I have actually been in Dubai for over a week now (for those who don't know I moved, read this) and I have been meaning to write daily posts, but I couldn’t find time, and when I did, my hotel’s Wi-Fi just sucked. But the good thing is I have many stories to share!
Day one was fairly eventful. I had a late night flight, which got delayed and the lines for the immigration process took two hours. And once I got out, tired and groggy, waiting to fall on my hotel bed, I couldn’t find the driver meant to pick me up. I walked back and forth checking all the placards hoping to find me name on one of them, but it wasn’t there. I didn’t have a local SIM card yet and I had discontinued my India number just before departing, so I looked for a local telephone to call my hotel from. I asked an airport staff member where I could find one and he said “We don’t have any here, you’ll have to go to Departures and meet Customer Services”. Even though it wasn’t a big deal, at that time I was really upset. I had a lot of luggage and was really sleepy to make my way to another floor. But I didn’t have a choice. I finally found it and called my hotel. They said they don’t wait more than two and a half hours so the driver left. I explained to them how immigration took forever and I obviously couldn’t have helped that. I pleaded they send him back, but to no avail. I had to take a cab. The good thing is they have taxis driven by women, so no matter what time at night you’re travelling alone, you will feel safe.
Day two was mostly funny with a dash of embarrassment. I had bought some milk at a convenience store, but when I took it out of the refrigerator an hour later it seemed to have curdled. So I took it to the store and got another bottle. I open it and it tastes the same. So I talk to the store manager suggesting maybe the batch they received was spoiled. He looks at the bottle and says, “This is how it is supposed to taste.” I argue on how it tastes like curd instead of milk. He smiles, “This isn’t milk, it is Laban, which is like buttermilk.” As you can imagine, I felt so very stupid. I apologised profusely. I later found out that this was a common mistake that many of my friends had made too.
Every day I learn something new; whether it is finding my way to work or simply using buses and trains (which are extremely convenient by the way). For instance, you need to purchase a NOL card before you board a bus or use the metro. I love that you need only one card for both.
It is both exciting and nerve-racking to move countries, but if you make the move with a positive attitude, I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I am.
I am going to try and write as often as I can, so do look forward to reading more about my misadventures and tips on moving to a new country.
If you have any questions about moving to Dubai or suggestions for me, please do share them in the Comments box below.
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| I love this sculpture outside Dubai Mall |
Day one was fairly eventful. I had a late night flight, which got delayed and the lines for the immigration process took two hours. And once I got out, tired and groggy, waiting to fall on my hotel bed, I couldn’t find the driver meant to pick me up. I walked back and forth checking all the placards hoping to find me name on one of them, but it wasn’t there. I didn’t have a local SIM card yet and I had discontinued my India number just before departing, so I looked for a local telephone to call my hotel from. I asked an airport staff member where I could find one and he said “We don’t have any here, you’ll have to go to Departures and meet Customer Services”. Even though it wasn’t a big deal, at that time I was really upset. I had a lot of luggage and was really sleepy to make my way to another floor. But I didn’t have a choice. I finally found it and called my hotel. They said they don’t wait more than two and a half hours so the driver left. I explained to them how immigration took forever and I obviously couldn’t have helped that. I pleaded they send him back, but to no avail. I had to take a cab. The good thing is they have taxis driven by women, so no matter what time at night you’re travelling alone, you will feel safe.
Day two was mostly funny with a dash of embarrassment. I had bought some milk at a convenience store, but when I took it out of the refrigerator an hour later it seemed to have curdled. So I took it to the store and got another bottle. I open it and it tastes the same. So I talk to the store manager suggesting maybe the batch they received was spoiled. He looks at the bottle and says, “This is how it is supposed to taste.” I argue on how it tastes like curd instead of milk. He smiles, “This isn’t milk, it is Laban, which is like buttermilk.” As you can imagine, I felt so very stupid. I apologised profusely. I later found out that this was a common mistake that many of my friends had made too.
Every day I learn something new; whether it is finding my way to work or simply using buses and trains (which are extremely convenient by the way). For instance, you need to purchase a NOL card before you board a bus or use the metro. I love that you need only one card for both.
It is both exciting and nerve-racking to move countries, but if you make the move with a positive attitude, I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I am.
I am going to try and write as often as I can, so do look forward to reading more about my misadventures and tips on moving to a new country.
If you have any questions about moving to Dubai or suggestions for me, please do share them in the Comments box below.
2 comments:
Hope you have a blast there! :)
I too had a similar milk incident in Norway when I bought a carton of milk and realised that it was a sort of curd, though not really curd. In fact I did the same mistake twice as the cartons just look the same :?
I am really liking it here. Slowly getting used to things. Hearing about your story makes me so happy! :) The milk cartons really look the same; I am with you on that.
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