CITY OF CONTRASTS

OUR APARTMENT X-TRA LARGE PRAWNS - CLOSE UP

POOL VIEW FROM BALCONY MY MINI SEWING MACHINE ( FOR MENDING)











THE WATERFRONT -300M FROM OUR DOORSTEP

This is truly the city of contrasts. The skyscrapers that are every where on the horizon and then you look at the size of the prawns in the foto, also large , and then my new sewing machine is so small and the only functions it does is straight sewing for mending purposes. Otherwise I had to do it by hand. It was also very cheap..It is about the size of two of my hands.... So adorable. The size of the apartment inside is also very small...... As I say contrasts.
Hannes and I went car searching..... It is a mission to know which one to buy. Some of the makes, the service is so expensive (FORD) that it is not an option. The insurance is also done only on a yearly basis, not like in SA for a 5 year period or what ever you choose. Insurance is a must as the accident rate here is very high. The second hand car sales are tricky as you never know if the vehicle was in an accident before or not. In the end we decided to go with a Toyota Prado. Nice big car, 4x4, relative cheap to service and easy to find a dealership for service......
Now the semantics of finance are on the table again. We can not give 6 months bank statements so Welcare have to assist again. . It can be frustrating if you allow it BUT yo have to keep a different mind set here as you do as the Arabians do. They are very friendly and helpful, but tomorrow is another day. Luckily we from Africa are very used to that.
I have worked myself to a standstill to get the flat organised and live able. I am taking today off and going to do the "Jumeira Jane" (Nick name here for ladies that do nothing) thing. I am going for a stroll on the waterfront and going to have breakfast and coffee there. After that I am going to the sun for a tan.
Today is the first day of Ramadan. You are asked to be respectful to the Muslim culture and no eating or drinking or smoking in public from sun up to sun down. Maybe my coffee will be a problem. Apparently after sun down all feasts are open and a lot of eating and festivity starts. The end of Ramadan is known to be very festive. I will not witness this as by then I am back in SA.
I have learned so many new things here. It is challenging and exciting and frustrating at times. I looked for a easy reader. At home we now them as "clicks no1" cannot find. At last I found one at Boots (like pharmacy) and so expensive but I needed one as mine broke. A nail brush is also a mission to find. They tend to keep only certain products in certain stores..... Will still get there...
I have learned how "pre paid" (cellular phone) works. Was always so spoilt at home with contracts and stuff.. Now I have a Dubai cel as well. AND i can work it.
Te people here are very friendly and helpful. don't now if it is the Pakistani or Filipino or Arabs. It seems the Arabs do not work. The have Pakistani and Filipino who make up the work force. In any case to go grocery shopping is a teat. The sores are as big as makro (Again the contrasts) Smaller stores are "Spinney's" Stocks all SA brands and magazines but is a deli and a little expensive. At the till you groceries are packed in bags for you (as at home) only here it is done with a smile. All of then aways says hello and thank you and enjoy your day........... then I get to the apartment the cleaning staff come to the taxi to help unload and carry all up to my apartment AND they do not expect a tip........They told me so yesterday as I always had a few Dhirims ready to give.
I find the NO CRIME very nice and you can leave your trolley full of stuff any where and it will be there when you get back.
The other night we ran out of milk and it was like 22h00. We just ran outside to the store for some. No worry about being mugged or hijacked late at night.
The people tend to be soft spoken and are not aggressive at all.
I am enjoying it BUT have a lot to get used to. Some times it feels like coming DOWN in life if I think of our big and spacious home and flat. We will only have 1 car for a while as I do not want to drive ad do not need the 2nd car now. Next year when the metro is open Hannes can go to work by metro so a 2nd car might just never be feasible. But if I think that it is only the possessions that have changed it actually will be nice for us to live here. The flat is very nice inside, small but Manageable for me to maintain. We can go out in he evening and enjoy a walk on the beach. have coffee at a small cafe or just drive into the desert and camp out with no worries.......It is allowed to drive anywhere on your own and picnic or camp.
I have learned to work a gas stove and oven... Don't now if I like it yet but it is very fast and quick. made a wonderful roast the other night with meat cuts (beef) that I do not now. It was delicious.
Hannes tends to get despondent at times but I think it is because he is not busy at work yet and he still feels all is not organised.
The "lani" shops are everywhere..... Brand names I have heard and never seen and some I have never even heard about. I will buy my clothes in SA before I come to Dubai (cheaper there) and hair treatments here are so expensive........
Jinny my sister became a grandma yesterday. Her son Leon and his wife Tammy had a baby girl. So fantastic how the circle of life just continues. I think it will be a beautiful baby as both parents are very good looking. Will have to go and shop some for her here..... Just wonder what her name is and how she looks.
CONGRATULATIONS LEON AND TAMMY.
We have 2 SA friends arriving tonight for 3 days. Clydene and Ermano from Umdloti will be here in Dubai. I have some stuff planned for us. I am not the best tour guide yet as I do not now everything but we will explore the things together.
OK all for today.
L