Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Longing for nothing
It’s official. I found something to miss about Dubai. In a twisted bit of logic, I miss the tedium.
In Dubai, there was never a sense of missing out on anything. There were no good concerts, plays or shows of any kind, no kitchy coffeehouse hangouts, no welcoming and overstocked bookstores, no cool shopping corridors. The bar/club scene was obnoxious to the point of loathsome. Sports were the best outlet, but that’s about it. So, in lieu of all these things, you could go straight home from work and relax, secure in the knowledge that there was nothing better to do.
Here, however, there is loads to do -- lectures, independent film screenings, cycling clubs, foreign films, museums, historic sites, paddling groups, dogwalking clubs, protests to join, and on and on. If that weren’t enough, the vast majority of groups, clubs, events, museums, etc -- are practically free.
Yet and still, I go straight home after work every day, with a little nagging voice in my head reminding me of all the cool things I’m not doing.
In Dubai, there was never a sense of missing out on anything. There were no good concerts, plays or shows of any kind, no kitchy coffeehouse hangouts, no welcoming and overstocked bookstores, no cool shopping corridors. The bar/club scene was obnoxious to the point of loathsome. Sports were the best outlet, but that’s about it. So, in lieu of all these things, you could go straight home from work and relax, secure in the knowledge that there was nothing better to do.
Here, however, there is loads to do -- lectures, independent film screenings, cycling clubs, foreign films, museums, historic sites, paddling groups, dogwalking clubs, protests to join, and on and on. If that weren’t enough, the vast majority of groups, clubs, events, museums, etc -- are practically free.
Yet and still, I go straight home after work every day, with a little nagging voice in my head reminding me of all the cool things I’m not doing.
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Ah, but the coolest thing you are doing is raising your son! And spending time with him. Never forget that.
You've got years to get him out into the culture of that city. For now, enjoy him as a baby. They'll grow up fast, ya know!
-lea
You've got years to get him out into the culture of that city. For now, enjoy him as a baby. They'll grow up fast, ya know!
-lea
# posted by 
: 5:23 PM
: 5:23 PM
I know what you mean.
We're now living in Melbourne which calls itself the cultural capital of Australia. We, more often than not, just head home.
After living in Dubai, it's a sensory overload - so much to do, so little time, and choices, choices, choices.
So many choices that we come to a standstill and stay home. Hopefully the confusion in our heads will soon be replaced by the ability to make some decisions to get out there and embrace what's on offer!
All the best in Washington. It was a pleasure to meet you in Dubai - albeit briefly one night, as we gathered in Mashawi in Ibn Battuta. If we ever get back to Washington, we'll look you up!
We're now living in Melbourne which calls itself the cultural capital of Australia. We, more often than not, just head home.
After living in Dubai, it's a sensory overload - so much to do, so little time, and choices, choices, choices.
So many choices that we come to a standstill and stay home. Hopefully the confusion in our heads will soon be replaced by the ability to make some decisions to get out there and embrace what's on offer!
All the best in Washington. It was a pleasure to meet you in Dubai - albeit briefly one night, as we gathered in Mashawi in Ibn Battuta. If we ever get back to Washington, we'll look you up!
I do remember you of course! So what took you to Melbourne? something interesting I hope.
Funny, the only I miss about Dubai now is the fodder it gave me for this blog...
Hope you are well.
Funny, the only I miss about Dubai now is the fodder it gave me for this blog...
Hope you are well.
Very well, thanks!
A job for me is what took us to Melbourne, after Dubai also turned sour for us. Apart from the hideous rents and high living costs, the primary reason for leaving was nothing to do with Dubai, it was job-related in our previous company.
Yeah - our blog is also suffering from a lack of anything interesting to say!
A job for me is what took us to Melbourne, after Dubai also turned sour for us. Apart from the hideous rents and high living costs, the primary reason for leaving was nothing to do with Dubai, it was job-related in our previous company.
Yeah - our blog is also suffering from a lack of anything interesting to say!
I hope you will find the sense of community and 'home' at your new location that you were missing in Dubai. (I am one of your neighbors)It takes just as much effort to make friends here as it does overseas, but worth the work. You will find, if yo have not already, several world travellers in your neighborhood. And you are right about there being soo much to do; one of the most interesting (I have found)being to get involved in local politics. Make friends and influence people at the same time! Thank you for your blog.
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# posted by : 9:43 PM
: 9:43 PM << Home
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