Adventures in Qatar

The adventure began before wheels up. Just before.

If you know me at all, you know that flying is my biggest fear. (Yes, I am half way across the world from home – a walking irony). So flying to see Jon while he’s on a month-long business trip was not all relaxation for me.

Leading up to the flight I signed up for SOAR newsletters. Captain Tom sent me a few reassuring emails the week leading up to the flight, and I was actually in a good state of mind and ready to fly. And I booked Emirates, one of the world’s best airlines. What could go wrong?

Fast forward to the flight. The captain comes on the speaker telling the flight attendants to prepare for take off. The engines start roaring and the plane starts to speed up to catch some air. Just as I start to hold my breath and hope for the best, some crazy man ten rows behind me jumps up out of his seat, starts yelling at the top of his lungs, runs up and down the aisle and then locks himself in the bathroom.

My worst fear, realized.

 

I literally thought I had a terror situation on my hands, and even started crying. Pretty embarrassing considering I was sitting right in front of the seated flight attendant. She checked up on me later in the flight to make sure I was okay, which was very sweet.

It turns out the man had on a hidden belt under his clothes that held flasks of alcohol. He clearly drank a lot of it, because he kept hitting flight attendants and shouting throughout the flight. Luckily, making my heart beat four times the normal rate was the worst of the whole fiasco.  Well for me at least. The police were waiting for the man once we reached Doha.

The taxi into Doha gave a perfect night view of the skyline, which I love. It’s well lit like a proper city. With Dubai so spread out, it doesn’t have that lit up night sky panorama view, and seeing it in Doha was really refreshing.

My photos of this were blurry – thank you Google

The city itself reminds me of a mix between Boston and LA. Palm trees and beautiful weather, but walkable distances between the hotel and the grocery store and the mall and the restaurant.

hello, gorgeous

After a full brunch on Friday at Jones the Grocer (YUM!), we checked out the Islamic Museum of Art. Leaving the hotel for the museum and dinner after, I picked out a ‘conservative’ dress to wear. I even thought I looked juvenile because it was so ‘covered.’ Not so. My arrival at the museum went a little something like this:

Museum lady: “…..Do you have something to cover up?”

Sara: (oh shit!) “Oh, um, no….I don’t..err, um”

Museum lady:  (hands me a scarf/shawl) “Just take this. Cover your shoulders, please.”

pre-scarfing

Whoops! Not in Dubai anymore.

post-scarfing

 

After that embarrassment, we went in and were in awe. The building was so gorgeous, even more impressive than the exhibits. There were three floors with a wrap around room on each that had lots of ancient goodies – huge carpets, body armour, gold bracelets and cookware.

war horse

On we went to Opal, Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in the St. Regis. It was definitely the best meal I’ve had so far in the Middle East. Best part? The chicken wings! Best wings I’ve ever had in my entire life.

i’d eat these for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, midnight snack…repeat

After dinner, we basically got robbed at the W. The entry fee, no wait excuse me, the ‘membership’ cost was 150 Riyals, or 40 bucks. A bottle of beer was roughly 16 bucks. Jon and I aren’t generally beer drinkers, but we had to make an exception after mistakenly ordering what must have been the most expensive drinks in the house. It was a good night though, with great music and lots of dancing.

the ‘membership’ card

On my last day, we visited Katara Beach. No bikinis, or any bathing suit really, allowed here but we got to eat some good grilled food, watched people parasail and got our feet in the sand. Such a nice atmosphere and really pretty views.

self-explanatory

Doha, I would be happy to see you again soon.

Katara Beach

Foggy Days in Dubai

The first thing I do every morning is look out the window. Seeing the sunlight helps me wake up, and I especially appreciate the blue skies around this time of year. Being that it’s about 6 degrees F in Boston/NYC right now, I don’t want to take this beautiful January weather for granted.

Anyway, you can imagine how confused I was on Monday to look out and see this view from the outside porch:

World…where did you go??

It’s usually foggy in Dubai in October, when the weather shifts from hot as hell to almost bearable. I’m really not sure why there was fog this week, but it threw everyone off. It also made my walk to the metro in the morning look like scenes out of a horror movie.

Where do you lead to, white arrow?

Here’s hoping there’s no serial killer behind these…what are these anyway?

Luckily the fog has subsided, just in time for a three day weekend! Today is the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, so most offices are closed today for the holiday. I plan to spend each day by the pool. Cheers!

Five months in review

Today marks my fivemonthiversary in Dubai! These past two months have been filled with quite a few milestones.

Desi Night

Jon and I were invited to a birthday party one night at a club called Elegante. Thursday nights at this club are called Desi Night, but I had no idea what this meant. We show up, and the night is dedicated to Indian music. I love listening to Indian music, but it is safe to say that I look less than graceful when trying to dance to it. I’m sure it goes without saying that we both looked like fish out of water, but it was one of the most entertaining nights in Dubai so far. We had some good drinks and danced away while very patient co-clubbers taught us some moves.

Top of Burj Khalifa

Being in PR gives me a front row/back stage pass to client events. In November, one of the clients I work on had an event at the tippy top of the Burj Khalifa. I’m talking a higher floor than the observation deck that is open to the public.

My good friends know me, in part, as someone who is petrified of transportation. This includes primarily flights and elevators, with subways coming in a close third. Exhibit A – I was in elevator going from the ground floor to the second floor in Florence that got stuck on its way up. I, shaken to the core in the smallest elevator I’ve ever been in, tried to claw the doors open almost breaking the elevator completely in the process. “This is my coffin” may or may not have crossed my mind.

Fast forward three years and here I find myself not just in an elevator up 120 floors, but stationed on the 120th floor with the task of directing people up to the second set of elevators. Luckily this wasn’t my only job for the event and I did find myself on solid ground eventually, but it’s safe to say I lost most of my energy on that day from that one hour.

The pain was worth it though, because I was able to soak up the view and snap endless pictures to remember it without having to pay for the observation deck. Win.

Doesn’t this look like a view from a plane?

First Thanksgiving and Christmas abroad

Spending the holidays abroad was very weird. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and to not be surrounded by family eating Grandma’s amazing cooking and my Dad’s famous mashed potatoes was a real bummer. In fact, I had to work that day. Paris softened the blow of missing Christmas, but being gone for those special moments at home have by far been the hardest part of transitioning to life here.

Our makeshift Thanksgiving feast

The love lock bridge on Christmas Eve<3

First family visit

Speaking of family, I have a cousin living in Rome who came to visit me in early December. Well, she found herself sent to Dubai for work, and might I add was very unimpressed with the city. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful I got to meet up with her, especially because she and I rarely get to meet because of how far apart we always are.

She stayed in The Atlantis for work, so visiting her there was my first time on The Palm…and it is gorgeous! We ate at Seafire, a really amazing steakhouse, and indulged in wine, cheesecake, and of course steak. YUM!

Ice cream at Seafire

Best cheesecake I’ve had so far in Dubai, although I haven’t yet tried the Cheesecake Factory here

Burj Khalifa New Year

This was one of the first New Years I haven’t welcomed in with a glass of champagne since I started college, but it did ring in with a bang nonetheless.

pop! pop! bam! bam!

I also noticed that the police cars here are BMWs. Can’t even say it surprises me.

Magical Christmas in Paris

This year was the first year I did not spend at home for the holidays. Coming from a huge, loving family, I knew it would be hard, but for many reasons it made more sense to stay on this side of the world for Christmas 2012.

To soften the blow, Jon (who I call Jay, just to clear things up for those who thought I was writing about two guys!) and I decided to go to Paris for the holiday. We looked forward to it with anticipation for months because we thought it would be magical. And it was. What a beautiful city, so full of life and romance!

We arrived on Sunday the 23rd in the early morning and were able to check into our hotel at 8am! Albe Hotel treated us well from start to finish. We took a short nap and woke up around noon feeling well rested and adjusted, and off we went!

The first day we primarily just walked around the city, soaking up our new surroundings. It was a day of pleasant surprises around every corner. We had croissants, a surprise three course meal and wine for lunch, and found the love lock bridge. We had a heart shaped lock to latch on, and put it in just the right spot with the Eiffel Tower watching over it in the background.

On day two we ventured to the Louvre and saw Mona Lisa, then in the evening walked around the always magical Champs-Elysses, but not before seeing a giant Christmas tree and festive ferris wheel.

Day three was Christmas Day, which we spent at the top of the Eiffel Tower. When we weren’t in line of course. Then we had a delicious meal at Le Petit Pont, which was our favorite spot in our little area of the Latin Quarter where we would eat dinner every day of the rest of the trip.

Day four brought us to the Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coure, which couldn’t be more opposite from each other but both awesome in their own ways. Sacre Coure even had loads of little ginger bread type houses at the base, all serving some sort of delicious food or selling something cute and festive.

Our last day was very relaxing. We wanted to see the catacombs, but mistakenly thought the Notre Dame Crypts were them. The Crypts were still very cool and interesting, and now seeing the catacombs can be our excuse to go back to Paris again soon.

Traveling and taking advantage of our location in the world here in Dubai was one of my top priorities in choosing to live here. The trip was incredible and inspiring in many, many ways. Travel is life-changing really. As the new year wraps up and I reflect on how time and travel has changed my life in the past 365 days (or was this a leap year…?), I can’t help but keep thinking that life couldn’t be any sweeter.

Little Angels

With a heavy heart, I’ve been reading about the first burials taking place this week for the lost souls in Newtown, CT. Like everyone, I am incredibly saddened by the horrific tragedy, and can’t even begin to fathom how someone could be capable of such brutality.

If you haven’t read it yet, this post on Gawker.com is powerful: http://gawker.com/5968818/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother

As the article’s author begs, it is time for a meaningful, nation-wide conversation about mental health and gun control.

I’m numb as I come to the realization that these types of shooting rampages have become a new reality, and am hoping and praying the America I raise my children in is a happier, safer place.

RIP little angels.

 

The UAE turns 41

The sun continued to set on the British Empire in 1971. That year, the protectorate treaties held by the UK on the seven independent Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar were officially ended. Bahrain and Qatar, who originally were in talks to form a nine-Emirate UAE, went off on their own, laying the seeds for the Seven Emirates of the present-day UAE to unite.

Just be sure not to call it the “Persian” Gulf here

The constitution for my current home away from home was written on December 2, 1971. Every year since, December 2nd has been a celebration of the nation’s freedom and unity among the Emirates, who historically did not always get along (I’m looking at you, Dubai and Abu Dhabi).

And boy oh boy do both expats and nationals have UAE pride!

Heart shaped flag in a store window at the mall

The Emiratis, who are nicknamed the ‘Invisibles’ as they run the country but are hard to find in public, have massive celebrations on the streets, decorate their homes in national flags, wear scarves with rulers’ pictures weaved in, and decorate their cars in patriotic paraphernalia. I’ve been told celebrants clean up after themselves, although what I see as I assess the aftermath on the metro to work tells me otherwise.

Expats living in Dubai to cash in on the growing economy also celebrate their adoration for this tiny country that packs a big punch.

“It took me two hours to reach Etihad Towers on the Corniche on Sunday evening to watch the dazzling fireworks,” said Romana Sadiq, a Briton who lives in Dubai and works in Abu Dhabi. “It was wonderful.” - http://bit.ly/ViuNTe

I have to say that UAE pride rivals the patriotism I’ve seen on July 4th in the States, and for good reason. This nation is younger than my parents, and in the past few years it has seen incredible growth in the tourism industry, became a regional safe haven post-Arab Spring, attracted foreign investment with the most lax rules of entry in the region, and connected itself to the world with Emirates Airlines, consistently rated one of the best airlines internationally and highly regarded with pride by the nationals.

Here’s a photo of the national flag inside the world’s largest single acrylic panel, also known as the Aquarium within Dubai Mall:

And cue the Jaws music

Emiratis doing their national dance, also in the Dubai Mall:

work it

Side note: By now you’ve seen me write a lot about all of the happenings at the malls – allow me to explain. Muslims cannot drink alcohol.  Therefore, bars and clubs are (typically) out of the question for many practicing local and visiting families, making malls one of the most attractive centers for entertainment both day and night.

Car pride:

Doesn’t this car just scream “I love you, UAE!”?

vroom vroom

House pride:

I don’t know about you, but I’d be freaked out if I just woke up and only saw green out the window

And hallas (Arabic for enough, or it’s done)…my first National Day as an expat in Dubai is in the books. Happy 41st birthday, citizens and leaders of the UAE.

“Thankful” is an understatement

Today I’m thankful for how much can change in one year.

A year ago I was in Boston (well, technically I was visiting NJ for the holiday, but for the sake of this post…), unhappy at my job and feeling anxious for a change. Boy did I get one!

While I really am grateful everyday for how lucky I’ve been in the past 24 years, some specific things have been popping into my head today as I’m feeling particularly nostalgic and missing home.

I’m thankful to have brothers brave enough to follow their dreams, even through unconventional paths that would have stopped others dead in their tracks. I’m thankful for incredibly supportive parents who not only let me move to the Middle East, but always show me reassuring pride and encouragement. I’m thankful for my boyfriend, and best friend, who fills my heart up with love so that this far away place feels something like home. I’m also thankful that my grandpa chose to be an actor, because when I see him on TV here I feel closer to all my incredible family.

There are thousands of other things to be thankful for, but there is one thing nagging at my brain. Had I known I wouldn’t have been home for Thanksgiving this year, last year I would have taken a thousand more of these…

Light up your life

Only in Dubai do you find a piece of construction equipment surrounded by red velvet ropes.

Make way for Sir. Digs A Lot!

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, knowing how important construction has been to this city over the past couple decades.

I’ve been here for three months and a day so far, and I’m still spotting things like this that are unique to Dubai (or at least in my experience).

Exhibit A – or B, if you count the pic above – I see pictures of this guy everywhere:

Not only is his mug strewn about on buildings and sides of roads, people can actually buy his photo framed at stores all over Dubai. Or at least all over the malls. Meet His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Imagine having a photo of Obama above the fireplace or hanging in the living room?! Well, that might actually be a tinsy bit inspiring, but you get how strange this seems to me.

Never have I ever…been watching Sex and the City and this comes on the screen:

Last Saturday, Jon was getting some work done before the week started so I got the remote control, which meant chick flick. Right in the middle of a huge scene (for the girls – just as Miranda is about to tell Carrie she ruined the wedding), the TV station stopped the program and started about 5 minutes of prayer. There was a song playing with the lyrics written in Arabic on the screen, and the background was several rotating images of mosques. (Side note: the movie is referred to as just SATC, and in the opening credits the “ex” in “sex” are blurred out by a mysterious shining light so that you can’t see the full first word).There are 5 prayers per day, and I believe I saw the Maghrib prayer. Everyday the newspaper lists the timings (blurry):

On another religious note, this has been my first experience of Diwali. It’s really pretty walking up to the buildings in my complex after work each night because about 20% of the balconies have holiday lights on them. This is a very scientific estimation. It reminds me of Christmas, and it’s been the first dose of ‘holiday spirit’ I’ve experienced so far living in the desert. Halloween already passed? Impossible. Thanksgiving is two weeks away?? Lies! It’s really hard to let the season soak in when it’s 85 degrees, so this merriment is a pleasant surprise.

That said, I do have one question. There is a family living across the hall from me and they have candles lit with some sort of colored sand all around them. It’s beautiful, but is this really the safest way to celebrate in a 42 story building? Did I mention said candles are OUTSIDE their front door, meaning they cannot monitor them to make sure nothing has happened that could harm them or me?

I decided to research what the meaning behind this fire violation might be, since my only impression of the holiday is from The Office when they just liken it to Halloween. I’ve learned Diwali is a celebration of light – the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It certainly helped me fight some ignorance. Light is seen as a gift from God that symbolizes everything that is positive in our world. Diwali celebrates its importance by lighting candles, decorating the home, setting off fireworks and feasting with family. I can hear the firecrackers outside now.

The candles I saw were part of Rangoli decorations. Here are photos of the candles in front of my neighbor’s door:

 

I have to say, while I had heard of the holiday before, I never really took the time to understand what it means or how it was celebrated. It’s sad it took moving to Dubai to get me to look into it, but I’m happy I did. And I’ll sacrifice a few days of building safety to see the artful decorations, appreciate their meaning and celebrate all the light in my life.

Jersey Strong

 

I’ve heard the weather forecasters say “this storm is the storm to end all storms!!!” pretty much every single hurricane season. So when I heard the grim (again) news about Sandy, the ‘Frankenstorm,’ a couple weeks ago I didn’t really believe it would be as bad as predicted.

Fast forward to Sunday, October 28th. My boyfriend went to Abu Dhabi for business the day the storm hit in the US. There was a sandstorm that hit AD for the better part of that afternoon while he was there. I joked around with some coworkers that it must actually be as bad as predicted since us East Coasters can’t seem to escape Sandy’s wrath even half way across the globe.

I probably wouldn’t have been joking around had I knew what was actually going on. The pictures, especially of the Jersey Shore, are incredible (in the bad, monumental, sad way). My family in New Jersey has had no power for 8 days. Check out this photo my mom put on Facebook – people are even pitching in all the way from Georgia:

thanks for helping my family out, ATL

 

Here’s another picture my mom took in the days following the storm, this one taken of a house up the street:

up the road from my humble abode – hoping all are safe

The pictures from the shore are just as incredible. I used to love going to the boardwalk with my cousins and brothers every summer, eating ice cream and going on the rides.

It’s insane to me that it’s changed forever, but I guess it makes those fond memories that much sweeter.

Hoping for a speedy recovery and rebuilding, and thankful all my friends and family are safe <3 Thanks to timeless songs from the Boss and Bon Jovi, some nasal, spoiled, bored housewives and some way-too-tan binge drinkers who happen to find themselves on reality TV, the world knows how tough and no bull-shit we are as a whole, so I have no doubt NJ will rise up and rebuild in no time. But for those of you who can, helping in any way can go a long way. To donate you can visit www.redcross.org, call 800-Red-Cross or text the word “Redcross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Every little bit counts.

Which reminds me, tomorrow…GO VOTE.

A Little Munchkin for Eid

This past weekend was the second Eid celebration – Eid Al-Adha to be specific. Eid Al-Adha is about two months after the end of Ramadan, which is when Eid Al-Fitr, or breaking of the fast, is celebrated. While many Muslims go to Mecca for the Hajj during this time, it’s estimated that about 1.5 million people come to visit lovely Dubai.

The Dubai Mall is pretty much Dubai’s Mecca during the holiday. It’s open 24 hours a day for two full weeks, which started last week. There are sales and celebrations the entire time. Every hour or so you’ll hear some MC giving away a prize, or a carnival will stroll on by. And I thought New Jersey was the ruler of malls…boy was I mistaken.

note the crowd

With tourists also comes their awesome cars.

vroom vroooommmm

Even the cable providers are being generous and giving access to all the channels they provide, even if you just subscribe to basic cable (me). While flipping through, we came across this desert pastime:

run, run, as fast as you can!

While I don’t celebrate this holiday, I did benefit from having a wonderful four day weekend, with Thursday and Sunday off of work. Easing back into work today wasn’t too bad either, since most of our clients have off for the entire week.

My room mate doesn’t celebrate this holiday either, but she decided over the long weekend to get a puppy! His name is Benji and he is outrageously cute! He’s so tiny I can (almost) pick him up with one hand. He’s calm when you pet him and rascally when you play with him. Suddenly I sense myself leaving work at 6 pm on the dot for the foreseeable future to run home and play with this little tyke…do you blame me?!

benji

 

time for some cuddlin!