Forum: pol
Page 2924
Subject: Moving to the Other Side of the Planet 2.0

  Posted by: nerveclinic - [3558247] Sun, Jun 24, 2007, 08:08

The original thread, which was getting a bit long, can be found here...

link

 
1nerveclinic
      ID: 42516247
      Sun, Jun 24, 2007, 08:16
As a first post to the second addition of this thread I will tell you about the Ice Bar that has just opened. It's called "Chill Out"

I haven't been yet.

Keep in mind it's anywhere from 100 to 120 degrees every day now and with the humidity picking up the heat index is typically saying it "feels" 10 - 15 degrees hotter then the actual temp.

Here's some info about the Ice Bar from a local newspaper...

Dubai: There may be no better way to escape the searing summer heat in Dubai than a visit to the Chill Out lounge, a new subzero experience from Sharaf Group.

Owners of the ice bar, situated in the new Times Square Centre shopping mall, are hoping it will be a hit with tourists and residents alike...

The bar, which charges a Dh60 (About 16 US Dollars) entry fee that comes with a beverage, is made entirely of ice – including an ice bar, ice chairs (with leather cushions) and even a decorative curtain made from sculpted ice blocks. Each guest is given a thick coat and gloves to brave the minus six degrees Celsius climate.

Chill Out plans to serve cold appetizers and alcohol-free “Mocktails’ in mugs of ice. The idea was to develop an experience, said Sharaf, just as Mall of the Emirates did with its indoor ski slope.



How are you supposed to warm up with a "mocktail"? Oh well welcome to the Middle East.

Coming soon is the under water hotel...a hotel that is entirely under water.



 
2Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Sun, Jun 24, 2007, 13:10 		The underwater hotel looks really cool. But that Ice Bar seems kind of annoying.
 
3nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Mon, Jun 25, 2007, 03:54
that Ice Bar seems kind of annoying

More annoying then walking around in humid 115 degree heat?

8-}

Until you've lived in this sauna for a few months, it's hard to
imagine how nice walking from the 115 degrees outside into a
room that is 21 degrees sounds.

The outside temp will be hitting 125-130 some days in the next
month.

Ultimately though it looks like a tourist attraction, the novelty of
walking into a bar that is completely made of ice and even being
served drinks in an ice glass.

I guess if they did serve alchohal it would melt the glass.

 
4Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Mon, Jun 25, 2007, 08:34 		I mean logistically it would be annoying always having to redo the ice and what not.
 
5nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Wed, Jun 27, 2007, 16:34

I have home internet.

Our local partner signed for me and I got it without a deposit (Was going to be $1500 cash deposit otherwise)

Long story, boring details, but in any case I have it now.

Life is good.

Now if I could just find a burrito and a killer Cadillac margarita as good as the one down the street from my house in SF I'd be all set.




 
6nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, Jul 13, 2007, 16:18

This is the front page story on ESPN today...maybe just here. I don't know if they have different fronts for different regions.

Here's something else for you to ponder Baldwin.

Dubai sports


 
7nerveclinic
      ID: 536582214
      Sun, Jul 22, 2007, 15:58
Tallest building in the world...apparently they've done it.

link

There's a glaring error in the first paragraph of the article. It says oil rich Dubai.

Dubai is actually almost out of oil. Last year it was only 6% of the GNP.

Tourism and Retail far outweigh oil.



 
8Seattle Zen
      ID: 86541617
      Sun, Jul 22, 2007, 16:14 		Your link requires a password, Nerve
 
9biliruben
      ID: 4911361723
      Sat, Aug 18, 2007, 01:54

3000 people working at adding a story every 3 days. 145 stories and counting.
 
10nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Aug 18, 2007, 07:43

I haven't written here for a while so here is a new update.

Delivery.

Everything gets delivered here.

You don't think about it too much most of the year but once the mid summer heat sets in it's a way of life.

For example

Laundry

I don't have a washing machine and there are literally no laundry mats. It's relatively inexpensive to just have your clothes washed at the cleaners. Maybe I spend $50-75 a month.

So think of the cost of the laundry mat, the time you spend washing, the time you spend ironing. I have business shirts so that was always an extra expense in San Francisco because I wanted them pressed.

I probably spend the same now, not to mention the time saved. I just pick up the phone and 10 minutes later someone brings me the clean clothes and takes away the dirty. Everything gets pressed and either folded or put on hangers. No delivery charge.

Groceries

There are 2 options here. You can go to the grocery around the corner, pick out all your food and pay and then tell them where you want it delivered. If it's a small amount no problem you carry it. I go through a 12 bottle 1.5 liter bottle case of water every 4-5 days, not fun to carry home.

The other option is just to call..."can you bring me a case of water?" They come in 10 minutes and it's free of charge, tip the delivery person 50 cents to 1 dollar and they are thrilled.

By the way a bottle of nice quality spring water 1.5 liters cost .40 cents.

Restaurants

Within a few blocks of my apartment there are dozens of restaurants and all of them deliver free of charge. I have dozens of menus and when it's 110 degrees out who really wants to go out and eat? Again free except for a small tip.

I know in the States this goes on to a certain extent, but here it's a way of life. All the grocery stores and laundry's have bikes parked in front with baskets on the back to carry the delivery.

 
11biliruben
      ID: 4911361723
      Sat, Aug 18, 2007, 11:05 		Sounds like NYC. Alot. Even the prices.
 
12Mattinglyinthehall
      Leader
      ID: 01629107
      Sat, Aug 18, 2007, 11:15 		Yeah there's lots of people who live that way, especially in Manhattan.
 
13nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Oct 20, 2007, 15:45

Since someone (AK) asked I will give a few quick updates.

I guess I've settled into a fairly mundane routine so I've been less inclined to update.

Things that seemed shocking to me at first are just my everyday life now so without the fresh set of eyes I'm not feeling like there's as much to say.

The summer was brutal.

From the first of June until just a few weeks ago it was hitting highs of 105 to 115 everyday. Even at night it stays around mid 90's to 100 with a heat index often 20 degrees above the actual temp. Since I came back here from Christmas break it has not rained a single day...not one...let me repeat it hasn't rained even 5 minutes for one day.

Basically you wind up staying inside as much as possible. At most you walk a couple of blocks, You have lunch delivered so you don't have to go out in it. It's too hot for the beach and all the wonderful outdoor clubs and bars close for the summer.

The end of the summer is marked by Ramadan which just ended last week.

For an entire month Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This includes not drinking water. Likewise during this month it's against the law for anyone Muslim or not to eat or drink in public view sunrise to sunset. The rational is it's not fair to tempt these people who are going through a very tough experience. I can live with that.

Now it's not as bad as it sounds. Hotel restaurants are allowed to remain open (and there's no shortage of hotels in Dubai). You can call and order take out. You can even walk into fast food restaurants and get take out orders, just don't eat them in view.

Bars are open at night but they can't play any music which is really weird.

During this period the driving in Dubai is at it's worst. This is what I experienced when I first moved here because I came during Ramadan.

There are two problems with the Ramadan driving. First you have people operating motor vehicles who haven't eaten any food OR drunken any water all day. It's just common sense you aren't your "sharpest" under these circumstances.

Add to that we are talking about a group of people who have moved here from places like India and Pakistan who are sometimes driving for the first time in their lives, and coming from a part of the world where the concept of safe driving is an oxymoron and you have a real witches brew.

Finally the fast ends around 6PM at night. Companies let employees leave work a couple hours before ...all at the same time.

So you have these really hungry people, not thinking straight, rushing to get home in huge traffic jams. It's not pretty and this year I basically just stayed off the road in the afternoon whenever possible.

I've survived the whole year without a car of my own. My company gave me a driver during the day and taxis were cheap at night. I finally broke down and leased a car a couple of weeks ago. I felt it was time to get out on the road and see more so I finally did it. For perspective a Mitsubishi Lancer (Ugh) runs me $468.00 a month and that includes full insurance. Pricey but I don't have to worry about owning a car in Dubai. They degrade very quickly due to climate and sand.

I have the summer doldrums because this town really does shut down for the summer, but things are picking back up, the temperatures are dropping (It's 11:30 PM here and 86 degrees) the clubs are rocking and the place is starting to hop again.

In one short year I'm already seeing big changes to the sky lines.

I've been working on a web page, mostly photos and I should be putting it up soon. I will obviously link here when I do so.

So you see, boring post and that's why I haven't written. The funny stories are still here everyday, but now I take them for granted and don't even notice.

I'll try to open my eyes again.

Nerve in Dubai



 
14Boxman
      ID: 571114225
      Sun, Oct 21, 2007, 07:18 		Nerve: 60 Minutes did a story on the leader of Dubai; his name escapes me. He claims he walks around without any security detail and that he's geniunely a good guy.

What's your take on him?
 
15Myboyjack
      ID: 8216923
      Sun, Oct 21, 2007, 09:12 		not boring, nerve.
 
16Proxy Nerve
      ID: 16934217
      Sun, Oct 21, 2007, 09:34
Boxman Nerve: 60 Minutes did a story on the leader of Dubai; his name escapes me. He claims he walks around without any security detail and that he's geniunely a good guy.

What's your take on him?

His name is...

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

OK now first let's make something clear.

I can't really speak completely freely on the subject. It's public policy here that there is not political free speech, this is simply a fact so while I am living here I respect that policy because the alternative is if don't like it I can either leave, or wind up in trouble.

So now I will give you my positive impressions and they are sincere.

The guy is a definite visionary and a stand out "thinker" in the Middle East.

Whether Dubai is your cup of tea or not, it's plain to see there is something pretty spectacular happening here and it's the vision of, to a great extent, Shaikh Mohammad that is making all this happen.

Dubai isn't just growing, it's growing in unusual ways, and this is part of his vision (And likely the vision of the people he surrounds himself with) It's not just that there are buildings popping up, the architecture is truly progressive and inspired as measured by any bench mark in the world.

There are building being made in the shape of candle flames, there are building being built that bend toward the middle and then straighten out again. There are 3 or is it 4 huge artificial islands being built in the shape of palms in the middle of the ocean. There is a hotel being built that will be completely underwater. The biggest amusement park in the world, the tallest building in the world...The list goes on and on.

Another part of his vision is his decision to make Dubai a far more progressive state then almost anywhere else in the Muslim world. For example, the view of women in society here.

Shaikh Mohammad constantly goes out of his way to mention how important equality for women is in the work place and how this strategy will make the UAE stronger then other gulf countries that don't have the same view point.

In all government offices I go into (The only place where locals seem to work) there are always many women working and doing the same jobs as men. In the recent elections they were encouraged to run for office and won some seats. Of course women also have the same right to vote as men also.

To us this seems basic but you have to understand the culture in the rest of the region and how radical this concept is.

The nightlife here is also extremely progressive and nationals from surrounding countries fly into Dubai for the weekend to enjoy the freedom they don't have at home.

So a lot of the reasons for this are because of the vision and leadership of Shaikh Mohammad.

In an interview once he was asked about the "decadence" in Dubai and his response was that we build many mosques and we build many bars, it's up to the individual to decide which he goes to. (That's a from memory paraphrase don't hold me to it)

Finally as far as the "no security guards goes"...I've seen him in person 3 times once within about 10 feet once within 5 feet as he walked by me at Starbucks.

He owns a pair of buildings called Emirates Towers (Look it up on the internet, truly spectacular buildings) and I have meetings in the lobby sometimes as well as a client in the building. He has his office in the building.

Each time I've seen him, he walks around with a group of about 8-12 people following him. They are all locals. They look like fellow officials not security types but I'd be surprised if one or two aren't security but certainly nothing obvious.

Also while this walk through is taking place the Emirates Towers security is very close by and keeping a sharp but unobtrusive eye out.

Maybe what the interviewer meant is, he does just walk right by you, always at the front of the group, with little obvious protection.

My impression is he really is a remarkable figure. I think the more the world learns about him and the more Dubai's prestige grows (And it will grow) the more people will become fascinated with him and he will become, to some degree, a world personalty which I suspect is also one of his goals.

He is already one of the richest men in the world. The only reason he isn't near the top of the Forbes list is because they exclude royalty.

Finally one little quirky thing. He loves peacocks. I drive by his residence on the way home from work. There is a very long road that leads up to the gate. This road is open to the public. Lining both sides of the road are dozens of peacocks walking freely. It's pretty crazy really.

You can get out of your car and walk right up to them. I've taken many photos and will include them on my website.

Thanks for the question because it makes a nice addition to the thread.


 
17Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Sun, Oct 28, 2007, 21:01 		Are you noticing any of the strike yet? Or since it's all about the building do you think you'll just see a lack of "Work" on the surrounding projects.
 
18nerve proxy
      ID: 459342910
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 12:34
Are you noticing any of the strike yet? Or since it's all about the building do you think you'll just see a lack of "Work" on the surrounding projects.

Punk you have to put it in perspective. There are construction sites literally everywhere you look here. Hundreds of buildings, light rail all over the city. Half the city is a torn up construction site.

There are literally over a million construction workers here.

The strike is a couple thousand people.

They offered amnesty to leave the country earlier this year to construction workers who were here illegally and over 230,000 have left the country and I don't even notice that.

So how am I going to notice a couple thousand not working.

I can walk out my front door right now, 8:30 PM and see construction workers.


 
19Punk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 12:44 		Oh when I quickly read through it, it made it seem like all of the building projects were going to be on hold for a while.
 
20nerve proxy
      ID: 169332912
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 14:33
Oh when I quickly read through it, it made it seem like all of the building projects were going to be on hold for a while.

Yeah especially the headline at Drudge...8-}

Strikes have happened a number of times since I've been here. barely been a blip on the radar.

I think the bigger problems they are facing is all the workers that left during the amnesty, as well as a growing shortage of workers from India. As the India economy grows why move to make lousy wages when you can finally make them at home?

There's this theory going around that this city will get half way built and then just stop...



 
21Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 14:40 		Good stuff nerve. It's hard to believe it's been a year. I still love your initial culture shock posts the best. Keep it up, and I'd be fascinated to look at the website when it's up.
 
22Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 19:01 		There's this theory going around that this city will get half way built and then just stop...

I buy into that theory myself. I am impressed with Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision and the enormous effort that it has taken to get Dubai where it is today, but it sure screams "beware of the bubble".

Dubai is a centrally planned economy designed by one visionary who is creating Dubai, literally conjuring it out of the sand where nothing stood before. Why did nothing stand there before? Because it is hotter than Hell and nothing grows there. Rather than reacting to a market, the Sheik is creating a destination in hopes of creating a market, and so far he has generated a lot of buzz. There are not enough uber-wealthy on the entire planet, however, to maintain the growth or to fill all the 8 digit "beach"front houses they have planed. The development that splays out into the Gulf like a palm tree has very few people actually living in the homes. No one really knows how many are sold, the Sheik has a tight control on media and statistics.

It's an interesting idea. Dubai could be considered a crossroads between Europe and the Far East, but as jets become even more jumbo, most people will just fly over Dubai. It's too damn miserable to live there half of the year, there is no gambling or drinking, so it's no Las Vegas. I can envision it growing a little bit more, but the plans I keep hearing about more than doubling in size are, in my mind, dangerously ostentatious and are likely to blow up in the Sheik's face.

Nerve, as a fervent capitalist, surely you must have some skepticism regarding the long range plans the Sheik has made public. Oil money can go a long way, and there seems to be plenty of wealthy Arabs buying enough luxury goods, which allows your employer to lure you across the globe with a high salary. If oil becomes cheap again or if the rest of the world's wealthy don't care to move to or visit Dubai, would that not invite disaster?
 
23Baldwin
      ID: 125312919
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 23:00 		The number of uber-oil-wealthy nominal muslims ready to flock to Dubai to sow their wild oats must be staggering.
 
24Nerve proxy
      ID: 279373013
      Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 15:37

Zen I think you make some good points, and I certainly won't argue there is a potential for a "bubble". There may already be one. If I had to bet I would guess that at some point the musical chairs are going to stop and someone's going to lose.

That having been said you covered a lot of ground in your thesis so I want to address a few of your points and also correct a few statements that simply aren't factual (Just meaning you made them because you are only hearing about the place not living here).

Rather than reacting to a market, the Sheik is creating a destination in hopes of creating a market, and so far he has generated a lot of buzz. There are not enough uber-wealthy on the entire planet, however, to maintain the growth or to fill all the 8 digit "beach"front houses they have planed.

OK while you hear a lot about the "rich" aspect, there are people that come here for vacation who are not "rich", there are mid priced hotels and they are building budget hotels. You can eat here very, very cheap if you don't mind Indian food or Shwarmas etc. So it's already not "only the rich".

For Europeans everything is cheap here as the Dirham is pegged to the dollar.

I can go out my door any night of the week and eat a chicken shwarma (.75 cents) with a salad (.75 cents) and a soda or water (.25 cents) Not even two dollars and these places are all over town.

The development that splays out into the Gulf like a palm tree has very few people actually living in the homes. No one really knows how many are sold, the Sheik has a tight control on media and statistics.

Off the top of my head I don't think this is true. The properties are owned and sold by real estate developers, many expat companies, the Shiek just sells them the land.

I know real estate agents here, everything I've heard is that the first island sold out very quickly and properties have been flipped up to 5 times. (There's your bubble).

Your right though it doesn't mean just because they sold anyone is in them.

Dubai could be considered a crossroads between Europe and the Far East, but as jets become even more jumbo, most people will just fly over Dubai.

What you are discussing here is really Dubai as a "business" cross road between Europe and Asia. What a lot of companies are doing is setting Dubai up as the headquarters for this side of Asia.

For instance Saks 5th Ave has their headquarters in Dubai for the middle east and this is where they intend to run the new inroads into India.

I think you would find a lot of businessmen who would agree, India might be an interesting place to visit, but they would rather live in Dubai (Tax free no less)

It's too damn miserable to live there half of the year,
Yeah and 7 months of the year it's gorgeous. You almost never need a coat. There are beaches useable 7 months of the year. When it's too damn hot you go from AC to AC. It's like a Green Bay winter. You just do a lot more inside.

There is no gambling or drinking, so it's no Las Vegas.
OK you are half right. There's no gambling but my God all people do is drink here.

Every hotel has at least 3 bars if not more some as many as 5 and there are hotels everywhere.

I actually live in a "quiet" area and I can walk to a big night club and maybe 6-7 bars in less then 10 minutes...walk. 10 minutes in a cab and I can be in over a hundred bars.

Everyone who comes through the airport can buy 4 liters of liquor (Really cheap a liter of Absolute is about 13.00 US Dollars).

There are also liquor stores but you need a license to go to them, no problem if you are a resident. The free zone areas, all the new areas coming up serve liquor most of the restaurants not just hotels.

Finally, and I've done this, there are warehouses in Adjaman, a neighboring Emirate, half hour by car, that sells duty free liquor, pretty much anything you want really, really cheap. Just walk in, get what ever you want, no problem.

Now what do businessmen like even more then gambling? Right women. Dubai has this hands down over Vegas. Obviously if you've read any articles about Dubai it's always mentioned and they are everywhere and cheaper and less hassle then Vegas. (Of course that's just what I've heard)

Nerve, as a fervent capitalist,

I'm not a fervent capitalist, there's plenty wrong with the current state of capitalism. it's just all things being equal I think we are better off having the freedom to create our own businesses then have governments run everything.

surely you must have some skepticism regarding the long range plans the Sheik has made public.

That's putting it mildly. I have a lot of skepticism. Not about the plans, just the overly ambitious nature of them.

Oil money can go a long way, and there seems to be plenty of wealthy Arabs buying enough luxury goods,

There's at least as many Europeans buying the goods, probably more. There are also lots of Russians coming here for an assortment of reasons, some underground and some just because they have new found wealth and like the place.

The two groups of people that seem to avoid Dubai are Americans and Far East Asians (Unless they are Filipinos who work here)

New Indian money comes here to vacation and that will only grow as India's economy gets bigger.

Keep in mind, India is 1/6th or so of the world's population, the second fastest growing economy in the world and 2 cheap hours away by plane. Also keep in mind half of India is Muslim and there are twice as many Indians living in Dubai then locals.

A few years down the road they will have the biggest amusement park in the world, double the size of Disneyland, already under construction. You don't think Indians with new found wealth will fly here for vacation with their children?

Look it's not my cup of tea at all. I personally would never vacation here.

That having been said there are people who like it. There's up until recently been a very nice quality of life for Expats. (Changing now with all the growth and inflation.)

There are lots of big night clubs, glitzy hotels, spas, beaches, restaurants and women.

For some people that's a pretty good set of ingredients for a vacation. I'm with you though Zen that's not really my cup of tea.

Some final points to take into account. No income tax so a great tax haven for the moderately to very wealthy.

No tax on any goods in the stores.

The Dirham is pegged to the dollar so most of the world gets a huge discount when they shop here.

Finally, for the non Muslim, it's also far more progressive then you likely imagine, that's maybe the biggest surprise of all.



 
25Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 17:53 		Great post, Nerve. I'm glad to hear that I was wrong about no alcohol, I can't imagine a nightlife without it.

You make a good point about its potential as an Indian vacation destination. It will also be very interesting to see how long the industrialized countries will continue to allow their huge corporations to avoid taxation by locating in havens like Dubai.

Hope you stay there long enough for us to come visit you some winter. I like the sound of good, cheap Indian food on sunny beaches :) Now, back to the business of hitting the Lotto.
 
26Boxman
      ID: 571114225
      Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 18:43 		Nerve, how are Americans treated in Dubai; specifically tourists?
 
27nerve proxy
      ID: 53926315
      Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 07:26 		Boxma Nerve, how are Americans treated in Dubai; specifically tourists?

Pretty much like an upper class. There are the great unwashed, then there are the white people.

Seriously, I tell everyone I meet I am from America. I have never gotten even the slightest negative reaction.

If I bring up Bush 90% just don't want to discuss politics with you. The occasional Paki taxi driver will let you know how he feels about Bush but it's always low key and he always quickly adds...but the American people I like too much.

They watch our movies. The teens and young adults favor American rap and R&B music over any other especially the locals. When I see the locals at the internet cafe watching movies, it was always American movies, never Indian or British.

At the border there are never any issues. Even though you are only allowed 3 visit visas, I am on my 7th or 8th (long story)and if they ask why I can only start to explain before they just wave me in.

Embarrassing at times, you are often "served first" because of the color of your skin. I was leaving a club, there were two Filipinos waiting for a cab. One pulled up just as I walked out and the doorman tried to give it to me over the Filipinos which of course I refused.

I've never had any issues with government officials, and I've dealt with a number and you always have to show them your passport.

Many people who see my passport smile and say things like "oh you have the golden passport, they will do anything for you here".

I would honestly say being an American is a big advantage here that is hard to comprehend until you've experienced it. Mostly because you are white, but with the added bonus of America.

When they think of "negative politics" they don't personify it down to the level of an individual citizen, they always just think of the all powerful Bush in Washington.

Now if we bomb Iran I may have to update this post.

Seriously, the positive way that I have been treated is probably the single most shocking thing about my time here. I think what's most surprising at first is that you think one of these times when someone sees I am an American they will sneer, or look cross eyed at me. When they either smile or just give you a blank look back it catches you off guard since we've been told how much people hate us.



 
28nerve proxy
      ID: 29935315
      Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 07:35
Great post, Nerve. I'm glad to hear that I was wrong about no alcohol, I can't imagine a nightlife without it.

Zen I can't stress it enough. Alcohol fuels this town (There aren't any other things to consume).

This is a very big party town. Far more mega clubs then San Francisco. Clubbing, partying and drinking are a way of life here.

Take a look at the night life section for Timeout Dubai on line.
Sorry I can't link to it here because of the proxy.

http://www.timeoutdubai.com/dubai/barsandclubs/index.php

 
29walk
      ID: 2530286
      Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 20:09 		NY Times article on Dubai

Nerve, your opinion on this view would be insightful.
 
30walk
      ID: 2530286
      Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 20:10 		Oh, but only if you can really publicly say...chances are, you cannot.
 
31nerve proxy
      ID: 511023111
      Thu, Nov 01, 2007, 13:23
Oh, but only if you can really publicly say...chances are, you cannot.


Yeah not really something I care to comment on while I am living here.

It's an interesting article though.

Someday.



 
32walk
      ID: 7952415
      Thu, Nov 01, 2007, 16:30 		Understood. thx. I really enjoy reading your thread.
 
33nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Dec 08, 2007, 12:03

For those who doubted Dubai's cred as a tourist destination...

NY Times travel has a year end type listing of top places to go in 2008.

They break down the locations by catagories...budget, culture, emerging, luxury and partying.

Guess what their choice for top location to go to party is?



Dubai

 
34walk
      ID: 2530286
      Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 20:46 		NY Times Travel Article on Dubai

Looks like it was all about the club life for your move, right Nerve? Good one!!
 
35nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sun, Dec 30, 2007, 21:59
I've been working on a "Dubai Experience" web page.

I used some of the notes I've left on the "Moving to the Other Side of the Planet" threads but cleaned it up a bit for public consumption.

I will attach the link for anyone interested.

link

Please pass on any comments or constructive criticisms.
 
36biliruben
      ID: 5610442715
      Mon, Dec 31, 2007, 14:08 		Nice, Nerve!

Happy New Year!
 
37Seattle Zen
      ID: 529121611
      Tue, Jan 01, 2008, 13:11 		Happy New Year indeed!

I sure hope you are enjoying or enjoyed your visit back home to the States. What sort of things did you crave and indulge while back home?

I checked out your webpage and really liked it. Of course I am familiar with your notes and I am assuming that you will be adding many more. May I suggest that you combine your notes with the photos, even if the shots and the stories are not about each other? Maybe stick the random shots into your notes with captions to illuminate us.

I like the idea of the towers at night all lit up, but all of your shots are really out of focus. It looks like you shot them out of a moving car. Could you get out of your car to capture them? Perhaps you then use a Photoshop type editing software to give them some eerie effects. Same goes with the "backroads" section. I really would love those shots if they were in focus. I'm a stickler for clear shots, so I'd not even post the Cirque de Solei shots since they were cell phone taken.

I was really, really impressed with Sharjah. That art exhibit, what a great find! Great photos! I also was awed by the Sharjah buildings.

I know that when I come to visit I'm staying at the Raffles at Wafi Center, it's gorgeous. Nerve, see if you can comp my family :)

The opening photo of you and the two guys is great. Would love to see more photos of you with local and not-so-local people.

I think the greatest thing about having a website is that it will make you all the more observant. You will be on constant lookout for the interesting, the strange, the sublime to fill your pages. Hopefully your digital camera is with you at all times, you never know when the next massive car crash will strike :)

Nicely done, I look forward to more shots. Keep it up.
 
38Pancho Villa
      ID: 47161721
      Tue, Jan 01, 2008, 15:26 		Very intersting, nerve. What an incredible opportunity to experience such an alien culture. Since I've been posting here, you've lived in Seattle, LA, San Francisco and Dubai. You definetly get the Rotoguru Nomad Award!

Have you ever actually skiied Dubai?
 
39nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sun, Jan 06, 2008, 02:54

Zen I like the idea of the towers at night all lit up, but all of your shots are really out of focus. It looks like you shot them out of a moving car. Could you get out of your car to capture them? Perhaps you then use a Photoshop type editing software to give them some eerie effects. Same goes with the "backroads" section. I really would love those shots if they were in focus. I'm a stickler for clear shots, so I'd not even post the Cirque de Solei shots since they were cell phone taken.


Zen I really appreciate the constructive criticism. I did indeed take all the shots you discussed from a moving cab. I thought that was one of the things that made the buildings look different, the fact they were blurry and the lights were wavy. Now I see the point about the shots simply not looking focused and it's food for thought.

I also agree with your points about Cirque de Sole. Why include inferior shots?

My brother is harping on me to get an SLR camera, especially since I am here and have the opportunity to take interesting shots. I'm always trying to save money though.

I do often carry my camera with me.

You have to be somewhat careful snapping shots though. Taking a picture that happens to have a local woman in it can wind you up in jail...no joke.

Nerve

 
40katietx
      ID: 4911141721
      Wed, Jan 09, 2008, 22:49 		Really enjoyed the web pages. Especially the art...since that's what I'm doing for a living now. Life does move in mysterious ways.
 
41Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Thu, Jan 10, 2008, 13:14 		You have to be somewhat careful snapping shots though. Taking a picture that happens to have a local woman in it can wind you up in jail...no joke.

I don't think I'd do very well in Dubai. I'm the type who thumbs his nose at stupid shit like that. Maybe you would garner unwanted attention snapping photos alongside roads, I hadn't thought of that.

Just wanted to reiterate how much I liked the site overall. Apple sure makes it easy to put together stuff with taste.
 
42nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, Jan 11, 2008, 14:29
Really enjoyed the web pages. Especially the art...since that's what I'm doing for a living now. Life does move in mysterious ways.

Thanks Katie I appreciate it. I was stunned to find the art show. I was going to a retail trade show at a neighboring Emirates convention center. This is an extremely conservative Emirate where for example you wouldn't want to get pulled over with alchohal in your trunk...even if you hadn't had a drink. This show was in another section of the convention center.

When I finally found someone who was affiliated with the show to tell him I really enjoyed it he asked (In very bad English) where I was from...I said the USA. He didn't have anything else to say to me. I never figured out if it was because he didn't speak English or just is pissed about the war...this being an anti war art show.

If he was dissing me because I am an American, it is literally the ONLY time in 1 plus years I have gotten a negative reaction from anyone when I tell them I am American. Many people actually stop me when I complain about Bush, they don't want to discuss politics.

The funniest part was my thinking the guys walking around near the show in bright blue camouflage were part of the exhibit, when in fact it's the standard issue uniform of the Sharjah Police.




 
43nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, Jan 11, 2008, 14:44

don't think I'd do very well in Dubai. I'm the type who thumbs his nose at stupid shit like that. Maybe you would garner unwanted attention snapping photos alongside roads, I hadn't thought of that.

There's lots of things about "Dubai" that I don't do well with. Goes with the territory. They are changing and evolving, we have to give them time. In some ways they are shockingly decadent but I don't want to go into any of that until maybe some day when I move away.

If you take a crowd shot and local women happens to be in it, that's no problem. Where you would get in trouble, possibly, and I would stress it's a long shot, is if you specifically took direct photos of a woman and she wasn't happy about it.

It may be as innocent as you thinking her outfit is interesting but it could be perceived as you being attracted to her and wanting her photo.

I only read of one instance, there was a man taking photos specifically of a woman in a store, I think he got 30 days but that's just a vague remembrance.

As far as "not doing well" with certain rules here... I just have become resigned to the fact it's their country, their culture and their rules. As long as you learn to live by them it's a very easy place to be. Compared to 90% of the Mid East this Emirate is very, very tolerant.

Another example is don't EVER give anyone the finger. If a cop sees it, it could land you 30 days in jail, especially if you do it to a woman. Harsh no doubt. On the other hand in over 1 year here I've never seen a fight, never seen someone act or speak aggressively against another person. No one gives you any #%it.

Just wanted to reiterate how much I liked the site overall. Apple sure makes it easy to put together stuff with taste.

Honestly Zen if you gave me about 15 minutes I'm sure I could teach a 7-8 year old to put this together. It all comes standard with the computer when you buy it. My only complaint is it's a bit overly simple.

I can't say enough how glad I am I made the move back to Mac after 20 years away. All things equal going forward it is my computer of choice and I don't mind paying the slight premium.

 
44nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sun, Jan 13, 2008, 14:13
Tomorrow...Monday the 14th, has been declared a national holiday because of the "visit".

Dubai: Monday, January 14, has been declared a holiday for ministries, government establishments, schools and private sector companies in Dubai due to the closure of some main roads, bridges and tunnels.

Official sources urged all residents to avoid using main roads on Monday.

Unannounced road closures anger motorists

Frustrated motorists were stuck in traffic for hours on Sunday as a result of the unannounced road closures in Dubai, resulting in long delays in reaching to work places and homes.

Motorists had to take alternative routes home and to work on Sunday as traffic came to a crawl due to the closure of some major roads in the city a day before the expected arrival of US President George Bush in Dubai.

 
45nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Mon, Jan 14, 2008, 15:22

OK Now I feel vindicated. I wrote in this thread some time back about how bad the driving was here. A couple people responded back..."that's how it is here".

I replied that you cannot imagine the difference until you've experienced it.

Since I've been driving I've noticed one thing that people do here on a regular basis. This is just how they drive. What I am going to describe is a practice that's widespread.

Basically when a car in the lane next to you wants to move into your lane, they simply get about one half a car length in front of you and start slowly coming over. Let me be clear, they do this when their back door is still even with your front bumper.

It's a game of chicken.

If you don't put on your brakes and let them in you will be hit.

There are 3 scenarios...they are bluffing and when you don't start to move, and you beep, they act startled and move back. If you ease up on you breaks they slide in. If you don't do anything it's your risk, they may or may not stop.

This doesn't happen "sometimes" this is a normal way to drive here and will happen to you over and over anytime you are on the highway, every day.

Now you think I am exaggerating?

What kind of a driver would behave this way?

This is from today's Gulf News. How drivers behaved because some roads were closed for the "big visit" by Bush today.

Khaled M, 25 from Oman said he was surprised to see cars traveling the wrong way down Ras Al Khor Road as access roads were completely blocked.

“A five-lane highway was split into two with people driving down the wrong way. Because they couldn’t get through they were just u-turning at the end and coming back. It was scary to have oncoming traffic on the same side of the road,” he said.

Now can you imagine people in the US just turning around on a one way 5 lane highway and driving in the opposite direction? (Assuming they are not drunk)

 
46biliruben
      ID: 5610442715
      Mon, Jan 14, 2008, 15:33 		I'm sure it's crazy there, Nerve. Much crazier than here.

But this is in today's PI, so I had to post:

Wrong-way crashes on the rise.

Driver Miguel Tamayo-Fajardo, 31, entered an Interstate 405 ramp traveling about 60 mph -- but he went south in the northbound lanes.

The Duvall man and passenger Alejandro Hernandezvalles, 21 of Carnation, died after they slammed into a 2008 Ford Escape between Main Street and Northeast Fourth Street, officials said.

Their deaths bring the number of wrong-way driving fatalities in the Puget Sound area and the Cascade Mountains to at least eight since last year.

Since Dec. 1, the State Patrol has received 23 reports of wrong-way drivers in King County, Trooper Jeff Merrill said.

The merges you describe are pretty common-place in NYC. In fact, I was in an accident where the guy didn't want to lose that game of chicken. And neither did my Brooklyn-born-and-bred girlfriend.
 
47PJ
      ID: 21842202
      Thu, Jan 31, 2008, 18:10 		nerveclinic,

How's your Internet access today? I read that Dubai has been hard hit by this outage:

Widespread Internet Outage hits Asia, Middle East, and North Africa
 
48nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, Feb 01, 2008, 15:24

It was really, really slow, maybe one third speed.

The only site I couldn't access was Fidelity...when I was trying to buy YUM at around 33.00, it's at 35 and change today...sigh. Now I'll wait for earnings report Monday.



 
49Action Figure
      ID: 51258919
      Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 20:11 		200 car pile-up

huh?

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10196597.html
 
50biliruben
      ID: 36219111
      Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 20:20 		Zoinks. Fog?
 
51nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 02:11
Police said 25 vehicles caught fire following the accidents caused by poor visibility due to the thick fog and lack of attention by motorists.

Trust me the key words in the above sentence are lack of attention by motorists.

Oh and they left out...tailgating within a foot of the car in front while driving 70 MPH, and no use of blinkers at anytime, and weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds as sport and simply moving into the car next to you to cause him to slam on the brakes so he can enter your lane.

Put all those reasons together and the 60 car pile-up makes perfect sense. Fog shmog.

 
52nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Mar 15, 2008, 14:31

Talked to a taxi driver who saw the very beginning of the accident, and on his return trip saw the huge fire.

He said it was the worst fog he had every seen, could barely see 10 feet in front of the car and he was scared to drive.

On the way back he stopped and thought about going to help but was to concerned he would be hit by a car in the fog crossing the highway to get to the pileup.

 
53nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 08:33
The peasants are restless...

Today's Gulf News

1,500 workers go on the rampage

WAM
Published: March 19, 2008, 00:10

Sharjah: About 1,500 protesting workers of an electro-mechanical company went on the rampage in Al Saja'a area of Sharjah on Tuesday, destroying documents and breaking glass facades of their accommodation, burning cars and the ground floor of the administration building.

They also burnt a number of buses and vehicles belonging to the company.

Brigadier Humaid Mohammad Al Hudaidi, Director General of Sharjah Police, said the workers also rushed out into the company car park and set ablaze five cars and damaged 40 cars and 28 buses. They also tried to assault police officers and labour officials.

Brig Hudaidi said a fortnight ago the workers had named a representative to speak with labour officials for a salary hike. The officials were in discussions with the company management to reach a solution.

"Before a solution could be found, the labourers went on a rampage. A group of workers was also involved in provoking the rest to go on strike and vandalism," said Brig Hudaidi. A company source told Gulf News a handful of workers provoked the rest of the group into staging the protest. Some of the workers were arrested.


link


 
54nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Thu, May 08, 2008, 17:47

You know you are in another land when...

I had a meeting with the head of security for a very, very large retail conglomerate.

I really want to put this in context to make the story work. This guy is in charge of all the security for several major international brands, and a huge mall, including big stores, names you would recognize and likely shop in.

Stores in Dubai are grouped and owned by large organizations. This guy has an enormous amount of responsibility under his watch and works as head of security for one of the biggest groups. I'd rather not name, names though.

OK.

I have a meeting because he wants me to design a device to protect the cash drawers in his various stores from would be robbers. It seems there have been a number of robberies at the cash stand recently.

He explained the incidents.

"My friend, I tell you they hypnotize the clerks".

Me: "Sorry, what did you say"?

"They look the clerk in the eyes, and they speak words to them, and the clerk looks like she's in a trance and they remove the money from the drawer. We watched the video and there's no other explanation".

I'm thinking OK, probably plausible...

and then he says...

"Frankly I have to tell you, I believe, as do the police, that one of the incidents was witch craft"

Me: "Really?"

Him: "The clerk just stared straight ahead and he tapped her on the shoulder, and took the money. When he left the clerk called the manager and said all the money is missing and I don't know what happened."

Who would have thought?

I talked to him for 2 hours, lots of insight into Dubai, things that are happening here that don't make the papers.

Nice guy even with wild imagination.

 
55Boxman
      ID: 571114225
      Thu, May 08, 2008, 21:30 		So what's the device you're going to design? Tin foil hats for the cashiers?
 
56 nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, May 09, 2008, 03:25

Tin foil hats for the cashiers?

Funny Box.

Hey do me a favor and drop me an email, there is something I want to discuss offline...

 
57Boldwin
      ID: 4643963
      Fri, May 09, 2008, 04:47 		Oh...oh...oh...I know this one!

Microphone! Recorder! Of course if what they are whispering turns out to be, 'freeze or I keeeel you', you may still lose the money but at least it won't be a mystery.
 
58 Boxman
      ID: 571114225
      Fri, May 09, 2008, 06:20 		All in good humor Nerve.
 
59nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 5047110
      Fri, Aug 08, 2008, 10:15
Watching the Olympic parade of countries and the UAE team comes out and one of the "athletes" is talking on the cell phone...that's so Dubai.

 
60nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 11:21

I haven't updated this in a long time but I have a number of things I've been meaning to add.

I am almost done updating my personal website and it looks a lot more polished now since I have been working on perfecting my look for my business website which can be found here...

business website

I created the website on my own and it was my first real attempt at something like this with no training so I will perfect it as I go.

This is now my own business. My partners decided it was too difficult dealing with Dubai from NY. They offered me the same job in New York but I decided I wanted to keep the momentum going here. That along with my concerns about the USA economy.

I'm getting concerned about the economy here and that may be the thing that ends my stay here if I see that it's starting to go to far down hill.

There is definitely a lot of concerning being expressed here. There are articles everyday in the news about the slow down in the property market, tourism and retail, the three things that keep the economy running in Dubai.

Thursday there was a big event you may or may not have seen on TV. The grand opening of the Atlantis 7 star hotel. The story was featured on the today show Friday morning

The opening ceremonies included the largest firework show ever. Hard to believe until you see the footage of it. Here is a link to a CNN story on the fireworks.

fireworks story

This shows you how far along the Palms (Man made Island built in the ocean in the shape of a Palm frond) have come.

If you look at the "Architectural Acrylic" section of my business web site you will see some work we did at the Atlantis. I will also have extensive photos of the hotel on my personal web site, it's an amazing place.

I'll try to update things here with more insights later in the week.

Cheers,

Nerve


 
61PuNk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 12:25 		I heard about the base jumper off the Burj in the last week too.
 
62Pancho Villa
      ID: 51546319
      Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 12:26 		In a related story, on Thursday I toured the new Dubai Atlantis sister property in Nassau, Bahamas.
It is the most opulent, extravagant resort I've ever seen, so I can only imagine what the Dubai property is like.

Crazy thing is Nassau wasn't even supposed to be a stop for the cruise ship I was on. We were supposed to spend a day at Grand Turk, the most southeastern island in the Bahamas. However, the wind was blowing so hard that the cruise ship couldn't dock at the tiny pier at Grand Turk, which no doubt upset the few people who live on that island and depend on the 3.000 people from the ship dropping thousands of dollars on souvenirs, food and drink.
So they replaced Grand Turk with Nassau, which was great for me, since I'd never been there.

When approaching Nassau at sunrise, the towers of the Atlantis resort become visible from about 30 miles out. It's very surreal.
 
63Mattinglyinthehall
      ID: 37838313
      Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 12:33 		Cool. Did you happen to get a photo from that distance?
 
64nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Fri, Nov 28, 2008, 12:58 		Ok Trying to get back to updating.

I haven't got the brain power for it tonight, but I want to do an extensive post soon on the economy here and how it is falling into the abyss just like the rest of the world or so it appears.

Tonight I made my monthly liquor run.

I think I mentioned before you can't just walk into a liquor store and by booze. You have to have a license. The reason for this is that it is technically illegal for Muslims to drink here although that is a joke since it is common.

The locals cannot wear local dress into a nightclub, but they can in a bar, and you will often see them in local dress having a drink at a pub.

So there are 4 options,

1) Go out and drink at one of the hundreds of hotel bars and nightclubs on virtually every block.

2) Buy up to 4 liters of booze when you enter the country at the airport. (No license needed.)

3) Get a license and go to state liquor stores and pay full duty prices. (About the same as USA)

4) Drive about an hour to Umm Al Quwain and by duty free liquor. Examples 1 full liter Absolute 13.61, 1 full liter Bombay Saffire 17.50.

So I was driving to the Barracuda beach resort in Umm Al Quinn tonight, just after dark. Toward the end of the trip you are driving most of the way in the middle of the desert with nothing but you, sand and the road. Easy to get your speed up, especially if you "know the roads".

So I'm driving along, roll around a corner and all of a sudden I see about 9-10 huge camels casually walking toward me in the middle of the road. No fear in their eyes. No concern about the approaching car, no hurry to get out of my way.

I've run into these guys before during the day and took lots of photos which will be on my web site.

These camels are completely unattended, walking alone in the middle of the desert. The only sign they "belong" to someone is that the older, larger ones have their two front legs tied together by a rope that allows them enough room to walk but not run.

So I slow down, wait for them to move out of the way, like cows lumbering down an old farm road in the USA.

The camels look down at you with what seems to be a grin and are in no hurry to move.

Not quite the same as worrying about a deer running out from a Georgia woods driving down the back roads, but as close as it gets here.

 
65Pancho Villa
      ID: 51546319
      Fri, Nov 28, 2008, 13:13 		Nerve,
When's the ETA for the personal website?
 
66nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Fri, Nov 28, 2008, 15:55
When's the ETA for the personal website?

It's close to done. I have a short list of a few more photos I need to round out a couple pages. You really want it "done" because once it's up, uploading is difficult.

Let's shoot for next weekend as we have some holidays this coming week so will try to get it done.

The new website is a dramatic improvement from my first attempt.

Nerve

 
67nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Sat, Nov 29, 2008, 15:19
I knocked two things off the "things to do list" for the personal web page. I had a great day at the Jadaf ship yard. This is where they bring really old, really big ships for repair work, painting etc.

There was just so many things to snap pictures of.

At least one vacation day this week so I will have the chance to get a bit more done and hopefully get it uploaded within a week or so.

Nerve

 
68nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Mon, Dec 08, 2008, 13:17

I had an "only in Dubai" experience yesterday. (Although you could likely insert the name of many "developing" countries and have the same experience) and wanted to mention it while it was fresh.

I went into a store and made a purchase and my credit card wouldn't go through and came up as "invalid card".

I called my credit card company, Bank of America, and asked what the problem was. They assured me it wasn't on their end. In fact they weren't even showing the transaction. They said my account was clear with them and they advised me to call the local visa merchant services.

The main office was closed as it's a holiday. but there was a "mobile" number listed and we tried it.

Manouj answered and I explained the situation. He asked that I give the phone to the merchant. He told the merchant to hold on he would get right back to us.

Now in fairness to Manouj it was the holiday.

When I was speaking to him I could hear music in the background. The merchant put the phone on "speaker" and we could hear the same music playing. (The merchant thought it was "hold music")

Much to her shock after waiting on hold for a minute or two (She heard it first) she shrieked "oh my god is he snoring"?

Sure enough, accompanying the music, was the distinct rhythmic snore of a man fast asleep (At about 5PM in the evening)I'm talking a loud snore.

We decided after listening to the snore for another minute or two, we weren't going to get anywhere with Manouj today and we agree to give it a try tomorrow.

OID Only in Dubai.

 
69nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Thu, Dec 11, 2008, 10:36

here’s an example of something that just won’t work in Dubai.

all gas stations here are full service, at least they were. no one is, or was, expected to pump their own gas.

anyone who has been here for a while knows that many people in dubai just can’t be bothered to pump their own gas, especially in the heat.

well one of the local service stations decided that was all going to change. they experimented by making 9 of their stations self serve. on top of that you had to pay inside first, you couldn’t just swipe your card.

the howls came out, “what, are you serious, you want me to pump my own gas, khallas, (“finished” in arabic) i’m going somewhere else”. yes people were outraged, indignant and put off.

it lasted all of 3 months. the station owner announced they were switching back to full service since they had lost so much business and so many people pulled in, heard “pump your own”. got back in their cars and drove away....i must confess, i am one of the ones who refused to pump my own... 8-]

when in rome...

 
70Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Thu, Dec 11, 2008, 11:34 		Hilarious "customer service" episode, nerve.

I continue to marvel at your tales. Keep 'em coming.
 
71Pancho Villa
      ID: 51546319
      Thu, Dec 11, 2008, 11:46 		I'm old enough to remember when all gas stations were full serve. And full serve actually meant that - not only fill the tank, but wash the windows, check the oil, check the tires, battery.

As a kid in LA, the Union 76 stations were a Dodger sponsor, and they used to give away Dodger stuff with a fill up. In 1959, when they won the world series, I had the entire collection of little info booklets on the players.

Oregon is the only state I know that actually prohibits self serve stations. It's weird to go there and have a person come to your car to pump your gas.
 
72Perm Dude
      ID: 2911321110
      Thu, Dec 11, 2008, 11:52 		New Jersey is also full-serve only.

When my mother-in-law moved here to PA a few years ago (at age 60), she had to be taught how to pump the gas.
 
73walk
      ID: 181472714
      Thu, Dec 11, 2008, 13:16 		Yeah, NJ=full serve and the place to go to get gas if you live in NYC. Much cheaper. $1.73/gallon for me last weekend (I rent cars though).
 
74nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Thu, Dec 11, 2008, 13:28
the website is basically done. I've put in 10-15 hours the last week or so as promised. Now I have to come up with a web address and download the dang thing which I intend to do this weekend.

I think you will notice a vast improvement over my first attempt.

 
75nerveclinic
      ID: 26107108
      Sat, Dec 13, 2008, 03:04

Website is in the uploading process at the moment.

It's big.

It will take several hours for me to upload it. As soon as it's done I will post the link here.

Nerve

 
76Perm Dude
      ID: 13119223
      Tue, Feb 03, 2009, 12:36 		So is this the view you have going into work every morning?
 
77biliruben
      ID: 111542413
      Thu, Feb 05, 2009, 19:08 		Last one out of Dubui, turn off the lights (if not the ignition):

Now, faced with crippling debts as a result of their high living and Dubai’s fading fortunes, many expatriates are abandoning their cars at the airport and fleeing home rather than risk jail for defaulting on loans.

Police have found more than 3,000 cars outside Dubai’s international airport in recent months. Most of the cars – four-wheel drives, saloons and “a few” Mercedes – had keys left in the ignition.

Some had used-to-the-limit credit cards in the glove box. Others had notes of apology attached to the windscreen.

“Every day we find more and more cars,” said one senior airport security official, who did not want to be named. “Christmas was the worst – we found more than two dozen on a single day.”

When the market collapsed and the emirate’s once-booming economy started to slow down, many expatriates were left owning several homes and unable to pay the mortgages without credit.

“There were a lot of people living the high life, investing in real estate and a lifestyle they couldn’t afford,” one senior banker said.

Under Sharia, which prevails in Dubai, the punishment for defaulting on a debt is severe. Bouncing a check, for example, is punishable with jail. Those who flee the emirate are known as skips.


We may have an opening in the home baseball league, Nerve. Just let me know...
 
78nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Fri, Feb 06, 2009, 03:35
We may have an opening in the home baseball league, Nerve. Just let me know...

And what would I come back to Bili...prosperity?

My former employer, Macy's, announced 7,000 layoffs Monday.

Had I stayed in America I would have gotten laid off Monday with the rest of my co-workers in San Francisco. Everyone in my old office just got laid off.

My co workers in my former, former office in Seattle Macy's got laid off a year ago.

My friend who has been a buyer with the company for over 20 years and supports two children was just laid off.

Is it scary here?

Yeah.

I am worried about a run on the banks...no FDIC insurance here but I need to keep cash here to run my business.

If I thought it would be easy to find a good job in my field, retail, I would have left here around the first of this year.

But what is there at home Bili? Soup kitchens?

Sarcasm works best when there is a logic to the edge.



 
80biliruben
      Leader
      ID: 589301110
      Fri, Feb 06, 2009, 08:09 		You know I wish only the best for you, Nerve.

I knew things were going down hill in Dubai, I just hadn't realized how bad until I read this. My post was more to get you to comment than a serious suggestion that you run home.

But if you do, Amazon is still doing decently! Just because Starbucks, Boeing, and Microsoft are laying off 10s of thousands, if you talk to an RE agent here, we are still an oasis of prosperity.

I just started a new job here this fall, so my job is far from safe, given my lack of seniority.

Stick around Dubai and maybe you can start picking up some bargains at 10 cents on the dollar. If not, I was serious about that managerial position in the NWA! Pay is low, and based on performance.
 
81biliruben
      Leader
      ID: 589301110
      Fri, Feb 06, 2009, 08:29 		I like your business website. Your female mannequins (womannequins?) are hot!

Found a dead "photos" link, in the hangers page.
 
82nerveclinic
      ID: 36536204
      Fri, Feb 06, 2009, 09:45
Yeah I've been meaning to write about it Bili.

It's really getting bad here.

In some ways these people leaving town, parking the car at the airport and running away, there's a don't let the door hit you on the way out attitude toward them. These are the young, hot shot, fat cats in the property business driving Porches, speculating on property, behaving arrogantly. Throwing money around like it's a game of monopoly. Throwing it around loudly. Walking with an arrogant, boorish gait.

Unfortunately the "crash" is effecting everyone, including those of us who are just trying to put money away, driving our rented piece of crap Mitsubishi Lancer for 500 fricken dollars a month, living in our average one bedroom apartment for $1,600 a month that would rent in Seattle for 900-1,000 dollars tops in a much nicer neighborhood.

A year ago it would take 1.5 - 2 hours to drive down the 3 mile stretch of Shakes Ziad road during rush hour at a crawl. Today you move at the speed limit and make it in 20 minutes.

There's no transparency. No one trusts what they read about the banks, about how good or bad things are. To read stories about the economy in the newspaper you might as well be reading a fictional novel.

Add to all this the edge of debt being a crime in Dubai and you have a recipe for stress.

I imported some hangers for a client and was owed about $10,000. I was promised the money as soon as the hangers shipped. The money I used came out of my account that has a check written against it for next months quarterly rent (actually 4 months worth) you have to turn in blank checks (3) for the entire years rent. They bounce and it's a crime in Dubai.

Long story short the hangers turned up without notice and they had the hangers and I didn't have my check.

5 tense days went by with me badgering them everyday mafia style. (Fortunately my clients office is no where near the finance office) Finally the check showed up. I guarantee you someone less intimidating wouldn't have gotten it that quickly.

Nothing like a shaved head and menacing glare to loosen up the check writing pen.

So that is life here in luxurious Dubai.

What to do though? How many jobs are waiting for me at home now? At least I have orders coming in and can hopefully hang on by a thread until things look up.

Fortunately it's a relatively interesting place to be stuck.

It's been a great experience, I am very glad I came, I just hope there's a happy ending.

Good luck with your job Bili and everyone else here the same, we haven't seen the worst yet I'm afraid, most economists are starting to put double digit on unemployment estimates.

 
83nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Sat, Feb 07, 2009, 04:54
I am attaching a page from my facebook that shows coking with Indian Spices. This is something I earned since moving here. Before I would use a jar of "curry powder" pre-mixed. Now I use all the individual spices.

If you don't like spicy food, not hot mind you just spicy, then this one is not for your.

If you click on the individual photos it takes you step by step through the ingredients and how to cook.

Cooking with Indian Spices

 
84Pancho Villa
      ID: 51546319
      Sat, Feb 07, 2009, 08:42 		Great stuff, nerve. Who knew you were a chef?

I fancy myself a chef as well, and plan to incorporate your curry technique next time I venture into that cuisine. The black-eyed peas(instead of rice)is very unique.

Question about the produce, which looks very fresh and appealing.

How much is grown locally? Obviously tomatoes can be grown successfully in a greenhouse, not sure about the quality of onions, garlic and bell peppers in such an environment.

Are these imported, or is there enough surrounding land suitable for commercial produce farms to service the huge hotel industry as well as the local community?

 
85nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Sat, Feb 07, 2009, 10:58
The black-eyed peas(instead of rice)is very unique.

Actually, at least what I've experienced here, is that this type of spice dish would always involve some kind of bean. The rice is almost always cooked fairly plain and then it's eaten with the bean dish.

I am actually using a spice technique I was taught for making Dahl, which is a lentil dish. The Indians use about 3-4 different yellow lentils and one orange lentil.

They cook the spices the same way I describe. There are three differences, they would probably add more spice then I did. They would use butter (Ghee) instead of olive oil, and at some point when it's soft they put the lentils in a blender and puree so it comes out more like an oatmeal texture.

Then they would serve the plain basamati (?) rice on the side and mix the two together to eat.

So I just took that dish and substituted black eyed peas which I love from my days in Georgia.

Yes I love to cook Pancho and my girl friend doesn't so I cook and she does the dishes! Great deal I think.

Most often I cook stir fry Thai dishes but that's too pedestrian to write about, everyone cooks Thai now a days right?.



 
86nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Sat, Feb 07, 2009, 11:18
Pancho I don't think they grow many if any vegetables in Dubai. The best vegetables are imported from different European countries.

The not so good come from Pakistan, Saudi and India. Lebanon has good vegetables also.

The apples come from Washington State.

 
87Tree
      ID: 1311551521
      Tue, Feb 17, 2009, 13:18 		NC -

since you're there, thoughts on the whole scandal involving Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er?
 
88nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Tue, Feb 17, 2009, 15:22
Tree since you're there, thoughts on the whole scandal involving Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er?

I've never heard of Shahar Pe'er? and know of no scandal... fill me in.

 
89nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Tue, Feb 17, 2009, 15:26
I just went and read a little blurb on it, not much info.

Sounds like Dubai may get sanctioned for it.

Sounds similar to the USA boycotting the Russian Olympics because of the invasion of Afghanistan. They are pretty pissed about the massacre that took place in Gaza the last couple of months.

Such is life.


 
90nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Tue, Feb 17, 2009, 23:50

Hey Tree

I've read further explanations about the incident with the Israeli tennis player but I will start a new thread because the purpose of this thread is to discuss my moving to a foreign country. I'm sure this will spiral into a political debate and I don't want to muddy up the thread.

Cheers

Nerve

 
91Perm Dude
      ID: 19150238
      Mon, Feb 23, 2009, 19:10 		Dubai launches $20 billion bond program to get cash to pay for development.

UAE steps in and buys half right up front.

Smart move by the UAE to calm any market fears. But unless Dubai comes up with an actual forward-looking plan this looks to be just a pothole filler.
 
92nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Tue, Feb 24, 2009, 01:08
this looks to be just a pothole filler.

And trust me it's a big frickin' pothole right now.

I have a friend in properties. He has a client that was building 6 sky scrapers. He's pulled everyone off site and stopped building.

Traffic here is less then half it was 2 months ago.

This baby is going down.

Nerve

 
93boikin
      ID: 532592112
      Thu, Jul 30, 2009, 17:21 		Nerve is this you?

Dearly beloved,

Greetings to you my dear friend, my name is Stan Benson, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which was discovered very late. It has defied all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to my doctors. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business which grew to a vast empire. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.

My present ordeal has led me to Christ, and I have accepted him as my lord and personal savior, and I want God almighty to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have decided to give my life accumulated wealth to charity organizations that would give succor and comfort to the less privileged in our societies. I have a huge cash deposit of eighteen million united state dollars with a security company in Europe for safe keeping. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to charity organizations, cancer research institutes and also to the less privileged. If you agree to partner with me in this noble cause, your reward shall be 10% of the total funds. Kindly send me an email to indicate your wiliness to assist me in this disbursement. Attached to this email, is a picture of my self in the hospital room.


Remain blessed.
Stan Benson

 
94Boldwin
      ID: 376192015
      Thu, Jul 30, 2009, 18:10 		He writes better than the average Nigerian anyway.
 
95nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 14:52
Wow haven't written here in months. Too tired tonight. Lots to talk
about though.

About to sign on for my fourth year...dang.
 
96Perm Dude
      ID: 154552311
      Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 16:42 		Is business good enough for you to do that?
 
97biliruben
      ID: 16105237
      Mon, Nov 30, 2009, 00:03 		I'm reading debts of 120 billion.

Ouch.
 
98Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Mon, Nov 30, 2009, 11:47 		Dubai money woes
 
99Bauxman
      ID: 1710353012
      Mon, Nov 30, 2009, 13:35 		I'm reading debts of 120 billion. Ouch.

And WHEN the day comes the US cannot pay its interest payments on umpteen trillion dollars of debt what then? Who comes to the rescue?
 
100Perm Dude
      ID: 154552311
      Mon, Nov 30, 2009, 13:54 		I guess that'll be President Palin's problem.
 
101Astade
      ID: 38542218
      Mon, Nov 30, 2009, 13:56 		If only we could be so lucky..
 
102Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Mon, Nov 30, 2009, 23:27 		Just a little bit of "I was right" to gloat about in post 22...
 
103Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Sat, Dec 05, 2009, 13:24 		Photoessay on Dubai

Looking a little scary there. Hope you're well, nerve.
 
104Frick
      ID: 9103036
      Sat, Dec 05, 2009, 19:41 		Good call SZ.
 
105Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sun, Jan 03, 2010, 18:56

Looks like it will finally open tomorrow. Take some photos from the observation deck for us, Nerve.
 
106PuNk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Tue, Jan 05, 2010, 01:15 		Amazing fireworks there Nerve, how was it live watching them?
 
107Boldwin
      ID: 26451820
      Tue, Jan 05, 2010, 17:14 		Just one more ziggurat.
 
108nerveclinic
      ID: 390561510
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 12:00 		I was able to watch the fireworks from my balcony, I live about 20 blocks from the tower and I have an unobstructed view from my baloney.

It was awesome.

Unfortunately I am now one of the people that Dubai World owes money and has "indefinitely suspended payment on.

 
109Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 12:01 		Ugh--that sucks!

I see that The Onion is in on the news as well.
 
110Doug
      ID: 351027518
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 12:51 		Does your balcony have a first name?
 
111PuNk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 13:04 		#109
"Across the city there are signs of how deeply the overall economic climate of Dubai has been affected. Thousands of VIP tables sit empty, Lamborghinis clog dealership lots, and, with many unable to afford the usual imported pet foods, the streets are filled with starving stray snow leopards and feral peacocks."
 
112Biliruben movin
      ID: 358252515
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 13:13 		Stray snowleopards? In the desert!?!

That won't end well.
 
113Perm Dude
      ID: 5510572522
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 13:19 		#110: It's O-S-C-A-R

Hard to tell for 111 & 112, but you know that The Onion is a parody, right?
 
114Biliruben movin
      ID: 358252515
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 14:29 		If it's good enough for ann coulter...
 
115DWetzel
      ID: 278201415
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 15:34 		A feral peacock once bit my sister...
 
116PuNk42AE
      Donor
      ID: 036635522
      Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 16:08 		I know what the Onion is, I just thought that was the best part of the story. I do crack up about the Peacocks thing asI grew up in a town where alot of the farms on the outskirts had them running around.
 
117nerveclinic
      ID: 390561510
      Sat, Jan 16, 2010, 05:31 		"Does your balcony have a first name?" Nice Doug, I saw that after I hit send.

I knew it was a parody because there are no snow leopards, there are however peacocks running around, but they are not feral, they are owned by Sheik Mo. He let's them roam free down at the entrance to the palace. I have many photos I will post when I have time.

 
118Seattle Zen
      Leader
      ID: 055343019
      Sat, Dec 04, 2010, 13:04 		This thread needs an update, Nerve, and where are our photos from the observation floor of the Burj Dubai?

You've been there four years now, right? Are you ever coming back?
 
119nerveclinic
      ID: 01154411
      Sat, Dec 04, 2010, 14:13
Hi Zen. Thanks for that but no comments about Cano? 8^)

I'll update the next day or two.

I have been to the observation deck and I did take photos but I shut down the website as I just put pics on Facebook now.

Every year I think I am only staying one more year but there are no jobs in the USA, and my business here's pretty good so I end up feeling stuck. Not a "bad"stuck as I still think its a decent place to live.

Hey it was 85 degrees here today and I looked through the telescope at the sunbathers at the hotel pool 28 floors below. What's wrong with that in early December?

 
120Boldwin
      ID: 261126418
      Sat, Dec 04, 2010, 19:26 		And in the 'now I've heard it all' dept...girl-watching in a muslim country.
 
121Tree
      ID: 2010312116
      Sat, Dec 04, 2010, 20:10 		shockingly, there are women all over the world. practically in every country.
 
122astade
      ID: 78462922
      Sat, Dec 04, 2010, 20:39 		silly, they were probably wearing Burqinis
 
123nerveclinic
      Leader
      ID: 05047110
      Sat, Dec 04, 2010, 21:16

Baldwin, if you could only see what goes on here, it would really fill up your "I've seen it all" quota.

 
124Boldwin
      ID: 261126418
      Sun, Dec 05, 2010, 03:32 		Really nice find, astade. However did you find that?
 
125nerveclinic
      ID: 01154411
      Sun, Dec 05, 2010, 13:33
And yes I've seen the burqa swimwear but in another Emirate, (State) more conservative, at a water park.

 
126Frick
      ID: 5310541617
      Sun, Dec 05, 2010, 13:44 		Any thoughts on Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup?
 
127bibA
      ID: 48627713
      Tue, Feb 01, 2011, 15:18 		Nerve - what's the talk in your neck of the woods? Any demonstrations?
 
128nerveclinic
      ID: 280482817
      Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 09:05

Biba there's nothing to demonstrate about. Everyone is happy with the great leader. He is well liked. People are relatively well off here compared to Egypt. They aren't tortured like in Egypt. There is no extreme poverty here.

I would bet everything I own there will not be any Emiraties protesting anytime soon.
 
129Boldwin
      ID: 33122116
      Wed, Feb 02, 2011, 10:20 		Don't actually make that bet because there are islamists everywhere, even there. Granted having enuff to eat and being treated well help.
 
130nerveclinic
      ID: 280482817
      Thu, Feb 03, 2011, 01:40
Baldwin that is not what these protests are about, but maybe you haven't been following it very closely.
 
131nerveclinic
      ID: 280482817
      Thu, Feb 03, 2011, 01:45
And I will comfortably make that bet. I've been here four years. I have a good handle on what's up.

There could be "construction worker protests, and there a have been, but they are Indians, No locals protesting their leader because he is pretty universally liked and poverty and oppressive treatment is the key ingredient igniting these protests, not Islam.

Everyone I talk to here is confident that nothing is going to happen here like Egypt anytime soon, in fact the notion is absurd.


 
132nerveclinic
      ID: 280482817
      Thu, Feb 03, 2011, 01:47

Frick my thoughts on Qatar being awarded the World Cup is that if you are adventurous, and conservative, because it's a conservative country, there is a lot of money to be made there the next 10 years.
 
133boikin
      ID: 532592112
      Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 11:39 		It looks like nerve would have lost everything he owned as Bahrain faces second day of protest, the absurd become reality
 
134Nerveclinic
      ID: 29123923
      Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 15:52
Boikin what do you mean "Nerve would have lost everything he owned?" What does Bahrain have to do with me?

 
135boikin
      ID: 532592112
      Tue, Feb 15, 2011, 16:33 		I just referring to what you had said earlier I would bet everything I own there will not be any Emiraties protesting anytime soon. honestly i have to say i was pretty surprised to see they where protesting in Bahrain, I realize it is not dubai but it is still an emirate.
 
136nerveclinic
      ID: 280482817
      Wed, Feb 16, 2011, 01:52
Boikin maybe I am confused.

Emirates refers to the States in the United Arab Emirates.
Bahrain is a completely separate country.

I don't doubt this could happen in other Gulf countries, even Saudi, I was specifically referring to the UAE.

70% of the population in Bahrain are ruled by a 30% minority.

In the UAE it's a relatively homogenous population, fairly wealthy, and everyone is in reasonably decent shape, even the chronically unemployed.

Again I will also say if something happens here, it will be expat laborers. What I was betting on is that it won't be the locals, like in all the other protesting states and I stick by that bet. At least not anytime soon.

The one thing the locals could be unhappy about is if the economy completely collapsed and their benefits were taken away, but with Abu Dhabi's massive oil wealth that shouldn't happen anytime soon.

That's my analysis, so far holding up.

In Bahrain the locals drive taxis etc. and do menial labor, that is completely unheard of in Dubai.




 
137nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Thu, Feb 17, 2011, 15:57
Th lowliest jobs I have ever seen a local do is:

Receptionist in an office.

A cop.

A cashier at Ace hardware and at a supermarket.

Wait I am thinking...

That's all can come up with.

I have never seen a local work, fast food, coffee shop, security guard etc.
 
138nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Thu, Feb 17, 2011, 16:00
I've never seen anyone pulled over by the police in 4 years.

Traffics laws are enforced strictly with cameras.

On the main roads there is a speed camera every mile and a half.

Police drive around with large cameras on the top of their car and video tape violations.

Police park on the side of the road with radars and video cameras.

 
139Frick
      ID: 5310541617
      Thu, Feb 17, 2011, 16:52 		So I'm guessing the videos of guys drifting their cars down the highway aren't filmed in Dubai.

 
140nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Fri, Feb 18, 2011, 07:30
Frick maybe by the cops.

I never said police filming things stopped people from acting like fools.

 
141nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 10:08

Let's see if this works.

If It does will post more.

Photos from this weekend. Donkeys out in the desert.

Donkeys

 
142nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 10:09

Camels out in the desert...

Camels

 
143nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 10:12
General Desert shots from this weekend. I went out with a friend in his SUV 4 Wheel drive so we were able to go off road. I focused on shots of te effect the wind has had on the sand as it's been windy the last few months.

Desert Shots

 
144nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 10:36
For anyone curious about what exactly I do in Dubai...here's the latest Ralph lauren Windows at Dubai mall.I am the contractor that brings together the varous construction people and artists to do the work.

Ralph Lauren march 2011 Dubai Mall
 
146nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 11:18

And a little slice of Dubai from the balcony of my apartment.

balcony shots

 
147Nuclear Gophers
      ID: 1929513
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 14:09 		I was told once that "there is no such thing has a stupid question if you dont know the answer" so here is my question: Do people eat camels? By the way nice pics.
 
148Boldwin
      ID: 50247518
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 19:58 		How and where do those western fashion sensibilities fit in the wardrobes of natives and visitors from other moslem countries? Are they only worn in limited special situations? Some pictures of Dubai street fashions please?
 
149Nerveclinic
      ID: 29123923
      Sat, Mar 05, 2011, 23:48
Nuclear Gophers, indeed they do eat camels but it's not a common thing in mainstream restaurants.

Camel milk is in the grocery stores and it's higher in vitamins and lower in fat then cows milk.

I think the main reason not much camel meat is eaten is it's said to be rather tough and not the best flavor.

 
150Nerveclinic
      ID: 29123923
      Sun, Mar 06, 2011, 00:00
Baldwin: How and where do those western fashion sensibilities fit in the wardrobes of natives and visitors from other moslem countries? Are they only worn in limited special situations?

By far, it's not even close, the largest Ralph Lauren customer are the locals, even though they are only 15% of the population. This is true for many other luxury brands.

There are several ways the locals use this fashion.

They do go out to night clubs etc. and when they do they are not allowed to wear local dress into the clubs. They travel, and when going to other countries they wear these cloths. In groups of friends they wear them. They wear them in their own homes. I think in general that depending on what they are doing on a weekend night they might wear them.

Also be assured even the typical woman in Dubai wearing the burka, often has designer clothes underneath and leaves the bottom unfastened so when she walks you see the shoes and bottoms of the pants.

Full faced burkas are less then 5%. Most wear very fashionable open faced burkas, hair exposed and if they are beautiful can look very striking in them.

Truly when I walk through a mall for example, and pass by literally hundreds of locals in native dress, it just looks normal to me now not exotic.

But without the locals Ralph Lauren's business would not be good. Most popular item? The polo shirt with the large (4-5") Polo horse and rider on it.




 
151Nerveclinic
      ID: 29123923
      Sun, Mar 06, 2011, 04:45
Apologies I had several photo sets "friends only" I have now changed it to everyone so it should work fine.

 
152C.SuperFreak
      ID: 59224611
      Sun, Mar 06, 2011, 12:42 		Awesome pics Nerve.
The balcony shots are great they are outta this world. If it wasn't for the roads i'd swear i'd be looking at a Star Wars movie set.
 
153Nerveclinic
      ID: 29123923
      Sun, Mar 06, 2011, 13:21

i'd swear i'd be looking at a Star Wars movie set.

Well they just filmed Mission Impossible 3 here with Tom Cruise hanging off the Burj Khalifa.

Cruise Khalifa

At around 2:30 he throws himself of the building with only a rope, and that deck is 120+ floors up. Takes some guts.

 
154Boldwin
      ID: 48259616
      Sun, Mar 06, 2011, 18:16 		What percent of the mall traffic is wearing western fashion?
 
155nerveclinic
      ID: 105222
      Mon, Mar 07, 2011, 12:54
What percent of the mall traffic is wearing western fashion?

Well depends on day and time of day but I would say 80% wear western as locals are only 15% of the population, meaning the people wearing western are not locals.

When locals go to the mall they generally wear their native garments, but you can't compare your stereo type image with what they wear in Dubai. This ain't Pakistan.
 
156Boldwin
      ID: 1135295
      Sun, Apr 10, 2011, 18:32 		In case you haven't seen this.
 
158nerveclinic
      ID: 4711362616
      Tue, May 01, 2012, 02:51
USA just stationed an undisclosed number of advanced fighter F-22 planes to the UAE...