Money and Alot of cars (Dubai, UAE)
I've arrived in the last major new "uncharted" region for me until I return to the USA. Arabia. Upon getting off the flight from India my first reaction is WOW. The Dubai Airport is impressive to say the least. This certainly ranks among the top for nicest airports I've ever been in. Money money money. Brand spanking new from the looks of it. Definitely another world -though there are many Indians and Pakistanis working here.
I immediately got the impression of money upon withdrawing 1000Dh / US$270 at the airport ATM. Only 4 bills came out. 1 - 100, 2 - 200, and 1 - 500. Great, a bill worth US$135! Play money...yeah. Fortunately, a money changer is right next to the ATM to get small bills.
Rumors of Dubai
I always heard about Dubai at my last workplace - one of the top customers is Emirates Airlines. One marketing man seemed to come here on a regular basis. I am definitely not traveling as if I were here on business for my last company. Business class on the airplane is the closest, although our company policy was coach with occassional upgrades. So I arrive in style, but go stay at a youth hostel. I've played this game before! I decided to stay in one of the few youth hostels just outside the city. At US$32 / night it actually is a good deal. My own very nice room and bathroom. More like a nice chain hotel in the US, but without many frills/extras. Nice decor. A/C, cable TV, well lit, wallpapered, spotlessly clean, fridge, quiet, spacious, next to a bus stop - what more could I ask for? ummm......The Burj Al Arab Hotel at US$400/night - discounted rate? So nice, that the building is on every license plate! Certainly among the plushest hotels in the world. It costs US$50 just to go look inside. I've come this far....heck...might as well splurge on a drink for who knows how much.
I wouldn't even really call where I'm staying a hostel. There aren't many people for starters. Definitely not like hostels in Australia. I read an article, hostels in UAE last year had about 30,000 paid nights. Not sure if this is per person or per room. If the average person stayed about 5 nights we are talking 6,000 visitors / year. Some are from the region, so for non-Arabs the actual amount visiting staying in hostels must be really, really low. That number is for all of the 3-5 or so hostels in UAE...so the actual number is probably even less if my calculations are correct.
A 2 person shared room is half the price. 3-star hotels I've found are from US$50-US$60 minimum per night and go up fast. Maybe I'll treat myself near the end of my stay in town.
My other impression is that the city is very clean - especially after coming from the Indian subcontinent. My next impression - cars everywhere. Late model cars. I have already experienced some heady traffic jams. I guess this shouldn't come as a surprise being that oil is the primary source of wealth here that trickles down to the immigrant workers and expatriates...
Where there is alot of oil, sprawling car dominated cities aren't far behind.
I have seen this almost without fail as I've traveled.
On the plus side, the public bus system is excellent. Modern, new (As in brand spanking new - the definition is very relative is some countries) a/c buses, frequent schedule, and a very clear timetable and maps. At US 50 cents/ride or so, a good deal. Warm, but not sweltering hot yet.
I've already tried my Arabic (12 /30 lessons done) and it works. Although with so many nationalities here - English is predominant. Many workers don't even understand Arabic. I know more than they do - and they work/live here!
Enough for now. I have posted 200+ photos (Can you believe it?) on the site from the last 6 months, and a 6 month update, but I need to send out an email update with how to access it. Just need to find the right Internet cafe - this is not one.
I immediately got the impression of money upon withdrawing 1000Dh / US$270 at the airport ATM. Only 4 bills came out. 1 - 100, 2 - 200, and 1 - 500. Great, a bill worth US$135! Play money...yeah. Fortunately, a money changer is right next to the ATM to get small bills.
Rumors of Dubai
I always heard about Dubai at my last workplace - one of the top customers is Emirates Airlines. One marketing man seemed to come here on a regular basis. I am definitely not traveling as if I were here on business for my last company. Business class on the airplane is the closest, although our company policy was coach with occassional upgrades. So I arrive in style, but go stay at a youth hostel. I've played this game before! I decided to stay in one of the few youth hostels just outside the city. At US$32 / night it actually is a good deal. My own very nice room and bathroom. More like a nice chain hotel in the US, but without many frills/extras. Nice decor. A/C, cable TV, well lit, wallpapered, spotlessly clean, fridge, quiet, spacious, next to a bus stop - what more could I ask for? ummm......The Burj Al Arab Hotel at US$400/night - discounted rate? So nice, that the building is on every license plate! Certainly among the plushest hotels in the world. It costs US$50 just to go look inside. I've come this far....heck...might as well splurge on a drink for who knows how much.
I wouldn't even really call where I'm staying a hostel. There aren't many people for starters. Definitely not like hostels in Australia. I read an article, hostels in UAE last year had about 30,000 paid nights. Not sure if this is per person or per room. If the average person stayed about 5 nights we are talking 6,000 visitors / year. Some are from the region, so for non-Arabs the actual amount visiting staying in hostels must be really, really low. That number is for all of the 3-5 or so hostels in UAE...so the actual number is probably even less if my calculations are correct.
A 2 person shared room is half the price. 3-star hotels I've found are from US$50-US$60 minimum per night and go up fast. Maybe I'll treat myself near the end of my stay in town.
My other impression is that the city is very clean - especially after coming from the Indian subcontinent. My next impression - cars everywhere. Late model cars. I have already experienced some heady traffic jams. I guess this shouldn't come as a surprise being that oil is the primary source of wealth here that trickles down to the immigrant workers and expatriates...
Where there is alot of oil, sprawling car dominated cities aren't far behind.
I have seen this almost without fail as I've traveled.
On the plus side, the public bus system is excellent. Modern, new (As in brand spanking new - the definition is very relative is some countries) a/c buses, frequent schedule, and a very clear timetable and maps. At US 50 cents/ride or so, a good deal. Warm, but not sweltering hot yet.
I've already tried my Arabic (12 /30 lessons done) and it works. Although with so many nationalities here - English is predominant. Many workers don't even understand Arabic. I know more than they do - and they work/live here!
Enough for now. I have posted 200+ photos (Can you believe it?) on the site from the last 6 months, and a 6 month update, but I need to send out an email update with how to access it. Just need to find the right Internet cafe - this is not one.
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