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Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
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UAE National Day - Car Celebrations
Every year on 2nd December it's UAE National Day to commemorate the date of the signing of the union between 6 of the 7 Emirates (Ras Al Khaimah joined a bit later). It's a public holiday and it is marked in different ways, i.e. by fireworks, posters and decorations throughout the emirates and laser-light displays on prominent landmark buildings. It's all very nice.
In the month prior to the occasion, the supermarkets, car dealers and petrol stations are full of UAE-branded merchandise to dress up one's vehicle for the event. That seems to be what most locals and some expats really do on their own: pimp their ride Emirati style.
For a nation that has come such a long way since it was founded only 42 years ago, it seems that it is the car that best symbolises the wealth and prosperity of the Emirates. Some would even say that the UAE went from camel to Cadilac in 25 years, so perhaps it is indeed very appropriate that patriotic affection for one's country be shown through the appearance of one's means of transport. One thing is certain: cars mean the world to most people in the emirates.
Some people and companies do it modestly: a flag mounted on a pick-up or a poster in the rear window. Others go the full monty and spend thousands of Dirhams doing their car up with everything from complete body wraps to posters of Emirs and Crown Princes to really show their love for the ruling royals.
So elaborate are some of these festive decorations that Dubai Police has found it necessary to issue a Decree to ascertain that road safety is not jeopardized too much by the bling.
Congratulations UAE on this 42nd anniversary of the union - and have fun with the celebrations. Just be careful, please.
It's real, It's from Karama
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Signs in the UAE - Part 2
For years, I have had it as a hobby to collect photos of funny and/or strange signs whenever I came across one. Dubai and the rest of the UAE is one of the easiest places I have been to spot them. The multi-ethnicity and cosmopolitan nature of the city and its inhabitants from literally all corners of the world makes it difficult not to loose things in translation from time to time when trying to convey an otherwise appropriate warning or message in English.
Here are some examples from different parts of Dubai and a couple from Sharjah too:
No public, straight parking.
Tecom Area.
Sharks not allowed either.
Dubai Metro.
Nudes only.
Union Coop Hypermarket, Al Barsha Mall.
No flashy cameras.
DWTC.
Meet the birds up for sale
Sign on Al Rashadiya Road.
4991.5 graduates later...
Exiting Dubai Emirate on Sheikh Zayed Road.
All you need for furnishing the tent of your nomadic bride.
Al Khan area, Sharjah.
Poor lift!
Sharjah Aquarium.
Frisking coming your way.
Near Jebel Ali Club.
The company returns in 3 days.
Al Noor Tower 2, Tecom.
"Waste" clothing charity collection bin.
Discovery Gardens.
You can see more strange and funny signs from around the UAE in my previous post:
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Miss Camel 2013
A dusty track in the remote western region of the United Arab
Emirates, on the verge of what is known as “The Empty Quarter” of the country
is one of the last places you'd expect to find a beauty competition.
But the leggy, doe-eyed lovelies on parade here
are of the four-legged variety.
The Al Dhafra Camel Festival held every year is
a celebration of the ancient bond between humans and the "ships of the
desert," which have traditionally provided Bedouins with food, clothing
and transportation.
The highlight of the event, which draws more
than 1,500 camel owners and 25,000 camels from all over the Arabian Peninsula
to Al Dhafra, about 150km west of Abu Dhabi, is the Camel Beauty Contest.
The judges in this high-stakes
contest rate the animals - the females of which are considered better looking - on criteria including firmness of ear, straightness of leg and the size of
their toe cleft.
“The big size of the bones, the
big foot, the height of the camel, the neck," explains one of the judges,
listing the most desirable attributes.
"The smoother the neck the
better, the longer the neck the better."
It's a job he takes seriously, as the spoils of
victory can be significant.
The festival is an important auction market for
purebred camels, and as well as commanding high prices, award-winning specimens
can confer immense prestige on their owners it’s a competition between tribes
as well. Everybody wants the prettiest camel to be owned by their tribe –
preferably by themselves.
According
to the rules laid down in the festival program, owners are required to swear
religious oaths that the stated age and lineage of their animals is correct.
As well
as the beauty contest and auctions, the festival also has contests in
traditional pursuits such as camel racing, camel milking, falconry and date
packaging. There is also racing of purebred Arabian salukis, the slender
sight-hound that is one of the world's most ancient breeds of domesticated dog,
as well as handicrafts displays.
While
the SUV has replaced the camel as a means of transportation in the modern
Emirates, it's clear the animal retains an important place in the nation's
heart.
In a
country about which it is often said that it went from riding camels to driving
Cadillacs in 25 years, the younger generation seems aware of the importance of
preserving the culture of their forefathers where camels were equal to wealth
and status.
May the
most beautiful camel win.
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Licensed to Speed
New dedicated high-speed road suggested in the UAE
In spite of countless empirical studies over the years finding that speed kills and regardless of most other countries having put a maximum speed limit for road traffic, the head of Dubai Traffic Police has suggested making a specially dedicated road in the UAE for cars that want to drive at 200kph.
The force said the luxury highway is just an idea at this stage but a study
would be conducted to see how viable it is. The road would be between Abu Dhabi
and Fujairah and only those wanting to drive at high-speed could use
it. General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen said: “The idea can become a true
reality. Maybe we need a road for motorists with powerful cars who want to
drive 200kph. It would also be good for people who drive on a daily basis
between UAE cities.” - he was quoted as having said to 7Days.
He added: “There are studies saying that high speeds can’t make accidents unless there are other factors. Accidents can happen when a car driving with 140kph and then surprised with a car in front of it with 60kph.”
Al Zafeen’s suggestion came during the launch of the second year of the white points system which rewards drivers who have not committed any traffic offenses during the year for their good behaviour.
He said that the highway would need certain specifications and four lanes in two directions.
The speed-savvy Police General was also the driving force behind the recent acquisition by Dubai Police of a number of Lamborghinis and Ferraris to join the force's fleet of patrol cars for high-speed pursuit purposes.
He added: “There are studies saying that high speeds can’t make accidents unless there are other factors. Accidents can happen when a car driving with 140kph and then surprised with a car in front of it with 60kph.”
Al Zafeen’s suggestion came during the launch of the second year of the white points system which rewards drivers who have not committed any traffic offenses during the year for their good behaviour.
He said that the highway would need certain specifications and four lanes in two directions.
The speed-savvy Police General was also the driving force behind the recent acquisition by Dubai Police of a number of Lamborghinis and Ferraris to join the force's fleet of patrol cars for high-speed pursuit purposes.
Too Sexy For Saudi
Since 2005, the Pan Arabia Enquirer - as this satiric "news service" is called - have been taking the mickey out of everything from absurdly fantastic incredible Dubai building projects to leaders throughout the Middle East. They manage to find the real laughs and the right twists to current events, Arabic culture and notabilities in Middle Eastern political and cultural life.
The Enquirer is a much-loved site, especially by the Western expats and their articles are shared by many readers on various social media.
Who is behind it all remains unknown to the general public for obvious reasons, but there is a clear British fingerprint on the articles most of which are written in an almost Punch-like style. They never insult anybody directly (maybe with the exemption of the former Iranian President Ahmadinejad), but their activities are still kept slightly underground as censorship is otherwise tough in the Emirates, always balancing on the edge of the acceptable.
It is easy to believe what the paper says and even more so, if you are used to everything you read being presented as the truth. That's why it is extra amusing to see satire do its job in the UAE. The musings of this media have been taken for granted by (naive?) readers and it is the height of comedy to see people vividly debating the various rambling "news items" produced by the Enquirer on social media and even in real news media.
Stories that they have brought to "lol"-ing readers includes the famous claim that a special Gold Class lane is to be build on the highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and a story on the latest addition to the British royal family being christened by the name Qatar Airways following a sponsorship deal - just to mention a couple of the more recent ones.
They recently had their collection of merchandise T-shirts reprinted and they are up for sale. Some examples shown on this post.
If you are not familiar with this excitingly refreshing piss-taking online service, you should check it out here for a good laugh:
The Pan Arabia Enquirer
- or follow them Facebook: Pan Arabia Enquirer - Facebook
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No woman, no drive!
Last weekend, there was a civil disobedience manifestation in Saudi Arabia over the completely ridiculous ban on women driving a vehicle. Reportedly, some women across the kingdom defied the government and went behind the wheel of a car despite sinister warnings of dire consequences to any woman violating the ban having been issued in advance by the authorities. I came across this brave Arab guy who has taken a classic Bob Marley song and given it a twist to suit the occasion with a little help from his friends.
I just had to post it here.
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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.
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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