Top 10 Myths about the United Arab Emirates

I absolutely love all of your brilliant questions, and questions that I receive through friends I've moved away from.
Here is a list of the top ten myths that circulate about the UAE.

1. All people in the UAE are super rich
It is true that the brilliant rules of the UAE allow a tax free income, but truly, out here in the UAE, you see people from all walks of life, making all sorts of money. Maids who work in the homes of locals or expats can notoriously make as little as 1000aed a month (about £169.00 at the current exchange rate of 5.9). It is even common to see locals from all sorts of the financial spectrum, some seeming to have a very healthy income, and those who have a modest one.
The workers from the sub-continent are sometimes paid a third of what a westerner could make. There is most certainly money to be made here, but you still have to live to a budget as you would in any country, you've also got to really try to stick to it as there are far too many places to spend it here!

2. The UAE operates Shariah Law
The UAE does not have Shariah Law completely. It does though, have a system that is loosely based upon it; true Shariah Law that is, not the 'interesting' varieties you see in Saudi Arabia and Iran. Laws are particularly strict here regarding certain offences such as drug dealing and drug use, drink driving, adultery and rape, but to be honest, as long as you're not participating in such criminal offences you've really got nothing to worry about.

3. Women are oppressed
This is one myth that is widespread and comes to the forefront of most people's minds when thinking about Arab or Muslim-majority countries. 
The UAE is widely considered one of the most forward thinking countries with regards to gender relations in the Arab and Muslim world. Unlike the UAE's neighbour, women here are allowed to drive. Women also make up half of the university population and are full participants in the work force. 
Emirati women wear abaya (voluminous black gown) and shayla (a head covering) but unlike Saudi Arabia or Iran it is not enforced but more of a national custom. You will even sometimes run in to Emirati ladies who do not wear the shayla or even the abaya.
Expat women are not expected or asked to wear abaya or shayla and are pretty much allowed to wear whatever it is they like provided that it is modest i.e. no overt displays of cleavage or short-shorts (unless it is in the appropriate place like a beach). Of course is also truly depends on where you are in the Emirates. Dubai is a lot less conservative than Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi is less conservative than Sharjah. So, the best thing to do is to just adjust your clothing to wherever you're going in the Emirates so not to cause offence. 

4. Dubai is the capital of the UAE
This is usually the shocker to people. In fact, sometimes I'm even asked if Dubai is it's own country! Abu Dhabi is the official capital of the UAE. Dubai (the city) is much larger than Abu Dhabi city. 

5. The UAE is a no-alcohol zone
This is one of the greatest myths I've heard on my rounds. Alcohol is sold in hotels and in some stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (and other Emirates that have swanky hotels). Most other states allow the selling of alcohol, but like Abu Dhabi require a alcohol license (although, if truth be told, it is hardly enforced). Sharjah, I believe, is the only Emirate that is completely dry.
It is worth mentioning though, that during holy nights or special holidays within the Islamic Calendar hotels, bars and restaurants enforce dry nights.

6. Pork, what pork?
This seems like an obvious one but I do frequently get asked this question. Yes, pork and pig products are sold in the UAE. In Abu Dhabi Spinneys is one of the most well known establishments that sells pork. In fact, they even have a specific 'pork room' in the back of stores (quite like the back room in a video rental shop) which has a sign arching the door saying 'not for Muslims'. So if you're a non-Muslim, no problem at all, you'll be able to get your pork fix. Also, there are some restaurants that do have pork on the menu, but they're more upmarket restaurants. 

7. There are no churches. In fact, bringing or reading your Bible is a criminal offence
I have on occasion received questions a long these lines from frantic Christians. So please, don't worry your pretty little mind!
You can find churches out here in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai (I'm not sure about the other states as it'll all be dependent on whether there are large Christian communities in those areas that have a church). The royal family often gives gifts, funding or land to churches here. They're a monarchy that greatly encourages religious freedom as set out by their Islamic teachings and Shariah Law.
Having a Bible is also fine - so don't worry about that. You can wear crosses around your neck too. If you are worried about something it should be the proselytising law, where you could end up in hot water for preaching to those of another faith in order to convert them. The law stipulates though, that this does not mean talking about ones faith, or debating or discussing, but more like putting pressure upon, or trying to force somebody to your faith. Of course, this law also applies to Muslims who are trying to convert non-Muslims to Islam too. 

8. The Emiratis are the ruling class
Well, yes and no. The locals are most certainly the ruling class in that they are well taken care of by their government i.e. they can receive benefits, housing aid, free schooling, it is also mandatory that all companies reserve jobs for the locals.
But according to the law - on paper, everybody is equal before the law and all peoples are encouraged to report injustices or criminal activity even if the perpetrator is a local or an expat. 

9. Desert, desert everywhere
I was quite amazed to find that we were not actually moving to a desert. Abu Dhabi is surprisingly green, as is Al-Ain. The desert that surrounds Abu Dhabi city and Dubai is yellowish with lots of little plants growing all over. You've really got to drive out a little bit to find real desert.

10. If you move to the UAE, you must learn to speak Arabic
It's a really nice gesture to learn to speak Arabic if you're holidaying here, or living here, but to be quite honest there really is no need. The people who work in the shops, hotels, restaurants are usually Philippinos, Indians and Arabs - and they will all be more than proficient in English. We moved here thinking that we were going to be able to return to the UK fluent.... that has not happened. Not even slightly. 
It seems the only way we will be able to improve our Arabic here is to actually take a class (which they do have here!).


So that's my top ten myths about the UAE. Please feel free to add your own in the comment section. As usual, questions and comments are always welcome!

Have a good evening! 

A Zoo, a Birthday and a Tambourine! (Oh yeah... and beaches too!)

During the long weekend we decided to take a trip to the Abu Dhabi Kid's Park (Zoo) [I have not placed those brackets there... that is how it appears on the signs lol).

It is a good 25 minutes drive away from the island, and is a fairly small little park, but even so, I was pleasently surprised to find an array of wonderful creatures. It is right by Bahia - and to be honest, as you're driving to it, everywhere just looks so forsaken, dry and barren. And even as you approach the park there is a huuuuge wall that has not been finished, and so it does all look a little... war-zoneish!

I took loads and loads of photographs of all the animals -
and as my friend flicked through them all she said quite cynically 'why do all the animals look like they're trying to escape?' It just then dawned on me, that they really, really did look like they were trying to escape...

Let me show you!

Dancing sprinklers, white marble and loads of Eid Mubaraks!

We have been quaratined for the last few weeks. FLU. Yes, flu got us, and got us good!
But luckily - we started to get over it just before Eid came upon us!

So first thing is first.... EID MUBARAK! HAPPY EID! And many, many returns! It is baby-Zanga's second Eid, the first one she spent without Camel Man, and now the second one she has had to spend without her extended family. But we did the best we could in our situation. In fact, we had a lovely three days - and they went a little something like this...

Day 1

Camel Man went to the Eid Prayer in the morning. I think he had to wake up around 4am... went to the Mosque for the Dawn Prayer and once the sun has risen they started the Eid Prayer. He prayed it at the Maryam bint Sultan Mosque where the sermons are in English (you can find it behind Khaldiya Mall - for anybody looking!) He was back around 8am and he went back to sleep. That was when I woke up to start my day of Eid!

We had invited a few couples from our building over for a lunch and so I had to get preparing and cooking! I made some beef-steaks, roasted carrots, potatoes, parsnips and some boiled runner-beans, some salad and some skewered chicken... yumyum! It went down a treat. Having company is so important I felt, as being alone on a special occasion is just a recipe for disaster and can end up just being lonely.

We were blessed with our company until around 4pm which was fine, as we had a couple of hours of rest until we were greeted by a flurry of teachers and their partners, all carrying dishes of salad, pizza, rice, samosas, cakes, cookies, chocolates! They even brought juices and drinks and even chicken! The table was crammed full of lots of variety! I'm surprised we could all fit in our modest living room/diner. All the good cheer in the house just thrilled us! It was so lovely to just have everybody round...

...well, while everybody was round we were suddenly flooded with water of Biblical proportions (okay... maybe I'm exaggerating again). I don't mean that it suddenly started raining out here in the desert... more like it started flowing through our ceiling and in to our hall!

Now we have been routinely afflicted with leaks since we moved in to our humble abode. At first we thought that it was just another one of those. The other leaks though, had just been a constant 'drip drip drip' this leak was more of a 'drippety, droppety, drippety, droppety, splasssshhh, drippety!'<(I am sure you will agree that that is onomatopoeia at its best) ... and all over our shoes I would like to add. After calling the Maintenance guys they managed to find the source of the leak, and it seemed to be coming from the apartment above us. The lucky guys upstairs were on holiday and so the maintenance peoples had to use their 'influence' to open the door. And no, it did not involve any 'Derek Morgan'(Shemar Moore) kicks... breaking the door down to save the apartment from flooding! No, nothing of the sort. The maintenance guys just went down and got a set of keys for the whole of the fifth floor and unlocked the foor.

What they found inside the apartment though would be quite devestating for the occupants. If you imagine we are the first occupants of this block of apartments. We have furnished these apartments with much love, and so I imagine to walk in to your apartment to find an inch... YES an inch, of water in every single room in the apartment would be quite devestating. The maintenance people were shocked to say the least, but actually cleaned up the water for the holidaying occupants. In the guest bathrooms we all have these little mini-showers for washing the private parts after going to the loo. They operate with a little leaver that you push down on the mini-shower head that releases the water... but only if you open the tap first. Now even if you do not press the leaver, but leave the tap on... eventually it starts to leak. This, it seems, was the culprit. Once the water was all cleaned up, it stopped leaking in to our flat. Our party-people didn't seem to notice much though! And well, that is how our first day of Eid went!

Day 2

Now Day 2 was awesome! Yes! Awesome!
We decided, with a large group of other party-people the night before that we would all take a trip down to Dubai. I had never been to Dubai before, and so naturally I was pretty ecstatic!

We drove down to Dubai and made it in good time. I was surprised as we passed areas that would be called 'desert' and found loads of patches of grass and shrubbery throughout the landscape. It was quite odd, but it just makes me so excited for when I will actually get to see the real golden hues of real sand dunes! Also, there were real wild camels dotten about on the horizon too, and even up close to the motorway. Having travelled to North Africa on numerous occasions I was quite used to seeing the sandy coloured camels, but these camels were very dark brown!

Driving towards Dubai felt like looking in to some futuristic city... or even like I was about to visit Gotham City.

As you drive towards Dubai it is as if you are driving towards a curtain of overwhelmingly high buildings, all lumbering and competing with each other... but there is a gap between them all... and that is because it is the road you are driving on. If we had had a sunroof I would have tried to take a photograph. Next time hopefully!

(Oh... and just to clarify. Unfortunately there was no Batman signal being flashed up in to the sky. But one can wish... right?)

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are so different. Down-town Abu Dhabi kinda looks a little dated, a bit old and 1970ish. Granted, they're still putting things together and trying to liven things up, but still, at present, there isn't much going on, or to look at. Dubai on the other hand... though bankrupt is just a wonder. It is as New York has been described 'a concrete jungle' though to be honest there is a lot more glass and steel involved! I once had the opportunity to visit the Empire State Building. When I walked out on to the deck and looked out upon the human achivement I felt myself getting quite choked up. I find I always get a little tearful when looking out at nature... at creation, but it is always a shock to the system to look upon what man can create, and how that is so beautiful too. That is how I felt when visiting Dubai. A little soppy, I know, but true none-the-less.



We started off in the Mall of the Emirates to have lunch. A couple in our group wanted to go skiing (yes... I said skiing) and so they would remain at the mall to get their ski on! (If you fancy a peek at the slope... enjoy the video!)

We left them and went off to The Dubai Mall... the largest shopping mall in the world. Towering above The Dubai Mall is the tallest building of all time, the Burj Khalifah (more on that, later). My goodness. This mall is simply AMAZING... I mean, really, really amazing. Our visit just did not do it justice.

When we got there, we decided to go to the Aquarium. It is a small aquarium, you kinda just walk through a tube, but your ticket also gets you in to the 'Underwater Zoo' too. It was 50 Dirhams per adult. You can also buy tickets to go scuba diving in the mahoosive fish-tank, or take rides in glass-bottomed boats along the top. It is quite remarkable seeing as it is in a shopping mall, and we enjoyed every moment of it!

The Underwater Zoo was pretty awesome too, plus they've added a 'Creepy Crawly' section which was above it. It consisted of lots of little glass incubator things and rope bridge going through plastic ivy... brilliant indeed!

Oh, oh, and oh! They also had a 'Finding Nemo' tank! So awesome! Inside was Nemo and his daddy, and Dory and Bubbles... and well, everyone! They had penguins, and giant crabs which are gross as they look like spiders and they're just yucky. Anyways, I just have to say - it is well worth going, great for the kids and for adults too :D I highly recommend it.

We then went to gawp at the Burj Khalifah. A spectacular building - the tallest building in the world in fact. If there is any building in the UAE that can fill you with awe (other than the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque) then this is most certainly the one! It reminded me of an icicle piercing the skies. It stands at 829.84 metres high. We were fortunate enough to be able to look at it from the bridge that crosses over a man-made pond thingy (where the dancing fountain is) before the crowds gathered (by sutset people could barely move down there).

A companion who was with us suggested that we go to Dean & Deluca that had a very large balcony where clients could sit and enjoy the view... and the dancing fountain. It was booked up to the hilt! Reservation only, but both Camel Man and his friend decided to sweet-talk the waiter, and we were fortunate enough to be seated within 15 minutes. And it was worth it! The view was wonderful. From the balcony we enjoyed the sunset and the dancing fountain... it was a lovely end to the day.

Day 3

This was certainly the quieter of the last three days - and the last day of the holiday, unfortunately. Today we decided to take a trip to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - and it certainly lives up to its names. It was bustling with tourists from both 'home and abroad'. It is one of the brightest things I have ever seen.

It is made up of a variety of materials but the most noticeable, of course, is the white marble. With the sun shining from above it works as a mirror, forcing you to wear sunglasses. Some of the tiles on the floor are so shiny that at times I thought I was stepping on to wet tiles, I would lift my dress up as to not get it wet and then find it bone dry. The illusion at times would prove too much and I'd find myself just staring all confused and bewildered... I'm very simple-minded haha!I cannot post all the photographs of my trip as I probably took close to 70, but I certainly recommend anybody and everybody to make an attempt to take a trip to this magnificent piece of architecture at least once in their lifetime! You won't regret it!

An eventful Eid indeed!

Over and out...