I have taken a pause from my blog over the summer due to my travels in Ireland and Canada. I am leaving Canada to go back to the UAE tomorrow, but this time I'm bringing my Momma with me!! Mom is coming to visit, sightsee and attend my wedding at the end of September. She has flown once when she was 11 and it was within Canada. So, this is obviously a big trip for her! My sister and I (who has visited once) have been trying to counsel my Mom on what to expect when coming to the UAE. Here are some of those types of conversations here...
Weather: You know that feeling when you open an oven that's been preheated to 500 degrees and it blasts in your face? Yeah, that's how it feels. We will be doing nothing outside. Nothing.
Clothing: Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and to the knee. But no matter what you do, dudes will still check out your ankles. You'll feel weird about it too.
Driving: When we get in the car, close your eyes. Do not open them till we reach our destination. Ignore all the swearing and honking I will undoubtedly do.
Shopping: "Can I get ___________ in Dubai?" The answer is always yes. Unless you are referring to Swiss Chalet. Then, devastatingly, no. Bonus, you may win a Lamborghini while shopping.
Language: You may occasionally have trouble understanding people because of their accents, I'll help you out there. If they call you habibi it's a good thing. If they tell you Inshallah, it ain't gonna happen, ever. You will be able to identify the filipinos easily, they sing when they talk. They're awesome.
Fuel: "How much is gas really?" It would be more expensive to fill my car with Pepsi.
Travel: "What will happen when we arrive at the airport?" We will get off the plane, then come to a screeching halt at immigration. There will be hundreds of people, no matter what time of day. There will be two, MAYBE three dudes working at the counter. Working is a loose term. Mostly they chat, drink tea and then go on break or shut down the counters and leave us all standing there. You get to the counter, they don't usually talk to you at all, they point to the little box to scan your eyeballs and then welcome you to the country. Proceed to pick up bags, proceed outside into oven.
Prices of things: THERE'S NO TAX! *happy dance*
Camels: "Will I see them?" Yes, and even more so, you will smell them :)
Alcohol/partying: "Do people drink? Is there partying?" Uhhhhhhmmmm, yes. Many teachers MAY enjoy a drink and a jig on the weekend. Every....weekend....
Should be an interesting trip...
Weather: You know that feeling when you open an oven that's been preheated to 500 degrees and it blasts in your face? Yeah, that's how it feels. We will be doing nothing outside. Nothing.
Clothing: Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and to the knee. But no matter what you do, dudes will still check out your ankles. You'll feel weird about it too.
Driving: When we get in the car, close your eyes. Do not open them till we reach our destination. Ignore all the swearing and honking I will undoubtedly do.
Shopping: "Can I get ___________ in Dubai?" The answer is always yes. Unless you are referring to Swiss Chalet. Then, devastatingly, no. Bonus, you may win a Lamborghini while shopping.
Language: You may occasionally have trouble understanding people because of their accents, I'll help you out there. If they call you habibi it's a good thing. If they tell you Inshallah, it ain't gonna happen, ever. You will be able to identify the filipinos easily, they sing when they talk. They're awesome.
Fuel: "How much is gas really?" It would be more expensive to fill my car with Pepsi.
Travel: "What will happen when we arrive at the airport?" We will get off the plane, then come to a screeching halt at immigration. There will be hundreds of people, no matter what time of day. There will be two, MAYBE three dudes working at the counter. Working is a loose term. Mostly they chat, drink tea and then go on break or shut down the counters and leave us all standing there. You get to the counter, they don't usually talk to you at all, they point to the little box to scan your eyeballs and then welcome you to the country. Proceed to pick up bags, proceed outside into oven.
Prices of things: THERE'S NO TAX! *happy dance*
Camels: "Will I see them?" Yes, and even more so, you will smell them :)
Alcohol/partying: "Do people drink? Is there partying?" Uhhhhhhmmmm, yes. Many teachers MAY enjoy a drink and a jig on the weekend. Every....weekend....
Should be an interesting trip...
The trip of a lifetime, nerves shot to hell...let's get there and do this thing!
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