This isn't the real world! That's the phrase I have cited openly to family,
friends and colleagues or murmured to myself during the all too often moments
of self-realization I have had during my almost nine years in the place I still
dare not call home despite happily living in it for 72 consecutive months since
2007.
But Dubai never gives up, it seems, and keeps surprising everyone, including
myself as I have finally consented that there is nothing more real, more
tangible, more concrete than Dubai’s capacity to provide to those who want it and
are fortunate enough to have it, a place to work, live and play; a place, which
even I have started thinking of it as ‘home’ – and why not?
My five year old daughter was born here. She made her first baby steps here;
she made her first friends here and while many of them have moved on to all
four points of the horizon, she continues to meet new friends from all
different nationalities and religions. She goes to KG here and speaks English
as her first language. My wife is also at her element in Dubai. Her outgoing
personality is a match made in heaven for a lifestyle full of friends, social
activities and, of course, shopping.
On a personal level, I can’t think of any other place in the world which
offers more prestigious professional opportunities for people with the right
experience and skills set.
Even the weather in Dubai, the only ‘real’ ammunition one can still have against
this city, is more of a positive than a negative if you ask me. Where else in the
world, do you get six months of great spring-like weather and year round
sunshine?
I have of course known all these great things about Dubai for many years but
I felt compelled to blog this little tribute due to what my father told me a
few days ago during one of my parents’ many visits to Dubai since their granddaughter’s
birth. He told me to make sure that I live in Dubai for as long as I can and
continue to enjoy my life here. This, coming from a man just shy of his 83rd
birthday and with my mother’s health status at its lowest ebb, is an advice
that needs to be taken seriously.
I think that my dad’s selfless words are as real as my genuine desire to
create a future of stability and well-being for my family and I; if this is
going to be in Dubai, with my father’s blessing, so be it…
Getting ready for some real fireworks! Happy New Year Everyone!
