Dubai is the Place to Live! #30DayBlogChallenge

Day 5

We all have fantasized about living in places that we've never visited. Dubai is that place for me! I imagine Dubai being the land of oil and diamonds, with rich people on every corner, and having zero poverty. lol. Well I know that's too good to be true, but what I have seen from Dubai via Snapchat is that the city is in fact beautiful. The ocean looks as blue as in cartoons and the sun is always shining. However this blog post got me thinking about how I want to live and travel the entire globe, but I know nothing about these places. Different countries have certain laws, monetary systems, and cultures that I know nothing about. So I decided to look up a few things about Dubai, and here they go:

 

Currency:

The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar with the rate fixed or pegged at (approximately) Dh3.67 = US$1.00 (or 1 UAE dirham = 0.273 US dollars).

The currency unit in Dubai and other emirates is the United Arab Emirate dirham, divided into into 100 fils.
Common abbreviations include AED or Dh before the number, and dh or dhs after the number.

So in simpler terms, every $3.67 of Dubai money is equivalent to $1 of American money.

Transportation:

Public transport is notable by its absence (although a metro system is on the way), walking is restricted by the heat and motorways, and driving is not for the faint of heart. So your only real option for getting around is taxi. Thankfully taxis are reasonably inexpensive and easy to find. Traffic jams are a sad part of Dubai life, particularly when trying to cross the Creek.

Weather:

Between October and April, the weather in Dubai approaches perfect. The temperature hovers around 26 degrees C (79 degrees F) and there's rarely a cloud in the sky. The summer is not quite as welcoming. Temperatures routinely exceed 50 degrees C (122 degrees F) and humidity soars; it's incredibly unpleasant to be anywhere without air-conditioning.

Dress, Drinking, Drugs:
While the United Arab Emirates is incredibly relaxed, it is important to remember that it is Islamic, so certain sensibilities and laws should be respected:

Dubai has a very relaxed attitude toward attire and woman and men are largely free to wear what they want. That said, beachwear and bikinis should be limited to hotel beaches. Topless bathing is outlawed and public displays of affection may cause offense and can even land you in trouble with the police.

Alcohol is served only in hotels, but this is a city that likes a drink and you won't be short of options. Do not drink or appear to be drunk in public.

There is a zero tolerance of drug use in Dubai and if you are caught in possession of any illegal substance you are likely to face a four-year prison sentence.

Ramadan: City life during the month of Ramadan is markedly different from the rest of the year. In keeping with Islamic law, non-Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke in public and the city's clubs are closed. Out of respect, it's wise to cover up when you are away from the beach. Drinking is permitted in the evening, live or loud music is banned. A number of special Ramadan tents open throughout the Holy Month allowing a taste of tradition, but a very sedate one.