The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven formerly independent Emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai is the second largest, after Abu Dhabi, both geographically and also in terms of the expatriate population.
With the ever changing city of Dubai it is sometimes nice to take a trip down memory lane. Have a look at this web site and see for yourself how much life in Dubai has changed.
http://www.dubaiasitusedtobe.com/
Quick Dubai links:
THE WEATHER
The UAE has a tropical and arid climate and for about 8 months of the year. You will enjoy day after day of glorious sunshine and unbroken blue skies. You can plan a barbecue, camp in the desert or on the beach, meet in the parks, or at the beach club, all safe in the knowledge that it'll not be rained off.
Temperatures are at their lowest Dec/Jan and then steadily climb. April is still ok but by May it's getting hot and you spend less time outdoors. June is hot and hideously humid, July and August are hotter again and even more humid. Humidity levels can get unbearable reaching up to around 80-90% mid summer.
In September the temperature does start to slowly drop, but it's still very hot. October, we're back to enjoying the beach, avoiding the middle of the day, and November is perfect.
During July and August there's usually a mass exodus of mums and children. Some choose to go away for the whole summer, some for part of July and most of August. There are quite a few who stay, however. It's like being in England in January or Melbourne in July; you spend as little time outside as you possibly can. One consellation is your house, your car and every building you enter are all air-conditioned.
Throughout the year, temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius on winter nights, to a high of 48 degrees Celsius in the midday summer heat. Rainfall is infrequent and happens mainly in the winter. There is a lot of extra indoor entertainment laid on for the kids, so there's always plenty for them to do. Seeing that I am about to embark on my first summer, I a feeling
rather optimistic about it, but maybe I’ll have a different opinion mid August!
CLOTHING
Year-round, all you will need is summer clothing here, but you will probably want to have the occasional wrap or light weight jacket when going into air-conditioned restaurants and for cooler winter evenings. After a few months in this region you become acclimatized to the warmer weather and you will forget how it feels to be in a real winter. Don’t be surprised if you end up wearing fleeces and jackets in the middle of summer when you return home!
Oh! and if you have any fine Ascot-type hats, don't leave those behind; the Dubai World Cup is a big event out here.
It is normal to wear shorts, summer frocks around parts of Dubai (e.g. Jumeirah). However, if you're shopping in more central Dubai or anywhere in Abu Dhabi, or if you’re going anywhere where nationals congregate, or where there are a lot of men (such as Bur Dubai) you would probably feel more comfortable if you cover up a little bit; a longer skirt and nothing sleeveless. Nobody will say anything to you but you feel a lot of eyes on you and you will soon feel uncomfortable by their gazes.
National Dress
On the whole the National population wears their traditional dress in public. For men this is the dish dash (a) or khandura - a white full length shirt, which is worn with a white or red checked headdress, known as gutra. In public, the local women wear the black abaya - a long, loose black robe that covers their normal clothes - plus a headscarf called the sheyla. This traditional dress totally covers them up and this is what is considered appropriate within the constraints of the Muslin culture. I often wonder how they keep cool, wearing black all day as well as their under garments, they must have some great techniques of cooling that us Expats are still trying to work out!
Dubai is pretty trendy
You'll find some very smart beachwear is worn around the beach clubs and there are some very swish places to go at night so make sure you have a couple of swanky outfits in case you feel like the full Arabian nights experience in one of the plush hotels. People like to dress up here and you will often see the latest catwalk fashions on the table next to you, as all the big brands are here. You often see some amazing outfits and some equally amazing women in them. My advice is to have a few backup outfits just in case you decide to have a glamorous night out!
Dubai Tailors
Another great tip to remember is that you can get clothes copied or made without too much difficulty. With a host of different tailors in Satwa it's easy for them to use their pattern books to find something that suits you (the tailors have piles of them). A simple dress made up in a local tailor will cost you maybe AED 70 for the tailoring. If you have an expensive fabric you may be wiser to pay a little more. Just make sure your fabric is not too difficult to handle, they are not
couture makers, but they can do a pretty good job!
DUBAI HEALTH, SECURITY AND PERSONAL SAFETY
Vaccinations
Generally for children the same schedule of inoculations exists here as they do in Europe.
A BCG is required by law, as so many people here are coming from countries where TB is prevalent.
I don't know anyone taking malaria tablets here. The UAE was declared officially free of the disease by the World Health Organisation in 2007.
Security in Dubai
In terms of security and personal safety, Dubai is a relatively safe compared with other large cities in the world. Recently however, I have heard of a few rather scary stories, like the heist in shopping centres and the occasional car being stolen, but it is not something that is publicised. Dubai prides itself on a fairly clean slate when it come to crime, however with the ever increasing population in this region there is definitely hints of the Western world creeping in. Either way, I infrequently forget to lock my house or my car, and I don’t feel like it is necessary to be that concerned about it; that kind of peace of mind is priceless.
Driving in Dubai
Seatbelts are meant to be worn but there is very little enforcement of this law so every now and then you see a little child hanging out the window playing with the wind as their parent does neck breaking speeds on the main highway through the city. This is quite disturbing but you soon realize this part driving in the UAE. People drive relatively fast, but there is peace of mind in the fact that drink driving is virtually non existent as there are fairly harsh penalties if you are caught. Most expats won’t risk being thrown into to jail or worse deportation for being caught. Taxis are cheap and this is a very good way to get around initially.
Hot cars - watch children
It is not advisable to leave children in the car unaccompanied for any length of time as temperatures soar fairly quickly! I know it’s a pain but you can imagine the horror stories you hear about children overheating in cars….best heed my advice and go the extra length by taking them in with you, even if you only plan to run in and out.
Of course there is always the threat of war in the Middle East from various factions but it's not
something one considers unless a specific incident is giving rise to concern.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Generally speaking medical facilities in Dubai are very good. You must have a complete health check to obtain a visa to live in Dubai. You can have the government health card and/or a private health scheme. Most expatriates hold private cards but more often now lots of people have the Government cards as well. Private care is expensive so unless you are financially solid it will be worth looking into this area with care.
A visit to a GP will set you back around 200-300 dhs per visit and that does not include blood test
or any other type of tests you may require.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Ambulance 999/998
fire 999/997
police 999
directory enquiries 181
CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE
Islam
The UAE’s culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Islam is more than just a religion; it is a way of life that governs every aspect of daily existence, from what to wear to what to eat and drink. The culture and heritage of the UAE is closely linked to religion and this feeling permeates throughout the society.
Personally I like the feeling of being in a place which is so completely different to where I am from; I am enjoying the new life experience.
It becomes more apparent when you hear the prayers transmitted through loudspeakers on the minarets of each mosque. This happens five times a day.
Tolerance
With all this considered the UAE people are very tolerant and welcoming of other cultures and lifestyles. You are free to practice your own religion, alcohol is served in hotels and the dress code is liberal.
Among the most highly prized virtues are courtesy and hospitality, and visitors are sure to be charmed by the genuine warmth and the friendliness of the people here.
Women are respected
Women are held in high esteem and respected which is something that you don’t hear much about and you only really get a full understanding of this when you have been here a while. For instance there is a separate queue for women at most government institutions, this has been thought of so women are not kept waiting. I really like this, some people may think this is sexist but who likes waiting in queues all day?? No one!
From everything you hear in the press about Islamic fundamentalism, I think it is easier to adopt an extreme blanket view of Islam, but it is best to see how it feels for yourself. It is a lot different to what I expected!
Rapid development
The one thing that comes out at you is the rapid development of the cities. It feels like there is a mad rush to get the cities built and finished before the year's out…. There has in fact been so much change in this region in the last 30 years that the people who have been here for a long time say that it has changed beyond recognition!
Things seem to change overnight; the other day on my way to work a totally new road had opened up and was functioning like it had been there for years. You see this happening in every shape or form. It is exciting to watch and see life in the
Emirates continue to evolve!
LANGUAGE
It is more than likely that the company you work for won’t require you to speak Arabic, but it might be handy to know a few words so you receive a warmer welcome, or at least a smile. There are also courses available if you want to go the next step. Take a look in Connector or ask your company for details.
As a working mum you do find yourself meeting the locals every now and then, but it is generally infrequent, so I don’t think it is a high priority to go out and become
bilingual. I think it more important to be respectful of the cultural boundaries and be aware of them.
RELIGION
Mosques
There are many beautiful mosques in and around the U.A.E. but it is not accepted practice for non-Muslims to enter them so if you are non-Muslim, you will have to admire them from the outside.
Ramadan
I think during Ramadan, there has been an initiative in the last couple of years whereby the doors of selected mosques (e.g. Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai) have been opened to guided tours, with the objective of increasing awareness and understanding of the Muslim faith and the culture and practices that surround it.
You should visit the Sheikh Mohammed's Centre for Cultural Understanding (very friendly people) to obtain further information. You'll find them in The Beach Centre mall on The Beach Road.
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Ramadan is a month of heightened religious awareness throughout which Muslims fast during the daylight hours. It is the holy month which commemorates the revelation of the Holy Quran.
Non-Muslims are not expected to fast but are expected to abstain from eating, drinking and/or smoking in public as a sign of respect. All the cafes are closed. Hotel restaurants still operate under certain restrictions.
If you are planning a trip to the UAE, I suggest you try and miss Ramadan, as it is difficult to navigate your way round it especially for the first time.
We arrived during Ramadan, and not only were we struggling with the extreme weather differences and time zones, but also trying to understand religious constraints without starving yourself until the fast is broken in the evening. This is called Iftar, and you can get the official times for Iftar (when fast is broken) from the local papers.
Although the UAE is a Muslim country there is a general tolerance of other faiths here, so celebrations of Diwali, Christmas and Easter are not discouraged. There are a number of Christian
churches. See the City profiles for more specific information.
RED TAPE
Bureaucracy
There is quite a lot of red tape in the UAE, but generally your employer who is sponsoring you will have someone in their HR department who will take you through each step until all the relevant documentation is achieved.
When you initially arrive it feels like you need a mountain of different cards/documents in order to work or even to open up a bank account, but soon enough you realize you only need duplicates of the same information and things start to become pretty standardized.
Make sure you have a bunch of passport photos on hand and duplicate copies of passports and work permit information, this should hold you in good stead for the initial period. Also bring with you original copies of your birth and marriage certificates, and your original entry permit.
Your sponsor will obtain a residence visa for the employee, and if that is your husband he will in turn obtain visas for the rest of the family and act as your sponsor. Until residence visas are obtained you cannot obtain any other documents from the government authorities - car and driving licenses, bank account, health cards, and liquor license - and being without these can be very inconvenient.
The name of the game is patience. Things will get done soon enough.
Whatever government documentation you are seeking, e.g. a telephone connection, it is worth remembering that there is often a separate queue for women and you will be served far quicker than your husband will be.
Register with your local Embassy or Consulate. They all have different rules and requirements but if you call them before going you should manage to save yourself a return visit.
Embassies in Dubai/Abu Dhabi
Australian (04) 212444
Austrian (02) 626 7755
Belgiun (02) 631 9449
British (04) 309 4444
Canadian (04) 352 1717
Finnish (02) 632 8927
French (04) 332 9040
German (04) 397 2333
Greek (02) 665 4847
Italian (04) 331 4167
Japanise (04) 331 9191
Lebanese (04) 397 7450
Dutch (04) 352 8700
Norweigian (04) 353 3833
South African (04) 397 5222
Spainish (02) 626 9544
Swiss (04) 329 0999
USA (04) 311 6000
UAE LOCAL CURRENCY
The local currency in Dubai is the dirham (AED or Dhs), which is linked to the dollar. (AED 3.67 = US$ 1). In recent times there has been a lot of turbulence with the dollar. It has gone up and back down and is currently at a rate of around 6 against the pound sterling.
Most people are paid in dirhams but part of your salary may be in dollars or sterling depending on the nationality of your company. It takes a bit of time getting used to the notes, even though they have both the Arabic and English denomination on the.
The coins are even more difficult as they are only written in Arabic. You soon learn what is what and people here are generally very honest and never take more than they need. I openly
asked for help at the local supermarket when it came to sorting change and often they would help me work it out.
USEFUL PUBLICATIONS
There are a number of publications aimed at the expatriate market. The Connector is published monthly and available for AED10. It contains a lot of useful information to get you started.
The publishers of Connector also produce a diary, which starts with September, called Street Smart. I bought a copy in my first year and found it to be really useful.
Look out also for Time Out and What's On, monthly magazines telling you, not surprisingly, what's on. "Explorer" and "Families
Explorer" are also useful guides with hundreds of discounts. All the above publications have Dubai and Abu Dhabi editions.
CAMPING IN DUBAI
Camping in the desert is a popular weekend activity. With constant sunshine and some beautiful locations it is easy to understand why people make it a regular weekend activity.
Best time to camp
The best times to camp is between October and April, otherwise it will be too hot and not very pleasant. It won't take you long to find someone who is keen on camping and happy to take you a long.
For the less adventurous, an overnight in Oman on an organized tour will still give you everything you want from sightseeing, to snorkeling with the amazing sea life but you will find yourself well guided and if there is any problems they should be handled by the tour operators.
There are also plenty of off road explorer books; manuals that can help you find the perfect destination.
The other option is camping at Jebel Ali beach, I personally don’t recommend it for families, as it has become a bit of young people's place to hang out over the weekend, and I am afraid there is no care taken in looking after the area. There is lots of litter and not nearly as serene as it used to be.
Camping precautions
The best precaution is to always have plenty of water and full tank of fuel. You may need some back up if you want to trek deep into the dessert…but you will generally find the odd petrol station that can refuel you before things get dire.
Organised camping tours
If you don't want to go alone, several companies offer desert safaris with entertainment laid on, ranging from half days to overnights. One of the biggest is Arabian Adventures (04 3439966). The desert safari is the must do for all visitors, you may find yourself doing it more than once because it is a perfect day out for your guests. It’s a bit touristy but it plenty of fun and great introduction to the desert. The dune bashing is wild, but make sure you don’t suffer from car sickness….this is sure to turn your stomach otherwise.
HOLIDAYS WITHIN THE GULF
There are a number of places of interest locally for weekend breaks and day trips.
Sharjah
In Sharjah (half an hour's drive from Dubai, two hours from Abu Dhabi), there are some fantastic museums (see below) and the Blue Souk is a must for your visitors.
Hatta
Hatta is one of the more famous destination, it is a small town nestled at the foot of the Hagar mountain range about 75 minutes out of Dubai (100 kms).
The Hatta Fort Hotel is a tranquil weekend destination that comprises of spacious bungalow style rooms with plenty of beautiful scenery. This is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. They can comfortably house a family and room service is excellent. There are guided tours from the hotel which will ensure you see the entire area.
Al Ain / Abu Dhabi
Al Ain and Abu Dhabi are within a couple of hour's drive. Wadi Bih, which joins the east and west coasts near the northern-most tip of the Emirates is an interesting drive, but it’s currently closed to through traffic.
Fujeirah / Ras al Khaimah
You can make a weekend of it, staying at the Fujeirah Hilton on the east coast (09-2222411) or the Al Hamra Fort hotel, at Ras Al Khaimah, on the west coast (tel.344 6677). A good circular route would also take in Hatta. If you're trying it for the first time, it's considerably easier to find the entrance to Wadi Bih from the Fujeirah side. You wouldn't want to try it with any threat of rain, as it could be dangerous.
Oman
Oman is a little further but perfect for a long weekend. The most famous hotel there is the Al Bustan and it is beautiful, set within the rocky cliffs, next to the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman. It's quite expensive to stay there, and there are plenty of other good hotels.
To get to Oman from Dubai drive to Hatta (which is one long straight road from the Dubai Country Club roundabout) and keep going straight. Half an hour past Hatta you get to the border post and you will be required to buy a visa. From Abu Dhabi the route is via Al Ain and Buraimi but they are not the easiest towns to navigate through. For UAE residents, entry visas for Oman are now relatively cheap (around 100 DHS for a family).
They will ask to see proof that your vehicle is insured to drive in Oman. If you do not have an Arabic translation of your insurance document to this effect, you will have to pay a further AED 100 insurance before you're allowed to pass, so remember to ask your insurers for that before you set off. Carry on straight, and you eventually hit the east coast and can go no further. Turn right and head South down another long straight motorway, dotted with creatively decorated roundabouts. After about an hour you reach the exit for Sohar Beach Resort. For Muscat, carry on straight for a further hour and a half, I think. It takes us about 5-7 hours from Dubai, allowing for the visa processing.
Muscat is less modern than Dubai, with all new buildings being in keeping with the old style. It's a beautiful place, especially viewed from the ocean. We stayed at the Shangri La which has a series of hotels set back within the rocky landscape. This is totally beautiful and a fantastic resort for kids, an excellent pool area as well as some great restaurants to eat at.
Oman was beautiful, but I think I will think twice about driving it next time. By the time we got there we checked in and went to straight to sleep. It might be advisable to fly.
Hire a boat for a couple of hours or more and ask to be taken to see dolphins. Diving is popular there too. And there are several diving
schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi who will train you for the PADI qualification.
HOLIDAYS FROM DUBAI
Common holiday destinations from here are The Maldives, The Seychelles, Egypt and Sri Lanka, all of which are about a four hour flight away, or Thailand, Singapore and Australia.
During the summer there is a mass exodus of women and children, heading for home. It is incredibly hot and humid by then and the children do tend to go a little stir crazy. However, it can be difficult and expensive to be away for so long, so a little research on the net will be worth the investment of time.
Some expats have a permanent base elsewhere, typically in England, France or Spain, which makes it a lot easier.
I am going to grin and bear it this summer, as I think it is part living in the region…I’ll keep you posted on how I go!
HOUSEMAIDS
Before deciding on a maid read this important information and ask yourself will it be worth it.
The fact is that it is against the law to employ anybody in your home who is not on your sponsorship.
A lot of maids work part-time in other houses or even full time but are on a so called 'local sponsorship', where an Emirati does the sponsorship for that woman for 600 Dhs/2-3 years (as compared to 6000 Dhs / 1 year we Expats pay) The maid then pays the local sponsor around 5000 Dhs over 2-3 years. All this is illegal, yet happening.
In the event that anything happens - and I mean anything (like she runs away, gets pregnant, steals something, hurts herself in the non-sponsor house and needs to go to hospital, or gets checked on the road during her day off and does not know where her actual sponsor lives, etc) and police gets involved, the first question will always be: is she on your sponsorship? If not:
- The maid goes to prison, pays 5000 Dhs (or similar) and gets deported.
- The sponsor has to be found and will get a fine.
- The non-sponsor-but-employer will be fined 50,000 Dhs and goes to prison until the sponsor is found. Then the non-sponsor will be charged with abduction, slavery and prostitution, to find out what actually happened in that house. After that deportation is most probably the case.
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Most families employ a live-in housemaid or least someone who frequents their home a few times a week to do all the housework.
Maid's accommodation
Most villas have separate maid's accommodation built-on. It's a bit of a shock at first to be shown a room slightly bigger than a walk-in cupboard with a bathroom attached but they are almost all like that, and you just have to make it as comfortable as possible.
Working hours
Housemaids tend to work six days a week, during hours that suit you, and will baby-sit. It is marvelously liberating to have someone you trust, who your children know and like, always to hand.
It will change your life! I have found having a maid has made me a better mother, wife and more on the ball at work. Your energy is not spent doing the constant cleaning and tidying up that you used to do and all of a sudden you are really enjoying having time again.
How to find a good maid
Try to find someone via recommendation. People advertise on supermarket notice boards. Be aware and trust your instincts when you interview people. You may need to try a few people before you are fully comfortable with someone. They are in your home most of the time, so you need the peace of mind that you have the right person.
What if it doesn't work out?
Don’t feel bad if someone doesn’t work out, it’s part of the process here, and you soon realize everyone goes through this rig moral when sorting this aspect of their lives out. Ask other mums when you're waiting at the classroom door or ask around your compound; your neighbour's housemaid is bound to know of someone. Try to speak to the person they worked for before.
The girls who come here are mainly from India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. They are usually supporting a network of people back home on what will be a very limited income. It is not unusual for young mothers to leave their babies with their own mothers and come here to earn money to support them; it's the best chance they can give them. How lucky we are.
Other older women will be here to finance their teenage childrens' education or launch them into employment. For them, coming to the U.A.E. is a great chance to earn the kind of money they cannot hope to get back home.
However, a life as a maid is not without its problems. They are effectively tied to an employer, as visas are not transferable. If they are badly treated they have the choice of returning home and letting down those who are relying upon their income, or putting up with it.
Housemaid salaries
A fair rate for a housemaid is 1400-1600 dhs a month. Sponsorship will cost you 5000 dhs and a medical card a further 300 dhs. You will need to provide one return trip home a year - roughly, a further 2000 dhs. With bonuses you're looking at 22/25000 pa. You can pay less. But you can pay more.
Our experience
Jesse, lives with us, but often stays wit her husband and returns in the morning to get us organized and out in time for work. She also helps in the afternoon when my girl arrives home from school. I like to take over when I get home so I have some quality time with Mila.
We ask her to baby-sit two or three times a week but try to give her notice as she has a life too. I have asked her not to do part-time work for anybody else as its illegal and if she were to be caught we would be heavily fined and worse, she would be deported; she needs this job and we would be extremely upset to lose her.
Furnishing a maid's room
This can be done cheaply in Karama. Ask your maid to take you to a shop. I think we got a double wardrobe, bed, kitchen cabinet, small table, small fridge and hob for less than 1500. The electrical items can be picked up in Carrefour, (Deira City Centre Dubai, and Marina Mall Abu Dhabi) as cheaply as anywhere else. A TV is appreciated but not expected.
Alternatives to a housemaid
There are agencies offering cleaning services at hourly rates, and you can find part-time help if
you prefer. The going rate is around 25 dirhams/hour.
PETS
Many people love their pets and cannot leave them at home. They are a huge responsibility though if you are at work or living in an apartment.
The Arabic culture does not really tolerate pets in the same way as westerners; they do not understand why anyone could love an animal creates so much work and requires regular care.
Occasionally poison is laid erratically to try and prevent any wild dogs/cats running around so be careful where you walk. This does not happen in any residential area, more on the outskirts but be aware that it can.
Keep dogs on leads unless you are sure you know there is no one around and dogs cannot be walked on the beach although there are many other areas you can ramble around.
There are many good vets who will help you care for your pet and also arrange for transporting them to and from the UAE. There are also 2 very good welfare organisations for lost/abandoned/stray dogs and cats, namely Feline Friends, and for dogs, K9.
Dogs and cats which leave the house should be regularly vaccinated and if you have a new pup or dog it is worthwhile getting your new pet chipped. All the vets used by expatriates can carry out these duties; check out our listings of
vets on the directory pages, at directory where you will also find a selection of pet services here in Dubai.
IN THE HOME
Voltage and plugs are the same as the UK so if in doubt you can bring most of your electrical items although you can buy anything here.
Gas or electric?
Cookers can be gas or electric and come in 2 sizes, regular or huge; most people have huge ones which look really impressive and handy if you are a true Delia delight in the kitchen.
Gas in the more modern homes and in high rises tends to be piped through the mains, but for the majority of people it is still delivered in large canisters and ceremoniously stuck outside for safety reasons. You can easily get it delivered to your doorstep and your estate agent will sort you out on that one.
If you hate cooking this is the place to enjoy the pleasures of take out or simply dining out for minimal cost.
Air conditioning
All houses are air-conditioned either by central A/C’s or split with a few older properties being cooled by individual units for each room.
Obviously the main differences in these options are that if a central A/C breaks down you will be like a chicken in a basket within minutes but if you have split or unit you can move to the next room.
All modern villas and apartments have central A/C and are more efficient and cheaper to run than the older models.
Gas, Electricity and Water Bills
Costs vary enormously depending on how cool you like your home. An average monthly bill including water and electricity calculated over a period of one year will be around 1500 to 2,000 dhs.
Storage
Storage can range from non existent to overload. If you are struggling for space ask your maintenance company who are associated with each villa/apartment if they can recommend someone who will knock you up a cupboard/shed or dog kennel a bit cheaper and made to your own specifications.
Furniture
You can get ready made items at the ever popular Ikea or Ace furniture or a multitude of other outlets. It is also worthwhile to look at supermarket notice boards for bits and pieces that are on sale or check out the classified ads on this site at Classifieds.
There are also lots of garage sales around as well as fairs at the various schools and often at the Dubai Country Club, check out notice boards for the next one coming up. Obviously the best time to get second-hand items is at the beginning of the summer when people tend to leave Dubai.
Carpet and sofa cleaning companies are available in abundance but best to get a recommendation from a friend, it not worth ruining furniture.
Is it safe to drink the water?
Because you are living in a desert, bottled water is a massive market out here. You can drink the water, but mostly people just use it for washing up, brushing teeth and all the rest.
Tap water is generally not used for cooking or drinking. The desalination of the water has been said to affect people in different ways. Some say it can lead to hair loss when you first start drinking it. However, this also could be due to the change in climate or general stress. I think you forget that moving countries is a big deal and you will be surprised how it can affect you.
Most people get bottled water delivered to their house and have a water cooler to keep it cold or hot. These coolers are reasonably priced, around 300 - 500dhs, and are great for topping up flasks and other bottles for the kids. The actual water canisters are delivered once a week to your house so remember to keep a wee space for storing the large bottles that take up quite a bit of space.
Satellite TV
Satellite TV is extremely popular and there are various companies offering a range of programmes to suit all nationalities. You need to buy a decoder and occasionally have a big ugly dish on your roof or balcony.
Cable TV is pretty much the only choice for expats, most people hook it up as soon as they get their TV set through companies like ShowTime. For major sporting events you can head off down to your local pub and usually find somewhere showing it.
Creepy crawlies
Bugs live out here, just like they do everywhere. Ants can get everywhere but usually move on mass like a huge army through your garden, rarely do they infest your home unless you have an older property.
Cockroaches love this environment but as Dubai is very clean they will hardly ever show their faces in a house, if they do, they have come in through the front door via a delivery of something that may have been stored in a warehouse or something. Arm yourself with a can of ‘low’ odour Pif Paf, which is an insect spray and spray the thing to death.
If you find you do have a bit of a problem with any pests there are several reliable pest control companies who will spray your home and offer annual contracts if that is what you prefer. Be aware that pesticides can be harmful on small children, so that might be a consideration before doing it.
When swimming in the sea you may see the occasional jelly fish and the odd ray, they are generally harmless and can be easily shaken off. Their sting is nasty but normally not fatal.
One nasty little critter recently spotted in and around many areas is the red backed spider. They like dusty dry areas, think along the lines of storage areas in a garage or likewise. They are very inhospitable and do not like anyone poking in their homes so if you see one, stay clear. They are very distinctive and have a nearly luminous stripe on their back; you can definitely see where it got its name. If you see one you can call the municipality pest control or a private one and they will deal with it, alternatively bring out the Pif Paf and some boiling water, they don’t like that. If you get bitten you should see a doctor, remain calm and you will be fine, panic and it will be very sore. Their bites can be fatal to smaller children, the infirm or anyone whose immune system is
weakened. I have never heard of anyone dying from a bite but I know in Australia they are considered quite dangerous and needed to be managed with the utmost care.
CONCLUSION
There is so much discover in this region, even in nine months I have hardly scratched the surface. I am still so excited by the culture and the diversity of the Middle East.
This overview should serve as an initial guide as to what to expect through the eyes of a newbie expat. Good luck on your travels.