Being an expat in Dubai is an idea that keeps attracting countless people from all over the world and all walks of life. The reasons are fairly straightforward: with an economy that refuses to stop growing, tax-free income, a vibrant expat community (after all, some 80% of Dubai’s inhabitants are foreign-born), and one of the … Continue reading Expat life in Dubai
Dubai expat life
5 Tips to be Frugal in Dubai
Confession: I'm a cheapskate. Some use the term "frugal" to make it sound more positive and less embarrassing but I am ok with the word cheapskate. And I can be a real cheapskate if needed. We are fairly frugal - we have shirts that have holes in them (newsflash: old clothes feel nice and cozy), … Continue reading 5 Tips to be Frugal in Dubai
It’s so hot – thinking of the people working outside
I'm writing this at 2:30 pm and it's 44C (111F) in Dubai right now. I am writing this at the comfort of an airconditioned room, perfectly comfy, not breaking a single sweat. I drove today to the office in my usual route and passed by a group of Pakistani men (you can tell they're Pakistani … Continue reading It’s so hot – thinking of the people working outside
Work at home mom – is it for you?
My friend and I had a discussion about being a mom, work and having to rock both worlds. Isn't every mom's dream? She is a stay at home mom while I work full time outside the home 5 and a half days a week. My friend thinks being a work-at-home mom is the best setup, … Continue reading Work at home mom – is it for you?
The midnight grocery shoppers and our tagine
When we first came here in January 2007, we were really shocked to see store and malls open until the wee hours of the night. On Sunday-Wednesday, most are open until 10pm while on weekends starting on Thursday night until Saturday, they are open until midnight. When it's the month of fasting when the place … Continue reading The midnight grocery shoppers and our tagine
Annual leave is great if it’s your own
One of the best things about working in Dubai, if you ask me is the annual leave (free trip home, baby!). Companies give employees 30 days of paid leave every year* + airplane tickets to their home country. Wonderful, isn't it? While an expat in Japan, I didn't have that luxury (as expats in most … Continue reading Annual leave is great if it’s your own
Another friendship threatened by relocation
In our sixth year here in Dubai, we've said goodbye to some friends and it was not easy. Saying goodbye is probably the hardest part of expat life. However, the hardest is yet to come - at least for our young eight year old daughter. Laila (from Egypt) and Pristine had been friends since they … Continue reading Another friendship threatened by relocation
Finding work in Dubai, Part 2
You've read about the weird part, now on to the serious, no non-sense topic on how to find a job in Dubai. Here are some scenarios, tips and word(s) of caution. 1. First, beware of scams - NEVER pay any amount for those 'consultancy' companies offering to receive your CV and finding a job on … Continue reading Finding work in Dubai, Part 2
Finding work in Dubai, Part 1
A friend of mine is here in Dubai right now looking for a job. She is my best pal I haven't seen in more than ten years. Now, we are enjoying time together (she's staying at my house) and I really hope she'll find a job so she can stay. I'm helping her search for … Continue reading Finding work in Dubai, Part 1
We’re moving (again)
Call us crazy - this is the 4th time we've moved in our five years in Dubai. First, we lived in a room inside my company's guest house for three months after arriving in 2007. It was tough. We weren't allowed to cook so we ate outside all the time. Pristine got a terrible stomach … Continue reading We’re moving (again)
Finding Backroads 