Three Things, Four

There are three things I will miss the most when I return to my real life; four things that will make my heart long for the UAE. 

1.  taxi rides
2.  dry cleaning
3.  doormen
4.  the view

I know what you are thinking. All of these things can be found in any major city in the U.S. The difference here in the UAE is the cost. 

Taxi rides are so cheap that I use them like personal chauffeurs. I have the mobile numbers of three drivers that I can call at any time to ferry me about Fujairah or to any of the other emirates if I am so inclined. I (along with my carpool companions) am picked up at my hotel/apartment every morning and chauffeured to work; the same driver reports to my school in the afternoon to take me (and my companions) back home. The roundtrip cost, including tip, is 10 dirhams (about $2.73). If I do not want to carpool, I would only pay 20 dirhams roundtrip (or, about $5.46). You recognize this is cheaper than the CTA. 

Moreover, to travel by taxi to the capital and largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, the cost is approximately AED 450 (or about $122). One can get to Abu Dhabi by motor coach for just AED 50 (or about $14), but the ride is nearly five hours. The taxi ride takes just under three hours, and is far more comfortable. 

If I feel like shopping or the big city life, I can taxi to Dubai in just under an hour for about AED 162 (about $45). To travel to Dubai from Fujairah is sort of like the time it takes to get to Michigan Avenue in Chicago from one of the farther suburbs on a heavy traffic route; except, there is no traffic when traveling on the highways of the UAE. However, once you get to Abu Dhabi or Dubai (especially), traffic can be monstrous. 

Dry cleaning is cheap. I can have 20 items cleaned for about 120 dirhams (about $32). The second best thing about dry cleaning is that I don't have to iron my clothes. My clothes, including my workout pants, slacks, and shorts, arrive pressed and on hangers (ok, that's just like home, but you get the point - the cost allows me to use dry cleaning service exclusively to clean my clothes). The third best thing about my particular dry cleaner is that he provides pick up and delivery service! I don't know if I can return to laundering. Still, I suppose I will have to once I return home. Woe is me. 

Doormen are a luxury here just as they are in the U.S. Because I live in a hotel, I am able to enjoy this service daily. There is always a familiar face to greet me in the morning when I leave, and in the afternoon when I return from work. The doormen provide a wonderful sense of safety, and I like that there are several people at my address who know me by name. 

What I absolutely love the most about the doormen is that I never have to carry anything. This is particularly valuable after grocery shopping. I just taxi to the (Target/Wal Mart style) grocery store at the very nearby mall. When I finish shopping, a clerk will bring my bags to the taxi stand, and load them into a waiting cab. I, then, taxi back to my hotel/apartment where a doorman will immediately open the door, and deftly retrieve my groceries from the taxi and deliver them to my room via the service elevator as I saunter through the lobby to take the guest elevators to meet the doorman just as he arrives at my door. This is the life. Sigh. 

The view. I simply could not afford such a sight in Chicago. While I appreciate my own home, if I was to purchase another place, I would make sure to buy something across from a park or on a very high floor. My number one priority in purchasing would be a place where nothing obstructs the view from my windows. 

This desk is where I do all of my writing (and Korean drama viewing).
Originally, the desk was in the bedroom. I moved it to this window so that
I could enjoy the view (just behind the curtains). 

Early morning. Just after sunrise. The sky is spectacular.

Night view obviously. My camera phone could not, in any way,
capture the amazing sight of the moon. Still, I took
the photo anyway - just to commemorate the moment. The darkness beyond is the Arabian Gulf. At night, I can see the lights of the oil tankers lined up to retrieve their precious cargo to transport to points west.