24 Hours in Dubai - Dunes and Dinars

I agree with #11 (devkant). I experienced racism first-hand in Dubai too. Then again it has been a dozen years since I lived there so maybe attitudes have changed.

The movie ``Syriana`` is as good a portrayal of the Arab psyche as anything I have seen.

#17 txnaeem {`` I was born in Lahore, PK, raised in Montreal, and live in Dallas, and am now working in Afghanistan.``}

Tax Naeem,
So you took one of those $156K translator jobs. SUCKER! :)

{``There are more cranes per square miles here than any other country. ``}

Naeem,
I would seriously challenge that. I think that Zimbabwe has many more cranes. Well, no sense in arguing - I just hope that they are as well protected in Dubai as they are in most civilized countries.

{``and the other half look like Britney Spear rejects ``}
Naeem Sahib,
Do they also ride in limos with Paris Hilton and get photographed by muchos paparazzi?

I think I implied the racism, in the way of the immigration rules on the country.

Finding the ``Lebanese`` meal was a challenge enough, my point was simply to break away from the McDonalds, Italian and Mexican ``American`` chains. I am aware Lebanese is not ``local`` food - but as local as I could get finding my own way around in one day.

Hehe - every story I write someone does ask - to answer your question. I was born in Lahore, PK, raised in Montreal, and live in Dallas, and am now working in Afghanistan.

In some ways, Dubai reminds me of Lahore, as it reminds me of America as well. Again, the country has ``good`` and ``bad`` points, like all countries do.

Naeem sahib, it`s Dirhams not Dinars.

true..dubai is one hell of a mixed up place...good for a 3-4 day stop over but definitely not a place to live in for too long.

Naeem,
On a serious note, did Dubai remind you of Lahore in any way? :)

{``...and don`t let the Asian on the street working in the sun worry you - he`s better off here, than where he came from. ``}

Naeem,
Ain`t that the sad truth. Very interesting article and I just loved your anguish at being unable to escape the golden arches. :)

Re: # 7

Beady dear Boy:

It is a very insightful observation. BTW how come they treat you as a Brit?

Salaam
Kamath

`#6 by raj_75 on June 19, 2007 2:56am PT
You missed an essential point - It`s one hell of a racist country.`

i have experienced this.....in very very subtle ways.

Dear Randhawa Sahib,

Are you from Pakistan? Are you sikh by any chance or were your ancestors sikh? After all Randhwa is a sikh last name you see!!

Sincerely,
DilliWala.

Randhawaa Sahib, I was getting into it until I came upon the following:

“I have lunch in a local joint, and enjoy a good Lebanese meal. I order a ``leban`` (yogurt drink), and listen to the taxi drivers, labor workers and others, talking about their issues over the busy waiters and blaring television.”

I am really not sure how a Lebanese meal is local to Dubai. But that’s ok, caz all orientals are Chinese.

Good write up but I am still waiting to read something about the dunes!
:)

Dubai and the UAE is like a layered cake, and the cake is arranged via a complicated structure based upon skin colour, ethnicity, and religion. Although money trumps it.

Its a grotesque place, full of ghettos.

You missed an essential point - It`s one hell of a racist country.