Life In The Fast Lane

As you will have picked up from the previous entry, I’m living in Dubai and working in Abu Dhabi.  I’m reasonably sure that most of you don’t know the first thing about the physical geography of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are but two of Seven (generally the biggest and richest).  The other five are less relevant, and in the opposite direction, and may, or may not, be dealt with at some future date.  The public transport in the UAE is relatively diverse but short on numbers – there’s a metro in Dubai (which is brilliant if it happens to go from where you are to where you want to be…….which is not always the case), there are some reasonable buses (which rarely seems to connect without a hike between stops) and there’s the odd coach going from Dubai to Abu Dhabi……other than that it’s cars and taxis all the way.

There are all sorts of initiatives planned, and/or being developed or built but for now, if you want to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi then you have to get a car of some sort and drive the Road of Death !  (it’s not actually called the Road of Death you understand, I just made that up for effect……).  The RofD is a 4-5 lane motorway which connects various parts of the UAE together, but particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and because property is much cheaper in Dubai than in Abu Dhabi, it’s subject to a daily hour long commute (for me at least) each way…….and it’s mental !

Today, I put some factors together, and am starting to form an opinion as to why it’s mental:

-         there are no lorries on the road to slow everything down (there’s a separate truck road);

-         the locals have got more money than sense, and high testosterone levels, which generally everything they drive either weighs in at 6 tons or has AMG after the 6L;

-         the Indians are either going home after a 12 hour night shift and are falling asleep, or they’re going to work after four hours sleep and haven’t woken up yet; and

-         everyone else is on the phone.

On the upside, and this might take a little explaining (actually, hang on, I’ll see if I can find a map !)

There, that’s better isn’t it !

A picture tells a thousand words – I have added Madinat Zayed for those of you that followed me earlier in the year, and so that you will have a mental reference point when I continue rambling over the next few days/ weeks/ months/ years (we’re back to “Delete as applicable” !).

My journey is essentially from the bottom edge of the Dubai circle into the centre of Abu Dhabi.  This isn’t as bad as it could be because I’m at the right end of Dubai and not having to go to the wrong end of Abu Dhabi (which is an island where one end is connected to the mainland by three bridges and then there is a new interconnecting island highway which connects a number of islands to the mainland, including Yas Island – where the Grand Prix circuit is).  I should explain – Dubai is built along the coast of the Persian Gulf and is therefore about 5km wide and 50km long.  For most things I’m at the right end (fortunately) and for everything else you just leave plenty of time !

Personally, I can’t wait until I get back to the desert (Madinat Zayed) for a bit of piece and quiet, and a few camels……and some sand that doesn’t smell of petrol fumes.  But hey, I’m just happy to be here doing something useful.

I think today would be a good day to start the inventory again (mostly because I haven’t had a cigar yet……)  The usual rules apply I think.

Alcohol – nothing yesterday and nothing so far today (I have to confess that I’m on the way to the pub to meet some of my new work colleagues and to be introduced to others)

Cigars – nothing so far today.  I am making a conscious effort to cut down severely – this is generally due to the significant increase in consumption since I got here, so getting back to normal is the first aim !

Exercise – As some of you will know I trained like mad last time I was here, with little purpose other than to stay out of trouble and generally be healthier – this was enhanced by adding a training partner who does ultra marathons and is generally as mad as a box of frogs……..but because she’s a girl I can’t just stand there and let her beat me……….well, not without trying to catch up anyway.  We talked about doing Triathlons last time, and now she’s gone and done one it means that I’ve got to do one as well.  The long and short of it is, I’m working up the three disciplines so that I can at least achieve some respectability the first time I go out………although we do have a slight problem in that I don’t have a bike out here yet (or any money, which might prove to be a bit of a problem…….) but I’ve been making up for it by trying to develop some kind of endurance in the pool – because I had zero front crawl before and open water competitive breaststroke isn’t going to cut it !  I’m up to 400m now (I’ll need to be consistent for about 750m to start with) and tonight I did half an hour on the bike in the gym and then 200m in the pool.  It’s generally going to be mix and match until I can get a bike sorted out.  I have a training plan but it’s only half worked up but generally it’s 9 sessions a week with a rest day…….we shall have to see !

Food – nothing of any note I’m afraid, although I did cook myself a lovely steak the other night ! (no more hotel buffets for me for a while)

Weather – 38deg yesterday afternoon, with rain and dust storms……that made the journey home easier I can tell you !

Right, I’m off to do something useful – I’m sure I shall have something to tell you over the weekend although the job kicks off in earnest on Sunday so we will have to see when I can find a bit of time.  TTFN and COYS.