Dubai is fucking nuts !!!!!!!

[Never Compromised]

Now this IS crazy

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/12/22/10091282.html

Business
Real Estate Property
Published: 22/12/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)
iPod will be model for Omniyat's new tower
By Robert Ditcham, Staff Reporter

Dubai: Real estate developer Omniyat Properties is planning to launch projects worth more than Dh3 billion in 2007, starting with a tower inspired by Apple's iPod MP3 player.

The company will announce at least two residential projects and one commercial development and will open its account in February with the innovative iPad residential tower in Business Bay.

The 23-storey building, which is scheduled to bring more than 200 units onto the market in 2009, was designed by Hong Kong-based architects James Law Cybertecture International.

The tower will sit atop a docking station angled at six degrees to give the exact look.

With a property portfolio worth Dh2.7 billion in its first year of operations - made up of four luxury commercial developments in Business Bay and one residential tower - the company has already made a swift impression on the market.

 

[james t kirk]

Personally, I have never been to Dubai.

However, I find it strange that in all these photos of the amazing buildings that are being built, indoor ski slopes, cranes on top of cranes.....

Where are all the people?

You see the photos of the streets, and there's no-one OUT on the streets.

Just rows and rows of towers all identical like the last.

I'll keep Toronto thanks.

You can't plan feel.

 

[CapitalGuy]

It's probably too hot for the people to be outside during the daytime, when the photos are taken. The city really comes to life at night though. The towers are simply eye candy, much like the sky scrapers in Toronto. They are simply where business takes place.

The Arab quartiers are amazing - mazes of old streets with street vendors and some of the best food on earth. Locals mix with people of every nationality, in a clean, safe, rich, but affordable city, with an Arab flare. It's really something else. It reminds me a lot of Beirut, where Eastern and Western cultures come together, but with eighteen gazillion times more money. I hate to say it, but Dubai blows Toronto out of the water.

 

[Alexis696969]

Well they sure aint worried about Americans flying through those towers .

never mind Toronto ....i think the goal of dubai is to out due every city in the world !!!!!

 

[raydeon]

Women after camels

Will someone please tell me ,why North America doesnt have a 7 star hotel ?

I too have a friend that wants me to go there with her a few months and most of these guys are sheiks or mohamed for that matter ..They treat woman like a 4 th class citizen in daily life ....money or no money ...woman have no rights there ....sounds like a oneway ticket to me ......ILL PASS !

If I may I would like to correct you on one point Alexis: The women are treated as 5th class citizen. The social order is:1-Arabs, 2-Expatriates (Westerners), 3-TCN (third country citizens), 4-Camels, and 5-Women.

At least that the way it was when I worked in Saudi and Kuwait, and that was the accepted standard in the Middle East. Women have absolutely no rights. In Saudi my wife was not allowed to drive.

 

[Alexis696969]

If I may I would like to correct you on one point Alexis: The women are treated as 5th class citizen. The social order is:1-Arabs, 2-Expatriates (Westerners), 3-TCN (third country citizens), 4-Camels, and 5-Women.

At least that the way it was when I worked in Saudi and Kuwait, and that was the accepted standard in the Middle East. Women have absolutely no rights. In Saudi my wife was not allowed to drive.

Yes silly me ,how did I forget the camels !


LOL


I seriously feel so sorry for woman and children over there !

 

[raydeon]

A friend of mine keeps trying to entice me to go there -- says I can make wheelbarrows full of money with his connections.

But somehow, it's not for me. There's more to life than money.

Now Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, that might be more my style.

..c..

I wouldn't take a chance JC. Many women have been lured by the promise of
money, and ended up working as slaves in brothels with the impossibility of leaving the country as their passports are taking away by their employers the day they obtain their resident permit and working permit (standard procedure in most M.E. countries.

 

[raydeon]

Most workers in the area are "guest" workers, typically from Asian 3rd world countries. They are paid very very little, no health insurance, and have restrictions on where they can go, live etc.

You are correct in all points, however everything is relative. I am not condoning the system, but whatever money they get, which is very little in comparison to what us Westerners were getting, is much more than what they would be getting at home in the Philippines or Pakistan if they were lucky enough to find a job in the first place. They do it so they can send money home to help their families.

I had a friend in Saudi, who came from the Philippines, and I know what he was getting in wages, peanuts. He was sending most of his money to his family back home, and after 4 years he was able to pay for the university education of his eldest child. He remained there another 10 years after I left to put is other 2 kids thru school as well plus buying a house back in Manila. He would never have been able to do that if he had not come to work in Saudi.

The restriction of where you can live is very true and applies to any expatriate. As Westerners we lived in a compound with our families and had very little contact with the Saudis, specially on the social side. We had to get police permission to travel outside a 60 km. radius from our residence, and get export and re-entry visas stamped on our passports before we could leave to go on R & R outside the country.

Sure, the money was good, but at the cost of a loss of civil liberties which we take for granted here.

 

[raydeon]

50 C......does not exists officially

I've also heard that, even though there's a law that says they have to suspend work when the temperature gets to 50 C, "officially" the temperature never quite gets that high. (My course is a Brit working on contract there.)

..c..

I was an engineer on a large military project (no details...classified). Many times in the Summer I have seen temperatures as high as 58 deg. C, and the work outside continued. We used to get weather info from an English radio station in Bahrain which confirmed what our thermometers were telling us, but the weather reports in Dhahran were never higher than 49 c.(for those unfamiliar with the geography of the region, Bahrain is only 5 km across the causeway from Dhahran).

 

[raydeon]

When you head into the Middle Easwt you are in a different world with very different ways of doing biz.

Unless you are one of the players you will be played.

Employment contracts mean nothing. Only if you are there with a large multi-national. If you have an individual employment contract you can be fucked big time.

Had more than a few friends who worked there. Those with Bell/Nortel did ok. (Yep...a while ago, but the only ones I've come across that came and went freely)

Those who went on individual contracts fought to get out. It often took family a great deal of time and money to obtain exit visas.

I have a lady friend from college who went over there for a teaching job and was expected to work as a stripper for 3 years to pay her way out.

She's still somewhat "scarred" from the ordeal.

M2

I confirm everything you said M2. I was there in the period Bell/Nortel. I worked for a large US multi-national company, not Bell but we had similar conditions and benefits. People on individual contracts were never sure if they would get pay. I had a friend, a Brit who had become friend with Prince T. (3rd. in line for the crown succession) while he was in the British army and Prince T. was training as a jet pilot in England. Somehow he enticed my friend to go and work for him in Saudi as an aid and PR man. He had been there 14 years at the time when I first met him. He was telling me that at times he was owed 6 mths back salary. He was not suffering too much because of that, because he had a free villa and car supplied to him and his wife, and could get food at the base(Prince T. was also the local Air base commander. He always got pay eventually, but many other on private contracts were not in the same fortunate position with friends in high places.

He remained there many years after I left He was able to send his 3 kids to private schools in England and buy a large house too.

As you said, it is a different world. Looking back I never regretted it. It was valuable experience and allowed me and my family to travel all over Europe Asia and Africa.

 

[NameWitheldinOt]

I have travelled through Dubai several times a year while working overseas. The most recent trip was the third week in December.

Some of what has been said is true. If you are in the country on a basic workers type visa you are not treated very well, however your rights are respected and your lodging and health care are provided. It may not be the best but, it is better than what most would get where they come from. Typical salaries for construction workers, shop attendants and hotel staff is typically from $200 to $600 per month. Not much but for most about 4X what they can make at home in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc....

Ask any seasoned Ex-Pat and they will tell you that the UAE's rules are extremely fair to the employee and I never ever heard of them surrendering their passport to the employer.

If you are a Canadian, American, Brit, Ausie, etc travelling to Dubai you get a no questions asked visa for 60 days by simply walking up to the immigration counter. Male or female they don't care. They just want you to spend your money and have a good time.

Once you are in, Dubai it is amazing. It is a very very busy place. I have been in traffic jams on the Sheik Zayed Rd. at 3 AM. As a holiday destination they are trying to attract tourists from Europe. So, the shopping is unreal, hotels are beautiful (and a little pricey) the food is superb. About what you would expect to pay if you went to Europe.

Hobbying is very controlled by the Russians, Armenians or whoever the latest crime syndicate is. However, there are some indies that are around. Most of the hotels will have a few ladies in the bar or Disco. Even the disco at The Hard Rock (Amnesia) has ladies inside. The most amazing place (not a hotel bar) is Cyclone, just accross from the Hockey rink. As you walk in the door you can visit the Far East on the left or Eastern Europe on the right... If you want to feel like Brad Pitt, this is the place to go.

I don't want to sound like an adv. There are some rules that are draconian (it is still a Muslim country). But, take it from me, it is the safest, cleanest and best run Muslim country I have ever seen.

Just my 2 cents

 

[goodtime]

I have travelled through Dubai several times a year while working overseas. The most recent trip was the third week in December.

Some of what has been said is true. If you are in the country on a basic workers type visa you are not treated very well, however your rights are respected and your lodging and health care are provided. It may not be the best but, it is better than what most would get where they come from. Typical salaries for construction workers, shop attendants and hotel staff is typically from $200 to $600 per month. Not much but for most about 4X what they can make at home in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc....

Ask any seasoned Ex-Pat and they will tell you that the UAE's rules are extremely fair to the employee and I never ever heard of them surrendering their passport to the employer.

If you are a Canadian, American, Brit, Ausie, etc travelling to Dubai you get a no questions asked visa for 60 days by simply walking up to the immigration counter. Male or female they don't care. They just want you to spend your money and have a good time.

Once you are in, Dubai it is amazing. It is a very very busy place. I have been in traffic jams on the Sheik Zayed Rd. at 3 AM. As a holiday destination they are trying to attract tourists from Europe. So, the shopping is unreal, hotels are beautiful (and a little pricey) the food is superb. About what you would expect to pay if you went to Europe.

Hobbying is very controlled by the Russians, Armenians or whoever the latest crime syndicate is. However, there are some indies that are around. Most of the hotels will have a few ladies in the bar or Disco. Even the disco at The Hard Rock (Amnesia) has ladies inside. The most amazing place (not a hotel bar) is Cyclone, just accross from the Hockey rink. As you walk in the door you can visit the Far East on the left or Eastern Europe on the right... If you want to feel like Brad Pitt, this is the place to go.

I don't want to sound like an adv. There are some rules that are draconian (it is still a Muslim country). But, take it from me, it is the safest, cleanest and best run Muslim country I have ever seen.

Just my 2 cents

My buds concur your post. Their firms are building few of these towers.

Dubai has to go thru this radical transformation as the Vegas of M.E. as their oil money will run out in few decades.

As Asn suggests, Shanghai is going thru same building craze. It was similiar arragement in the days of NYC, Chicago & the CDN railways, low paid on the backs of the workers.

Since the CNBC special series on working condition in UAE, it's more transparent with more eyes on them.

I'm waiting for the 'cooler' season to experience the madness 1st hand.

 

[Alexis696969]

I have travelled through Dubai several times a year while working overseas. The most recent trip was the third week in December.

Some of what has been said is true. If you are in the country on a basic workers type visa you are not treated very well, however your rights are respected and your lodging and health care are provided. It may not be the best but, it is better than what most would get where they come from. Typical salaries for construction workers, shop attendants and hotel staff is typically from $200 to $600 per month. Not much but for most about 4X what they can make at home in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc....

Ask any seasoned Ex-Pat and they will tell you that the UAE's rules are extremely fair to the employee and I never ever heard of them surrendering their passport to the employer.

If you are a Canadian, American, Brit, Ausie, etc travelling to Dubai you get a no questions asked visa for 60 days by simply walking up to the immigration counter. Male or female they don't care. They just want you to spend your money and have a good time.

Once you are in, Dubai it is amazing. It is a very very busy place. I have been in traffic jams on the Sheik Zayed Rd. at 3 AM. As a holiday destination they are trying to attract tourists from Europe. So, the shopping is unreal, hotels are beautiful (and a little pricey) the food is superb. About what you would expect to pay if you went to Europe.

Hobbying is very controlled by the Russians, Armenians or whoever the latest crime syndicate is. However, there are some indies that are around. Most of the hotels will have a few ladies in the bar or Disco. Even the disco at The Hard Rock (Amnesia) has ladies inside. The most amazing place (not a hotel bar) is Cyclone, just accross from the Hockey rink. As you walk in the door you can visit the Far East on the left or Eastern Europe on the right... If you want to feel like Brad Pitt, this is the place to go.

I don't want to sound like an adv. There are some rules that are draconian (it is still a Muslim country). But, take it from me, it is the safest, cleanest and best run Muslim country I have ever seen.

Just my 2 cents

So what s the worst thing that can happen to you if your caught with prostitution over there for the girl /client ? incalls /outcalls


Whats the law for prostitution ?

 

[Don]

So what s the worst thing that can happen to you if your caught with prostitution over there for the girl /client ? incalls /outcalls


Whats the law for prostitution ?

What is more important is for whom the laws apply to. Like in most places in the world, if you have money and status you have little to fear.

 

[2SOON JR]

oh man i'd like to explain but it will take pages and pages and pages...its not like what you guys think...living in Saudi, Kuwait or Dubai can be similiar to how you live here in Canada.

I've lived in Saudi and Dubai and i can say saudi is more strict when it comes to women but Dubai is not. In saudi alcohol is banned but if you know the right people it gets delivered to your house...its a long debate ... i'd like to take some ladies to a trip down there...also i remember when i was there this year @ a local house party or should i say "palace party" the prince had a few escorts from US as his guests fully expense paid.

....will have to meet all of u for a coffee for further discussion

 

[Don]

Dubai has an area for foreigners and it is pretty western and bars, clubs and such.

 

[NameWitheldinOt]

So what s the worst thing that can happen to you if your caught with prostitution over there for the girl /client ? incalls /outcalls


Whats the law for prostitution ?

Alexis,

Good question. Iv'e talked to some of the girls and there are some interesting answers. Because the UAE is a Muslim country there is no prostitution...So, there is no active enforcement against any of the locations that the girls work

Girls that have been caught up because of complaints would most likely be jailed and then deported.

The UAE government doesn't want bad press scaring anybody so they get the problem out of the country as fast as possible. A friend of mine from Ireland had a cousin working as a flight attendant for Emirates Airlines (she lived in Dubai as well) and she got pregnant. Problem... Emirates only hires single men and women. When the authorities found out she was thrown in jail. At the first meeting, the prosecutor gave the nudge nudge wink wink that the family needed to produce her marriage certificate as soon as possible. It took them a week to get an official looking document from Ireland to Dubai. She was released from jail, fired by Emirates Airlines for lying about not being single and then deported. All very accomodating...

The one big word of caution I would have for a working girl in Dubai or anywhere in that area of the world. All the clients in the area know that there is no way that you will ever go to the authorities if you are ripped off, beaten up or worse (not that you get much protection here as well). So, if you did work there, you would have to find a way of protecting yourself. Best advice would be to go with a few friends that will watch each others backs.

 

[raydeon]

So what s the worst thing that can happen to you if your caught with prostitution over there for the girl /client ? incalls /outcalls


Whats the law for prostitution ?

In Dubai I don't know.
In Saudi they stone you to death.

 

[Meister]

Perhaps a nice place to visit. But to live there for more than a month? Are you nuts? Once the pompous money flinging really gets on your nerve you have to deal with the heat.
Very quickly you will miss a tranquil sunset on a muskoka lake listening to loons. And I'm not even talking about the other things that make Canada great, equality, clean environment, freedom....

 

[goodtime]

So what s the worst thing that can happen to you if your caught with prostitution over there for the girl /client ? incalls /outcalls

Prepare for competition with the EE girls. Many are flocking there in doves. Luxembourg used to the hot spot.