Dubai Journal 1 - My first taste of civilization
Decided that I may as well use this blog to jot down my impressions of Dubai while I'm here. Today was my first day here and I got an unexpected shock when I went to my first supermarket -
BILTONG IS CHEAPER IN DUBAI THAN IN JOHANNESBURG!!!!!!
Besides that: everywhere is clean, the people are polite, service is slick, there are no bars on the windows, there are designated smoking areas in malls, cigarettes are cheaper (Marlboro 20s cost the equivalent of R11.70) - in fact so far everything is cheaper, from Red Bull to fruit salad, Brie cheese to books and DVDs. Not only are the local supermarkets (Spinneys) cheaper than the Spar in SA, they make Woolworths seem low class. Thrupps comes close, but can't compete on prices. These supermarkets are open til 10pm every night, and the staff are friendly, efficient and have an air of intelligence and helpfulness about them that you just don't get at your local Pick n' Pay in Johannesburg.
I've seen people strolling along the streets enjoying the sunset, and children riding their bikes unsupervised, past houses with low walls, open gates and no security features.
Oh, and I'm typing up this blog entry while sitting on my bed, having plugged my laptop into the internet connection point that is fitted standard in every room in one's house!!
What did I learn today? The myth that South Africans fool themselves with about the standard of living overseas being lower and more expensive than in SA is BUSTED!!!!!!
The joke is on us, people :) There is MORE space, not less; there is MORE freedom, not less; and it is CHEAPER, not more expensive.
So THIS is what civilization feels like - after 41 years it's an awesome feeling - yeeeehaaaahhh :))))
BILTONG IS CHEAPER IN DUBAI THAN IN JOHANNESBURG!!!!!!
Besides that: everywhere is clean, the people are polite, service is slick, there are no bars on the windows, there are designated smoking areas in malls, cigarettes are cheaper (Marlboro 20s cost the equivalent of R11.70) - in fact so far everything is cheaper, from Red Bull to fruit salad, Brie cheese to books and DVDs. Not only are the local supermarkets (Spinneys) cheaper than the Spar in SA, they make Woolworths seem low class. Thrupps comes close, but can't compete on prices. These supermarkets are open til 10pm every night, and the staff are friendly, efficient and have an air of intelligence and helpfulness about them that you just don't get at your local Pick n' Pay in Johannesburg.
I've seen people strolling along the streets enjoying the sunset, and children riding their bikes unsupervised, past houses with low walls, open gates and no security features.
Oh, and I'm typing up this blog entry while sitting on my bed, having plugged my laptop into the internet connection point that is fitted standard in every room in one's house!!
What did I learn today? The myth that South Africans fool themselves with about the standard of living overseas being lower and more expensive than in SA is BUSTED!!!!!!
The joke is on us, people :) There is MORE space, not less; there is MORE freedom, not less; and it is CHEAPER, not more expensive.
So THIS is what civilization feels like - after 41 years it's an awesome feeling - yeeeehaaaahhh :))))
posted by Zapruder | 21:24
2 Comments:
Post some pics too ;)
Yes ma'am, coming right up :)
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