Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dubai

Cheapest method to send $30k to Dubai UAE?

lupefiasco — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:51:43 -0800

Simple question: what is the cheapest method to send $30k from the USA to Dubai, UAE? Any advice or experience is greatly appreciated! Options I have considered are - Paypal - Western Union - Moneybookers

Does Dubai broadcast the Super Bowl?

jwfree — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:06:24 -0800

Is the Super Bowl shown in Dubai? I will be traveling to Dubai tomorrow and being the crazed American sports fan I am, I have never missed a Super Bowl. Anyone know if this will be shown there? Granted it would be early morning there.

Where to go from Dubai?

williamms — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:24:20 -0800

Where to go from Dubai? I'm going to Dubai in April with my Executive MBA program. I've read great posts on Dubai, but what would be the best place to go after for 4-5 days without breaking the bank. Sri Lanka? Cairo? I love history and sightseeing and likely won't get another opportunity for extensive global travel for some time. Basically, what's the best use of our time in this part of the world? Flying directly from Houston, so connecting cities are out.

What is the economic success of Dubai attributed to?

idyllhands — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:45:33 -0800

I read the Wikipedia article on Dubai itself, but am still confused as to exactly how businesses such as a hotel located in the country can afford to do things like put on a larger fireworks show than the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

A friend of mine with Republican/Libertarian leanings told me they do not charge any form of taxes and that is why business has boomed there, but I am a bit dubious about this answer.

I know they use a lot of borderline slave labor to build, but there has to be more than that too.

Help me learn about man-made land

Xalf — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:58:54 -0800

I'm looking for books on how engineers turn water into land. For instance, big parts of Boston and Chicago are built on landfill and Dubai is creating some seriously crazy islands. I'm looking for a book that takes a general approach to discussing how this is done.

UAE taxation

Mossy — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 05:54:41 -0800

Moving to the UAE from the UK, tax query (bonuses) So, I've been offered a move to the UAE next year from my current job in London. Does the tax exemption kick in the moment I get there? I'm due a 50% bonus in April, if I move before payment, will this be tax free too? Do expats get paid in Dirhams or Pounds? Thanks for your help!

Dayspas in Dubai

padraigin — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:36:00 -0800

Point me (rather, my sister) to the best day spas in Dubai My younger sister is a Naval officer who is currently deployed. They'll be visiting Dubai soon and she is jonesing for some spa time--massage, a decent haircut, etc. Any suggestions of where to start would be appreciated.

Tanning beds a plus: Sis is feeling pretty pasty after a couple of months of being confined to an aircraft carrier and is willing to accept the risks.

Free wifi in Dubai

forwebsites — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:44:58 -0800

Need free wifi in Dubai (or paid fast broadband access max upto 5 Dirhams/hour). Also any advice on job-search in IT or related fields ? Hello mefites,
I am in Dubai for a month on a v. low budget and need free wifi access to help me in my job search here.

I am located in Bur Dubai, but willing to take a bus to Deira or nearby places so that I have good access. Also it would be good to have a list of all wifi hotspots in Dubai as quite often I will be traveling for interviews etc.

The cybercafes near my place here (Mina mkt - Dubai museum) charge anywhere between 2-3 Dhs/hour, but the quality is so crappy that even after spending hours I can hardly get any work done. If there are no free wifis around I am willing to pay say upto 5 Dhs/hour for a good connection provided I know where it is available. There are a few cafes but all in the range of 10-15 Dhs/hour which is too costly for my purse.

Also, any of you have ideas/tips on how to structure or approach my job-search here in Dubai/GCC? My strategy for now is going through personal contacts and updating resume on online job sites like bayt.com, jobsindubai.com, nadia-me.com etc.. Ideas on how to make it more effective are most welcome.

While I am at it, who knows which future employer might be reading this..here's my short profile:
BE(Comp) graduate, 7 1/2 years in core software development experience in top-notch MNC companies in India (2 yrs in USA), currently employed in blue-chip American company in Bglore for last 5 years, encompassing all SDLC phases like analysis/design, architecting, coding, post-implementation support, documentation, etc..in individual/lead roles. If you or anyone in yr network is looking for a smart graduate in IT or associated roles like sales, mktg etc..please write to me at forwebsites AT gmail dot com for more details.

Thanks.

Things to do in Dubai when you're pregnant.

kuperman — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:07:09 -0800

Going to Dubai with a bun in the oven... My wife and I are finally going on our honeymoon - half a world away, to Dubai. We'd planned this for a while, with dreams of dune bashing, indoor skiing, and other ridiculous pursuits one can only really appreciate in the Emirates. But it appears we'll be bringing along another - by the time we get to Dubai in December, my wife will be almost three months pregnant.

What are some good early-pregnant-friendly things to do in Dubai that we might enjoy? Obviously the bars/clubs are out, and I'm not sure what desert adventures would really be practical. We'd like to see cool things but not totally break the budget (no, we're not staying at Burj-al-Arab, but thanks for asking). Our hotel is near the Deira City Center, so for the most part we'd like to stick around Deira, Dubai City, some of the creek areas, etc. We're definitely keen on checking out the Souks and other interesting shopping stuff. Reasonably-priced but intruiging dining is definitely on the agenda. Also, my wife (native Iranian) speaks fluent Farsi (and also a decent amount of Arabic), so anything that would be Persian-themed would certainly be a plus, since we certainly don't get that much in south Louisiana.

For what it's worth, this is our first pregnancy, so we're still getting used to a lot of the "do's" and "don'ts" - and finding out there's a whole lot of "don'ts."

If you've been there, please be sure to give us as much first-hand experience as possible! Thanks!

Stuck like an Egyptian

miss lynnster — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:13:40 -0800

A dear friend of mine desperately wants to improve his life and follow his dreams. I live in a far freer country so I'm unsure of exactly how best to show him support sometimes. I want to tell him not to give up hope and to work hard towards his goals, that it's the only way they'll happen. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I'm just being an overly optimistic American, though. I want to help him in any way I can, but we take for granted the possibilities we have here. Things are far different in his country than in mine and I know that. So I feel a bit useless as support. Insights, please... This friend is a very intelligent, upper middle class Egyptian man... very, very westernized with excellent english skills. His one dream has always been to travel the world, so he trained to be a flight attendant years ago but wasn't hired due to poor vision. He has a good job in travel now, but desperately dreams of getting a job in Dubai, Europe, or America and leaving Egypt. He's just too westernized to feel comfortable remaining in Egypt, he wants to acheive more for himself. He want a new life, and he deserves that chance as much as anyone I know.

Problem is, since 9/11 it is apparently nearly impossible for an Egyptian man to be approved for a foreign visa unless wealthy. It's far easier for women -- all of my female Egyptian friends travel and both his mother and sister travel for work regularly without problem. Meanwhile, he takes them to the airport and picks them up but stays in Egypt. It's heartbreaking. He's even bought plane tickets to visit British friends in the past and had to get the tickets refunded when his visa was denied (although they kept his $130 application fee). They basically implied that he didn't have enough money in the bank.

I did try helping him by writing him a new CV (resume) and he tells me he's sending it to people in Dubai and elsewhere, but I'm not sure he knows the best way to go about getting an actual job outside of Egypt since he's never tried before. How should he really go about getting hired by someone? Is it even likely? Am I just going to witness his dreams shatter forever as time passes? Is he truly destined to be trapped in his homeland & never leave?

It's really hard for me to believe that... we Americans just aren't used to accepting that something is impossible.

Honestly, he's such a good person with so much potential and such a solid head on his shoulders... but he sees his future as hopeless in his home country. I can't argue with him, either. There just isn't much opportunity for success there. He has so much to offer the world... he's an incredibly smart guy and a very hard worker. He deserves to be able to pursue his dreams and to earn a better life for himself. So I want to tell him to never give up, but what should I really be saying? Is there any good advice that would work? Any good, realistic gameplan for someone in his place? Do you know of anyone who's been in a similar situation and successfully left Egypt (or a similarly repressed country) as an adult? Have you?

And if there IS no chance of this actually working out for him, should I just continue my silly pep talks? I do a lot of listening, but I don't want to give him false hope. I just want to be the best and most supportive friend I can possibly be.

And no, I'm not marrying him. No fiancé visas are in my future. No no no no no.

Going to dubai. What do I need to know?

filmgeek — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:33:51 -0800

Dubai. I'm headed to dubai for work (for about two weeks) in the very near future for work. What do I need to know? While I'm told it's very westernized, what sort of general tips do I need to know about Dubai?

Any major Faux Pas to avoid? How widely spread is english? What key arabic phrases should I know? Crime a major issue?

I'm not a shopper of 'gold' or much of a shopper in general. What do I absolutely, positively need to see?

I have taken a look at travelwiki and wikipedia; it's the knowledge of people who've been there that I'm interested in.

Where in the world should I buy a camera?

MrC — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:14:52 -0800

Where is the cheapest place to buy a digital camera? Ebay, London, Dubai, Qatar, or Bangkok I want to buy a Canon EOS 20D, and will be travelling to all of the above in the coming month, I've tried searching online for camera prices but can only find them for London/Ebay. Assuming I don't have to pay VAT (I'm not resident in any of the places listed), where would I get the best deal?

How to prove that jobsindubai.com are scam artisits?

itchychin — Mon, 01 May 2006 12:33:01 -0800

A friend, who is looking for a job in Dubai, appears to have been duped by a rogue company called jobsindubai.com which is based out of Canada. I have been scouring the net but the closest I got was an interview at http://grapeshisha.blogspot.com/2006/03/jobsindubai-and-jobs-in-dubai.html Is there any way I can prove that the company is acting irresponsibly or indeed that it is duping everyone? My friend hasn't got his money back and it has been 6 months since he submitted it. They wont reply to any of his emails or calls. And although it is relatively little, I was wondering how a company can get away with something like this.

Lookin' for work in Dubai

onalark — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 21:09:24 -0800

Looking for a job in Dubai (for a friend). Does anybody know of any good companies with operations in Dubai or Qatar for internship or full-time work in public relations (or marketing, investor relations, event management etc...) Any helpful advice on looking for or applying for jobs in the Middle East are much appreciated.

UAE firewall circumvention

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 13:09:10 -0800

I had heard that there was a pretty harsh proxy firewall set up for the United Arab Emirates... but I largely ignored it as I didn't plan or needing warez, pornography, or dissident views. I'm here now, and an absolutely astounding amount of (non-prurient, non-dangerous) things are blocked. Is there a workaround? ...the straw that broke the camel's back was when I found out Flikr was blocked. That's just overkill.

I've googled as much as I can (actually not all that much--given that I'm limited by the very problem I'm trying to overome) and what I can find (suggesting using translation services, etc) is outdated and won't seem to work. Won't you help me circumvent this... and help fight the good fight?

Stuck in Dubai, could use some help

allen.spaulding — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 02:03:19 -0800

Visa problem, could use some help So I'm travelling and got myself stuck in Dubai. It's my own fault, I failed to get a visa to enter India, which I knew I needed, but assumed that like other countries (ie Turkey) you could handle that either at the airport from where you are departing, or when you arrive.

So I checked into a cheap hotel and have two days until the Indian embassy here opens. My question is whether or not they will grant me (American citizen living in England) a travel visa, or if they will only do so for a UAE citizen or Indian citizen. If so, I'll need to head back to England (I have a visa there so I should be able to demonstrate residency) to get it and postpone my trip. Also, if anyone is around Dubai, I'm bored as hell in this bizzare city that makes Las Vegas seem natural.

Working in Dubai

Capn — Mon, 02 May 2005 10:24:27 -0800

Does anyone have any experiences they'd like to share about working in Dubai, especially in the tech industry? There are a few websites out there, but they are mostly recruiting firms, and therefore paint naught but the rosiest of pictures.

Does anyone have any information for a westerner (Canadian) about finding a job there, actual on the ground living, social and working conditions? (asking for a friend).

Travel questions: Flights & layovers

brownpau — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 10:25:28 -0800

I have a fourfold question regarding an upcoming trip from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Manila (MNL) via six-hour layovers at New York (JFK) and Dubai (DXB). I'm flying Independence Air IAD-JFK, and Emirates JFK-DXB-MNL, and I'd like to know about the possibilities in the air and at each stop. More. Inside. (1) I'll be checking-in at Dulles, flying domestic to JFK, then checking-in again for Emirates. I'll have six hours of a Thursday evening. Can a man check-in his heavy luggage early at the Emirates counter, then rush downtown (to the vicinity of Broadway and Franklin Street) by subway to surprise his loved one with some flowers, and make it back to JFK in time for his flight? If not, is there free wi-fi anywhere in JFK?

(2) On arrival at Dubai Airport, I will again have six evening hours to burn waiting for the connecting flight to Manila. Is this enough time to leave the airport and see any of Dubai by night, or is that stupid talk? Is there a bus tour or something? If not, again, is there free wi-fi anywhere in DXB?

(3) I'll be flying in an Emirates Airbus A340-500 for the JFK-DXB leg, and an Airbus A330-200 for DXB-MNL. I've heard wonderful things about on-board in-seat passenger entertainment on the Emirates A340-500s. Games. Movies. Bollywood. Are the things I've heard true, and if so, are they free, or do I have to pay extra by swiping a card?

(4) I've heard nothing at all about any such amenities on their A330s, but I hold out some hope. Is there entertainment? If not, is the seating at least as comfortable as on the A340?

(Oh, by the way, I no longer have to bring a Virginia Ham with me; another relative has taken care of that for me. Woo.)

Living in Dubai

jasondigitized — Mon, 21 Jun 2004 05:08:09 -0800

A friend of mine from Madrid, who has been living in the States for 10 years, has been offered a promotion / transfer to Dubai UAE. Anyone lived in Dubai, know someone who has lived there, or have any interesting anecdotes to share??? Any info / leads / advice would be greatly appreciated.