Can you believe today marks 7 months since I packed my bags, sold my things, and flew across the world to embark on "a whole new world?" Sometimes I think "it's only been 7 months?!" and other times I think "wow, can't believe it's already been 7 months!" In this amount of time I have experienced so much personally and professionally. I have met so many wonderful people from all across the world, traveled to destinations I never imagined I would step foot on and expanded my horizon in many different ways of doing business (not always how I would prefer, but that's part of the experience!)
The main question I am asked when meeting someone new is "How do you like Dubai?" 2-3 months ago I would have responded with hesitation in my voice, "I like it, but it's different. Difficult to adjust to the ways of doing business and I cannot stand the lack of policies and procedures in this place!" Today, I respond "I am really starting to enjoy it." I have found myself settled...met a core group of amazing friends or "family" as we call each other here, I have a routine and know my way around Dubai, learning short cuts and better routes to get places, and finally getting a grasp on this completely new way of doing business...because believe me it is NOTHING like business in the USA. In the US everything is black and white. If it's written on the contract, you get it, if it's not written on the contract, you don't get it. There might be some flexibility, but that is up to the business, not the consumer to decide. Here, everything is gray...the word "NO" does not exist. Most of the time I wonder why we even send out contracts because half the time they are not reviewed, never signed and returned and even when they are, the clauses do not hold meaning.
This lack of black and white carries outside of just the hospitality world. You experience this when standing in line at the grocery store...where I am from, there are lines and you stand behind the person in front of you, waiting your turn. Here, it's just a mob of people all getting to the front (but nothing as bad as China, at least people have manners, ha!) Or how about the time my electricity was turned off in my apartment because the owners of my hotel neglected to pay the bill! (and that was only MY apartment, not everyone else's...oops B904 must have slipped through the crack). But what I have learned when these situations arise is to laugh, brush it off and say "only in Dubai!" It teaches you to look at the bigger things in life and how fortunate we are in the US that we have such organized government, businesses and systems.
On a personal level, Dubai is amazing...you work hard (long hours consisting of 10-12 hour days), but weekends are all about FUN! Afterall we live in a desert that has been made into a fairy-tale...beaches, pools, clubs, restaurants, shopping, stunning hotels, waterparks and theme parks, you name it and Dubai probably has it. Yes, I miss my Ballard Market Sundays and running along the Puget Sound overlooking the snow capped mountains, breathing in fresh green air, but on the flip side, it's pretty incredible to grab your swim suit EVERY day of the year (ok we occasionally have a rain fall...which is GLADLY appreciated) and hit the beach/pool/hotel deck/outdoor club and take in sunshine, drinks and laughs with friends, and overall feel like every weekend you're on vacation or "holiday." Dubai never sleeps and there is always something going on. I recently read a magazine article that said people can be defined into 2 categories in Dubai: YOLO "You Only Live Once" and FOMO "Fear of Missing Out"....I laughed and couldn't agree more. Everything about Dubai is being social, out and about, meeting people, and just experiencing different cultures. And this my friends, is what I LOVE the most about Dubai.
I could not tell you how many different nationalities of friends I have, let alone people I have met during my 7 months. My favorite experience was my 4th of July Party...here I threw a party to celebrate MY country's independence day, however there was only 1 other fellow American present. I had Dutch, Australian, Belgian, Russian, Syrian, Italian, Ecuadorian...all celebrating for ME. What a special day and it really shows the harmony of this place. Did you know there are 230 nationalities living peacefully together in Dubai? No where else in the world does this happen. I feel like every day I have traveled somewhere new...learning about a new culture, custom and even better, place I have never even heard of before. Let's just say the bucket list is expanding, not getting smaller!
Speaking of travel, never did I imagine that after 7 months of living here I would have 5 new Visas placed in my passport...I had to go to the US embassy and get more pages for my passport! I have been blessed to travel to Moscow, Russia, Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing, China, UK, and next...India for work. Let alone the personal travel of Istanbul, Turkey, Sarajevo and Mostar, Bosnia and Dalmatian Coast and Dubrovnik, Croatia....and soon sailing through the Seychelles islands. For those who know me, travel is my ultimate passion in life and I could not be more grateful for these incredible experiences.
So in a nutshell, marking my 7 month anniversary of living abroad, I would say, I am pretty happy living here. Everyday presents a new challenge, but these are so worth the gain that you receive at the end. Of course the hardest part of living across the world is being so far from my incredible family, sweetheart Ben, and loyal friends. The saying that "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is certainly true as my heart has grown SO big (kinda like The Grinch's heart...except I didn't steal Christmas :)!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
The Manual to Getting Set Up in Dubai
When I decided to take the step and move to Dubai, people told me that have lived here or are currently living here, that patience would be KEY to getting through the first couple of months. Little did I know just how much patience I would need!! For such a developed country in so many ways (like architecture and creating things beyond anyone else's in the world), they are SO behind in just simple logistical things...like getting Visas, cable/internet, postal system, etc. SO, for anyone that is interested in moving to Dubai, I have created a manual and personal experience on just what documents you need and time it will take...enjoy!
1) Key to anything is getting your Resident Visa, without this your life simply does not exist. Now in most countries you would get this PRIOR to your arrival into the new country. Not in Dubai. Your work will first issue you a temporary entry Visa, then once you arrive, they will actually start the application process for your real Visa...strange right?! This Visa process can take anywhere from 1-2 months (mine took 1.5). In the meantime, you might as well just sit at home with zero entertainment OR take taxis everywhere, because your hands are tied otherwise with not being able to get cable/internet, a drivers license, bank account or really anything else. In order to get the Resident Visa you need to go through a medical exam...certainly not a pleasant experience. You are shuttled to what seems like a 3rd world country medical establishment where you line up like cattle and wait your turn. (Remember the ratio in Dubai is something like 9 males for every 1 female, so a LOT of stares your way!) Your blood in drawn, then you enter a separate room where you have to strip to nothing waist up for x-rays. If other females are there, you're all in the same room together...just like camp or something :) (I'm being sarcastic if you aren't reading through the lines). In addition to the medical exam, you need a crap ton of passport photos, so just go to Costco and stock up! Once all the paperwork is in, the wait begins...
2) Once you get your resident visa, the fun really begins...ha ha. This is the story of my process getting everything set up:
-Bank Account: you need a letter from your employer stating your monthly salary and passport photo, along with copy of passport and Visa. Prior to getting my bank account set up, I received my first paycheck in a check form. I went to the bank to cash it and they stated I needed my passport to cash the check. Here is the dialog that took place:
"I do not have my passport because it is with your government getting a Visa. I have brought a copy of my passport and WA Driver's License."
Clerk response, "these are not valid. I need your passport OR Emirates ID."
Me, "I do not have these because they are getting processed with your government at the moment."
Clerk, "Well this check is written as Lindsey Graff or the bearer, so technically anyone can cash your check. Would you like your friend to cash for you?"
Me, "Lana, will you cash my check for me while I'm standing at the counter with a passport photo copy which is not valid, yet you can cash my check for me?!?!"
Again...logic people!! Absolutely makes no sense. After my first check, my second was deposited into my new bank account here in Dubai...hip hip hooray! Getting that set up was a LONG wait. Imagine going to drivers license place where you take the ticket number and wait for your number to be called. That's EVERY place here in Dubai, banks included. So I had originally planned to check out a few banks to weigh out my options. But after waiting over 45 min to speak to the first bank, I decided to just go with them! Ha! Emirates NBD...so far, so good, so hopefully that stays!
3) Cable/Internet: everything in your life is ruled by your job and company in Dubai. So, you need "permission" from your employer for everything. To get cable/internet set up, I went and did the stand in line for 45 min again only to find out I did not have my letter of permission from my employer! Agh. So back to the hotel I go to get this letter from HR. Basically it's called a No Objection Letter which the hotel types out saying my name, position, salary, and they have no objection to me getting cable/internet in MY home. Since my apartment is part of my package and the hotel technically rents it for me, I also needed a letter of the lease, and permission from the owners...this is just for cable/internet set up. Never before did I think I would actually miss Comcast! So, after getting all these documents, back to the mall (this is where the cable place is located) and another 45 min wait, I FINALLY get scheduled for the service to come in 4 days...record timing for set up! I now have over 200 channels of Arabic television and a whopping 16 in English :) Taking any old TV series as care packages...just saying
4) Driver's License: As a tourist you can rent and drive a car in the UAE. However, as a resident you need a proper driver's license. In order to get this, most countries have to go through extensive training that is costly and takes a great deal of time. Thankfully as a US citizen I can just swap by US driver's license for a UAE one. But even this is an adventure. Learning from experience with the cable situation, I called ahead this time to ask specifically which documents I would need. I was told I needed the following: copy of passport and visa, old driver's license, a no objection letter from employer, and Emirates ID. Problem is I still didn't have my Emirates ID (this is separate from the Visa...basically another form of identification you need as a resident in the UAE.) So they said a copy of my application would be fine. So I gather these documents and my colleague nicely brings me to RTA (the transportation division of government here.) This time I arrive right at opening to avoid the long wait...or so I thought. Approaching the counter, the gal says the copy of my Emirates ID application is not the valid one...ahhhhhhh. I told the lady then, "I am not leaving this establishment until I have my driver's license in hand. What EXACTLY do I need?" So after several calls, faxing back and forth with distorted copies, emails, and pretty much every other form of communication I finally got the copy of the Emirates ID (which by the way, they actual one had come into the hotel and was sitting in the HR department...nice of them to let me know when I asked for the application the day prior. They could have just given me the actual ID instead!) Finally sitting down to get the Driver's License another person tells me I need an additional document, which no one had told me before (on the phone or in person when I first arrived.) I nearly lost it, asked to speak to the manager and we finally agreed I had all documentation needed. (They were asking for a specific letter from the owner's of The Palm island stating I could get a license. But, because I am a manager I do not need this letter. Lower paying colleagues would however. Crazy how much influence the government has here in your personal life.) So 3 hours later, I successfully walked out with an Emirates Driver's License!
5) Alcohol License: Yes, to legally drink in the private of your home, you need an alcohol license to buy and consume. You do not need this however to drink in bars/clubs. In order to receive this you need the following documents: copy of passport and Visa, passport photo, completed application stamped by employer, no objection letter from employer and a no objection letter from owners (which cost around $20 to receive.) Once collecting these documents you drop off at the liquor store, pay $45, and wait a good month or so before it's ready to go. I'm still waiting for this license, so in the meantime, anyone who comes to visit is required to stop at duty free and pick up the allotted 4 liters! :)
And THAT is how you get set up in Dubai! Hopefully this helps the next poor soul from having to go through at least half of what I have had to!! ha ha
1) Key to anything is getting your Resident Visa, without this your life simply does not exist. Now in most countries you would get this PRIOR to your arrival into the new country. Not in Dubai. Your work will first issue you a temporary entry Visa, then once you arrive, they will actually start the application process for your real Visa...strange right?! This Visa process can take anywhere from 1-2 months (mine took 1.5). In the meantime, you might as well just sit at home with zero entertainment OR take taxis everywhere, because your hands are tied otherwise with not being able to get cable/internet, a drivers license, bank account or really anything else. In order to get the Resident Visa you need to go through a medical exam...certainly not a pleasant experience. You are shuttled to what seems like a 3rd world country medical establishment where you line up like cattle and wait your turn. (Remember the ratio in Dubai is something like 9 males for every 1 female, so a LOT of stares your way!) Your blood in drawn, then you enter a separate room where you have to strip to nothing waist up for x-rays. If other females are there, you're all in the same room together...just like camp or something :) (I'm being sarcastic if you aren't reading through the lines). In addition to the medical exam, you need a crap ton of passport photos, so just go to Costco and stock up! Once all the paperwork is in, the wait begins...
2) Once you get your resident visa, the fun really begins...ha ha. This is the story of my process getting everything set up:
-Bank Account: you need a letter from your employer stating your monthly salary and passport photo, along with copy of passport and Visa. Prior to getting my bank account set up, I received my first paycheck in a check form. I went to the bank to cash it and they stated I needed my passport to cash the check. Here is the dialog that took place:
"I do not have my passport because it is with your government getting a Visa. I have brought a copy of my passport and WA Driver's License."
Clerk response, "these are not valid. I need your passport OR Emirates ID."
Me, "I do not have these because they are getting processed with your government at the moment."
Clerk, "Well this check is written as Lindsey Graff or the bearer, so technically anyone can cash your check. Would you like your friend to cash for you?"
Me, "Lana, will you cash my check for me while I'm standing at the counter with a passport photo copy which is not valid, yet you can cash my check for me?!?!"
Again...logic people!! Absolutely makes no sense. After my first check, my second was deposited into my new bank account here in Dubai...hip hip hooray! Getting that set up was a LONG wait. Imagine going to drivers license place where you take the ticket number and wait for your number to be called. That's EVERY place here in Dubai, banks included. So I had originally planned to check out a few banks to weigh out my options. But after waiting over 45 min to speak to the first bank, I decided to just go with them! Ha! Emirates NBD...so far, so good, so hopefully that stays!
3) Cable/Internet: everything in your life is ruled by your job and company in Dubai. So, you need "permission" from your employer for everything. To get cable/internet set up, I went and did the stand in line for 45 min again only to find out I did not have my letter of permission from my employer! Agh. So back to the hotel I go to get this letter from HR. Basically it's called a No Objection Letter which the hotel types out saying my name, position, salary, and they have no objection to me getting cable/internet in MY home. Since my apartment is part of my package and the hotel technically rents it for me, I also needed a letter of the lease, and permission from the owners...this is just for cable/internet set up. Never before did I think I would actually miss Comcast! So, after getting all these documents, back to the mall (this is where the cable place is located) and another 45 min wait, I FINALLY get scheduled for the service to come in 4 days...record timing for set up! I now have over 200 channels of Arabic television and a whopping 16 in English :) Taking any old TV series as care packages...just saying
4) Driver's License: As a tourist you can rent and drive a car in the UAE. However, as a resident you need a proper driver's license. In order to get this, most countries have to go through extensive training that is costly and takes a great deal of time. Thankfully as a US citizen I can just swap by US driver's license for a UAE one. But even this is an adventure. Learning from experience with the cable situation, I called ahead this time to ask specifically which documents I would need. I was told I needed the following: copy of passport and visa, old driver's license, a no objection letter from employer, and Emirates ID. Problem is I still didn't have my Emirates ID (this is separate from the Visa...basically another form of identification you need as a resident in the UAE.) So they said a copy of my application would be fine. So I gather these documents and my colleague nicely brings me to RTA (the transportation division of government here.) This time I arrive right at opening to avoid the long wait...or so I thought. Approaching the counter, the gal says the copy of my Emirates ID application is not the valid one...ahhhhhhh. I told the lady then, "I am not leaving this establishment until I have my driver's license in hand. What EXACTLY do I need?" So after several calls, faxing back and forth with distorted copies, emails, and pretty much every other form of communication I finally got the copy of the Emirates ID (which by the way, they actual one had come into the hotel and was sitting in the HR department...nice of them to let me know when I asked for the application the day prior. They could have just given me the actual ID instead!) Finally sitting down to get the Driver's License another person tells me I need an additional document, which no one had told me before (on the phone or in person when I first arrived.) I nearly lost it, asked to speak to the manager and we finally agreed I had all documentation needed. (They were asking for a specific letter from the owner's of The Palm island stating I could get a license. But, because I am a manager I do not need this letter. Lower paying colleagues would however. Crazy how much influence the government has here in your personal life.) So 3 hours later, I successfully walked out with an Emirates Driver's License!
5) Alcohol License: Yes, to legally drink in the private of your home, you need an alcohol license to buy and consume. You do not need this however to drink in bars/clubs. In order to receive this you need the following documents: copy of passport and Visa, passport photo, completed application stamped by employer, no objection letter from employer and a no objection letter from owners (which cost around $20 to receive.) Once collecting these documents you drop off at the liquor store, pay $45, and wait a good month or so before it's ready to go. I'm still waiting for this license, so in the meantime, anyone who comes to visit is required to stop at duty free and pick up the allotted 4 liters! :)
And THAT is how you get set up in Dubai! Hopefully this helps the next poor soul from having to go through at least half of what I have had to!! ha ha
Sunday, February 16, 2014
What to eat?!
Several people have asked the question "what do you eat?" "what's the food like?" So I decided to dedicate a blog entry to just that...food. It's quite interesting actually, I haven't quite figured out WHAT I do eat! Ha! Everyday something new presents itself in the cafeteria at the hotel (does not matter if I am at Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont The Palm or Fairmont Bab Al Bahr), they all have mystery food. Kinda like those days when you watched cartoons of the scary lunch lady scooping some mystery item onto your plate...yep that's my life now. I sincerely miss Florica and her AMAZING cooking! (That was our Cafeteria Chef at Fairmont Olympic).
The food centers much around Arabic food...and you ask, "what is that?" It's a lot of rice, bread...and more rice and bread, ha! Definitely some curry and other Indian like dishes. I still haven't quite figured it all out. I generally hit up the salad bar, get some rice and maybe chicken if it looks decent. Otherwise, it's all about eating out here. The whole culture is about going out, socializing, dining, and entertaining yourselves in this way. There are restaurants galore. I think you could spend 6 months going out to eat for every meal and still not dine in every restaurant. As you can imagine how competitive hotels are here, restaurants are the same. Lots of advertising, promotions, new menus, entertainment, you name it. It has to be different in order to succeed. AND there are new openings on weekly basis. It's exciting!
Grocery stores are similar to the states, except you aren't going to find an ounce of liquor, beer or wine in them! Ha! In order to buy alcohol, you need a alcohol license. In order to get one of these, you have to be in a high enough position in terms of employment. I am able to get a license and am currently working on it, but as everything else here, it takes time. I have to have a "permission" letter from my employer, as well as the owners of the area or land where the hotel is housed. Of course all of these items cost money as well. Being a Muslim country, alcohol is not looked upon as a positive. However, they have adapted in order to bring tourism and expats into work since they are accustomed to drinking. BUT most of my colleagues that have lower positions than I do cannot drink in their homes. Only if you have an alcohol license can you drink in your home legally. Crazy huh?! If you get caught without a license or buying for someone that doesn't have a license, there are severe fines and penalties. Kinda like going back to being under 21 and having to "spot" again...oh the joys.
As for actual grocery shopping, you can more or less find what you want in terms of items from the states. So far these are the things I have missed: crackers (like good ol wheat thins or something), PORK (you have to buy anything pork related from a special grocery store that has a pork section. Again, Muslims do not eat pork so that means no bacon, sausage, peperoni pizza, sliced ham...I didn't realize how much I missed this!) Mexican food (tough to find decent salsa and tortilla chips), fruits and veggies! Of course they sell these, but they have very little flavor and cost a fortune. Remember that I live in a desert where no crops are grown so everything is imported. Man do I miss my Ballard Farmer's Market and all the fresh produce! What I would give for a large crisp green salad, yum! However, I did find some good ol' Idaho potatoes this weekend! Imagine that! I had to buy the bag even though it was $7 for a small bag of baby potatoes. Who cares?! A little bit of comfort is always worth the spend :)
On the plus side, I've tried some cool new stuff like candied dates, Camel's milk (really creamy and yummy!) and lots of other things. It's also neat that when you go to the grocery store all produce and meat is labeled as to what country it has been imported from, so I feel like I'm a global consumer and learning lots about what countries produce goods.
Since this is Dubai you can find pretty much anything. So this is only the beginning of the food journey and I am sure I will experience many more restaurants and foods as time goes on. Enjoy the pics that follow! Bon Appetit!
The food centers much around Arabic food...and you ask, "what is that?" It's a lot of rice, bread...and more rice and bread, ha! Definitely some curry and other Indian like dishes. I still haven't quite figured it all out. I generally hit up the salad bar, get some rice and maybe chicken if it looks decent. Otherwise, it's all about eating out here. The whole culture is about going out, socializing, dining, and entertaining yourselves in this way. There are restaurants galore. I think you could spend 6 months going out to eat for every meal and still not dine in every restaurant. As you can imagine how competitive hotels are here, restaurants are the same. Lots of advertising, promotions, new menus, entertainment, you name it. It has to be different in order to succeed. AND there are new openings on weekly basis. It's exciting!
Grocery stores are similar to the states, except you aren't going to find an ounce of liquor, beer or wine in them! Ha! In order to buy alcohol, you need a alcohol license. In order to get one of these, you have to be in a high enough position in terms of employment. I am able to get a license and am currently working on it, but as everything else here, it takes time. I have to have a "permission" letter from my employer, as well as the owners of the area or land where the hotel is housed. Of course all of these items cost money as well. Being a Muslim country, alcohol is not looked upon as a positive. However, they have adapted in order to bring tourism and expats into work since they are accustomed to drinking. BUT most of my colleagues that have lower positions than I do cannot drink in their homes. Only if you have an alcohol license can you drink in your home legally. Crazy huh?! If you get caught without a license or buying for someone that doesn't have a license, there are severe fines and penalties. Kinda like going back to being under 21 and having to "spot" again...oh the joys.
As for actual grocery shopping, you can more or less find what you want in terms of items from the states. So far these are the things I have missed: crackers (like good ol wheat thins or something), PORK (you have to buy anything pork related from a special grocery store that has a pork section. Again, Muslims do not eat pork so that means no bacon, sausage, peperoni pizza, sliced ham...I didn't realize how much I missed this!) Mexican food (tough to find decent salsa and tortilla chips), fruits and veggies! Of course they sell these, but they have very little flavor and cost a fortune. Remember that I live in a desert where no crops are grown so everything is imported. Man do I miss my Ballard Farmer's Market and all the fresh produce! What I would give for a large crisp green salad, yum! However, I did find some good ol' Idaho potatoes this weekend! Imagine that! I had to buy the bag even though it was $7 for a small bag of baby potatoes. Who cares?! A little bit of comfort is always worth the spend :)
On the plus side, I've tried some cool new stuff like candied dates, Camel's milk (really creamy and yummy!) and lots of other things. It's also neat that when you go to the grocery store all produce and meat is labeled as to what country it has been imported from, so I feel like I'm a global consumer and learning lots about what countries produce goods.
Since this is Dubai you can find pretty much anything. So this is only the beginning of the food journey and I am sure I will experience many more restaurants and foods as time goes on. Enjoy the pics that follow! Bon Appetit!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Life of an Expat
Wikipedia defines an expatriate (sometimes shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person's upbringing. What this definition fails to define is the emotional side and complexity of being an expat.
When I was leaving the US, several people told I was brave to be taking on this move. Little did I realize at the time just how brave I would have to be. I never thought living 12,000 miles away from my family and friends compared to living 900 miles (while in Seattle/San Francisco) would make such a difference...but boy does it ever.
As I start my 2nd month of living here, it's all becoming a reality that this is not a vacation, but definitely something permanent. The friends and colleagues that I am meeting will be my new circle and "family" for the next few years. But the interesting thing is that they are all in the same boat as well. 85% of the population of Dubai are expats, that means you have the largest melting pot of cultures in the world! Fairmont The Palm has nearly 60 nationalities of colleagues, pretty impressive. (and over 700 employees for a 381 room hotel! That's nearly 2 employees per guest. Quite a service ratio!) Everyone of those people have gone through, and are going through the same thoughts, feelings and emotions that I am. We have all left something behind...family, friends, pets, homes, and more than anything...comfort.
Everyday is a new challenge, whether it's work related or personal life related. Nothing is comfortable anymore. Yes, I certainly miss waking up and curling up on my incredibly comfortable brown corduroy couch (hope you are enjoying Kurt and Mindy!), which I now have a lovely IKEA cardboard couch the hotel as nicely provided me :) in terms of comfort. But the comfort I really mean is the ability to just call my mom on my way home from work (calls=scheduling over facetime/Skype now), or walk across the street to get a Starbucks (no coffee shops without driving from Fairmont The Palm, and Starbucks is far and few between), or understanding the various food items in the employee café or grocery store (I still have NO idea what I am eating half the time!). And the list goes on and on...My friend told me recently that being an expat means you sacrifice a lot, yes it appears you're "on vacation 7 days a week" and while the sunshine, beaches, night life, etc is all wonderful, the deep longing for that comfort will never go away.
As time goes on, things settle more and each day gets easier and easier. I learn more about my job and role that I play within Fairmont (separate blog for work life to come :), I meet more people (that is one thing that is amazing here! Everyone is SO welcoming and inviting. Not cliquey like home where everyone is stuck to their core group of friends. Here everyone is open to bringing on new friends, meeting new people and really acting like a family), my home becomes more of a home (I still cannot WAIT for my shipment to arrive...Christmas x10 when it does!!), and a routine of some sort is starting to form.
In the long run, life of being an expat will be the greatest time of my life because of the new perceptions, lessons, obstacles, and adventures I will take in. Life is a roller coaster and you just have to hold on...and keep your eyes open to enjoy the ride!
When I was leaving the US, several people told I was brave to be taking on this move. Little did I realize at the time just how brave I would have to be. I never thought living 12,000 miles away from my family and friends compared to living 900 miles (while in Seattle/San Francisco) would make such a difference...but boy does it ever.
As I start my 2nd month of living here, it's all becoming a reality that this is not a vacation, but definitely something permanent. The friends and colleagues that I am meeting will be my new circle and "family" for the next few years. But the interesting thing is that they are all in the same boat as well. 85% of the population of Dubai are expats, that means you have the largest melting pot of cultures in the world! Fairmont The Palm has nearly 60 nationalities of colleagues, pretty impressive. (and over 700 employees for a 381 room hotel! That's nearly 2 employees per guest. Quite a service ratio!) Everyone of those people have gone through, and are going through the same thoughts, feelings and emotions that I am. We have all left something behind...family, friends, pets, homes, and more than anything...comfort.
Everyday is a new challenge, whether it's work related or personal life related. Nothing is comfortable anymore. Yes, I certainly miss waking up and curling up on my incredibly comfortable brown corduroy couch (hope you are enjoying Kurt and Mindy!), which I now have a lovely IKEA cardboard couch the hotel as nicely provided me :) in terms of comfort. But the comfort I really mean is the ability to just call my mom on my way home from work (calls=scheduling over facetime/Skype now), or walk across the street to get a Starbucks (no coffee shops without driving from Fairmont The Palm, and Starbucks is far and few between), or understanding the various food items in the employee café or grocery store (I still have NO idea what I am eating half the time!). And the list goes on and on...My friend told me recently that being an expat means you sacrifice a lot, yes it appears you're "on vacation 7 days a week" and while the sunshine, beaches, night life, etc is all wonderful, the deep longing for that comfort will never go away.
As time goes on, things settle more and each day gets easier and easier. I learn more about my job and role that I play within Fairmont (separate blog for work life to come :), I meet more people (that is one thing that is amazing here! Everyone is SO welcoming and inviting. Not cliquey like home where everyone is stuck to their core group of friends. Here everyone is open to bringing on new friends, meeting new people and really acting like a family), my home becomes more of a home (I still cannot WAIT for my shipment to arrive...Christmas x10 when it does!!), and a routine of some sort is starting to form.
In the long run, life of being an expat will be the greatest time of my life because of the new perceptions, lessons, obstacles, and adventures I will take in. Life is a roller coaster and you just have to hold on...and keep your eyes open to enjoy the ride!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Driving in the UAE=craziness!
One thing I have noticed that is absolutely insane is driving here! Holy smokes am I happy that I didn't bring Betty with me...she would be destroyed by now...and me too! People cut each other off, change lanes without looking, drive VERY fast, tailgate (and I mean ride your bumper like 2 inches away), and flash their lights at you if you don't move over lanes. It doesn't matter how fast you are going, if you aren't fast enough for them, they will let you know! On top of all this, kids don't have car seats (can you imagine!) and they pile mom, dad, sister, brother, grandma, aunt, uncle, and their extended family into one car. I have already witnessed at least 4-5 accidents since I arrived, 2 of which I am sure were fatal...so sad.
The cars are amazing though...every luxury car can be found. Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes, Porsche...you name it, someone drives it...and a LOT of people are driving these cars. Unbelievable the amount of $$ people spend on their cars here. Then they drive them like crazies...ha!
Another thing about driving here is the road system...basically it makes NO sense. Whereas most cities are built on a grid, Dubai just has long, long roads with no ways to cut off to the other side because a median is in the middle. It's the weirdest thing. In order to get from Fairmont The Palm to my house, we drive down a street called Hessa. We then have to completely pass my building because there are no ramps to get off. We completely circle around this large area (to the point that my building can no longer be seen) to eventually come back to my building on the other side. So strange! In such a developed city, that wants to be the most iconic place in the world, you would think they had streets (and a postal system) figured out! Oh yea...on top of everything, there are very few streets with actual names. For example, I do not have a street name for my apartment building. When I had to have my stuff delivered from IKEA, it was the strangest thing. I put down the following: "Manhattan Building B904, located in Jumeirah Village Circle 2, close to Atlantis Accommodation, major street nearby is Hessa or Al Khail"...and somehow they miraculously found me! Anywhere else you would just list your address and it would be fine.
SO...if you want to send me something, you need to send to the hotel because they have a PO box..ha!
Once I get my resident visa, I will be able to buy a car. I need one in order to drive around to sales calls and to my different properties in Dubai, as well as Abu Dhabi. However, I'm scared to death to drive given all of the above (how am I going to map my sales calls in a GPS??) oh boy! I think I will need to buy some sort of SUV to stay safe as well. A Volkswagen Tiguan is what I am thinking...see picture below. Other thoughts from all of you?? I would appreciate any suggestions!
The cars are amazing though...every luxury car can be found. Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes, Porsche...you name it, someone drives it...and a LOT of people are driving these cars. Unbelievable the amount of $$ people spend on their cars here. Then they drive them like crazies...ha!
Another thing about driving here is the road system...basically it makes NO sense. Whereas most cities are built on a grid, Dubai just has long, long roads with no ways to cut off to the other side because a median is in the middle. It's the weirdest thing. In order to get from Fairmont The Palm to my house, we drive down a street called Hessa. We then have to completely pass my building because there are no ramps to get off. We completely circle around this large area (to the point that my building can no longer be seen) to eventually come back to my building on the other side. So strange! In such a developed city, that wants to be the most iconic place in the world, you would think they had streets (and a postal system) figured out! Oh yea...on top of everything, there are very few streets with actual names. For example, I do not have a street name for my apartment building. When I had to have my stuff delivered from IKEA, it was the strangest thing. I put down the following: "Manhattan Building B904, located in Jumeirah Village Circle 2, close to Atlantis Accommodation, major street nearby is Hessa or Al Khail"...and somehow they miraculously found me! Anywhere else you would just list your address and it would be fine.
SO...if you want to send me something, you need to send to the hotel because they have a PO box..ha!
Once I get my resident visa, I will be able to buy a car. I need one in order to drive around to sales calls and to my different properties in Dubai, as well as Abu Dhabi. However, I'm scared to death to drive given all of the above (how am I going to map my sales calls in a GPS??) oh boy! I think I will need to buy some sort of SUV to stay safe as well. A Volkswagen Tiguan is what I am thinking...see picture below. Other thoughts from all of you?? I would appreciate any suggestions!
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