Dubai 2010

The first impression of a city/country usually is the most important and long lasting feeling. That warm feeling you get when you like a city is not only defined by the monuments, buildings, food, smell  but also with whom you are with and who you meet along the way.

I would like to share with you what I felt during the first 24 hours in Dubai.

Dubai`s airport is the cleanest airport I have ever seen. Not only that it is also one of the most organized for example: catching a taxi to the hotel  is an adventure as there are normal taxis and lady taxies. Yes lady taxis, what an invention! The person behind the wheel is a women and she can only take families or other women. Her taxi is different from all the others as it is pink and smells like an artificial strawberry.

At the hotel hospitality was overwhelming a clear characteristic of the national culture for example the butler who came with a glass of pineapple juice to welcome us at 3am!!This customer orientated treatment is something that I believe Europe has lost over the years. The more one walks around the city specially the souks (markets) the more one realizes that this place is as or even more consumer orientated than the USA. I really feel that Capitalism thrives and drives this society. It is all about having the latest gadget, the best car, the newest watch, the nicest perfume and as a result shops and commerce are exceptionally good at selling. In the States one finds a huge multicultural reception of people all chasing the “American dream”, Dubai is not that different. There are people form all around the world all looking for a better life from the east to the west. This city is like not other in the world. Initially one does get the impression that with the huge exotic buildings that everyone is living the life. However after going out to the Marina I had the pleasure to talk to a local taxi driver who set my expectations to a more realistic picture. He actually has lived in Dubai for 24 years, came from Bangladesh and works 5pm to 5am every day. He does not own a taxi, as the government controls and owns all the great fancy taxis. My friend actually only receives about 1/4 of what the taxi receives. His salary is 3600 AED just under a €1000 a month. His reality is that he shares a house with 6 people, he sleeps on a double bench bed for the price of 300 AED a month. He explained how the prices have increased phenomenally during the last few years, how all the buildings popped up. His impression of the city is that it is now empty as all the people who chased fortune in Dubai realized that the city actually is very expensive and most of apartment blocks are not full. He believes that Dubai is heading for a huge crisis. In contrast, I went to the largest mall in Dubai: the Dubai Mall (next to the Burj Kalifa) where there is a huge aquarium in the middle, with a zoo, ice skating ring, cinema, ponds, water fountains which make the Bellagio look small. This shopping centre has a entire fashion floor where money is not an issue as I saw a couple of ladies spend over €4000 together and had their own maid carry the bags. The walked to the door where their white and shinning Rolls' Royce was waiting. What a big contrast.

Of course we visited all of the tourist attractions which make Dubai famous but in a single sentence this is what I thought of Dubai: Where the west meets the east, making it the most glamour city I have ever  visited, where all of the following adjectives make sense: biggest, most, highest, brightest, nicest, hottest, cleanest, latest…

… A Glance into Racial Diversity in Cinema …

Have you ever wanted to be that guy who has so much passion about something that he gives up everything to get there and just never had enough courage to take that leap of faith to make it?!

Well this entry is dedicated to a couple of Italian friends of mine who had the courage to do exactly that … Here is their breakthrough: a short film which shows the fear of the difference amongst humans. This is a delicate subject which affects political and social life around the world but particularly sensitive in Italy.

Take a few minutes to see this prize winning short film.

Thanks Cesare. Keep up the good work.

Tips for you when flights are cancelled

I have travelled around the world and I thought I would share some thoughs based on my experience of what to do when things don’t go according to plan.

I would like to say that my heart goes out to every traveller who is trapped due to no fault of his own. But remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Make the most of every hour you have. Even if you are stuck in an airport you can still have fun and remember those pain full hours as another story to tell when you get home.

Recently I was trapped in Scotland, Edinburgh for a few days due to bad weather. This was not what was planned but one always learns a few new things every time you travel. Please note that these tips and tricks are personal and my view on how to deal with the situation. I want to share this with you as some people just don’t know what to do. I hope that this helps.

TIP#1 - Be prepared for the unexpected.

TIP#2 – Phoning is also an option.

TIP#3 – Don’t get angry.

TIP#4 – Ask the right questions.

TIP#5 – Talk to people.

TIP#6 – Ask the right people

TIP#7 – Be connected.

TIP#8 – Make the right friends.

TIP#9 – One step at a time. Worry about today not on what if scenarios.

(leave a comment/idea at the bottom if you have other tips)

TIP#1 - Be prepared for the unexpected. Most people don't think of taking small laptops with them on holiday, however if things go south, guess what it is really nice to be able to search online for alternatives. That extra kilo actually isn't that bad. For less than 300 euros you can get a small laptop. Use the laptop to charge your phone/camera and store your photos too.

TIP#2 – Phoning is also an option. When that flight is cancelled most people head directly to the service desk of that airline. This is a good practice however if you are in a rush, pick up your phone and make the call to the service desk. Both people have the same information and you potentially jump ahead of the queue.

TIP#3 – Don’t get angry. If you find yourself frustrated, don’t yell or loose your calm. It turns out that the people behind the desk are not to blame, if you are nice to them, they will be inclined to spend that extra time finding you the best solution for you. Take a second and think how you would feel if you had to deal with 300 angry people. You want to really help the few which come up to the desk and say: Hi, how are you doing today? Looks like you have a tough day ahead. I will try to make your life easy… This will get you along way.

TIP#4 – Ask the right questions. When you are frustrated it is always easy to forget to ask the right questions. Whatever the case always remember to ask for the following:

- What are my alternatives?

- Where is the best place to get a cup of coffee/meal? (this is always a good question, it breaks the ice between you and the guy behind the desk)

- If I need to stay in a hotel where is the best place to find a cheap place.

- What kinds of public transport exist to the city centre.

- Does the airline cover anything? *sometimes you get free lodging and transport.

- Ask how to claim expenses back.

- Get the airline service number so you can phone in. Also get the airport front desk information.

TIP#5 – Talk to people. The best way to spend an afternoon in a queue is to talk to the person behind or in front of you. Everyone hates waiting, but it never seems that bad when you listen to how everyone's story. Knowing that the guy behind you is in a worst position than you makes you feel better. Knowing that he is listening to you if you are in a worst situation than him… makes you feel better. Start by saying: where were you going? How long have you been here for…. That is all it takes and you will be surprise on how friendly people are in crisis situations. If you consider your flight is cancelled potentially is a crisis.

TIP#6 – Ask the right people. Sometimes it is hard to know your best option if you are abroad. Take the time to ask the locals. If there is a local near you ask him for advice. Go to the airport information desk, the service desk, the bus ticket man. It is always a good idea to get more than one option.

TIP#7 – Be connected. Most airports/train stations have internet available, if you pay it is still cheaper than phoning on your mobile phone. If you have to leave the premises go to a hotel/hostel with net. Some bars/restaurants have free internet. Use it. If your flight is cancelled to weather, you have to get out of that city as soon as possible, look at flights in cities near by. Trains are not disrupted as easy as flights. Don’t forget to get train information. Every big city also has intercity bus trips. Ask for that. Airlines are always more than willing to get you out of the city with bad weather. It gives them more room and more options. Internet is always good here. I like surfing online for multiple airline companies. Don’t just stay with yours ask for other options. There are always low cost flights available. If you think about it they are going to be cheaper than a hotel room.

TIP#8 – Make the right friends. If your plans are destroyed, and you need to get a taxi, make sure that you get that guys number. Talk to him on the trip, it is always nice to be able to call for a taxi. If he likes you and he cant make it he will make sure that one of his buddies picks you up. Saves you waiting those extra cold hours in the taxi queue or bus station. Ask about pricing of what is reasonable and not (all taxi drivers know bus/train ticket prices off by heart).

TIP#9 – One step at a time. Worry about today not on what if scenarios. It is a common mistake to start thinking about tomorrow, the day after, or what if scenarios. Take a deep breath worry about the next thing and then make your plans. Don’t spend hours worrying about the plan. Take a decision and stick with it. Make the most of it. Step by Step you will get to your destination. The world is not going to end. Phone the people you have to, but don’t panic. Worry about what you will do next. Do not solve all your future problems which may or may not come to pass.

 

To conclude I would like to tell you my story in Edinburgh. The snow arrived early in the year and my flight was cancelled 3 times. I had to spend 3 extra nights in Edinburgh before I travelled to Glasgow and flew back to Amsterdam.

Most people say what did you do and why are you so happy? Well even though it was a challenge to spend so many hours in airports, waiting, phoning, finding places to stay, drinking cup of coffee after cup of coffee this is what I learnt:

Everyone has a story. I meet the most amazing people…

A professional chef who left the states to come to the Netherlands. He told me his life story and mine pails in comparison. He fell in love with a Dutch lady and is happy as ever. Never expected that his life would turn out like this.

A couple of guys who were E-learning trade show sells men. They wanted to sell the concept of E-learning. Told me several interesting approaches. Their family who too was across the world in the States, Scotland, and Singapore. They had travelled around the world and had the most amazing stories to tell. Of course they had heard of MATLAB but Wolfram was the first company which came to their mind:(

The taxi driver who told me his life story and how he started his own business. How he travelled to Jamaica and Australia and these trips changed his life. How he prepared for his job interviews and how he got to where is is today. How much he liked Australia and tips and tricks for me to do/go when I am over there.

The ladies at the hotel/hostel who all had an amazing smile and story, coming from Romania, Hungary, Scotland, Mumbai and Russia. The guys in the coffee shops who told me how they go started. The lady behind the souvenir shop you had just got back from a trip to Kosovo and her impressions as she works on her final thesis about morals over the years.

I most likely will never see these people again but they truly made my trip worth while. Thank you. This are the things that I wish to remember and not being trapped in Edinburgh for an extra 3 nights with nothing to but wait for the weather to lift!