More learnings about Dubai

In Dubai, the al-Maktoums hold all key positions in the city-state’s government, their decisions are largely popular, because they have overseen a period of prosperity. Seems this is typical of ruling families in the Gulf, where men take up to four wives and regularly count their offspring in double figures!

No political parties exist in UAE!! Life is, almost pretty comfortable and people need not pay income tax (Wha?? Yes!)

According to Economist.com, UAE nationals account for just one-fifth of the country’s 4.5 million inhabitants. Come to think of it, our Bengalooru has around 6.5 million! Phew! Expatriates make up at least 80% of Dubai’s population, and consist mainly of Indians, Pakistanis and Filipinos, who take the emirate’s low-wage jobs.

Westerners are mainly employed in white collared jobs. But Dubai’s high standard of living tends to mitigate radicalism

Present ruler is Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum,( I love these tongue twister names!) is in his early 50’s and was married in 2004. Seems he was largely responsible for developing the modern Dubai, and as anyone can see, he has done a superb job!

Also as we have observed, the local press is cautious and rarely says anything against the rulers and their decisions!
Construction is happening at a dramatically huge speed here as anyone can see. There are 3 man made islands in the shape of palm trees. And it seems one is as huge as Manhattan! Wow.

Also, the world’s largest skyscraper, Burj-Dubai is under construction. And so is the world’s largest theme park –Dubailand, aimed to be twice the size of Disneyworld in Florida.

It is definitely surprising to know that this small city has 30 shopping malls (!!!) and 300 hotels as of now. Wow. Not sure if our all time favourites like Saravanabhavan, Chappan Bhog, etc come in the list ;)

It is very hard to believe that just thirty years ago, yes 30, there was nothing in Dubai but a creek, a sheikh's palace and a dodgy reputation as the smuggling capital of the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai has over 600 gold shops, the densest concentration in the world. Dubai's Gold Souk has 275-plus shops in a half a square km area! Designs in gold are splendid and matchless.

My experiences in Dubai!

I had an oppotunity to stay in one of the most richest and stylish cities in the world- Dubai, for a luxurious period of 5 months. As a tourist, these were some of the eye catching things/events in Dubai...

First, the airport- As soon as I landed in Dubai, this was the first amazing thing. It has one of the most grand and beautiful airports with cool interiors. The huge artificial palm trees lined near the waiting lounge, rows of artificially lit torches near the ceiling, arab houses and windows lining the ceiling…too good. And yes, the entire airport is wireless enabled so that passengers can use the internet being seated anywhere. Cool. No boredom of waiting for delayed flights. And yes, theres a massage centre, spa and a beauty parlour too! And time just flies when u visit the duty-free shops there, which are stuffed with exquisite collection of Arabic stuff..the hookah, etc.

The long sparkling white dress that Arab men wear gives them a kind of majestic look though I wonder how they don’t feel uncomfortable wearing that throughout the day!
Local women here are clad in burkha, but most young women don’t cover their face and they are very fashion conscious, contrary to my earlier belief! They are up-to-date in fashion and learnt that they are shopaholics! Hmm..not bad!
In fact, far as we have observed, there are more women drivers than men, who drive those macho looking SUVs! Clad in their burkha, they drive comfortably and confidently..and this is a very common scene on the roads…how cool is that! This is quite contrary to the kind of impression I used to have.

Dubai city never sleeps. Shops open till 12 in the night, people and traffic very much alive well past midnight...We usually used to get back home at 11:30 /12 in the night almost everyday , either from grocery shopping or just roaming in the malls/beach. And many times we have seen families –a couple and a kid taking a leisure stroll, sometimes 2 ladies returning home from work crossing the street without any tension of safety even at that late hour.

‘Sheikh Zayed’ road is like the main artery of Dubai with amazing and artistic skyscrapers lined throughout on both sides of the road. First time I went on this road, it was thrilling to see how the vehicles zoom and zip past us in the 5 lane road. wow. But inside the car, you cannot feel the real speed. One day, we were walking on the sidelanes of this road near the foot of those grand skyscrapers to get a sip of the coffee in the Starbucks coffee shop which was nearby and this was when that I actually felt the real speed of the zooming vehicles! It is more thrilling to just stand by the side and watch the zooming vehicles than actually be on the road..Just too fast for the eye!
Of course it goes without saying that there are maximum number of accidents on this road, roughly atleast 2 accidents on this road everyday!

From this road, we get a view of the to-be world’s tallest building , which is under construction. Seems it will be twice as tall as Burj Al Arab!!

Next. My fav-Burj Al Arab. This is a 7 star hotel and is the main icon of Dubai. It is a master piece of art in construction . Love at first sight to anyone.

Beaches in Dubai- One big feast to the eye. We had been to Jumeirah beach. The white sand , the light blue sea and lighter blue sky with the grand and magnificent Burj Al Arab on one side and the Jumeirah on the other side –ah! I just stood staring at this silently for a long time.
The beaches are so clean and the snow white sand gives a cleaner look to them. From one of the beaches, we get a full view of all the sheikh zayed road buildings at once-the Emirates towers, the Al burj, Etisalat tower, all o them. Feast to the camera’s eye.

One day we were driving on Sheikh Zayed road and there happened to be an unusual traffic jam at an odd hour. We suspected an accident somewhere nearby…it was true. A car was badly defaced. We watched in amazement when a huge helicopter came within seconds and landed right on the center of the road! This was a police chopper and picked up the injured so that they could reach the hospital within minutes! Perfect system!!