Posted by will.milner
on
16 January 2008 at
01:48 UAE time.
Phoning and emailing friends back home to ask about the weather has to be one of the greatest perks of being an expat in Dubai.
Especially if, like me, you are a Brit.
For the British, talking about the weather is akin to a national pastime. We love it. Complete strangers can, and in my experience often do, approach each other to talk about cloud formations, wind and the possibility of the odd ray of sunshine.
So to be able to describe sunshine almost all year round is a real delight. Even when it gets too hot to actually hold a mobile phone to your ear without risking a scorched head.
Making the occasional phone call, just to ‘find out how everybody is doing’, is always that bit more satisfying when done from the beach. Especially if the report comes back that it is wet and miserable back home.
But this week Dubai has had its fair share of torrential downpour.
Posted by will.milner
on
3 January 2008 at
02:38 UAE time.
We’re just about starting to recover from New Year’s Eve.
All those fireworks and celebrations seem so last year now.
Bring yourself up to date with Time Out’s selection of the ten best things to do in Dubai this weekend.
From football to furniture design there is something for everybody.
1) The main event has to be the arrival of the world’s best footballers for the Mohammed bin Rashid International Football Championship. Legends including Edgar Davids, Luis Figo and Paolo Maldini will be present for a series of exhibition matches. There are a few mouth-watering clashes planned at the Al Wasl Club stadium, but the prospect of seeing World Footballer of The Year, Kaka, take on the UAE national team has to be the highlight. Check out the top 10 Kaka goals here:
If you can’t get tickets for this football then console yourself to the fact that it is FA Cup weekend in England. Watch the action at home if you have a Supersport television package.
2) Visit the new Bastakia market. The ingeniously named Bastaflea is located in the winding lanes and minarets of the popular art and culture hub. Go along on Saturday mornings to find locally produced handicrafts, books and jewels. Grab a relaxing snack while you are there.
3) There is more cultural fun with the return of Dubai Drums at DUCTAC. There are lessons for kids at the Mall of The Emirates centre. Educational and fun.
4) Less educational but just as much fun will be the Resident Reunion at 360 on Thursday. Kristian Valdini, Matthew Charles, MrMr, Vas Floyd and DaSendri will be doing their slightly softer thing in line with Government sanctions.
5) More musical madness comes in the shape of the Smooth Grooves party with DJ Beware. The globally celebrated DJ will be spinning a variety of soul, rock, reggae and breakbeat at The Apartment on Friday.
6) If you’re struggling with funds after splashing out for New Year’s Eve then a weekend in front of the TV may be advisable. Check out Time Out’s selection of the weekend’s best broadcasts here.
7) If you are feeling comfortable and creative you should check out the region’s first product and interior design magazine. The Traffic gallery is offering prizes for categories such as Best Lounge Chair design and Best Decorative Object. With prizes as high as $4,000 the stakes are high.
8 ) Foodies will see interesting additions to Dubai menus this weekend. The duck is being celebrated at Ashiana in the Sheraton Dubai Creek. The chefs will be presenting new and interesting ways to eat the duck. Among the treats on offer are tandoori duck liver, sweet and sour coconut with duck and duck pulao rice.
9) If you’re sticking to your resolutions and turning away from the restaurant and toward a gym then consider signing up for a class. From the total physical exhaustion of a Body Attack session at The Aviation club to more sedate stretchings of a yoga course with the Dubai karate Centre there is a routine for every fitness level.
10) Continue the fitness theme with last minute training for the Dubai Marathon. From the right foods to eat to the best music to listen to while training you can find the full guide to completing the course here.
