Like Vegas on New Years, but even more cigarettes

I learned a great deal about this city over the weekend. The final lesson came when I went out with Sam and her friends Ummul and Sahar. All 3 ladies are not bad on the eyes. Ummul is Indian American and Sahar is an Iranian Trojan (SC). It was nice to talk with some one about LA for even a few moments.

I have been inside a few of the new apartment towers going up all over, and I think I want to live in the Burj area. The Marina is far from work, about 25 km but I would pay I think 2 tolls each way to work. The Burj area is centralized with work to the North and all the Westerners living to the South West and all the cool night spots in that general direction as well. Taxi rides on the weekend are cheep if you live in these areas. The Marina is right in front of Palm Jumeriah and is pretty established for Dubai. (That means less than half is under construction.) It just felt like people on vacation rather than people coming home.

When you go out in this town you go to a resort. It is very much like Vegas in that regard. I have seen the neighborhoods. I have seen outside of the glam areas first. I was not impressed with this place at first, but now I get it. Alcohol is in hotels, and in resorts are that and the beautiful people. I went to a beach part that was loaded with young, hot and sexy women from all over down under and Europe with yummy Asia mixed in. It was quit a group of women. The men were the same, the close all were very Euro centric. I felt that I was very much a minority as an American. The dance music was all Euro based, but as usual, any 80’s disco is a big hit. As a backdrop with the Burj al Arab changing colors very slowly. It was quite a reality check for me. It was a temporary dance floor set up about 30 yards from the water, bars at each end with even crazier drink prices. I got a rum and coke, a beer, white wine and a water for like 138 Dhs. That is like 37 bucks, maybe that is right, it felt too much. The water was some crazy west LA thing. I tried to buy everybody a drink but was like D’oh! I don’t have it. Nice.

In an hour and a half I met a realtor and he will drive me around the Burj area for an apartment.

I just returned from the hospital earlier today. No, I am fine, it was a physical (medical as they say) for my work visa. Chest X ray and a blood draw for HIV. The place was packed with Indian and Pakistani. My boy Mohammed knows the staff and we skipped the lines. I saw the eyes look at me. F-ing Westerner.

I sat down to eat with the ladies earlier before the party and I don’t even know what we ordered. Literally. It was Arabic. Ummul, who is very posh and sophisticated made sure to ask what was what and got the order in. I admitted that I had no idea what we ordered but not to worry. To pronounce words in Arabic you have to make a sound that is like clearing your throat. But when natives say it, it rolls right out and sounds fine.

OK, I need to post this because I have a phone screen with a guy named Tamer from Egypt.

Ummul dresses like Emily.
Sahar is a single architect who drives and SUV.
Samantha is my boss and everyday I learn how smart she really is.

Later
BrotherBill