Following on from my previous post ...
On the other hand - There is a patriotic spirit here that most countries would wish their citizens had - flags fly proudly on buildings, bicycles, cars, trucks, even overhead cranes. Pictures and photos and mozaics of sheiks, past and present, are literally on every corner and in stores, houses and cars.
On the other hand - The Moslem people have such a strong belief that they staunchly uphold their customs through ridicule, ignorance, uncomfortable praying positions, early morning rising, fasting, temptations from those with less moral fibre.
On the other hand - Abu Dhabi goes to enormous lengths to beautify main roads and gathering places. Trees, shrubs, grass and pot plants are laboriously planted out by hand and nurtured daily - some of the most beautiful and lush sidewalks I have seen in the world - here in the baking desert!
On the other hand - I love the fact that you can watch tv without having to sit through hours of inane adverts for anything from washing powder to airlines. (But the number of adverts seems to be creeping up daily - pity!)
On the other hand - It is a dream come true not to have continuous power cuts - with the ever increasing demand, they seem to have got the supply/demand conundrum solved.
On the other hand - What a pleasure to drive without spotting (a) dozens of dazed and lost pets and (b) dozens of squashed and dead pets on the road. (I'm not sure how they solve this, and I am not sure I WANT to know - a case of out of sight etc.)
On the other hand - I am shocked and embarassed by the way some non-Locals dress in public, treat others, get drunk etc. So I am not surprised at a certain amount of resentment and disgust - they disgust ME too!
On the other hand - I am constantly in awe at the amazing things that have been created here, with or without expat expertise! I know that if this oil had been found in Africa, the profits would have been selfishly sucked up by those in power, with no thought of spreading the wealth amongst the people. Here, it seems, everyone gets a share.
On the other hand - Surprise, surprise, we've come to love our new home - it has its faults - what country doesn't - but good outweighs bad so far, and one day when we leave, a little bit of our hearts will be left here.
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6 comments:
welcome home lulu
"On the other hand - I am constantly in awe at the amazing things that have been created here, with or without expat expertise! I know that if this oil had been found in Africa, the profits would have been selfishly sucked up by those in power, with no thought of spreading the wealth amongst the people. Here, it seems, everyone gets a share."
You have just described the scenario in Nigeria. We make billions in oil money and it doesn't trickle past the rich and mighty, while millions languish! - even people that own the land where the oil comes from!!!
On the other hand, we live in Dubai but my husband frequently goes to Abu Dhabi for professional reasons and he said that Abu Dhabians ARE quite unfriendly compared to Dubai. Even in Dubai you can tell from their drivind and parking style (and it is NOT just the "locals" - white western warriors are as guilty). With hubby we have an ongoing bet - each time we see a car parked in a particularly twisted way we take a guess and... 95% of the time it's ...Abu Dhabi. So one conclusion - move to Dubai ;)
Matthys Roets was in Dubai op die 23 November - Niks soos om iemand afrikaans te hoor sing voor 'n klomp afrikaans sprekende mense!!!! Dis dan wanneer mens wonder 'What the hell am I doing here!'
Hello anonymous,
As an Arab, I am glad that people are giving constructive criticism about the Arab world, in this case the UAE. Arabs and expats residing in Arab countries must not act as though there is nothing to be desired in the Middle East and North Africa. You have brought up many important deficiencies that are not particular to the UAE but are quite the norm in most Arab countries: bad customer service, cruelty to animals, intolerance for different customs, and disrespect of the other, whether a foreigner or non-Muslim, a woman.... Reports coming out of the UAE about treating gay men with male horomones are unbelievably discouraging, not to mention retarded, Europe used to do that in the 1950s. It doesn't work, it will just give them more testosterone and make them want to have more sex with other men. Thank you anonymous for letting us have this debate
I went to Dubai for a very remunerative contract but left after 1 month. No amount of money will ever take me to a muslim country ever again. I am just not prepared to put my expertise to the service of bigots and racists.
And I am not so sure that wealth is distributed. Not to the slaves/servants found camping in the desert or kept as near-pets in houses.
I find it unbelivably despicable that educated people would chose (FOR MONEY!!) to allow their skills to be used and ultimately misused by the same people that would kill you if only they could get rid of you and the freedom, modernity, tolerance of others you represent that easy.
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