I've been taking the Metro for the past few days because I've been coming to work late because of heavy Dubai traffic since school reopened early this month. We have a strike 3 policy at work with regards to being late: 3 days late = 1/2 day salary cut. Nasty. So when I arrived late … Continue reading Forget it, I’m taking the train
traffic
Ramadan 2012 entering its 2nd week
It's been more than a week since the holy month of Ramadan started. We are all enjoying the shortened work hours - mine's from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Work load is piling up due to the shortened hours, yes, but I love that I can go home while the sun is still up and … Continue reading Ramadan 2012 entering its 2nd week
No more online naming and shaming in Dubai
First there was that grocery store that refused entry of grocers if they are men, shopping alone (and allegedly, with brown skin!). Now to continue the saga of news here in Dubai land that makes you say, "What the @$(%^!#&^!?", it has been reported on local newspaper The National that, naming and shaming bad drivers … Continue reading No more online naming and shaming in Dubai
Today, I broke a record
It's back to work and school for us and the other UAE creatures today. We left home at 7:20 pm and faced terrible traffic. The much anticipated traffic was worse than what I had expected. I arrived in the office 30 minutes late, for the first time in 22 months, I got late. My workplace … Continue reading Today, I broke a record
and I told myself never to live in New York
I thought the streets of New York has the most cars in the world. No, I haven't been there but isn't it like that in the movies? Meg Ryan was stuck in New York traffic in the movie Kate and Leopold, then there were traffic scenes in Coming to America, Ghostbusters II, Home Alone 2: Lost … Continue reading and I told myself never to live in New York
Did you leave your car at home?
Today, September 22, Monday is World Car-Free Day. Ever heard of that? Not on this side of the world. I've never heard of such day and it's not like anything different is going to happen even if people were aware that today is World Car-Free Day. This is Dubai, the city with inefficient, insufficient public … Continue reading Did you leave your car at home?
It’s raining cars in Dubai
It's Sunday, the start of work and school here in Dubai (and in other Gulf countries, I presume) and it only means one single thing in the morning: traffic. Rough, heavy, crazy traffic. My work starts at 9:00 while Pristine's school starts at 8:30 during Ramadan period. Her school is 10 minutes away from where … Continue reading It’s raining cars in Dubai
We’ve been saliked
In July last year, Dubai introduced a new electronic toll system popularly known as Salik - which means "open" or "clear" in effort to curb heavy gridlocks in this rapidly growing city. Great use of technology, though - it is a free flow tolling system without toll gates, barriers or booths, no toll collectors and allows … Continue reading We’ve been saliked
traffic is unhealthy
Lately traffic in Dubai had evolved from heavy to depressing gridlocks. Going home from work tired and hungry and having to spend time on the road for more than an hour is not fun. Plus, it is interfering with my one and only New Year's resolution that is to lose weight. No, I am not … Continue reading traffic is unhealthy
Salik update
Motorists in Dubai certainly marked the date 1st of July. It is not a cause for celebration as Canadians in Dubai celebrated Canada day, but it is the day that the inevitable road toll was introduced in the road history of any GCC country. Despite the blogs that screamed No to Salik, the lengthy, noisy … Continue reading Salik update
Finding Backroads 