flat trousers and drive-through ATMs
Last year, or was it the year before that, I switched to a chemical free cleaning solution for our home called Enjo. Made in Austria these special fibres work with water to pick up and hold dirt, leaving your home clean and free of chemical residue. Yes its a big ask to believe that this works effectively, but it does. And it makes cleaning quick and easy. And I love not having black feet any-more from walking around barefoot on my tiled floor (no more soap residue). Anyway this isn’t really the point of my story. The problem, or shall we say challenge, I am facing is finding (and keeping) a maid to integrate with this new system. Unfortunately the lovely lady we had for several years, and who was “ENJO trained” by then, left us as she was going back to the Philippines. So I have been on a quest to find a maid that cleans well (my thing), irons well (Stu’s thing), keeps our pet cats inside and the friendly stray cats outside (very NB) whilst not demolishing my walls with the vacuum cleaner. After trying several agencies I have basically given up and gone back to cleaning my own house – although my one concession is having someone do the ironing as I hate ironing. Which ultimately brings me to the point – I have noticed a very strange phenomenon here, pretty much every maid I have tried irons trousers in the same bizarre way. Namely flat, instead of with the fold in the front. I can’t understand why. Combine this with trousers that are sometimes a little short to begin with (in my case anyway) and I end up looking like a clown in the circus. All I need are those big floppy shoes to go with it.
not a flattering look
when it rains
Ok so granted this isn’t something that happens regularly or often, but rain really does have an impact when it happens. The first thing you notice after any amount of rain is the water puddles, or “ponds” as they are referred to here, that manifest in all sorts of places. Drainage is not a priority when roads are built, and as the water table is quite high here (surprisingly) the water doesn’t go anywhere. It just lies around waiting for unsuspecting drivers, and later, becomes a breeding ground for nasty little mosquitoes. Not only that, but a great deal of the buildings are not properly waterproofed, again because it is so seldom a problem.
our wet garden this week
a bit of a shock really
If you were planning to enjoy a steak and Guinness pie, or even a Crêpe Suzette, during your visit to Dubai I have sad news for you. It’s not going to happen!
A law that was originally passed in 2003 is now to be enforced with immediate effect according to a story in the 7days today, namely no alcohol may be used in the cooking or preparation of food dishes in restaurants and hotels.
Personally I am having a moment of silence at what this may mean for our culinary adventure.
the good, the bad and the ugly
When someone tells you there is good news, and there is bad news, which do you choose to hear first? I like to start with the bad news and get it out the way, and hope that the good news will somehow make up for it. Sadly, in life, you don’t always get both options, and have to deal with one or the other. This last week was a little bit like that…but I will start with the good (in line with the famous movie title anyway).
Continue reading
prohibited public behaviour
I have blogged about elements of this before, but today I received an email from a colleague, supposedly issued by the Dubai Authority, that contains an list of prohibited public behaviour for the Emirate. I am not sure how recent this is, I think it was probably originally written after the sex-on-the-beach Britons scandal, but its still relevant, quite interesting, and rather hectic, take a look..