Arrival

I arrived at my final destination (no more trips back and forth for a while) on June 27 early in the morning. I can tell you that time seems to be flying so quickly here, not only in the weekly timespan but also during my day. I swear I wake up, do a few things, run a few errands and BAM, its 6:00pm! I honestly don't know where the hours go. At least this is a good thing because it means I'm staying busy and not just sitting around being bored all the time, (like I did when we were living in Scotland..Yuck). I have realized a few things now after being here.
1) You need a car. Period. Yes, they have cabs and for the most part they are reasonable, safe, and get you where you need to go. One downside, I'd say, is shopping. Especially if you are furnishing a house. By the time you get to the mall, walked around, bought an ironing board and a computer printer (this story may be from experience..) you are done! Usually I would place the larger items in my car and continue to walk around and shop. Instead you are stuck looking for a cab large enough to fit your items and going back home. It's exhausting.
2) Dubai has no addresses. Nope, not a one. So explaining that you live opposite the Subway restaurant, near a certain hotel, on the left side of the road and that it's a tall building isn't very helpful. Luckily most delivery men can find it, eventually. The other problem is cabs. The other day we wanted to go to Ace Hardware on Sheik Al Zayed Road (the main road through Dubai). We eventually found it but due to the nature of SAZ Road (a huge freeway), we had to go a very scenic route back to where we actually needed to get. What does this equal? Frustration and large cab fares.
3) Language is fun! (sarcasm anyone?) Okay, so with a lot of patience and talking much slower and using smaller words you can get things understood and accomplished. A huge problem is understanding when ESL speakers are talking. I truly admire them. Can I speak Arabic or Urdu? Not a chance. The closest I have is "Would you like a cup of tea?" or "Thank you". It is definitely something I need to brush up on. The phone calls are the most frustrating for sure.
4) There are no manners, at least to Western standards. There are no lines/queues. I have many times been waiting in line at a store, cafe, etc. and someone walks right in front of me to the register. Aside from making a huge fuss (which isn't my style) or giving a glaring look (that's me) there really isn't anything you can do. So I have just started pushing to the front as well. If you can't beat them, join them! Another thing is personal space and slow walkers. People will stand closer to me than my husband does! If I subtly push back on them they don't seem to mind in the slightest. The other thing I've noticed is that the locals walk SLOW. I think I saw an expat woman with a walker moving faster than them. Plus, since they usually travel in groups, they block entire pathways! Very frustrating indeed.

In spite of the frustrating aspects of life in Dubai, this place is amazing to live in. The sun is constantly shining, the people are friendly, and there is a real ambience in this country. I love the family aspect of the culture. The Muslim week runs Sunday to Thursday, with Friday being our version of Sunday and Saturday being equal to ours. The locals take Friday very seriously, making sure that the entire day is spent with family. I am noting many truths about the taboos many of us believe about the Middle East and I hope to make the truth more well known.