MIG New

[The Gammons]

Hi all

Rob commented I was back, and I thought I'd comment about the trip, 'cause it was unusual.

I left in the morning from Newark, and arrived 18 hours later the next day (15 hours in the air, 2.5 waiting at London). I had business in Dubai, UAE. The UAE is very different from what you might think. It is located just above Saudi Arabia to the west, and is on the west side of the little horn projecting up. The UAE is composed of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, two tiny oil-rich states. (I think that is all there is to the UAE). 

After being in Dubai 3 times, I really think I am getting to understand them. Unlike other Moslem countries, the UAE is progressive (moreso in Dubai than Abu Dhabi). You see NO veils in Dubai. Some women even wear western garb, but ALL of them wear western garb under their traditional outfits. Since they don't secure the fronts, you see it as they walk. You also see jewlery and makeup. Scandalous! (Really, it is!)

But the most interesting things are the growth and the population. The economic growth is amazing. Each time I go, it has changed so much I don't know where I am anywhere. Makes Vegas look weak. New high quality, beautiful buildings. No concrete or glass boxes, these guys go for style. They have money, and they spend it.

Of course to have such growth, you need laborers. Well, 90% of the population is imported labor. European, American, Phillipino, Indian and Pakistani make up most, with the Indian and Pakistanis the highest percentage. Interestingly, if a child is born to imported labor, it is a citizen of the country they are from, and can NEVER be a local citizen, even if the child spends its entire life never leaving the UAE. If you ain't got local blood, you ain't never gonna be a citizen.

So it is easy to think the locals have it easy. Wrong. The Emir (King) is a tough bastard. He feels people should earn what they get. No handouts except healthcare and education. Smart dude, IMHO.

The country is almost entirely sand. But they are greening it anyway. Inland, they irrigate with well, nearer the shore it is desalinized water. Every major road is lined with trees. Every home, condos, businesses, hotels etc has grass and well landscaped grounds. It is amazing, thousands of acres of green from desert. They actually think they can change the climate if they do this enough. I find that hard to believe.

Unrest? Nope. Even the local poor don't fuss. It is much harder elsewhere, and you don't screw with the Emir. The locals tend to ignore the local traffic laws, but otherwise there is zero crime. The imported laborers are deported immediately, no trial, if even suspected of crime, and so they are very careful to be good. Pay for the same work in India is 3% as much....

Most interesting is the cultural mix. Normally, you wouldn't think such differet people would get along, but they do. And prices are good. Life for people there is comfortable, you can buy anything, and most people live a better lifestyle than the average American. But I would NEVER want to live there, I just don't feel comfortable.

Locals can have up to 4 wives, so one has to think there are plenty of men frustrated. But many marry foreigners. The kids are lower level citizens. 4 wives? These guys are tough, I can barely handle one!

Also, interestingly, maids and common laborers are cheap, so everyone middle class up has a maid and/or a nanny. Costs you like $6,000 a year full time, less for a service so why not?

Dubai is the Switzerland of the MidEast, and Abu Dhabi is more Arab, traditional. The locals are less friendly and progressive.

Business went well, and everyone seems happy. So another good trip.

Jim Gammon