Landing in London

The breathtaking view of central London when on final approach to Heathrow Airport never ceases to amaze me. It has got to be one of the most stunning approach paths in the world.
I am here for a night and have meetings tomorrow. It is the place where I feel most at home (after Aalborg) and always has been since I first visited at the age of twelve.
I have been back almost every year since then and even lived there for a period while studying. I have landed more than 40 times in Heathrow so far.
Sadly, this time I won't have time to actually see any of the city since my meetings are in bloody Slough. Should have time to stock up on tea, coffee and marzipan from Marks and Spencer though.

Landing in London brings a certain song to mind: 3 Doors Down. Leading this traveling salesman life of mine, it always brings a tear to my eye. Miss you! xxx


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I will try

I will not be reciting Shakespeare every morning when you open your eyes next to me.
I will not always treat you as an English rose should be treated

(I am not a gardener)
I will not always be there to wipe the tears from off your face when you cry.
I will sometimes seem foreign to you and you to me
I will not always remember everything we discussed
I will not always know what to say or how to phrase it
I will never adore your cat
I will not always agree with your mindset or your thinking
I will not always get what you are saying
I will promise you neither the moon nor the stars
I will not always be on time
I will not always be near you
I will sometimes screw-up

But I will write you something when you least expect it
But I will respect your thorns and cherish them
But I will hold you as tightly as I can whenever I am near throughout the night
But I will embrace the difference and bridge our chasm with love
But I will excuse myself as soon as I remember.
But I will surely say something even if my words don’t translate
But I will always be good to him
But I will make an effort to understand your point of view
But I will ask you to make sure I got it right
But I will carry you barefooted through the desert if need be
But I will be there as soon as I can
But I will be there for you
But I will try my best

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Signs in the UAE

One of the most interesting things about life in the UAE is the cosmopolitan nature of the country. The population of almost 6 million people is roughly made up from 80% expats and 20% Emiratis. There are people living here for shorter or longer time from more countries and territories than there are members of the United Nations.

It is like a global village and over time you will meet and interact with people from all over the world. The official language of the UAE is obviously Arabic, but English is the language most commonly used in business and when out in public. Since only the minority of people here are actually native English speakers, sometimes things go horribly wrong when it comes to communication. Certain ethnic groups tend to have their own special variety of “English” using phrases and terms taken directly from their own language and translated to English where it is then used to bend the language in ways which the Queen would never use. There are loads of examples of “Jinglish” as the native English speakers call it. On many occasions this improper use of English can be hilarious, especially when “Jinglish” is applied to signs displayed in public. On other signs it is the spelling, grammar or punctuation which is not quite spot-on and makes things go wrong. Even the sign itself and its layout might cause problems understanding it properly.

Although many signs serve a serious purpose offering sound advice or warnings, sometimes the message does not really come through or it gets completely lost in translation.
Below are a few examples of some of the signs I have come across here in the UAE. It is very easy to find some funny examples when driving or walking around the city and it can become a great sport to be sign-spotting once you get the feel for it. Enjoy.

Safety Fist? Human Traffic?? - better wear safety helmet then...

No tap dancing either.

No, please hurry up, men!

Please dry-flush yourself when through!

Wonder what they are doing to that building?

Glad they are not demolishing it...

One of those days, but keep smiling :-)

I love this sign near Abu Dhabi.

Always make me wonder what they keep in store for me today.

Surprise!

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Hello again!

I'm back!
As a blogger, as an observer to life as it evolves in Dubai, as a misplaced Dane still hanging in here in the slightly scruffier but still glamorous oasis that surrounds us. For various reasons, I have decided that from now on, I will tell my story in English - not least to the benefit of those less fortunate amongst us who never got around to learn to speak or understand Danish. There is hope for those few as well.
I will start my return to the blogging universe by describing life as it looks from here these days and from behind my eyes. So much has changed. So many people and good friends left Dubai. Sometimes, it seems like a completely new life here. New friends, new people, new circumstances. Loads of new challenges. Everything seems very different from when I first came to this Country of Contrasts.
I have missed blogging so, so much and I cannot wait to once again let you know about this peculiar sandpit of ours and the people who have chosen to live their lives here where the sun always shines.

I shall be back shortly!

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