Ignorance, I found, is one of the biggest causes of fear. \u00a0Many Americans think of the Middle East as a desert filled with American-hating Muslims where women are treated as second-class citizens. \u00a0I have to admit that before my husband applied for the position in Dubai (He teaches English Literature at an Emirati university.) I shared some of these misconceptions. \u00a0Once I did some research, however, I realized that the public perception was wrong. \u00a0The internet is an excellent tool for such research. \u00a0I found several websites with information and pictures of the UAE, Dubai in particular. \u00a0I encouraged my family and friends to visit these websites and sent my mother a packet of information on Dubai. \u00a0Everything I read promised that Dubai was a beautiful, cosmopolitan, welcoming city. \u00a0All of this is true.<\/p>\n
Dubai is the perfect mix of old and new, with modern buildings rising over ancient forts, a number of traditional souks, and many beautiful mosques. \u00a0The city is green year-round with carefully landscaped parks and public areas. \u00a0Within fifteen minutes I can be lying on the beach\u2014the Arabian Gulf\u2014or driving through the desert where camels graze by the road. \u00a0Anything you need or want can be found in the numerous shopping malls, supermarkets, furniture stores and souks\u2014Kellogg\u2019s corn flakes, the latest Beck CD, Levis 501s, Pashmina shawls, Sony laptops, Pampers. \u00a0The diverse population is friendly, especially to children. \u00a0The parks, beaches, play centers and festivals make children a serious priority, affirming the importance of family in Arabic culture.<\/p>\n
Dubai is said to be the most tolerant city in the Middle East. \u00a0In the UAE, unlike some other Arabic countries such as Saudi Arabia, women can drive, ride bicycles, and wear whatever clothing they choose. \u00a0It\u2019s sometimes easy to forget that we\u2019re living in a foreign country. \u00a0English is spoken everywhere and signs, menus, and instructions appear in both Arabic and English. \u00a0At the same time, walking through the souks, or down the streets of Al Satwa, one hears the diverse lilts of Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, Farsi, Tagalog and Malayalam. \u00a0I had originally intended to learn Arabic, but have now abandoned the idea.<\/p>\n
English is spoken virtually everywhere. \u00a0In places where no one speaks English, a few key words and gestures almost always work. \u00a0I have ordered my dinner in Tokyo by taking the waitress out front and pointing at a plastic model in the restaurant window. \u00a0My husband successfully directed the taxi driver to the American air base near our apartment in Korea by making an airplane with his hand (with accompanying noises). \u00a0Living in Dubai is much easier than the Far East. \u00a0Compared to Korea, Dubai is incredibly Western and accommodating. The city encourages tourism and is set up for maximum enjoyment.<\/p>\n
Although Dubai is fairly liberal, it still adheres to Islamic tradition. \u00a0During the month-long Ramadan, adults are not allowed to eat or drink in public during sunlight hours. \u00a0Children are excused, but friends have received disapproving stares for feeding their children in parks or shopping malls during the day. \u00a0Another custom regards alcohol. \u00a0A liquor license is required to purchase alcohol for home consumption. \u00a0Only non-Muslims can receive such a card.<\/p>\n
Restaurants and bars in hotels and certain clubs are allowed to serve alcohol, so these are popular spots for both tourists and locals. \u00a0Alcohol, like pork, is haram\u2014forbidden\u2014for Muslims.<\/p>\n
The government also controls video, DVD, CD, and book distribution. \u00a0Some movies and CDs will never make it through to Dubai consumers, while others will be censored. \u00a0We handle this somewhat limited selection by ordering from Amazon. \u00a0We place a large order and pay extra for International Express Mail. \u00a0Within a week the UPS man delivers right to our door. \u00a0This seems to be the quickest and easiest way to get through Customs. \u00a0Since DVDs and CDs are more expensive here, it\u2019s also cheaper.<\/p>\n
Successfully sending and receiving standard mail in the UAE has been a dubious process. \u00a0I mailed Christmas cards at the end of November that no one has received. \u00a0This laid-back attitude toward time drapes itself over the UAE. \u00a0This is true of many places outside of North America. \u00a0Getting things done by a certain time is just not as important as it is back home. \u00a0It can take some getting used to. \u00a0When we first moved in, I always seemed to be waiting around the apartment. \u00a0The carpet-installers, who were scheduled for 11:00 AM, arrived at 12:30, my daughter\u2019s naptime. \u00a0The internet-jack-installers arrived at 9:00 AM instead of 9:45, and I was still in my pajamas. \u00a0Our custom-made curtains were ready a week late, and they were the wrong size. \u00a0I handled these problems by convincing myself that they\u2019re mild annoyances which simply won\u2019t matter next week, next month, next year.<\/p>\n
Excerpted and adapted from \u201c<\/i><\/b>Living Abroad with Children: It\u2019s Easier Than You Think!\u201d <\/i><\/b>by Maura Madigan in Escape From America Magazine, Issue 22.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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