Roundabout Dubai

Rebirth

2007-02-05T00:10:00.000+04:00

The rains poured this evening from heavens on this desert land, already soaked by weeks of an unusually abundant winter. Large pools of water keep appearing and disappearing between the villas of our compound; and tonight when I took the dog for a late walk, we had to tiptoe our way, as we went around the block. Washed away was the blinding fine dust that swirled everywhere and got into everything as a sand storm raged all day long. I could literally smell the freshness of the air; the dog sniffed and marked new spots of earth and brick and grass. There was this feeling in the air that the world, or at least this small part of it, has been reborn, cleansed, purified and given a new beginning. I felt like we were anonymous witnesses in the secret garden of the night, tempting the stars of the darkness and sharing in the glory of creation. And from the heart of darkness, I could see all the posts to the days and nights ahead…

contrasto!!!

2006-09-26T15:40:00.000+04:00

This is got to be one of the most embarrassing sites about Dubai to adorne the WWW! The text and photo captions are so badly written (and crudely translated from italian) and riddled with inaccuracies and bizarre mistakes. It's a pity, because it's one of the first sites to come up when you do an image search on google using the key words Dubai and Ramadan.

The Italians may have won the World Cup (dirty tricks notwithstanding), but will never win any prizes for
this gallery!

Two Dubai Pics

2006-09-09T21:42:00.000+04:00

Few weeks ago I was researching something when I came across interting photos about Dubai. Two of them stood out for me; the first shows a camel childjockey, an image that until very recently was not unusual (and for many, simply normal); and the second, a covered car with workers laundry in the background, looks like a surrealist painting, with a bleakness that is probably closer to the reality of the city than most glitzy pictures out there.

Dubai Traffic Webcams!

2006-09-04T08:19:00.000+04:00

I was intrigued to find a Dubai Municipality online link that is supposed to show the Dubai traffic conditions; but then I tried it and was disappointed. Either my computer isn't configured to show this kind of action or something is wrong with these supposed live webcams streaming traffic conditions on the Dubai Roads (well, at least roads in the Dubai heartland, i.e. Bur Dubai and Deira); Or could it be that these webcams are streaming via YouTube or MyFileHost?

New Dubai Cities - 1

2006-08-17T10:14:00.000+04:00

The city-themed city doesn't seem to have enough of them, no matter how they multiply. Very soon we might run out of names; so this is my modest way of helping by suggesting some new Dubai cities to build; they range from tiny low-cost ones to multi-billion dollar mega projects. This is the first one (and hopefully to be followed by more later):

Shopping Mall City

I know, I know, some people will say that we already have it and it's called Dubai; but I plead with you to see the difference. Just imagine all the malls of Dubai plus another 20 or 30 new malls right next to each other in one area! No more hassle, and you get truly infinite choices. You can just walk from Burjuman to Mazaya to Ghurair to Ibn Battuta to Oasis (ooops, soryy this is no more, maybe a New Oasis) to City Centre to Bin Sougat to Mall of the Emirates, etc. You maximize your shopping experience and you minimize the energy and time wasted in driving around from one mall to another.

Suggested location: A new artificial island off shore; so the name should probably be: Mall Island or Palm Shopping Mall. I’d say no demolition or rebuilding is necessary; there are companies that specialize in the moving of huge buildings using new technology, so this could be done with relative ease by simply dragging the existing shopping malls to the new prime location. If this doesn't work, no problem, just build brand new malls and use the mall building we have now around Dubai for parking; an extra benefit that would be greatly appreciated.

Books They Should Write

2006-08-06T14:29:00.000+04:00

Here is a list of Israeli leaders and their most likely future book projects, inspired by their careers and experiences. Sorry I have no time to actually produce or design the covers; may be in the future. Also I'll have more titles released as soon as we confirm other leaders' books contrats; so stay posted!

Shimon Peres: The Grapes of Wrath: An Introduction to Israeli Wine-Making

Ehud Olmert: Dismantled: How t Destroy A Country in 24 Hours and Feel Good About It!

Amir Preretz: The Idiot: A Biography

Tzipi Livni: The Bridges of Beirut County: Memoirs of A Smitten Woman

Ariel Sharon: The Seven Habits of Highly Destructive People: A Personal Manual

Shaul Mofaz: Mofaz Bites: 101 Ways to Barbecue Arabs!

Benyamin Netanyahu: Terrorizing Terror: Tearing Terra Terroristic Terror in Territorial Tartar Tehran Terrain Terrier Terrorism!

Haim Ramon: Justice Served: Why Ten Eyes for One is Beautiful

Dan Halutz: The Official Jet-fighter’s Guide to the Galaxy: Zen and the Art of Carpet Bombing

Ehud Barak: La Femme Fatale: Perverts and the Secrets of Killers in Disguise

Roni Bar-On: Coping With Katyushas: Surviving 200 Rockets A day and Looking Great

Dan Gillerman: How To Learn Bullshit In 7 Days (And Speak It Like A Diplomat)

TBADTB

2006-07-28T20:50:00.000+04:00

Too Busy And Depressed To Blog!

Logos

2006-07-25T23:18:00.000+04:00

How iconic are local icons? And how do they compare with non-local ones? The recent debate about the origins of Modhesh the yellow brat has prompted me to have a closer look at some local logos to appreciate the uniqueness (or lack of) such logos. The first two are above.

Edit: Please check out this previous post from 25 May on the same topic on seabee's blog; it shows three more possible dimensions of the "new" logo!

"Midwife From Hell"!

2006-07-25T18:09:00.000+04:00

Yesterday, an Arab MP of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) mused about Condi Rice’s visit to Israel by saying, “she is bringing with her smart bombs and stupid ideas!” I think that “stupid ideas” is an understatement; more accurate would be “dangerous ideas” or “fundamentalist thinking”. This couldn’t be truer than with Rice’s now-infamous “birth-pangs” statement: "What we're seeing here .... are the birth pangs of a 'new' Middle East and whatever we do, we have to be certain that we are pushing forward to the 'new' Middle East, not going back to the old one." - Ms. Rice.

I don’t think I need to prove here the pure evil and extremism behind this line of thinking; this has been done by many already. I’m interested though in presenting some of the interesting reactions to Rice’s speech that I found in cyber static:

”Hell's Midwife: Condi Rice's "Birth Pangs" in Lebanon/Palestine;”
More here.

“Anybody who knows their Bible will identify immediately with the phrase "birth pangs". Birth pangs are mentioned several times in the Scriptures,....Both 1st Thessalonians 5 and Revelation 12 refer to the tribulation period, and describe the sorrow Israel must go through before she sees her Messiah at the Second Coming of Christ…….Friends, this could be it;”
More here.

“Secretary Rice has worried me since she became National Security Advisor. Actually, my concern began with a puff piece on her in The Presbyterian Layman in 2000, which pointed out, among other things, that she's a frequent worshipper at her local right-wing Presbyterian megachurch. Just the implied endorsement by the Layman is actually enough to worry me.”
More here.

“Say hi to your baby, Condy!”
More here.

“While 'birth pangs' are painful and definitely not comfortable, how can they compare with the carnage caused by Israel's bombs on Lebanon??? Yet, the absurd, unfeeling Condi seems to think they are similar.”
More here.

“CondiLIAR Rice Calls Ceasefire a 'false promise'.”
More here.

For me, my favorite is, the “Hell’s Midwife” metaphor; how appropriate!

Atrocities

2006-07-23T14:01:00.000+04:00

This is what the war in Lebanon is doing.

Please join the Petition.

War Crimes

2006-07-23T02:24:00.000+04:00

TOO MANY WAR CRIMES

SILENCE

2006-07-22T21:14:00.000+04:00

SILENCE IS MURDER

DSS and LSS

2006-07-21T14:17:00.000+04:00

When I first came to this town some years back, I arrived here in the middle of the DSS, the Dubai Summer Surprises. Initially I didn’t know what to make of it; but it didn’t take me long to discover it was basically a very long shopping frenzy, punctuated by short halts of entertainment (but still inside shopping malls). Was I surprised? Well, yes, sort of. A short list of the things that surprised me includes:

- Deira City Center (or Centre); never thought something like this in the desert
- IKEA (where I think I spent enough money I should now be a share holder)
- The temperature (always hovering at 49 c.)
- Dubai Skyline (awesome, I thought every time I saw it, I still do)
- The elegance (and elevation) of the apartment where we first stayed
- The unbelievable number of new and shiny cars and 4x4 vehicles
- The convenient, clean, and affordable taxi system
- The closed trucks carrying laborers like sheep (glad they’re gone)
- The demographic facts about expatriates and locals
- The disparity in salaries and wages among jobs and across ethnic groups
- The very high cost of living
- The availability of all elements of the good life (providing you got the money)

If you’re already wondering about Modhesh, I’m sorry to say this was before Modhesh was born; so he isn’t on the list. The detestable yellow creature always manage to surprise me now that I pass his cutout board figures hanging from overpasses, standing at petrol stations, and peering from behind traffic signs, among other weird poses. But overall, I lost interest in the DSS as it turned into a meaningless annual ritual. Yet clearly for many people, namely shoppers and visitors from the Arab World and Europe, the DSS is still a big attraction, and more so as Dubai gains in stature as a modern and funky tourists destination.

This summer though, the DSS seems to have been taken over by something much more sober and unpredictable: the LSS (Lebanon Summer Surprises). That’s where much of the attention and action has shifted and where some REAL surprises are popping up everyday. For example, the fact that such a total war is now being waged against Lebanon, almost out of the blue, is a bit of a surprise.

However three things don’t surprise me personally: first, the madness and inhumanity of the Israeli bombing; second, the indifference of the USA and some Western countries to the suffering of Lebanese civilians (and their unconditional support for Israel), and finally, the courage, steadfastness and high spirit of the Lebanese people.

Make your own list of LSS if you wish; but keep it wide open, as I think this is one hot summer in the Levant where the events will literally catch many people by surprise!

UAE Helping

2006-07-18T21:15:00.000+04:00

Few months ago I attended a concert at the Irish Village by the international aid campaigner Sir Bob Geldof. Sir Bob was in Dubai as part of coordinating aid effort to help the growing famine in Africa. Before he came to the concert Geldof was in a press conference in Dubai Aid City where he criticized the level of aid from the Gulf countries and the UAE to Africa. This is up for debate, to say the least. Yet it is also true that this region (and the UAE in particular), is one of the most generous aid contributors, perhaps the highest per capita world wide.

Recently we heard with dismay about the Israeli bombing of the UAE ambulance and truck aid caravan in Lebanon, as it was making its way to Beirut. At least one truck was destroyed and the vehicles had to cut their trip short. What is admirable is the speed with which the aid caravan was put together and delivered; a fact that show considerable seriousness and experience for the UAE in this respect.

The following are links to examples of UAE humanitarian aid given over the last few years. It's not meant to be comprehensive, but rather as random illustration of the size and scope of such effort. It is impressive, commendable, and must be appreciated, but there is always room for improvement.

Recently in Lebanon

Cosovo

Azerbaijan

Palestine

Kenya

Albania

Africa

General Related Links:

DIC

UN Praise

USAID in Dubai

Zayed Gallery

Princess Haya Inteview

Index of Groups

A Little footnote in the War!

2006-07-15T21:38:00.000+04:00

The IDF (in its usual modesty) doesn’t like to take credit for such brilliant display of war ethics. I know some of you will read the story in the newspapers tomorrow, but here's the footnote version of it:

1- Morning of Saturday 15 July 2006. The IDF, using loudspeakers, warns the residents of the village of Marwahin in South Lebanon to leave the village within two hours or face complete destruction of their homes and endanger their lives.

2- The residents, or many of them, run frantically to a UN peacekeeping unit HQ, which is not far from Marwahin, and they beg the Ghanian soldiers there to allow them to take shelter at the UN building.

3- The UN soldiers, perhaps remembering the Qana incident in 1996 at the Fijian UN peacekeeping HQ, refuse to let the people in.

4- The people, desperate and running out of time, scramble to flee for safety any way they could.

5- Two families cram their members into 2 vehicles and drive away from the border village.

6- Not far from Marwahin the 2 vehicles are hit directly by Israeli shells or missiles. Both families, all 20 people or so, including women and children, are killed.

7- Bravo to the IDF for warning innocent civilians in advance and for their surgical accuracy in hitting their targets.

8- End of story.

Post Script: Well may be not quite the end of story; I just listened to Mayada Abdalla, the only survivor from the bombed Marwahin villagers caravan speaking to Al Jazeera by phone from Tyre. According to her, there were 23 people killed in the bombing. All of the people were from the Abdalla family, her family. The girl was very brave and her spontaneous responses were moving and profound. Despite losing all of her extended family, Mayada kept drawing attention to the plight of other civilians under siege in Lebanon. One sentence in particular is worth repeating here: "Those who died, they're gone, may they rest in peace; but who is going to guarantee the safety of the living?"

Quick Lessons!

2006-07-14T23:31:00.000+04:00

This is a semi-random list of quick lessons I’ve learned already from observing the actions and reactions of groups and countries regarding the situation in Lebanon. I tried to keep them to 2-per-party, except in one case:

From Hizbollah:

1-that there are Arabs who actually value the lives of fellow Arabs held prisoners by Israel indefinitely and are willing to go to great lengths to secure their freedom.

2-that “great lengths” here means a complete miscalculation of the Israeli response.

From Israel:

1-that Israel continues to value the lives of its soldiers who are captured by Arabs and is willing to go to great lengths to secure their release.

2-that “great lengths” here can also mean bombing Arab countries to the ground and even starting a regional war.

From KSA, Jordan and Egypt:

1-that they are more afraid of Hizbollah than they are from Israel.

2-that they are more interested in keeping an image of credibility and moderation with the West than with heir own people.

From the USA:

1-that Bush remains the most ignorant and embarrassing president in US history.

2-that the one thing he is not so ignorant about is how to please Israel and its friends.

3-(OK, this will make them 3 lessons I know, but please bear with me, the man is an academy): that he sees no apparent contradiction between considering Israel’s attack on Lebanon as self-defense and then calling the Lebanese Prime Minister to make sure he has not been weaken by Israel’s actions!

From France:
1-that President Chirac, with little hair and less political clout, still has enough decency to wonder if Israel is destroying Lebanon.
3-that Jacque is probably more popular among Arabs than most Arab leaders (and not only because of his praise for Zidane).

From the UK:

1-that Blair can still repeat the same exact lines about the urgency of peace making in the Middle East he voiced so passionately prior to the Iraq War as if time has stopped since then!

2-that oratory can hide your mistakes and failures up to a point; and then your oration becomes more laughable than less convincing (except to you of course).

More lessons and reflections on this situation to follw later...

Six Bills Only!

2006-07-14T17:35:00.000+04:00

Yes, you're right, the existence of the word 'bills' in the title of this post means that it's about the one and only: Etisalat! Please don't read it as another whining piece, but rather in the spirit of observing a little misadventure and perhaps some fact-sharing!

I usually pay my bills using phone banking, which is just great; however this time I collected my DEWA and Etisalat bills 10 days later than usual from my work address (isn’t it funny how our work address here becomes our home address?). Phone banking takes 2 days to register; so I was a bit concerned about being disconnected. My main fear was of course DEWA, where cutting electricity and water services in this time of year is akin to extreme inconvenience if not out right misery. But I was also apprehensive of losing phone and internet connections.

So Wednesday on my way to DEWA I stopped first at the Etisalat office by Defense Roundabout; it was close to 11:00. I haven’t been there in a while, so I was a little surprised to see there was sonly one person in the queue and that there were somewhat longer queues at the 2 or 3 bill paying machines. Anyway my turn came quickly and I headed to one of the 3 open windows and handed the lady in black my 3 bills. She looked at them and then said flatly, “less than six bills must pay at the machine!” I looked perplexed; so she explained, “only six bills or more at the window; don’t you see the sign?” and she pointed to a sign that escaped my attention with that same message.

And then it hit me; that’s why there were no queues at the windows and a little crowd at the machines. OK, I thought to myself, I understand, it’s not your rule, and I’m not going to argue with you about it. I walked to one machine and stood behind a couple of people till it was my turn. It wasn’t that bad, but then I got all exacerbated by the screen menu and the options given; and thinking that I would have to do that 3 times, once for every bill, I decided I’ll take my chances and pay them later from home via phone banking and just walked out unhappy. As I was leaving I looked at the windows and there were zero customers, with the three “employees” just sitting there them doing nothing.

Now how many people, I mean ordinary people, would have six Etisalat bills or more monthly? In other words, customer service here seems now to be only for businesses (and perhaps people with many phone and internet lines); and machine service is for the rest. All I can say is, way to go Etisalat; there is only one place in town that beats you at creating less work for its employees and more for their machines

Zidane in a Flash!

2006-07-12T12:21:00.000+04:00

well, he left the game of his life in a flash; but he comes back to us (at least those of us who loved him and forgave him) again in a flash. Try this link (from Abunawaf.com) and find out how many Matarazzis you can headbutt and how much satisfaction you'll get!

Unlikely News! - Part 1

2006-07-12T00:10:00.000+04:00

Unlikely News Stories from Dubai

By Safouh Zilzal- Staff Reporter - Special for Gulf Blues

Dubai - The Dubai Court of Fifth Instance yesterday found a local man guilty of reckless driving and criminal negligence in causing an accident that resulted in the serious injury of an Indian motorist and the death of his wife. The local, A.H. was sentenced to 80 lashes, a blood money fine of Dhs.500,000.00 and a jail sentence of 10 years followed by deportation. In his verdict, judge Abduladil Farouqi said that the defendant had broken the law and acted with no regard for the life and safety of others. The 25-year old local pleaded not guilty and his lawyer argued that the tragedy was an unfortunate accident. He added that his client suffers from RBSSS (Road Blind Speed Need Syndrome). RBSSS is very common among local drivers in Dubai. He also presented testimonies from the defendant’s family and friends to prove that he has a multiple-personality disorder. The judge rejected the defense arguments and ruled that A.H. was guilty on all accounts. The accident happened on Sheikh Zayed Road last month when A.H., driving a 4x4 Lexus at a very high speed, tried to overtake the Indian victim’s Nissan Sunny on the hard shoulder, hitting the Indian’s car and causing it to overturn and skid across the road before crashing against a barrier on the other side. V.S.’s wife was killed instantly as she was thrown against the metal barrier and her head was severed. The husband had a concussion in addition to broken bones and bruises. It took rescue personnel 2 hours to extract him and his wife from the wreck. The judge said that the verdict should be a lesson to local drivers who think they are above the law and that they can get a way with murder. The blood money should be paid within six months maximum. The defendant would be deported at the end of his prison sentence to his country of origin, Yemen. A.H.’s lawyer said they plan to appeal the ruling.

Azzuries!

2006-07-10T15:53:00.000+04:00

Last night as I watched the Italians beat the French and win their 4th World Cup, I experienced a case of divided loyalties. Given my background, I was naturally inclined to cheer for Italia; and I did, as I followed the match at the bar overlooking the Ski Dubai in the MoE. But given my love for Zidane, I couldn’t help but show some support for him and his comrades too. In effect, I was cheering for both teams, though with a bit more bias toward the Azzuries. But this changed in the 2nd half and I became more disappointed with the Italians as they faded and lost their focus; so I found myself gradually shifting loyalties. It actually got to the point where I was convinced that for justice to be served France had to win. The French team played a more convincing football most of the time and the Italians struggled to keep level. Zidane’s expulsion was quite shocking though, especially knowing this was his last international game. I don’t know what prompted him to do what he did, but it was a big mistake, and it might have cost the French the championship. It brought sad memories of Zidane again being ousted from the 1998 World Cup in his team’s game against South Africa. The difference though, that wasn’t the final game then, and France went on to win the Cup; but this was different. The irony is, Zidane wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place, but he worked to bring the team together after he had a mysterious vision or calling to do that; and he/they almost made it! I’m just sorry the secret voice didn’t tell him about the red card! In all fairness, judging from the overall performance of both teams, France was more deserving of the win, and Italy’s winning in a penalty shootout made it even less impressive. But a win is a win; so congratulazioni Italy and au revoir Zizou and France.

A Big Bus Dubai Tour

2006-07-08T15:24:00.000+04:00

Ever since I saw the Big Bus Company tours criss-crossing Dubai I wondered where these tourists go and what they see. I still don’t know. I’ve seen the double-decker buses leave Wafi City, usually virtually empty, and wondered if the trip includes much more than shopping malls and the museum. The fact that they start at Wafi City, the most outrageously expensive shopping mall in Dubai, and end there is very revealing. The company web site, referring to the bus as “the King of all sightseeing vehicles,” shows indeed that the Dhs.120 ticket includes a visit to the Dubai Museum and one to the Sheikh Saeed House at Heritage Village.; perhaps more importantly, it also includes a “free 2-hour beach tour” and even a “free walking tour”! I didn’t know there was a fee for beach touring and walking in Dubai! Never mind, I decide to put together a much more informative and exciting tour plan for the Big Bus. Here’s a preliminary plan subject to alterations later:

- Ok, start at Wafi City, but have a short visit first to the nearby construction site; give tourists helmets and make them stand out there for 30 minutes (no need for physical labor or climbing scaffolding).

- Karama Market Mall: Tourists can buy latest brand name gadgets and fashion plus many unique Dubai items for ridiculous prices (without having to bargain).

- Golden Sands Apartments Square (Bur Dubai): Ladies can disembark and check out the streets; see how many will get drive-by propositions. Men can watch the fun from their seats or take a more active role.

- Sheikh Zayed Road Ride: A must experience; make sure driver goes maximum speed for five minutes and passes by getting on the hard shoulder at least once.

- Al Qouz Cemetery Park: Tourists tour the cemetery and surrounding area; Get inspired by reflecting on life and death and enjoy the harmony between graves, remains of Oasis Mall, and luxury cars dealerships.

- Al Qouz City: Tour the attractions of the area, including an unschedueled visit to a labor camp (even if it’s empty).

- Jebel Ali Free Zone Crematory: Watch cremation alive, or at least tour the facility and do more reflection on the meaning of life. Take advantage of being there and visit the nearby Hazardous Waste Treatment Center.

- Palm Island Underwater Theme Park: Tourists can use naked eye or dive (diving equipment supplied free) to enjoy the incredible richness of marine life and coral diversity in that area.

- Immigration and Naturalization Department Spa Club: Tour this most popular area of the city; see how cheap and easy it is to get visas and sponsorships done; an added thrill: get a souvenire e-Dirham card by joining the quos in the local bank branch there.

- Al Baraha Hospital Land (formerly know as the Kuwaiti hospital): Walk around this charming place (it’s free) and make sure you visit the room where people wait for the mandatory x-ray and blood tests; don’t mess with the Bedu guy in charge (if he’s still there).

- Women Prison Paradise (AL Wasl): Reflect on the motto “the human being before the place”! Take your chance to check that out and see for yourself the human beings inside, their ages, nationalities, sentences, and how they ended up there.

- Back to Wafi City: This time though drop tourists on the other side of SZR and ask them to cross the street running in mid traffic. No other thrill comes close! If they make it alive, they can go shopping.

- That concludes our Big Bus tour of Dubai; thank you for riding with us!

Prediction Bet

2006-07-06T16:03:00.000+04:00

Last night saw me wind up in Fibber Magee’s with D and a couple of friends, A and T, to watch the France-Portugal World Cup football semi-final. We got there at 10:45, a quarter of an hour before action. The place was packed! You really had to shove and push and squeeze through a mass of humanity to get from point A to point B. We had decided to go there for a change in the atmosphere from Nad Al Sheba and the Evory; and clearly we got more than we bargained for. But we stayed after we found a relatively convenient spot right at the entrance. T suggested we put symbolic bets on predictions for first goal scoring time; the closest to the time would win. Without thinking much I just said 35 minutes, as others threw in their times predictions. Well, we watched the beautiful and fast-paced game progress without goals, until, lo and behold, France earned a penalty kick and Zidane scored from it what would be the only match goal in the 33rd minute! I just couldn't believe it! Not only I won the modest bet, but I guessed the time with only a 2-minue difference! I'm now thinking of contacting some coaches of World-class teams and offer them my prediction services. Until then, please don't ask me to tell you who is going to play in the final game and what the score will be; I’m afraid such information is not freely available in the public domain anymore!

Dubai 1998

2006-07-05T20:27:00.000+04:00

Close Encounter

2006-07-04T19:29:00.000+04:00

Do you know what 2004 XP14 is? Is it a new mobile phone? Is it anew video game? No, It’s a giant asteroid that came close to leaving a deep impact and start the chain reaction of an Armageddon-like event.

Every time I learn about a new asteroid zipping by planet earth and missing us by a tiny astronomical distance I find myself questioning the meaning of our existence and see humanity in a different universal perspectives. Such news is one of the rare examples of potential finality where obsession personal destiny and depression over unlived tomorrows give way to cosmic reflection. Disasters at this level leave little time for us to worry about our individual fates. If everything is going to go up in smoke and our planet might be switched back few hundred million years, who is going to bother about their infinitely insignificant personal affairs?

Ok, well, the point of this long introduction was to say that yesterday our planet was very close tot the point of suffering a cataclysmic event that would have resulted in massive destruction (if not its complete annihilation) when a large asteroid passed us at a distance slightly farther than that of the moon. To be exact, it passed as close as 433,000 Kilometers from our planet. Its name is Asteroid 2004 XP14; and according to scientists, we were very lucky not to have had collided with this rocky monster traveling at a speed of 8 miles/second. I love reading the different descriptions of this near calamity in different news media: asteroid "came within a hair's breadth" according to The Hindustan Times article; "hurtled harmlessly past the earth" says the story of The Calgary Sun; "misses us by a whisker" as reported in the Daily Express; "zips harmlessly past earth," says Forbes.com; "has close encounter with earth," reported ABC Online described it; "phew! It's missed us," declares the Mirror. My favorite though comes from the Irish Independent: "Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a giant asteroid!"

Even newspapers get excited about this! If it wasn't for the real possibility of not being so lucky every time, I'd say let's have more of these close encounters!

P.S. Why do I have the weird feeling that last summer we had something similar? Is it only my imagination?

Curse of the City?

2006-07-03T11:14:00.000+04:00

When we decided to move to this beautiful villa some 5 years ago, we felt justifiably happy but apprehensive. We had a depressing experience living in an apartment in a tower on Sheikh Zayed Road and had to really fight to get this place from an exceedingly corrupt Egyptian manager (I’ll blog about this one day hopefully). And since we didn't have the best neighbors at the tower, you can imagine why we were nervous about the new neighbors. You see, we had no idea who they were since all the villas were new and tenanats were moving in around the same time. Anyway, we relocated and were soon relieved to find that we have such nice neighbors. A European couple on the left with two kids (let's call them the Andersons), another European couple on the right with two kids (let's call them the Grants) and an American couple right across, again with 2 kids (let's call them the Simpsons). We have 2 kids ourselves, and we though it was a plus to have neighbors with children despite the age differences (they’re somewhat younger). And as we got to know them and we really liked them; they were all such friendly and funny people. Though we never really became close friends we certainly had a good neighborly existence and once in a while even socialized a bit.

Then it happened. Less than 2 years after we moved there the Andersons divorced and left. It was a bit of a shocker; we've overheard the fighting once or twice, but never expected it to come to this. Then it happened again. One year later it became clear that the Grants have either divorced or permanently separated. The husband moved somewhere else and the wife stayed with the kids. Suddenly the peaceful lovely corner of the neighborhood became more like a potential divorce-land (or divorce city, to use the favorite Dubai parlance). My wife freaked out and once in awhile she would ask me if we're going to be next! On few occasions we got together with the Simpsons and we'd wonder if such calamities come in threes and jokingly try to who’s going to be the third leg of the triangle. Well, less than a year ago it was no joking matter as it happened yet again; no, it wasn't us; it was the Simpsons. I'm not going to get into the details of this one, but let's just say their divorce was the hardest to witness. They moved out and a mixed couple (Older European with a much younger Asian) with 2 kids lives in their place. My wife and I are now keeping a vigil, praying that it was only a triangle and not a square. We hope the curse is broken.

I often heard that divorce rates among expatriates are generally high; but it’s more hearsay than solid information. I searched in vain to find facts and numbers and couldn’t find any. However if my neighborhood experience is a reliable indication, then it’s got to be really high, perhaps as high as the local divorce rate if not more. As to the national divorce rate, I’ve heard and seen different numbers, but it’s probably somewhere between 45-60%. One estimate is given in this article in the KT. And as some of you already know, this country is known in the divorce annals as the first place where a digital divorce has taken place; refresh your memory by checking this link.

Zizou & Co.

2006-07-02T23:57:00.000+04:00

Stayed home all day; literally didn't take one step outside the door, and just did some reading and writing (including some blogging), and savored the beautiful display of football from last night by Zizou and his friends. I watched most of the first half at the Aprés Bar in the MoE; but as the sound was hardly audible I ended up migrating with my friend D to the main floor's Evory Lounge, where we watched the whole game. Brazil was not in its form and almost completely neutralized by a very effective French defense. France played a better and more deservedly winning game, and I was glad they won. For once at least one team wins fairly and squarely in this crazy championship. I'm now looking forward to see Zidane and company in action for at least one more game, if not for a repetition of the 1998 coup de'fifa.
And yes, the other game, England vs. Portugal? I must say it was so boring and artless (and scoreless) that I almost already forgot about it. If games have some minimum performance requirement (based on some point system over different aspects of play) that teams must meet every game to stay in the competition, I'd think both teams would've been out last night. England deserved to be out, but I think to be fair Portugal should have exited too. But again, who said there was fairness in football?

Argentina Heartbreak

2006-07-01T12:53:00.000+04:00

The heartbreaking defeat of Argentina last night to the host country Germany was so far the most tragic episode of this FIFA World CUP. I should say first that this was by far one of the most beautiful games of the World Cup, with both teams showing superb football. But I saw that defeat coming as soon as it became clear after 120 minutes of play the tied teams were heading fro a penalty shootout. I wasn’t quite sure, but I told the man standing next me that I thought Germany has never lost a penalty shootout at the Mondial before. Anyway, I watched with trepidation as the German mean football machine hammered in goal after goal and some of Argentina’s kicks got blocked by the magnificent Lehman. This was the final blow in a game where the Slovanian referee made some outrageous calls, Argentina’s main goalkeeper was injured and had to be replaced, and their team played without the brilliant and mesmerizing Messi (nicknamed “the flea”). Perhaps worse than all of this was Pekerman’s decision (or blunder) to take Riquelme out and bring in Cruz when Argentina was only leading 1:0. Germany scored the equalizer soon after; and despite Argentina clearly having the edge most of the time, they had to bow out as the game was decided by the dreaded penalty shootout wheel of fortune. As one friend texted me after the game, ‘what a horrible way to lose, knowing you had he advantage all along!”

This morning I did some research to confirm my belief that Germany always won their World Cup penalty shootouts; yes they always did:

1982 Semi-finals: W. Germany vs, France: 5-4
1986 Quarter-finals: W. Germany vs. Mexico: 4-1
1990 Semi-finals: W. Germany vs. England: 4-3

Those of you who like to check out all the World Cup shootouts since they were adopted in 1982 can find it all in this list.. There si also aninteresting article on penalty shootouts and its controversial history in this Wikipedia article. As I walked out of the club last night, I find myself humming the tune from “don’t Cry for me Argentina” but with the lyrics changed slightly to fit the occasion:

I cry for you Argentina
The truth is I never expected you
All through the wild match
And till the shootout
To break my heart so
This was a massive blow

And in keeping with the original rhyme, you may also replace the last two lines with:

………………………..
To fade into the distance
What a wretched existence

Either way, the bitter final fact is the same. Argentina’s fate has been sealed; and till 2010, when they hopefully come back with a bit more luck in their shoes, many Team Argentina’s admirers 9along with the players themselves and all of Argentina) will be nursing the painful wounds they suffered last night at the hands (or feet) of a the random justice of the penalty shootout. I cry for you Argentina!

What is Dubai?

2006-06-13T12:07:00.000+04:00

Stream of Consciousness Dubai
What is Dubai, in so many words? Without getting too philosophical, I’m trying here to create a word-name-term mind map generated by the city ands experience we know as Dubai. It is a work-in-progress. It has no intellectual or other higher purposes beyond the mindless listing of things we simply associate with Dubai. I can see this post expanding almost into infinity and simultaneously changing in terms of what finally stays there and the order of things listed. It’s not exactly an accurate free-association or stream of consciousness flow, but it’s as close as I can make it. Please send your additions, deletions and changes if you feel strongly about this silly game!

Dubai is……Oasis, Sand, Palm and Ghaf Trees, Hot and Sunny, 90% Humidity, Precious Rain, Desalinated Water, Dubai Creek, Dhow, Abra, Burj Al-Arab, Palm Islands, Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, Royal Mirage, architecture, Shisha, Knowledge Village, Media City, 7Days, Gulf News, Montgomery Golf Club, Dubal, The Lakes, Sheikh Zayed Road, Traffic, Interchange 5, Defense Roundabout, Burj Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, Maktoum Bridge, Deira, Clock Tower, Deira City Centre, Trade Centre, Dubai Marathon, GEtisalat, Nakheel, Emaar, Emirates Lakes, Jebel Ali Village, The Gardens, Wild Wadi, Jumeira Beach Hotel, Al-Wasl Road, Speed Cameras, Um Suqeim, Spinneys, Eppco, Medinat Jumeira, Noodle House, Mina Salam, Beach Road, Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Baraha Hospital, Visa Blood Test, Sponsor, Construction, Emirates Towers, Ras AL-Khor, Creek Golf and Yacht Course, Abra, Bur Dubai, Dhow, Dhow and Anchor, ships, tankers, DPW, Emirates Airlines, the Five Buildings, The Bunker, Long’s, Harvester’s, Al Murooj, Red Lion, Metropolitan, Al-Habtoor,A AL-Naboodah, Galadari, Al-Rostamani, Khansaheb, Al-Tayer, Hard Rock Café, AUD, HCT, ASD, American Hospital, Oil, Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition, Air Show, Dubai Desert Classic, GETEX, Crooks, Mobile Phones, Tolerance, Grand Mosque, Gold Souk, Perfume, Spices, Trade and Commerce, Tax-Free, Taxis, 5-Star Hotels, Beaches, Resort, Holiday Destination, Entertainment, Families on the Move, Many Single Young People, Scarlett’s, Irish Village, Aviation Club, Dubai Tennis Championship, Rugby even, Country Club, Nad Al Sheba, Spikes, Horse Races, Dubai World Cup, Godolphin, Camel Race Track, Child Jockeys, Falconry, Heritage Village, Global Village, Globalization, International City, Emirates Road, Dragon Mart, Arabian Ranches, DubaiLand, Mega Projects, Quick Profit, High Living Standard, Big Salaries, Unpaid Meager Wages, Salve-Like Conditions, Subcons, Indian Schools, Indian Food, Chicken Curry, Indian Furniture, Port Rashed, Dry Docks, Dhiyafa Street, Shawarma, KFC, Cactus Cantina, Multi-Cultural, Expatriates, High Rent, Luxury Villas, Compounds, Labor Camp, High Rises, Dubai Marina, Burj Dubai, Meida City, Intenet City, Al-Wasl Road, Safa Park, Hamriya, Al-Muraqqabat, Garhoud Bridge, Festival City, Al-Ramool, Max Garage, AAA, Dubai International, DXB, Tourists, Sponsors, Russians, Prostitutes, Cyclone, Bur Dubai, Al-Twar, Qusais, Choithrams, Park and Shop, Mushrif Park, Mirdif, Khawaneej, Rashidiyya, Nadd Al Hamar, Construction, Flyover, al-Barsha, Mall of the Emirates, Carrefour, Ski Dubai, Ibn Battuta Mall, Shopping, DSF, DSS, Modhesh, Dirhem, Cars, 4X4, Dune-Bashing, Desert Safari, Stereotype, Camels, Sand, Arabs, Sheikhs, Islam, Un-Islamic, Locals, Emiratis, Western, Sponsors, Business, Banks, Money, Transfer, Offshore, Mina, Beach Road, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Containers, Trucks, Port Rashed, Zaabeel, Royalty, Peacooks, Wafi City, Ancient Egypt, Carter’s, DEWA, Oud Meitha, Karama, Central Post Office, Burjuman, Gold Sand Apartments, Prostitutes, Russians, Tourists, 5-Star Hotels, Labor Camps, Al Quoz, Bastakiya, Brajeel, Shemals, 49 Degrees Centigrade, Sheila and Abaya, Henna, Kandora, Niqab, Arbs, Nomads, Desert, Tents, Land Cruisers, Crazy Driving, Horrific Crashes, Blood Money, Stereotypes, Racism, Exclusive Everything, Stray Dogs, Piracy, Fake Products, Fake People, Fake Culture, Fake Paradise…

Bastards

2006-06-07T10:12:00.000+04:00

I know a place that is run almost completely by European and American expatriates. The structure of management and power keeps the highest few positions in the hands of locals, but the actual running of the organization is in the hands of these expatriates; and they do a very poor a job at that. The problem is the locals guys on the top, who are reasonably credible and well-intentioned, have no clue; they are not effective leaders as they are not really informed or involved in any meaningful way in the workings of the organization. So they believe what they hear from their expatriate proxies. The other side of the problem is that the people who truly understand the situation and witness the blatant mismanagement are typically too afraid to come forward and speak out. The risk of losing employment as some have been made to learn is so real that people would rather just shut up and do what they are told to do. It is a classic dilemma of what price one is willing to pay for the sake of the truth and integrity of their job.

These expatriate czars enjoy almost absolute powers, are not subject to any review or evaluation process, and function more like a gang, while keeping the appearance of professionalism and quality and saying all the right things at the right times. Much of their “professional” energy is spent in building their own little fiefdoms, covering each other’s big asses, and nipping any hint of dissent or criticism in the bud. They are willing to fire the most qualified and experienced employees under the lamest of excuses and without batting an eyelid. They hide behind the facade of an empty but glittering image and empty words as they compete not for excellence but for personal power and glory.

Using a variety of pressure and scare tactics, these managers have a special talent for instilling fear and timidity in a place where diversity, freedom and creativity should thrive. They are masters of the time-honored carrot and stick approach, getting people to eventually do their bidding and still manage to look as gentlemen. It doesn’t stop there, as their skills extend to painting their miserable failures as successes, disrupting well-functioning sectors by introducing bizarre changes, moving people around to break any cohesion or collegiality that represents different thinking, and take credit for other people’s hard work and dedication. They are a bunch of little dictators. They have no shame refusing to finance essential operations as they squander enormous sums on stupid PR ventures and on multiplying their inflated salaries by generous compensations for extra positions that they are neither qualified nor have the time to do, plus a package of benefits that no other employee can even dream of.

This breed of parasites would have a difficult time getting away with this outrageous behavior in similar institutions in the West. There, it is more likely that some kind of process of accountability and true transparency would be in place and these bastards will be at least challenged effectively or made to pay for their corrupt and unprofessional management. But they do what they do here, knowing full that despite a false image of integrity that there is just zero accountability and zilch transparency and an absolute lack of real freedom and debate within the organization and outside of it. The sad thing is, these people have been given a trust by the well-meaning and forward-looking locals who put them in those positions, and what they did in return is in essence to betray that trust. In the final analysis they created a defective institution and made a mockery of the lofty goals and values this place was supposed to embody. They are bastards.

Bright Colored Overalls

2006-06-06T21:49:00.000+04:00

The bright colors of their work overalls are eye-catching; navy blue, grassy green, hot orange, shimmering yellow. So bright, yet hey stay mostly anonymous and out of sight as they labor in the bellies of the high-rise buildings and on the dangerous beams and surfaces of scaffoldings and cranes. But often we have closer encounters, we see them as they come in the full view of people like us, the other species of the Dubai inhabitants. We pass them so routinely that they become part of the landscape, as they wave a red flag to slow down the traffic at a roadwork site, sweeping streets sides as crazy drivers zoom by them, water grass and trees on roads islands, and work their manual equipment or machinery to dig or dump or roll or pour or scrape or smooth or pack or move. No words exchanged, no gestures, no eye contact; no communication. We might as well be perfect aliens. We pass each other, more silently and indifferently than the manner in which people pass each other in Dubai. The gulf here stretches far beyond what separates us from other groups of the lucky class of expatriates.

The world of the bright-colored overalls is so remote and unimaginable it makes me sometimes think of the Morlocks from Wells's Time Machine (obviously minus the morbid cannibalistic and predatory nature). But the wretchedness of their netherworld existence is not so different, trapped in their netherworld-like labor camps and killing cycle of work-sleep-work-sleep work. Their only reprieve is looking forward to the time they get to go back home in some little corner in the Subcontinent or wherever they came from, having saved a bit of money to help them escape eternal poverty. We recognize their humanity, at least many of us do, but we keep our distance, keeping as far away from their labor camps as possible.

We know they're mostly getting a raw deal, screwed by recruiters and agents, paid in a month less than what many of us make in a single day doing an infinitely more pleasant job, and living in subhuman conditions. We show our empathy by debating their rights and work conditions. That’s about how much we help them in their silent and sometimes vocal struggle to secure a subsistence existence from the clutches of greedy employers and sleazy companies; but we keep our distance from them, the untouchables. This is after all a region where people’s lives and destinies are carved out separately with some of the sharpest social, ethnic and national distinctions you find anywhere. And as we revel in our abundance of luck and fortune as they roast across the divide in the inferno of their working days and the misery of their grueling nights.

This morning I saw them by the airport tunnel, working on the new flyover at Nad Al Hamar, wandering in blue overalls and yellow helmets with a cloth hanging from underneath them on the back of the head and neck and down the sides to the shoulders. They struck as a group of travelers going on some strange safari or members of a disbanded circus troupe. Once again, and despite the very bright appearance, I passed them with little real attention and the memory is almost erased by the time I enter the airport tunnel just a minute later; I could only recall the bright overalls and the helmets, but none of the faces.

On Defense Roundabout (and sisters)

2006-06-05T15:37:00.000+04:00

The name for this blog derives from a Dubai’s unique feature, or at least what used to be a unique feature, the roundabout! It’s ironic that the city that eight years ago struck me as a city of roundabouts is now fast becoming a city of flyovers, overpasses, and loops. Once the Jebel Ali Village double-roundabout is taken down (probably soon) there will be only one left over SZR: the Defense Roundabout (let’s call it DR for short), the dinosaur of all the Dubai roundabouts. And though I don’t quite remember now my first Dubai roundabout encounter (was it the one just outside the airport that was later replaced by a flyover?), I could never forget the horror with which I had to drive through DR the first time around! But that was then and this is now!

DR is probably the most ancient of them all, sitting on top of the 1st Interchange, not far from one of the first modern high-rises that adorned the flat sands of the city, namely the Dubai World Trade Center. It still sits there, almost unchanged, getting older and busier and smaller as more and more traffic flows through it (well, ‘flows’ may no be the right word here). I have my theory about why roundabouts are so confusing to so many people. The reason is so simple: roundabouts resemble life (or even the universe). I don’t mean only the obvious cyclical journey, but also the sheer unpredictability of it all, regardless of the existence of road rules and “rites of passage.” Well, in both of these senses, i.e. history and mystery, DR is the quintessential roundabout. Moreover, it is perhaps the most often cited land mark, directing Dubai’s lost tourists to their destinations and orienting disoriented residents, as taxi-drivers search in vain for recognizable symbols and street names. In a way, DR has seen Dubai’s launch as a modern urban center and, till now at least, is more of a land mark than its next door record setter and behemoth of a tower under construction, Burj Dubai.

I must have gone through DR several hundred thousand times since I came to Dubai, learning every time a new little trick of driving through the funky maze of vehicles, navigating the mad rush, plotting how to get to the exit I want without causing public panic, and squeezing in and out of its revolving lanes and bottle necks without being smashed by a massive truck or causing a chain accident. It’s a learning experience, and though I still occasionally give passengers riding with me a bit of a scare, I think I’m now fairly confident about entering DR and getting out of it in one piece. There is really a whole science about how to drive through DR, but regrettably I just don’t have the time or desire to explain it here!

Instead, I’d like to share with you some observations about the purpose of roundabouts. I did a bit of research and I was surprised at some of the findings, at least in light of my experience with DR and its extinct and endangered sisters in Dubai. Here are some of the facts:

Roundabouts are NOT the same as traffic circles!

Roundabout is defined as a traffic-calming device!

Roundabouts are SAFER than traffic circles and intersections.

If you think I’m making this stuff up, then I invite you to visit this Wikipedia article on roundabouts and educate yourself!

Local Girls in the Big Apple

2006-05-29T10:01:00.000+04:00

This is yet another story involving local women, though this is more spicy and interesting than the boring surveys and academic studies. It’s here, in the reality of experiencing another culture and testing one’s own and other people’s ideas and prejudices that local women, at least some of them, show a different side of their selves; not totally different, but more like a hidden side that needed to blossom under the right conditions and the extra bit of fresh air. They impress even the most hardened New Yorkers, smoothly navigating the cultural divide and reconciling the conflicting demands of their identities and those of an alien city. And as they taste the Big Apple, their spirits soar, their dreams take wings, and they shine as bright as the stars of a clear night in the Arabian desert. They are perhaps the best ambassadors to their country and culture, shining through the dark perceptions and false images and finding their modern voice. Freedom is truly infectious!

Sadly, the Aussie who chaperoned them was fired and deported, apparently over the publication of this article (though other theories are abound). The piece appeared in the New Yorker magazine here.

It's the Final Countdown!

2006-05-29T09:58:00.000+04:00

There is a peculiar breed of creatures who are now awakening from a 4-year slumber, wild-eyed with excitement, and ready to enjoy their most riveting life span of four weeks, before they burrow back into oblivion once again. No, they’re not a local type of the North American periodical cicadas who spring to life from underground every 17 years to flirt by singing noisily for weeks, before they mate and die. As you may have guessed already, the breed I’m talking about here consists of humans united by their mad love for football; or to be more accurate, their unmatched yearning for the Football World Cup, the undisputed king of all mega events. With the games just 12 days away, members of this large cult, (certainly larger than any religious or ethnic group in history) are counting the days, discussing the venues, debating the groups composition, memorizing the games schedules, and reminiscing over brilliant flashes of history from previous championships (including ones they never watched but describe vividly and passionately as if they were eye witnesses!).

The FWC is so popular that it dwarfs every other team sport spectacle, including the Olympics. The final game of the 2002 (Brazil vs. Germany) was watched via live broadcast by an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide. It’s probably impossible to find a corner of the world where people aren’t so transfixed on the games for the duration of the four-week tournament; and Dubai is no exception. I’ve been discussing with my friend D our “preparations” for the upcoming drama, namely the question of where in Dubai we should go to watch the most anticipated games, i.e. those featuring the world’s greatest football titans. So far the plan is to sample several of the top candidates and then decide on a semi-permanent location, though we’re both inclined in favor of Spikes at Nad Al Sheba. The place is almost ideal, with its layout, atmosphere, multiple screens, plus its relative accessibility and availability of parking.

But just like the outcome of the games themselves, plans and expectations can be easily foiled or disrupted without warning, and we won’t be surprised if we end up watching any number of games at the Aviation Club, Harvester’s, Aussie Legends, or the Red Lion. In other words, we may have a plan, but there’s no need for a back up plan, and it’s highly likely that we’ll just follow the prevailing winds of the football season. For one thing, we learned the lesson from the 2002 World Cup experience; even finding ourselves once (we still don’t remember how) watching a game in the Ajman Kempinski; and yes, the bar there, by the way, is called the World Cup Bar.

Pious Jeans

2006-05-23T02:16:00.000+04:00

Hot on the heel of the special wudou' sink/washer we read about not a long time ago comes the news about the special Islamic prayer garments for men: Designer jeans that are made to feel and look authentically Islamic:

Designed by an Italian company and named after the Arabic term for Jerusalem, Al Quds Jeans are baggy with a high waist to allow freedom of movement during the repeated kneeling for Islamic worship. They have extra large pockets for glasses, trinkets and prayer beads and also feature discreet green seams at the top of the belt loops, in honour of the faith's sacred colour.

It's a welcome change, though obviously a very tiny one, in the struggle to modernize Islam. However, it seems there is more progress in the realm of rituals than in the more important world of ideas. The stretching that is more desperately needed is in the understanding and the interpretation, and not simply the trousers; and that's one innovation that no Italian or Western company will be able to provide. It’s ironic, but the prayer pants now are definitely way ahead of the praying mind. And that only underscore the intellectual and theological crisis within Islam. Basically, Muslims can't live with proper prayer jeans alone!

More about this story here.

About UAE Women

2006-05-22T13:44:00.000+04:00

Since my first test post Summer has arrived in Dubai with vengeance. And with that, it seems posts on local blogs (many are here) dealing with hot local topics (labor, women, politics, etc.) are getting hotter! Bloggers are battling it out, mostly with pure opinion versus pure opinion. Nothing of course is wrong with that, as long as all remember that what they have to say is just a freaking opinion and not the final truth of the matter. Yet, the lack of factual support for personal perspectives (occasionally with hysterical fixation or abusive vehemence) is, to say the least, quite surprising. It’s not only the dearth of reliable literature on local issues that is to blame, but also the intellectual laziness of many fellow bloggers. This means both lack of facts and lack of willingness to question one’s preconceived ideas and skewed theories. Some recent posts on local women have generated debate and controversy. Trying to look for more reliable information on this issue, I came across an interesting study from two years ago. The author is Sara Sayed and the title is, “Women, Politics and Development in the United Arab Emirates.” It’s rather long (100 plus pages) and can be too academic, but it’s worth reading. No time to read the whole thing, I’d say at a minimum read the conclusions; some very interesting and debatable results. This is the link to the study.

And here are two teasers (from the conclusions section):

“Women overall, are segregated but not isolated as they are surrounded by a large social support network…mainly family members…Families protect their female members from what they consider to be a predatory environment. This protectionism is strongly supported by interview participants as well as survey participants.” p. 88.

“Women are generally content with their status within the family. They overwhelmingly agree that the actions of women within the family are unconstrained as long as these actions do not jeopardized the health of the family unit. They do not feel devalued by the patriarchal system, and they support its protective function” p. 89.

First Post

2006-04-26T00:24:00.000+04:00

This is a first post to test the waters. It's getting late and I will have to come back to this at some point soon, maybe during the weekend, to get it really going. The temperature today around noon time just soared, with dust in the air and oppressive cloudy skies above. It was as if the summer just arrived, riding the shamal on a carpet of Arabian sand and hot air. And I had to remind myself, it's only April! Imagine what it's going to be like three months from now? Yes, I can imagine. I've already seen it seven times during seven summers in Dubai. I guess you could say that I'm a veteran expat now! Is this good or bad news? Well, if you ask me, I'll probably give you different answers on different days. In some ways, I hope this blog will be a sort of random documentation of the questions and answers that define (or plague) my life in Dubai. Contrary to conventional wisdom, nothing should be taken for granted in this city of the rising sun, gleaming towers, shrinking deserts, and the most bewildering mix of people, mostly living parallel existences and occasionally meeting or colliding.