Favorite FB quote so far:
Eric Morris Fish1 to Fish2: We should have just stayed in (insert third world country name here). We had no idea how good we had it.The Slaves of Dubai. When I was there they looked happy, but in essense not allowed to look sad.
Sad, sad, sad.
I’m not a fan of a lot of government. But in this case they need to step in. Or else they are a city of skeletons building the world’s largest ghost town.
As I continue to talk about Dubai, my friend who is studying to be an entertainment lawyer said that Dubai will be the next Hollywood. She wants to come back with me but takes the bar in Winter. Is Dubai the upcoming new Hollywood where stars can’t die of an overdose? No taxes. Is it no residuals too? Hmm…
To see more of Hasselhoff’s visit to Dubai check out: http://www.hasselhoff.com/blog/
I left 3/15, this article was published the next day. Coincidence? (ha j/k) So, no dancing? No mini skirts? No public hugging? I don’t know this Barbara from the AP, but I do know other journalists from the AP. Let me just say, this article needs more research. Plus I’m sick of this angle. Dubai restricts fun - oooh wow. Shocker. They should visit a real Muslim city. Now THAT would be eye opening. Coming fresh off the plane I doubt this will ever go into effect. For one, the Lebonese love to dance. Out of some 8.3 million odd expats in Dubai they’re not ALL Westerners shaking their bootie. After visiting Cairo and accidently crossing the tourist line into the local crowd, I realized just how far Dubai has evolved. While among the local Muslims in a market somewhere in Cairo I was wearing a sundress with a jacket. I just got back from Sharm (think Cancun of the Middle East). My knees were showing. Insert gasp. Nasty stare down from local women. And PLENTY of hoots and hollars from men with no teeth. I felt like a two bit whore. Standing there in a market with my ankles flapping in the wind. Never in my life (even when I was on stage in a theatre show in my bathing suit) have I felt more exposed than my calfs showing in this market. Being a crazy blonde in her twenties I have to say Dubai is very liberal for where it is. Sure you can’t have sex on the beach or do drugs in a club. But having more restrictions makes little things more fun. Honestly, being back in San Francisco its just boring knowing I can be a loud drunken mess everywhere I go. Where’s the religious police breaking up that nasty couple making out in the corner? Where are the Middle Easterners staring down the poorly dressed up party girls? And don’t get me started on WHY there are bums everywhere here?! No dancing allowed in Dubai - overall, I doubt it. But keep in mind there are other restrictions. Like no taxes in Dubai. Now that’s a rule we can all love to live with. And a rule that will help rocket the UAE GDP up with Monoco, Luxemberg and yes, the USA.
I’m not kidding, one of my Mom’s co-workers thinks you have to wear these over here. And I quote; “…we wanna be wrapped up right when we go out visiting.” It is the best joke you can play on people visiting you in the middle east. We pranked Christine & Jamie big time.
FYI wearing a head scarf is only tradition. Women did it way back when in the desert days to protect their eyes and hair from the sand. No religious ties, just tradition. Not sure why they dont just wear sunglasses… But honestly, the long black robes they wear get addicting, you can just wear pajamas all day (my life long dream) and throw a black robe over!
Josh really wants to go to the Gordon Ramsey restaurant here, but at a dinner party last night Deger said to try this. So we get to taste test several chef’s food! Yum!
Last day here and I’m going to eat my way through it. But first we are off to the mosque, kamara souk and then Taste of Dubai.
Yesterday, we were on page 12! And up top is Eyan & Kris our co-workers here at TBWA. This was for the “I am Robot” exhibit we attended to see our co-worker Raj’s robot.
Adrienne
In Arabic I’m “Adrianna”. Arabic is like a bunch of sounds sewn together. So my name, Adrienne, needs a little stop hyphen dodad like this ` to stop the a sound at the end. So I’m Adriann.
My name is French so I don’t mind the “ah” sound. In fact I think I’ll miss it. Especially when people love to yell “YO ADRIENNE” to me.
Yes, it happens all the time. And yes, I’ll act like its the first time I’ve ever heard it ;)
“Kati”
Katy is hard to say in Arabic, since it ends on an “e” sound and apparently forces people to smile. Katy’s full name, Katherine, is more Arabic. Or people say Kate.
