Five fascinations

Hopefully a regular post that will highlight some of the experiences, impressions, things that have fascinated me, etc and that have really stood out and made an impact, both good and bad.

1. The Greenery - we're in the desert, the biggest area of the land in the UAE is pure sand, from May through to September it's over 40 degrees, yet the dual carriageways are all green, the hotel grounds are beautifully landscaped and there are numerous parks - I'm looking at one now directly across the road from my apartment balcony, full of palm trees and date trees and covered in glorious green grass, it's just not what you expect, but lovely to see nonetheless.

2. The Politeness - all the service jobs are done by non-locals, the bar tenders, waiters, supermarket attendants etc, are all mainly from the Far East and Sub-Continent, but by and large they are all so friendly. At the exhibition centre where the office is, downstairs is the coffee shop and restaurant. All the staff there make a point of knowing your name straight away, and you walk in in the mornings to the sound of "Morning Mr Chris" and when you leave in the evening, the last thing you hear is "Goodnight Sir Chris". It's the same people both of the time, they've been on their feet all day, yet are still up beat, jovial, friendly and very polite. And unlike in the USA, they're not playing for tips!

3. The National Pride - I'm still getting used to seeing most of the men dressed in the traditional national outfit, the dishdasha or kandura (the long white shirt like robe, with a headdress of a white cloth and black rope).

It made an impression on me when I came to Dubai a couple of years ago, and it still makes an impression on me now. They all walk about with this very regal look about them, and this air of pride to be wearing their national outfit. Walking around the shopping centres, even the young teenage lads are wearing them. Beats seeing kids in designer clobber, massively expensive trainers and the standard Burberry check!

4. The Driving - an experience I don't think I'll ever get used to and one I'm not looking forward to joining in on! It's like the worst white knuckle ride in the world! They change lanes without indicating, and don't even care if you are in the lane next to them. All you can do is move out of the way. They screech to a halt at the traffic lights, mainly because they are going so fast and leave it till the last minute to stop.

5. Cityscape Abu Dhabi - one of the biggest exhibitions at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Imagine half a dozen halls at the NEC full with developers showing off their latest developments, villas and apartments ..... and actually selling on site. The first day was that mad, it was like the start of the Harrods January sale, with a big rush as the doors opened. If you thought Urban Splash selling the whole Rotunda out in 20 minutes with people queuing over night was impressive, then multiply it by 100's and you still won't even be close. Some developers doubled the price of flats by lunchtime on the first day and there were even stories of fights breaking out over entire tower blocks! It was that busy, that HH Shaikh Mohammed announced the exhibition would go on for an extra day!