Dubai, UAE has become my home away from home.
In a short two years, I have come to know this amazing, wacky city and it has come to know me. The first time I came to Dubai to take a look and see where my husband had moved us, I was terrified.
The landscape was flat (until you get way out in the desert), the roads were nothing like I had ever seen before... they twisted, they turned, and the city had incorporated speed "humps" and round a bouts everywhere. The roads made no sense and people drove at accelerated rates of speed in heavy traffic.
Plus there are over two million people in the city and it appeared that they are all out on the roads, in the malls or just trying to get around the city at the same time.
As Jeff and I drove around the city the first couple months we were ALWAYS continually lost (and yes, I cannot emphasize that enough), we had become pros at getting stuck in the sandy lots and we never, ever got anywhere on time - oh my !
There was a lot to see and do in this city and country and I decided if I was going to live here , I needed to become friends with it, best friends.
It was time to go out and conquer Dubai....one road, one section of the city, one new experience at a time.
I got my UAE drivers license and got behind the wheel. If you are afraid to drive on these scary roads, don't do it ! Driving in the UAE is not for the meek and courteous. You have to turn into a driver that you have never been before and go for it.....most important, learn to use your horn.
My youngest daughter Taeler came to visit after I had been in the UAE two months and we played and explored the city for 30 days. Every day was a new adventure. Up and out in the morning and at night we safely returned. By the time she left, I was feeling comfortable with driving and would not get lost every time I went out and could actually make it to places with and without my nifty, unreliable Garmin.
So...what makes a good tour guide ?
You need to know the city. Not only the main attractions but also the things that most tourist would not know about or never see. Go off the beaten path so to speak.
Don't be afraid to explore and get to know the fun spots, where the locals hang out, the great shops and shop owners. There is so much to experience here, such as, the souks, the tailors, the food....
Learn the facts about the city or country, the customs, religion and respect it. Don't expect it to be identical to the country that you left back home. I may not agree with the way that things are done here in Dubai, but it is their country and they make the rules.
Drive like a local. No need to say more.
Experience everything - not just the things that interest you, but everything. Stretch yourself and doing things that you would never do. Okay....I will never sky dive ....ever !
Dubai and I have an understanding, I think we even sort of like one another....just a little. I can get around the city pretty good and only have to use my same unreliable Garmin occasionally and yes I still get lost. You cannot help that with the way the roads are set up Dubai. Who designed these roads anyway? !
Ok, no problem ( as the locals say) , you come to Dubai and I will show you around.
Come to Dubai and I will show you a city that you will never forget. Any takers ? !
In a short two years, I have come to know this amazing, wacky city and it has come to know me. The first time I came to Dubai to take a look and see where my husband had moved us, I was terrified.
The landscape was flat (until you get way out in the desert), the roads were nothing like I had ever seen before... they twisted, they turned, and the city had incorporated speed "humps" and round a bouts everywhere. The roads made no sense and people drove at accelerated rates of speed in heavy traffic.
Plus there are over two million people in the city and it appeared that they are all out on the roads, in the malls or just trying to get around the city at the same time.
As Jeff and I drove around the city the first couple months we were ALWAYS continually lost (and yes, I cannot emphasize that enough), we had become pros at getting stuck in the sandy lots and we never, ever got anywhere on time - oh my !
There was a lot to see and do in this city and country and I decided if I was going to live here , I needed to become friends with it, best friends.
It was time to go out and conquer Dubai....one road, one section of the city, one new experience at a time.
I got my UAE drivers license and got behind the wheel. If you are afraid to drive on these scary roads, don't do it ! Driving in the UAE is not for the meek and courteous. You have to turn into a driver that you have never been before and go for it.....most important, learn to use your horn.
My youngest daughter Taeler came to visit after I had been in the UAE two months and we played and explored the city for 30 days. Every day was a new adventure. Up and out in the morning and at night we safely returned. By the time she left, I was feeling comfortable with driving and would not get lost every time I went out and could actually make it to places with and without my nifty, unreliable Garmin.
So...what makes a good tour guide ?
You need to know the city. Not only the main attractions but also the things that most tourist would not know about or never see. Go off the beaten path so to speak.
Don't be afraid to explore and get to know the fun spots, where the locals hang out, the great shops and shop owners. There is so much to experience here, such as, the souks, the tailors, the food....
Learn the facts about the city or country, the customs, religion and respect it. Don't expect it to be identical to the country that you left back home. I may not agree with the way that things are done here in Dubai, but it is their country and they make the rules.
Drive like a local. No need to say more.
Experience everything - not just the things that interest you, but everything. Stretch yourself and doing things that you would never do. Okay....I will never sky dive ....ever !
Dubai and I have an understanding, I think we even sort of like one another....just a little. I can get around the city pretty good and only have to use my same unreliable Garmin occasionally and yes I still get lost. You cannot help that with the way the roads are set up Dubai. Who designed these roads anyway? !
Ok, no problem ( as the locals say) , you come to Dubai and I will show you around.
Come to Dubai and I will show you a city that you will never forget. Any takers ? !
