HelloDubai

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.