24 Hours in Dubai - Dunes and Dinars

good article.

very nice article.

nice article... it really does describe the whole scene in dxb. it's more of a meeting place for people around the globe, to enjoy an relax in. though it can be expensive at times!

great...i liked it but the fact remains tht its a place where we can spend some time of our life ie vacations but not the whole life...

Dabaee... ACH THOO....

what did you go there for - the lottery ticket? they mail it to you, you know...

Re: # 21

Unfortunatley its worst now..!!

ejazharoon - Very good observation. I often think that as well. There`s folks who condemn the West, without giving due credit to the many virtues that exist here, and in many cases - nowhere else.

Re: # 28:

Funny how some countries emulate only the more raunchy aspects of the American way of life. Many (perhaps most) people here in America work hard, obey the law and cherish time spent with family and friends. I wish those values were universal.

Ejaz

Re: # 26

nice sense of humor.
frankly I consider myself atypical to those dumbos, who either refuse or can-not transform to the civilized world ; and furthermore I am plain striaght .......lol

Re: #21.

Yes, the arab attitude has changed, but only for the worse. Those guys` stink. The whole place gives me a feeling of a whore-house with semi clad russian women walking the streets in the night and getting picked up by - who else - the pious, devout, religious ``non-drinking`` Arabs.

Refreshing read, sums up pretty much everything about the place. Well yes, have to agree with the writer describing the blatant disparity in the socio-cultural influences, so rampant in this so-called Mini-America ( A favourite word of many Pakistanis). One always becomes so overwhelmed by how obsessed the people there are with the goras.

Colonel,

Are u the one who`s remembered very often by Nawazish Ali? ;-)

Who`s a Hindu?

Re: # 10
Cobra;

Randhawas, Ghummans, Chattas, Cheemas, Bajwas and most other casts of Jats can be found in the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh religions of south asia. They were all originaly hindus. With the advent of Islam in the sub-continent, considerable number converted to Islam, and then much later, some to sikhism as well. The muslim and sikh Randhawas can trace their ancesstory in Hindu religion.

I like travelogues. The author wrote it vey well. Many of us want to see the whole arab world transforming like Dubai. Dubai cud change this. It has the potential to do a Japan in the lands of arab ppl (Japan was an inspiration to all the Asian tigers).

As for racism, arabs showed their true colours when the blue-collar workers striked against the poor living conditions in UAE, the mandarins showed them doors instead of improving the living conditions. Such apathy would have been unthinkable in the west.

The arab working girls showing disrespect or indifference to non-whites was experienced by me at Dubai transit lounge. There`s a separate counter for Indians & Pakistanis ONLY at Doha! May be Indians are too boorish, obtrusive & intrusive while dealing with others.

`#21 by ejazharoon on June 19, 2007 12:19pm PT
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. `

no ejaz.....arab attitudes have not changed. they are still stuck with their heads buried in the sand. for the local arabs, the white man is god and to bed the white woman is the ultimate status symbol.

#17 txnaeem {``Dubai reminds me of Lahore``}

Tax Man,
So if Lahore reminds some imbecile of Singapore and if Dubai reminds you of Lahore, is it safe to deduce that Singapore must remind someone else of Dubai?

Must be all those chinamen in burnooses with fan belts on their head. :)

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.

Glad you like the article.
I refrain from calling it a ``bad`` place - its like every other country in the sense that it is struggling with its own internal issues - in this case immigration workers being at the top.

`#3 by Love2love on June 18, 2007 10:44pm PT
Great article, Naeem. Your observations hit home well. Never did like Dubai, but ironically after reading this article, I`ll give it another shot. :)`

i live in dubai and i still don`t like it. no matter how many shots you give it, i ddon`t think u will like it!!!!!

Great article, Naeem. Your observations hit home well. Never did like Dubai, but ironically after reading this article, I`ll give it another shot. :)

`Americans want to be Americans, and Arabs want to be Americans, the world wants to be American.`

how correct. everyone here claims they hate americans, but eventually end up aping them!!

good fast paced read, thanks.