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My day to day encounters, living in a foreign country. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

[dingdongdoodie]

This topic is hard for me. Being from the U.S., I'm not used to some of the goings on in this part of the world. That is obvious. What really gets to me though, is the difference between the way I, a white woman from America am treated versus a woman from say, the Philippines. Us white folk automatically get paid significantly more. It's the way it is. But it's not just the pay that is different between colors of skin or shapes of the eye. 

Standing behind the counter at Il Taglio (soon to be the world famous Pitfire Pizza), I am a service person to anyone who comes up to order. Except, even customers treat me better than the do my Filipino staff. They order them around like servants, all while politely asking me questions about the menu, the restaurant, etc. It's bullshit. I just want to look these people in the eye, hold their face in my hands and scream "USE YOUR FUCKING MANNERS! THESE ARE PEOPLE TOO!" But instead I just smile and walk away, venting my frustrations in my head. 

Another problem I have are the big scary buildings here called "Labor Camps". It's where Dubai's low paid laborers live, provided free, by the company they work for. There are anywhere from 4-6 (sometimes more) people sharing these tiny apartments. Bunk beds are the only personal, private space these people have. But even if they made enough to have a place of their own, they would live here. Most laborers are here to send money home. All my staff do it. On the first they get paid on the second that money has already been wired to their home countries to provide for husbands, wives, children, and elder family members. 

Once you turn the corner into these sectioned off areas, you leave Dubai. You're no longer in an advanced, beautiful city. You're suddenly in another country. It's something that some people here are upset about. But then they think about how the progress in Dubai was made so fast. It was all built on the backs of laborers. Granted, they're paid better and treated better now than they used to be, but you and I would never accept this type of living environment. The saddest part of all, it's acceptable to them- because it's better in some cases than where they are from.

And that is what's wrong with the world today.

...well, part of it.

[dingdongdoodie]

Ahh...the Cavalli Club. I won't elaborate on this night too much, as to not upset my parents or ruin a future job opportunity....kidding! It was an amazing night. I've never seen such a beautiful club. The closest was Anja in NYC's Meatpacking District. Bottles of Laurient Perrier, a sea of vodka, and of course, the cheap cigarettes.

Oh, I almost forgot, silly me...the hookers! GORGEOUS hookers! Everywhere. I almost thought she were messing with me when Kim told me about it. But no, it is a very real thing. And they aren't your standard OBT hookers. It does make me wonder however if they're HIV tested as well...highly doubtful as "hooker" probably isn't on a UAE work visa..

Anyway, It was a great night, and I'm looking forward to many more. 

Cheers!

[dingdongdoodie]

Today I experienced what everyone who works in Dubai has to experience. Getting my medical. In Dubai, in order to receive your visa after being sponsored by your company, you must complete your medical. They test for HIV, TB, and a couple of other diseases they aren't too keen on having enter their country. And for food industry workers, a Hep B vaccine.

I am NOT into being vaccinated. AT ALL. But today, I had no choice. 

This place is not like American medical centers. It doesn't feel sterile, at least not in the clean sense. It's definitely lacking character, but you can't really complain about that.

Michele accompanied me to make sure I wasn't getting lost or confused, and she kindly had one of her PRO's from her work accompany us as well, to make the process as painless as possible.

Let's do some visualizing.

Pretend you're at the local DMV office. Now replace the mean ladies behind the counter with a shit ton of doctors and people who don't speak English pointing the (wrong) direction to go.

That's the medical center I was at today.

Luckily, Michele's PRO was SUPER helpful. I was following this little Indian man all over the place. One counter to the next, we were checking boxes, making copies, getting things stamped (still in 1964), etc. 

My bloodwork was fast, painless, and definitely made me woozy. 

Chest X-ray was quick and easy.

Vaccination sucked, but the ladies were so nice.

What made it so quick? Two words: Ladies lines. 

A ladies only room with female only staff. Takes some getting used to, but if this is the outcome, I'll happily take it!

All in all it was a successful, albeit early morning. We were finished in less than 2 hours. Try to beat that the next time you go to the DMV.

[dingdongdoodie]

One thing you have to deal with, being new to Dubai, is taxis. It can either be a great experience, or the worst. I've been in some taxis here that drive like they're trying to win at real life Mario Kart. I've literally puked into a trash can at my destination. Today, I had the misfortune of the con-artist taxi driver. 

I was picked up at my house, within moments of placing the order for a taxi. Off to a good start...or so I thought. Usually I like to watch where the driver is going, and what he's doing..or just look out of the window. This morning however, I was in the middle of messaging on facebook with some friends who were up late back home. I was not paying attention. This dude decided to take advantage of that and drive WAY out of the way, racking up the dirhams. By the time I realized this it was too late. I asked him what he was doing and he said he doesn't know his way around. Bullshit. He knew exactly where I was headed, and that there was a faster approach to getting there. Stupidly, I go back to messaging my friends (it's not often I get to message them in normal hours!). He takes ANOTHER long way! All the while pretending to be lost. 

Long story short. I overpaid by about 20 dirhams for my ride.

I'll have to start paying more attention.

[dingdongdoodie]

Dubai skyline from the air.

[dingdongdoodie]

Trying Harder

Last time I started a blog was to document my time in Alaska's Brooks Range. I was really good about posting at first, but as the internet quickly came to a grinding halt, I was left without access to my beloved tumblr. I'm on a new adventure now, and I promise that this time, I will try harder to keep you informed of the quirky, interesting, unique and bizarre occurrences in my day to day life abroad. 

Wish me luck!