(To see more photos like the one above, see link at the bottom of this post.)
Today is the beginning of Eid al Fitr. As this article by Rasha Elass points out:
Eid al Fitr celebrations begin today following confirmation last night of the official sighting of the new moon, marking the end of Ramadan… According to Islamic tradition, the sighting of a new moon determines the end of Ramadan and start of a new month… Families who have been fasting during daylight hours for the holy month were to gather at Abu Dhabi mosques at 4.49am tomorrow for the dawn prayer. This is followed by the Eid prayer which, traditionally, takes place outdoors. Then families congregate for a day of feasts and celebration, as couples visit their parents and children receive gifts.
Based on my readings of local news, as well as information from more seasoned expats in the area, Dubai will be a festive place over the next three days as most people have the time off and will spend it in the company of family, friends, food and fireworks. While Eid signals a transition from the holy month of Ramadan back to a more “normal” tenth month of the Islamic calendar year, the holiday marks a transition in my Dubai development as well–from that of a pool girl to a working woman! Hurrah!
Over the last month Dubai has been a rather quiet place to exist in during the day since most food and coffee establishments were closed for Ramadan and because those fasting made it a point to stay inside (I don’t blame them! 100+ degree heat and no food/water does not equal a comfortable combo). Given that the pace of the city essentially slowed down to a crawl (or to a stop compared to NYC), I found myself spending more and more time at home, as opposed to on empty beaches or in nearly vacant shopping centers. While my husband worked exceedingly long hours with his business partners across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Russia, I on the other hand:
- Spent copious amounts of time at the pool logging hours of sunshine, laps and thinking time.
- Tried my hand at being a good housewife… Let’s just say that if washing clothes, ironing and mopping were subjects in college, I most certainly would not have made dean’s list!
- Drove through the streets of Dubai like the best of this town’s cabbies! (Note: When I arrived I was petrified of driving having come off a ten year driving hiatus from being in NYC, Osaka and college. Now, on the other hand, I’m a driving diva. Watch out truck’s and buses, A’s Thrifty Honda Civic is on the road! … I can’t wait until I get my first paycheck so that I can buy my own set of wheels! $900/month to rent a tiny car is a bit steep… At least the gas is cheap: $15/tank.)
- Returned to my classical music roots. I am now a member of the UAE Philharmonic… I hope my neighbors like string music because they’ve heard a lot of it between the hours of 3 and 5 over the last 4 weeks!
Feeling a bit more relaxed and adjusted to life in the desert, for better or for worse, I find myself experiencing another transition—that from the “honeymoon” stage of my time in Dubai to the “culture shock” phase. As this article on cultural adjustment points out:
Cross-cultural adjustment can be roughly divided into four phases: honeymoon, culture shock, recovery and adjustment. At the honeymoon stage, everything seems fascinating and new, and you may feel rather like a tourist. After some time, when you begin to actively participate in the daily life of the host country, you may start to notice discrepancies between your own behaviour and culture and that of host country nationals. Depending on the individual, this can lead to feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and frustration – an experience widely termed as culture shock, which is an integral and significant part of adapting to living and working in a new country…
While my blog thus far has painted a rather rosy picture of Dubai, there are aspects of life here that I find trying. By sharing these aspects, I don’t mean to complain, but rather to point out that life as an expat is not the 24-hour holiday some may think it is.
- Time: Coming from a culture where “getting things done” was our daily mantra, scheduling meetings and appointments here is always an exercise in patience. Home repairmen never come the day they say they will and interviews often start an hour or two late.
- Yes versus no: Like in Japan, people here find it very hard to say “no.” Therefore, I am constantly trying to figure out when “yes” really means “no.”
- America: Between US Middle East foreign policy, the recent banking crisis and the entrance of Palin onto the greater political stage, I can’t exactly say Americans are heroes in this part of town. Being an expat often means clarifying to others that my views are not necessarily those of Washington or acting as if I’m British to avoid uncomfortable conversations all together (just kidding… well sort of!)
- Men versus women: I am a woman in a man’s world and in a place where people view the distinction between men and women to extend far beyond biology. To work here, I have to have my husband’s official “permission.” To even see the apartment we are currently living in, I had to promise our broker I was married… the list goes on and on!
- Censoring: Luckily I am near a free zone, so I have access to site’s like Flickr. But, the second I leave the area… Poof! No more Flickr, Skype, etc. Also, I find myself asking, “Why are local policies and efforts of the Sheik seemingly always received with such enthusiasm? Where are the dissenters?”
But alas… no need for too much cynicism or frustration to creep in! I am an optimist at heart and ready to take on the Dubai world of work suntanned and with a mind and spirit rearing to go!
To transitions!
A
PS As a result of getting many requests for photos of Dubai, I have posted a number of photos here. Enjoy!
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