We've only been in Dubai for two weeks, and I'd venture to say we've lived in the most opposite districts this city could possibly offer. First Satwa, where the buildings are ancient in Dubai years (15 years old) and where no matter how spicy we ordered our Indian food or how good we got at smoking hookahs, we would never be looked at as locals. And now the Jebel Ali Gardens on the other end of town, a mostly expat neighborhood complete with expat essentials like Domino's Pizza, Subway, and Pinkberry, and where it's rare to see locals at all.
This is our new building. Despite the color scheme, trust me when I say it's new and not built at the height of Golden Girls popularity circa 1988.
Our apartment itself is huge: two bathrooms, two balconies, and I still can't figure out why two human beings would need such a large bedroom. The building is much like a Monet painting. It looks great from afar, but up close, it doesn't make any sense. For example, we were over the moon that there was a metal piece to cover the toilet paper (to me, having that metal piece means you've made it in life) until it fell out of the wall when we touched it. The craftsmanship leaves some to be desired.
There's not much to our neighborhood but apartment buildings, condos, and one massive shopping mall (with free wifi!) Even though we're a little outside of the most built up part of the city, we're not without an over-the-top, unnecessarily large shopping center. It's called Ibn Battuta and it's a maze and a time suck, especially for the unemployed like me.
Here are some examples of things in this mall:
Malls in the US that don't display life size elephants are the lesser for it, in my opinion.
Same goes for sailing vessels (sorry the photo is so massive, but so is the boat.)
They do nothing small here, even in the burbs.
But in all sincerity, we're happy with the move. It takes Rob about 10 minutes to get to work and if I want to meet him afterwards, it's a $4-$5 cab ride (taxis are ridiculously cheap here--one of our favorite discoveries!) We have a gym and a pool, and we will be very happy here. And in case we ever miss it, we can head into Satwa for some Dhaba mutton curry and feel like minorities once again.
Now you can have the best of both worlds in your new neighborhood: Domino's Pizza with mutton or perhaps a masala-style Pizza.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely made it big, toilet paper covers and all . Maybe you should try and find a nice baby elephant statue for your x-large bedroom. It would be in lieu of a pet dog. When in Rome. . . .
Looking forward to visiting and checking out your new location.
The elephant doesn't even have to be a baby with the size of that room! Though it wouldn't be as good for company as Zoe or similar furry friend.
Deletethat first photo of the apt totally makes it look like miami. how close to the sea are you? do people go to the beach there or not really? and i'm totally curious have you wandered out on to the palm island?
ReplyDeleteNot far from the water, but there is a massive highway in between. By taxi, I'd say 10 minutes, but it's not walkable. People go to the beach all the time. Seems like the one place where anything goes for clothing! As for the Palm, it's close to Robs hotel and we almost made it the other day, but got distracted by a fabulous beach bar on the way :)
DeleteOMG you found the Ibn Battuta Mall! So happy you love the new place. It sounds great. Can't wait to see pics once you get it decorated to your liking!
ReplyDeleteNot only did I find it but I'm at one with it, which is not a good thing with no income! I really use it mostly for coffee shops with wifi and the "mega market" Geant. And I'm not a food court girl, but it's the best food court I've ever seen.
DeleteLove you blogging Andy. Love the pics.
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