Random Observations from the first 10 days in Dubai

Not too many Dryers are used around here. If you do use one, it is probably a ventless condenser model. So far we have just been using the clothes line in the ‘garage’. Our new apartments will have a washer—no dryer. Guess it will pay to be a redneck from Georgia and have laundry hanging on the balcony.

The water taste pretty good and I don’t think it’s making anyone ill. Most water here is from desalination plants (which also double as power plants).

Road aren’t really safe to ride bikes on; and yards are mostly sand, so families bring their tykes with bikes and trikes to the malls in the evenings and it’s quite the demolition derby. Kids are kids, no matter where you go in this world. I can’t understand what most of them are saying, but I’m sure it’s no different than what I hear from my kids and their friends—yes, I do listen, Julia.

Books are pricier than at home…haven’t noticed if you can get a discount card. I shipped a box of books I haven’t read in the Tundra.

Speaking of the Tundra…I may have some problems parking that sucker around town…some of these parking lots are snug for the rented Yaris I’m driving.

A few other things seem pricier…Plastic goods like hangers, laundry baskets, etc.; Computers are a bit higher, though if you look hard you can find some sales. I haven’t found many discount shops—you do have to put in some footwork to find a sale (and that’s not really my style). Motorcycles are pricier—even the Japanese models; cars seem to be pretty reasonable and almost all the sales people have been very low key—they don’t hound and follow you around. There also isn’t a lot of stock on the showroom floors and many vehicles have to be ordered. Did I mention apartments are kind of expensive?

Usually you have a wide choice in fresh fruits and veggies, both in variety and price. I have seen items from all over the world…US, Italy, Holland, China, Australia, NZ, all over. For the most part, groceries are very reasonable.

Sticking with the market—it tests your math skills converting AED/kg to $$$/lb; Best I can figure, you divide the AED price by 8 and it comes out pretty close to the US price. Study harder Max…I will test you.

I had to get more passport photos made when I went for my physical Wed…they needed pics without glasses. I ran across the street to Spinney’s ( a grocery chain) and found a Kodak shop where I got 12 photos for 30 AED…I’m making progress. And now I can ask if they want my photo with or without specs.

The Fast Food concept is somewhat lost on the restaurants in the food courts around here. When they hand you a pager to let you know your food is ready, then something has gotten lost in translation. I have had several 10-15 min waits for food. Now, aside from the wait, most of the food has been excellent. I’ve purposely tried to avoid most of the major US players—only one visit to a KFC so far. Lebanese seems to rule and is delicious.

While we are still on food, they really, really, really like french fries here...the only meal we've had without fries is pizza. And I highly recommend Debonairs Pizza.

There aren’t a whole lot of Americans here…but there are a lot of people from everywhere else in the world. At the tower, we have Brits, Kiwis, Aussies, Canucks, Danes, Swiss, French, and the local Nationals. I hear rumors that there are other Americans about, but so far we haven't met them.

It took me about 6 months to master driving in DC...I think I will knock it down to about 2 months here. Still making a few wrong turns. Basically you have to know a few major highways, which bridge you want to cross, and then you have to know the different regions of town, because all the signs point to someplace. There is no east, west, north, south, uptown, downtown, etc.

Dubai is a true melting pot…kind of like New York City, except they speak English here.