cross walks or walking bridges, it’s ok to play a human game of Frogger across a 10 line highway.
  • Learning patience is a must, otherwise you might find yourself deported.
  • There is absolutely no PDA. But it is ok for 2 grown men to hold hands.
  • Directions to a location always include at least 4 U-turns. And the directions to a location are never the same as leaving.
  • Sticking bare wires from a power tool into a power outlet is entirely normal for a worker who comes to fix something in your house.
  • Maps and GPS devices are pretty much useless because the roads change daily
  • When splitting a bill between 2 credit cards, just say “half-half”. And of course, if the group is splitting the bill 3 ways, you say, “half-half-half”
  • Mamsir and coffeetea are 1 word phrases
  • Where are you from and how long have you been here are the first 2 questions that you ask someone that you meet. The third is likely how long are you planning to stay?
  • If you miss your exit, it’s ok to back up on the highway. After all you’d have to go way out of your way and make several U-turns to fix your mistake.
  • Mall car parks are designed by people who don’t drive.
  • It’s important to look like a super model when you pick your kids up from school.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Packing Up

Yup, we are leaving Dubai. It's been great, but it's time to go! We will miss all of our friends here dearly and hope that they come visit us in Connecticut.

Our moving crew was great. They were all from Indian. Each day after they ate lunch they would take a nap on a piece of cardboard. They loved that we took their picture on the last day. I promised them I would put it on the internet. :)








Larry "sealing" the truck. Our moving crew.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Trip to the top of the world - Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, formerly Burj Dubai but renamed to reflect the Emirate that pays the bills, I guess I could have left that synical part out. Any how, now that the elevators are in working order we decided to check it out. The observation deck is on the 120th floor and it costs 100 Dirham to go up. A bit of trivia for you, Burj mean tower. Burj Khalifa is 828 metres tall (2,717 feet).










Sunday, May 23, 2010

Black Palace Beach

We will miss Black Palace beach... the only remaining drive on beach in Dubai, i.e. you can drive right up to the water. We went to watch the sunset. There was an Emirate woman walking her monkey on the beach - yes you read that right, her monkey! All I can say is "Only In Dubai."
















Friday, May 14, 2010

Dani's Party

We didn't get many pictures of Dani's party. We rented a Hummer limo for an hour to drive around town. We drove out to Palm Jumeriah and back.





Friday, May 7, 2010

Elle's Party

Elle had a small get together with a few friends from her class. One last hurrah before leaving Dubai.

Elle's best bud Paloma.


Elle and Seejin eating icecream.


Seejim and Paloma


Seejin, Elina and Tara. Paloma, Seejin, Elina, Tara and Elle.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sailing

Sailing with our neighbors - Nigel and Sadie along with Dani's friend Laura.


cute little Sadie who now loves the boat and the sea.

Elle, Laura and Dani splashing around.






Boy the Burj Khalifa looks small from here.







Pretty girls.


The Dubai skyline showing the Burj Kahilfa the tallest building in the world.


Captain Larry






Jumping into the gulf.


Dani and Laura. A traditional dhow boat.


Some sailers who didn't mind us taking their picture.


Sailer quarters