Sandstorm and sheesha

The most unexpected thing happened to me recently. While I was enjoying the weekend at the Dubai Marina with my friend, both of us being mesmerised by the surroundings, came the actual sand storm! All of a sudden, the air from the distance went dusty and the cloud of sand was heading towards us! We've vacated the area straightforwardly as, I have to admit, the huge cloud of dust scared the hell out of me. At that stage, we've decided to hide so we opted for a taxi without second thoughts. As we alighted at the beach we quickly found exactly what we were looking for: sheesha place! Making ourselves cozy in the interiors, we waited for the storm to end and when the air cleared out, off we went. Having this sheesha by the shore made me feel really enthusiastic and relaxed about my dwelling in the Middle East. And although the sandstorms in Dubai are not that common at this time of the year, I managed to score one in a month of being here. All in all, all-pervading sand covered my sunnies, my camera and my loose hair - not so very nice experience. Below are the actual photos of the storm, no filters, no photoshop (actually I don't owe one). Enjoy and beware of the sand storms!

First destinations revealed

Few days ago, new roster - the long awaited misterious journey plan for all of those working as full time travellers, was revealed. Nothing extraordinary, one may think, apart from the anxiety accompanying the majority of Cabin Crew who had been constantly monitoring the rooster for any changes long before these were to occur. It wasn't long after I came to Dubai to start the intense yet so beneficial training to be a flying attendant than I realised that the first destinations I will be flying to are: Delhi and Rome. Keeping an eye on my peers' reactions I started to think that there must be something wrong with me as I wasn't showing any of the reactions frequently occurring around me, such as flushed cheeks, piercing screaming and omnipresent jolt. Not that I despise any of the above mentioned signs of joy, it is just that my reaction or the lack of it got me into inquiring. Putting all the freakish possible explanations aside, thanks to one of the best people on earth I realised that, all in all, I knew that I was going to be flying at some point, right? I was kind of ready for it long time ago. Everybody is so unique and I am internalising this truth every single day, especially here in Dubai being exposed to zillion different cultures on a daily basis. Now, when I think of the fact that in less than a month I am having my first flights and of course of the foods I am most probably going to try in my new destinations I am a little bit thrilled but I think most people couldn't tell judging from my outer layers. It is just my nature being intrinsic, you see. And to remind you of the beautiful weather in Dubai you can check the night forecast above! Have a great weekend beautiful people!

Postcards - yay or nay?

Sending postcards seem so remote and ancient a notion nowadays that I even had to wonder for a moment before deciding where to obtain them. Nonetheless, I've decided to honour my dearest friends and family with these; you are welcome for the spoiler. I was searching for the postcards in one of the most interesting and at the same time extremely quaint and unbearably hot spots in Dubai like the Creek. I know, it seems that the Creek is the only place I frequent but believe me, it's not. There is just something outlandish about this Creek, an odd place as it is, that makes me coming back again and again. Sadly though, the postcards there, however cheap they might be, did not meet my requirements as they were covered in dust all over. Vintage effect? Well... All in all, I ended up purchasing some pieces from a retail chain. I am happy with my purchase and literally cannot wait to fill them out, which would be the surprise fact for my beloved ones. Now, it's time to take a sunbath, shall we?

Few facts

Here am I, stretching idly in the middle of my king size bed, thinking about my new surroundings. Dubai is indeed so much different to what I used to take for granted in Europe. Among the adorable and abominable things I detect every now and then there is: the fact that the number of pavements sums up to almost null, the fact that petrol here is cheaper than water, the fact that you cannot download skype here though you can use this program anyway, the fact that drinking water is just desalinated water from the sea, the fact that taxis are surprisingly cheap whereas linseed is unexpectedly pricey, the fact that my favourite coconut water is available on almost every corner as well as there is a gym and a swommingpool in each building, the fact that my hair is falling out excessively supposedly due to the water quality, the fact that you cannot eat not drink in the tube and, to top it up, you cannot even chew gum at the station and in the train unless you want to be fined. I must admit, this sudden change of the entire everything is pretty intense. Additionally, I am currently absorbed in literally piles of study materials but hey, who said it is going to be easy? Dubai is still growing on me, that is what I know!

What happens

Just a quick update of my adventures in Dubai as, yes, it seems that my staying here is just the opposite of undisturbed - strange things happen to me, what can I do. First things first, obviously, as most of the female newcomers I am experiencing massive hair loss which I am particularly upset about. Secondly, not only did I not have water in my apartment for the whole day last week, it also happened today, but this time unexpectedly! What are the chances that I was at the gym in the morning and after running 7 km went back home just to find out that there is no water, again? Motivated by the time left for my departure to college, I did manage to wash my entire self in a bottle of water! But besides the freakish stuff that happens to me every now end then I am also planning on doings things such as dining with friends or sightseeing. Actually, Dubai is continuously growing on me as I am exploring new cultures tiny bit by bit. And this is not only Emiratees whom I monitor, I am surrounded by pretty much every culture possible and I am loving it! Coming back to the sad part though, if you have any suggestions about the hair loss thing I'll be happy to hear it!

Plan B

I have just found out the other day that there would be no water in my building for 12 hours! No sooner did I think about what should I do with myself on that day than I left my apartment in the very morning to catch up on some additional learning at Emirates headquarters. Absorbing the knowledge, I haven't realised it was already late afternoon so I finally made a decision to switch the learning mode OFF and chill with my friends in the oh-so-long anticipated Dubai Marina. The views were fantastic, the food delicious and I am sure I will be back in the area sooner than I can imagine. I seized the day completely. Does it then entail that there should be more water shortages so I can explore more of Dubai? I'd rather do my best to live every day to its fullest, just give me my showers back! I'll be good, I promise! 

Dubai Creek and the souks

This is just yesterday that me and one of my dearest friends decided to go to the Dubai Creek - again! Truth to be said, last time we went there, we didn't get a chance to buy anything as it was Ramadan and the entire souk was closed. Dubai Creek is actually the very centre of the city, the old-school part so to say, where we can still see old ships sailing to and from Africa and opt for equally coumbersome yet amazing means of transport - abra, which would help us to check the next point on our to-do list: a supermarket. Isn't that amazing: yep, I took a boat today to go to the shopping mall. But before uploading tons of shopping on the way back as our tube cargo, we explored the spice souk as well as the gold souk which apparently has most competitive prices of gold in the world. Just a little advice of mine: do bargain, the prices are never fixed so you can do everything even three times less cheap comparing to the original price. Just one more stop at one of our favourites Hindu restaurants where we would indulge on healthy, delicious yet extravagantly spicy foods for as little as 25 dirhams, for the two of us. Ah, isn't that great? Had it not been for the extreme heat though...

Looking onto the fountains

As many of you probably already know, I've just spent my first week here in Dubai. The city has been very welcoming, mostly thanks to the Emirates' openness and wholeheartedness. Complete opposite of a party animal as I am, I like to cherish ordinary moments, have a hot cup of whatever I am craving at the moment or simply sweat my ass off at the gym instead. Thankfully, in Dubai, and here comes the surprising part for some of you, there is a gym AND a swimming pool on almost every buildings' rooftop which makes everybody's lives so much easier. Coming back to the pictures, they were taken from one of the Dubai Mall's café places viewing these from the terrace. Sipping my delicious mango smoothie I was there, on Friday evening, staring at the world's highest fountains accompanied by serene music (first show) and Hindu rhythms (second show) while gasping for some fresh air not so very common now in Dubai. The thing is, the summer is unbearably hot here, so the air conditioning truly is a life-saver in some situations. The good thing though is the fact that whenever you get cold inside, which happens to me quite often I have to admit, you can always venture outside to balance your temperature immediately as I am doing every now and then. For your information, the thing I am looking up to is of course the highest building in the world called Burj Khalifa.