The first automated, multi-storey car park in the Middle East opened its doors to the public in Dubai on Wednesday, as part of the completion of phase one of the Ibn Battuta Gate project.
The new technology allows drivers to find a parking space without having to drive through a garage.
Instead, the car is left at an entry station and picked up by a computerised lift that places it inside the building on a shelving system.
So like, every time I used to land in Dubai, it used to feel like I was coming home. Even standing in that god-awful line with all dem smellys didn't bother me as much because I would grin at the immigration burkha and tell her I was a resident quite proud that I was not going to be another candidate she calls for her compatriot dishdash to haul off by the scruff of their neck to have their papers examined in another room. No, not me, I would be asked where I was coming from, a look would be glanced off my face and my passport would be stamped. In some completely random spot, mind you. I don't know why immigration people never stamp chronologically in order of pages. Would be so much easier to find that one date when you transited through Germany.
But I didn't transit through Germany. I went through Heathrow. And no, it wasn't Terminal 5 so don't get too excited. I think it might be on the trip back though.
So I was saying, that this time it didn't feel like I was coming home. Maybe it was because I had an awful flight with the bumpiness and the discomfort and the no sleeping and the babies screaming (I did take the seafood meal option which wasn't so bad). I didn't have to stand in line at all (mornings are the best time to land at DXB) and bag didn't get lost and Mum was there waiting doing that hunching shoulder thing and Pops was outside trying to hide in the trunk of the car (don't be alarmed - his car has a large trunk) and it was all very cute and nice. Which lasted about the time it takes to get out of the airport onto the main street. Then it began. They started telling me wot to do.
It hasn't quite ended yet. They're still doing it. Both of them. It's taking away the fun of homecoming. On the bright side they have already attacked my appearance, my weight, my marital status, my cooking, my sleeping habits, my clothes, my choice of profession, my lack of business sense, my frivolous spending habits and my general lack of civic duty towards them and their impending penury and uncertain housing situation. There isn't much left. The next few days should be smooth sailing in comparison.
So then we went to Irani hospital to file papers and give blud to get a new health card and then today we went to pick up the blud report (no communicable diseases, thank Allah!) and to the immigration office to get typing done and get a new residence visa all of which took about 23 minutes in total activity time. And yes, they do give you the visa the same day. And now did you know, one doesn't have to make the bi-annual pilgrimage back to 311. One can simply, not go. One's father will have to pay an AED 120 fine and get a letter saying you couldn't come when you do go but you will feel less guilty about it now that you can spot him the bucks and more importantly, because you have realized that coming home isn't the same thing as homecoming.
Oh, and I did get an eGate card so now I don't have to stand in line with the smellys anymore. I can breeze on through with a thumb and a wave.
There are 7 days to the US Embassy appointment. I suppose I could always go somewhere. Where is good for a 7 day trip?
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have bought Ethiopia off the coast of Dubai in Nakheel's 'The World' development, according to UAE-based web site Ahlanlive. The couple intend to use their home as an eco-development. No price tag was given for the island, which are reported to be fetching up to $50m.
It kind of makes sense that a country that can afford to put snow in the desert is now also hosting the largest ad ever. The spot is for Sorough Real Estate and covers over 20,000 square meters (the size of more than two soccer pitches).
Developed to provide high speed payment of small ticket retail transactions, the card is a modern, non-contact smart chip based credit card which will shorten the time spent queuing at retail outlets' check-out counters within Dubai Internet City.
Have you noticed this about the Gulf News Tabloid - there are lots of pictures of people on pages 3-6. Everyday. At some random event. There are a lot of smiley faces. Of all types. And all the people are captioned by their first name. Shelly and Richard. Robert and Madhu. Tina, Sudha and Miriam. Abdul and Abbas. Tell me something. Who are these people? Why are they in the paper? Are they close personal friends of Gulf News? Additionally, and this is the important one, why do I have to see their shiny boothas in the paper? Can this real estate not be used for a better purpose? Like an expose on seals and their fishing habits or something. Maybe a picture of a lion eating a hyena. I mean, one is as random as the other so you might as well show us something remotely interesting. Who reads page 3?
I've been busy lately. About halfway through the stamps, Pops decides to clean out the picture collection that we have stuffed in the drawer in the absolute last corner-end of the house. The reason why we put them there to begin with was because we didn't want to deal with them but with Mum gone, Pops couldn't resist the urge to throw some junk out of the house. That and it was Friday and he was bored. Why, then, since he was the one bored, did he not do it himself and dump it on my desk is beyond me. But that is how it happened. And then we went looking for proper photo albums to put the blasted things in. Which was a bad idea at 1 pm on a Friday afternoon with nothing to eat since my food intake is being regulated because everybody and their uncle is concerned about the latest (albeit temporary) weight gain since good boys don't want to marry fat girls and one thing led to another and I promptly contracted some form of heat stroke combined with a tea bag effect with a dip in glucose levels and had to be brought back home and laid in bed with fans blowing and my toesies in ice water. At which point Pops says in his most plaintive voice, "Do you think I'm too controlling? Because I can always stop." This is after he yells at me for being weak, tells me how he's not weak even with a bad heart, assures me that I'm a worthless person and how he must suffer because of it.
The heat stroke business resulted in two days of migraines because of which I was rather useless to the general public so it was for the best that Mum was away because we all know wot's it like trying to relax around her.
Mum has returned. I'm done with the pictures and have put them away. She's cleaning. I'm trying to stay away from her. She follows me with the Hoover. It is not helping my headache. I have put the stamps away since they were not helping my headache either. Pops sneaked out the house and let me to my fate. Abandoned by my own. Tch. Life.
Now would be a good time to find some friends and get out.
So like, Dubai is nice. It's hot. Averages 32 C. Which is around 102 F for you non-conformists. Lots of fogging up of glasses and dust in the distance. Lovely.
All the air conditioners were serviced the other day. Which involved taking a water pressure thingy to the outside fan units to clean out all the dirty grimy dust. Which looked like a lot of fun. I wanted to do it too. But they didn't let me, those service people, party poopers. So I watched eagerly instead. To also ensure that they didn't make off with the family jewels, of course. Me Mum is convinced that everybody that steps into the house steals a knife or a bra or the screw top cover of the hot fluids cup you keep for your car.
Went to the U.S. Embassy yesterday to get my visa extended which they did rather nicely. I was the last one to be interviewed and was only asked 3 rather mundane questions which I was annoyed about because I'd been there for 3.5 hrs at that point and would have preferred a thorough grilling as to my immigatory intentions to make all the waiting worthwhile. I did take a book, yes, but it got tedious after a while. And no, nobody raised an eyebrow at me for reading a book on Khomeni at the U.S. Consulate so you can calm down, Black Cobra. I was nearly run over by a bunch of very excitable Arab women who seemed to be convinced that fighting their way to the front of the line would guarantee them a visa to the infidel country. I nearly smacked one of them which, funnily enough, elicited laughter from the Nepali security guards. Should've stamped their toes at least. Maybe next time.
Speaking of which, BC, you needs to tell me when you want me to come back stateside so I can book my tickets.
We spend our evenings at RK's house playing snooker. Well, they play snooker. I get snookered. Which means I mostly sit in a corner and giggle. Went to my favorite place, the Fruit and Vegetable Market yesterday and bought 3 boxes of mangoes and one of papayas and one of pomegranates and have been juicing ever since. It's quite entertaining.
Everybody is very excited about the Norwegian Fjord cruise they're going on next month. Pops, unfortunately, has started worrying about the packing. Mind you, there's 40 odd days to go but still. He wants to take Sh. Mo's picture, my degrees and certificates, two large floor standing speakers and lots of warm woolies. I told him that the fjords are not freezing in July but he won't listen. I've told him that you're going to do his packing this time, Black Cobra. Hah.
Tomorrow perhaps I go to the British Embassy to get my UK visa. While I'm at it, I might get a Schengen and one for Mexico and one for Canada as well. Just in case the bug bites me.
Spoke to Artraj yesterday which was fun. Curry is coming down next month but I miss her. The folks at BBDO need to be visited (or do they?). Mahima should be coming down sometime soon.
I've been working on the stamp collection. Making auction lots and cataloging and sorting and all that sort of stuff. It is rather engaging. I recommend it. Also, if you want to purchase some lovely collectible stamps from the Middle East, Asia and/or Europe, let me know. I just might have something you'd like. As you can see from the picture, I have the coveted set (not one, but two!) of 4 of the Jabal Ali Earth Station issued in 1975.
I shall go read Khomeni now. BC, don't forget, the 35th wedding anniversary approaches.
You know, if you stare at the baggage conveyor belt long enough, all the bags start to look the same. They're either all Samsonite or Delsey and the ones that are neither look like they could be. And they're all black or blue or grey. Ok, there was one red one but it was the only one. And everybody now ties those damn red ribbons on their bag handles to identify their bags faster. Only problem being, of course, that all the bags have red ribbons on them. You would think people would be more creative. And as luck would have it, mine is also one that is black and a Samsonite lookalike.
Next time, I'm buying neon orange bags with blue piping. Because, you know, it takes you all of 3 minutes to get through immigration in Dubai but then you have to wait at least an hour for your bags to get sorted through while you're being shoved around by smelly Bangladeshi laborer types.
Anyhoo. Here I am. Nearly didn't make it since fell asleep at Heathrow and only woke when they were closing the doors to my flight. Managed to slip through. It's 2:30 in the morning. I can't sleep. It's nice to be home. Every time I return home, things look smaller and tables look shorter to me. I wonder if that's because I'm still growing. Mum thankfully said nary a word about my growing which was rather kind of her. Pops was pipped about the hat I got him. Mangoes were eaten. Black Cobra was missed. All in all, the usual homecoming.
I suppose I'll read email now.
Here's a tip - when faced with a parent, much like my Pops, aiming a leather cleaner bottle nozzle at you to want you to see why it won't squirt, don't stand directly in front of said nozzle with mouth open. Leather cleaner tastes terrible.
Can I just also say, I love American Airlines/Eagle. They're the most helpful people in the business. Open gates for you and all that even when its 10 minutes to takeoff and you show up with two bags to check in. Wonderful wonderful people.
With all the flights I barely make it to, you would think I would leave home earlier to get to the airport. I have, however, never missed a flight yet. Still, shouldn't push my luck I suppose.
Driver's license that was lost has now surfaced magically in Dubai tucked happily away inside Pops' passport. I don't know why. Poor Pops is back home now and sounds plaintively lonely. This trip is all about auctioning off the stamp collection so that should be fun father-daughter bonding experience. Yes, we're both geeks.
Back in Boston now. Leave for Dubai tomorrow for about a month. Got some chores to take care of this afternoon but then I'm pretty much free until tomorrow evening. A little disoriented from the travels but that will change about the 3rd day in Dubai.
Anybody want anything from home?
The University of Connecticut has notified the Dubai Education Council (DEC) that it has halted plans to establish a satellite campus in Dubai following pressure from pro-Israel politicians and interest groups in protest of the UAE's 'human rights record' and policy towards Israel.Read the full article here.
Political science professor Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah condemned the move, saying there was no place for politics in academic decisions.
"It's obvious that the ignorance (about Arabs) that prevails among the American public has crept into academics," he said.
Here. Watch a rather long but fairly cool (quality notwithstanding) video of what Dubai's Strageic Plan 2015 will accomplish.
A recent experiment in the realm of quantum physics has shown that reality does not exist, when there is no observer.Read article here.
Good - Sunshine.
Bad - Dubai's image.
Ugly - Timbaland's Shock Value album.
On February 22, 2006, President George W. Bush threatened to veto any legislation passed by Congress to block the deal, which would be the first time in his presidency he would exercise the privilege. In a statement to reporters, Bush claimed, "It would send a terrible signal to friends and allies not to let this transaction go through." Supporters of the deal claimed that the UAE were friendly to America, as the emirates allow U.S. warships in the Gulf to dock in their ports and re-supply their ships with oil, food and other goods for free. Crew members are allowed shore leave in the country and entertain themselves free in malls, brothels and movie theaters.Since when do we let other people publicly allege that we have brothels in the UAE?!
The UAE’s first ‘smart chip payment concert card’ is to be deployed at this week’s Shakira concert.Wot I want to know is why do we have a picture of Shakira with the article and not a picture of the card?
Implementer Vice Versa International said guests would be able to purchase the card prior to the concert, which will work as an ‘electronic purse’. The card will allow them access to the VIP area and will carry pre-loaded credit that can be redeemed for food and beverages.
The credit on the card can be topped up at reloading stations within the VIP area by using cash or a credit card.
Sales have opened for residential units in Emirates Financial Towers at Dubai International Financial Centre, according to the developer. The $160m twin towers project is selling apartments, and has office and retail space. The buildings will have 1,200 automated parking spaces designed by the US' Robotic Parking Systems.Article here.
A minimum of 125,000 residential units will be released on to Dubai's property market by 2009, according to a report by Shuaa Capital and Colliers International and cited by Gulf News. The report predicts that more than 70,000 units will be released this year, with a further 40,000 next year. It is thought demand will not keep pace with supply and prices will soften, especially in the high-end apartment sector.Article here.
Major delays to the completion dates of Dubai's real estate developments are undermining confidence in the sector, reported Gulf News. Investors are facing delays of more than six months in many instances and currently have no recourse to compensation. Some experts have suggested an imposition of a fixed fine of up to 1.5% of the value of a property for every month's delay beyond an agreed date.Article here.
I'm back. Have fixed myself and am back in Boston. Have fixed computer and am back online. Have not yet fixed jet lag so am very zonked out but there it is. Can't have it all you know.
Dubai was lovely. I did nothing. I didn't even make my own bed that's how much nothing I did. The trip back was lonely and boring and remarkably uncomfortable. Boston is cold and rainy. Speedy Zippy (my trusty laptop) was down with a nasty virus this past week so I spent the better part of yesterday and today (in class) fixing it. It's fixed now. Classes have begun. I've been sleeping for two days but I'm still jet lagged. My henna is fading and I'm already behind on coursework. Have had two classes and realize that the brain is a little rusty from all that inertia and watching Bigg Boss on Zee TeeVee all day (stupid show if you ask me). But soon. I shall be back in gear soon. Now I have to go buy $250 worth of course material and wade through all that email.
So, didja miss me?
Looking back on the posts from Dubai in 2005, I find them hilarious. Everyday there was something strange and obscure and funny to write about. These days, there are still some strange and obscure and funny (and characteristically poignant) things to write about but I've completely switched off. Almost. I check my email every 3rd day but I ignore all the desperate pleas from people asking me to do work. I check it out of sheer curiosity. I really couldn't care less, quite frankly. My other email is up to 189 emails now. I really don't want to check that box. I'm a bit afraid.
So you see, this is why there have been no posts. Although, it's really quite nice of you to keep coming back every couple of days to take a look *hug bug nug*. But I'll post when I get back stateside. Which will be in a week. Maybe someday I'll tell you about the New Year's Eve Party with the Bollywood dancers and the drunken heirs to large empires making complete asses of themselves and other interesting goings-ons.
Until then, pip-pip!
Hello dahlings! So sorry I haven't written but I'm on vacation. In Dubai. I have no time for you.
That last week, you see, was murder on my brittle bones. But all done with finals and interviews and papers, I board my flight to lovely Athens and onwards to good ole DXB. The bags did not get lost. The flight was bumpy. The food was terrible.
The past 10 days have been spent mostly eating, sleeping and watching tele. Oh, and going back and forth to RK's place. Where we mostly eat and watch tele. There's more of that on the horizon.
Met Albert Pinto the lovely yesterday. Had an enjoyable chat over coffee and shawarmas with Black Cobra (who says hello, btw) and that's pretty much it in terms of outings. Perhaps I shall meet Vakson today. Art is too busy being creative for friends. Salad arrives from Seattle tomorrow. Life is good.
I hope you're well. Did you have a nice Christmas? I did. I went to the Grand Hyatt to sit unter the chocolate fountain greedily clutching profiteroles. I know you missed me, you came here every day looking for me. Except on the 16th. You didn't come on the 16th. But you did come twice on the 18th. But I thot you had bloglines that alerts you when posts are posted? Perhaps you wanted to look for yourself. Aww, you did miss me, didn't you?
