Observations

Everyday I learn something more about Dubai. The more I learn, the more fascinated I become and the more I realize that there are a lot of misconception about this place. Prior to coming here, I was warned by many concerned friends and families about the strict Islamic laws, the loss of personal freedom and the repression of women.

Dubai has a really strict code of conduct, and I believe most of these are derived from Islam. For instance, men and women go to school separately. In a co-ed campus, they are still segregated and the library are open at different hours for different genders. As a non-Muslim, I haven't be subjected to any Islamic laws, except for the fact that I am unable to go to the liquor store to buy a bottle of vodka to consume at home (non-Muslims can apply for a liquor license after they get their residency. Apparently it's a huge pain in the ass). As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was 'advised' that my skirt was too short. This is not so much as a 'law', it's more of a cultural standard. It's annoying, but I am going to learn to adapt (by wearing pants to work). I can still pretty much wear whatever the hell I want when I am not at work. Although if my skirt is a little too short, I feel a little self- conscious walking around in the mall (like today).

I've felt a little of the personal freedom, mostly on the Internet. Sites that are common and are used everyday by North Americans are blocked, such as OKcupid, Flickr and Skype (thankfully I have installed Skype prior to coming here, so I can still use it). This is annoying, but they are not blocking site that are essential to my survival... such as facebook. Maybe after being here for a longer period of time, I may be subjected to more loss of personal freedom. Until then, I am actually pretty okay with everything right now. I am not really sure if 'they' monitor my Internet activity. But I really have no way of finding out, until I do something really really bad and get in trouble for it.

The repression of women... that's a very interesting topic. I work at a university that is dedicated to doing nothing but to educate Emirati women. The government has poured a lot of resources into this university- most of the faculty are from foreign countries. This is extremely expensive to do (for instance, they've been putting ME in a five star hotel since I got here) since just about everything is paid for them (rent, flight, residency visa). They also have top of the line equipment and all students are assigned laptops. They do not have to pay tuition, pay fines for overdue library book or pay for printing. They go to school in a beautiful campus with lots of space. I don't believe that women are treated terribly here. Sure, they have to cover up. But there is definitely a degree of covering up. Some women wear burqas that are completely open at the front, which reveals Western clothes. Like any women from other parts of the world, women in Dubai are just as fashion conscious as any other. At the university I work at, the female students have designer shoes, purses and sunglasses. They also wear make-up, perfume and nail polish. The burqa is almost a fashion accessory, as some of them are beautifully decorated . Of course, some women come from more conservative families than others. But that's also true in North American families. Maybe the rest of the UAE is different. But on a university campus in Dubai, I don't see too much difference between the females students here then they are back home. There are many cultural differences between how men and women are treated in Dubai. But as far as I can tell, men are perfectly courteous to women- we are usually first in line, have doors open for us, etc, etc.

On a completely different topic...

I GOT TO SEE MY APARTMENT TODAY. It's the biggest apartment ever. A two bedroom apartment with a balcony. Two and a half baths. I also have an outdoor poor and jacuzzi, a gym and a sauna. Isn't it SICK? I am so terribly excited. I will need to take pictures when I move so you can all hate me.

Dubai is a very different place than back home. I don't necessary agree with all the customs and rules. For instance, there is a very strong and obvious distinction of social classes here in Dubai. The foreign workers from the non-Western countries are mostly employed as janitors, drivers, bell boys, maids and etc and are treated like servants in Dubai. While I was going to the hospital to get my medical, I got to pass a whole line of non-professional, male foreign workers. I didn't have to wait in line at all I was glad, but at the same time, this treatment is extremely unfair, and I was put off by it.

As an ex-patriate professional, I can be respectful of their culture. They are very generous in allowing me to work in their country- paying me a good salary, providing me with accommodation and giving me fabulous professional experience. I just want to make it clear that Dubai is not a scary place full of militant Muslims who are abusing their women and giving foreigners trouble. They are trying very hard to make it easy for us... although they don't always know how to do it. After all, there is a big cultural gap, and Dubai is an extremely new city (that is still being developed) with very very little infrastructure. Please come to visit me! You will have fun, I swear!

Oops, this post is a little long... Are you all still awake?