Getting the Car Washed

People here are fanatical about a clean car. Most in the office will have their cars washed every day. A car wash guy or the house maid will clean the car in the morning before they leave for work. If you don't have a car wash guy, then all of the shopping centers have guys that patrol the parking lots and will wash your car while you shop. Given the dustiness of this place - definitely a regular car wash is needed. We get ours done weekly - and sometimes by the end of the week my car can look like an abandoned vehicle at the DMV.

Just after we moved in a man came by the house and offered to wash our cars. We knew he needed the money and it was a way to help him with a little cash. At first he was coming by on Friday morning - very early before the heat of the day. He'd was our two cars and the neighbors'. He was a real sweet guy. For two years he always came. Very reliable and charged a reasonable price.

One Thursday evening in June, he was washing the cars and he disappeared. He left behind his bicycle (a precious possession) and all the car wash gear was left out. None of us saw what happened. Juliette, our neighbor, stored his bicycle in their garage and we waited for his return. Unfortunately, he's never come back. We speculate that maybe the police stopped and he was detained for not having the right visa. I'm pretty sure we'll never know. We never did know his name. He'll forever be Car Wash Guy to us.

So, the entire time that we were back in the states, the cars remained unwashed. Believe me, they accumulated a lot of dust in those 4 weeks. So, last weekend, I brought out the hose and readied myself to wash the cars. Really - you would not believe what a fuss I raised with the house men nearby. It was more than they could bear - and also an opportunity for a little extra cash. So while I was washing, the house man from across the road came over to offer to wash the car. I told him he could come once a week. But I don't think he understood.

On Wednesday, Linda told me that he had been coming by each day to wash the car - but I had forgotten to tell her that I'd made this arrangement. She had been sending him away, but finally she relented and let him was the car yesterday. This morning, the doorbell rang at 6am. When I mumbled through the intercom, "Madam - wash car" was the response. When I got downstairs, I tried to communicate that he only needed to come 1 time per week - but he wasn't really understanding. So, he called his brother to come over who spoke much better English. I tried to negotiate the same rate that we had with our previous Car Wash Guy - but no deal. He wanted 200 Dhs.

Well, I've come into the office since and consulted with the guys on my team. They tell me that 200 Dhs is too much - unless he's doing it every day. But rather than re-negotiate myself, I'm going to wait until Russell gets back and have him do it. They'll listen to him better then me. One of my team members is from Pakistan and I told him I may call him and have him speak to them in Urdu. I'm sure to get a better deal this way.

In the meantime, our cars are clean. At least for now.

Summer Ghost Town

It's normal for Dubai to feel empty in the summer. There's nothing to do here. The days are too hot and sunny. The kids go mad with boredom. You can only visit a mall so many times before you're stir crazy. So, most families will pack up and head home for a few weeks (or months).

This year, with the economic downturn, the streets are empty. Traffic jams that used to cause me 30 to 40 minutes of queing are now free-flowing without any back up. Hmmm. Partly this is because it's summer. But also, I think a lot of people are just gone. Everyone here is waiting to see what happens after Ramadan (which ends around Sept 20 this year). Will people be back?

I think it will be years until we see the peak levels that occurred sometime around Sept/Oct last year. But even to see things back to pre-summer levels would be encouraging.

Part of the reason so many people have gone is because if you lose your job here - then you lose your visa. They've extended the rules to give people about 6 months to find another job, but if you remain unemployed after that, then you have to leave. Also, if you find that you can't pay your bills while your unemployed - you go to jail. Yep - go to jail. So, people get scared if they think that they're going to miss a car payment or bounce a rent check and they just scram.

Seems a bit counterproductive to put someone in jail for bouncing a check. Doesn't really seem to help them stay on their feet for a while until they can sort something out. But that's the way it is. And I'm pretty sure once those folks leave they better stay away because they're on some sort of police list or something. I know I wouldn't chance it.

Anyway - now I've sold you on the idea of coming here. Don't worry - you're a tourist. Actually, because of the slow summer - there are great bargains everywhere. I was just reviewing this website (http://www.timeoutdubai.com/hotels/features/9569-best-summer-hotel-deals-in-dubai) for hotel deals in the city. If you've ever wanted a super luxurious holiday - now's the time to come to Dubai. We've actually taken advantage of one of these deals and we're going to the Palm Atlantis at the end of August for a last splash (literally) before school starts. About $225/night gets us a hotel room AND free entrance to their water park. Meals are not included - and I'm sure they'll try to make up for the freebies with high prices on the dinners. I'm sure we'll find a way to have some snacks/drinks in the room to help defer those costs.

Which Way Do I Go?

Only in Dubai.

I'm Back

Oh what a trip it was. As usual, a blast to be back home to see friends and family. Makes it difficult to come back here. Russell & Lyra will be back in mid-August and then school starts on August 30.



Our trip to the US started with a visit to good friends Pam & Jerry in Michigan. Their daughter, Ellia, and Lyra have been mates since they were tiny babies in China. One day, we ditched the girls and summer camp, rented scooters and headed off to tour the beautiful area around their home city, St. Joseph, MI. Russell and I both enjoyed seeing Lake Michigan on the other side. Lot of great family things to do over there if you're looking for a quick getaway.




The beaches were beautiful and the water temps great for splashing. Of course the girls got in and had a blast jumping into the waves and playing in the sand.




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Lyra enjoyed holding this lizard on her lap and Ellia bravely stood nearby.