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Leonardo of Arabia

18th June 2008 by Helena 19 Comments  

Abu Dhabi

I had no idea where Abu Dhabi was until Rupert told me he had been offered a job there. He likes to get a proper job once every ten years or so, so he’s off to work on the business desk of a new newspaper called The National (www.thenational.ae).

“I’ll stay here,” I told him, imagining life as a single parent with a little trepidation. No one in their right mind wants sole responsibility for our three children, for every school run, every meal, every bit of shopping, ironing and homework.

Then my agent called me. A client of hers was going out too, to edit the new weekly magazine. Was I interested in working for her as a staff writer?

I decided to do some research into Abu Dhabi. This could be an interesting new slice of cake (see below blog). Here’s what I found out:

It’s hot
There are lots of parks
There are beaches
There are seven-star hotels
There are lots of shops, I mean SERIOUS amounts of shops
Most houses come with maid’s quarters
There are two French schools
The Louvre and the Guggenheim is about to open (good for when the shops are closed)
Dubai is close by
There are camels
There’s not much wine

LawrenceI decided to join him and so after our European tour we are moving. The children are going to the French school and we are going to work. All very grown up. I will miss my afternoon kips and walks with wolfie but am extremely excited by this new adventure.

The children have taken it really well. Not a word of complaint and they’re really looking forward to it. Olivia did have two questions: “Are they handsome and will we have maids?”
“I don’t know,” I told her. “But we’re about to find out.”

Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2008


Filed Under: Abu Dhabi, Children, Travel, Work, blog --> Tagged With: arabia, leonardo

19 thoughts on Leonardo of Arabia

  • jules ritter says:
    18th June 2008 at 7:57 am

    You will love it! I lived in Dubai for two years back in the 80s working for What’s On Dubai and Emirates Woman. When I left I cried on the flight all the way home and still ask myself why we left (hubby wanted to work for himself). I think I left part of myself back there amongst the golden sand and stillness. (Yes I know it has changed and call me shallow I love the new Dubai too). Go have a great time Helena. So long French Mistress hello Arabian Princess. Julesritter.com
    PS No more fake tan!

  • helena says:
    18th June 2008 at 8:08 am

    Thanks Jules, that does make me happy, not that you cried obviously, but that you loved it so much. I like the Arabian Princess, or maybe The Bimbo in the Burkah? Do they make them in pink….?
    Hx

  • margaret says:
    18th June 2008 at 8:35 am

    How exciting….. shops, cheap petrol (to die for…oh how my priorities have changed), warm sun on your back, plus Arabian Knights!
    Enjoy the adventure x

  • Letizia says:
    18th June 2008 at 12:49 pm

    Good luck to you all and i hope you enjoy this new adventure!! it sure is exciting! make sure you let us know how it goes etc.
    Letty x

  • Josephine says:
    18th June 2008 at 1:51 pm

    Really? You’re not kidding us? What a wonderful new adventure for you and your family!
    Josephine

  • sharyn G says:
    18th June 2008 at 2:31 pm

    Helena,

    I’ve always said life is an adventure. Hopefully, you won’t have to be covered by a burka and live a restricted life there. That’s the only thing that would worry me. Also, terrorists… that’s a dangerous hunk of earth. Good luck!

  • Snusmormor says:
    18th June 2008 at 7:47 pm

    I don’t suppose they do pink burkas, do they?

  • Miko says:
    18th June 2008 at 7:59 pm

    Cool Helena,
    have you seen the latest burkinis? You would look fab in pink . Hope you will have time to write on this blog. It would be very intersting to see how life is over there. You will love the weather and the beach, not to mention the shops! How long are you planning to stay?
    It’s such an adventure to move. We have now been on our little Island in the West Indies for a year and love every minute. It’s so worth the agro of moving. Ya man.
    Good luck to you all!

  • helena says:
    18th June 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Hello all and thank you so much for your good wishes. Of course I will write about it here, and I feel a book coming on…..but meanwhile I am enjoying a few final bottles of rose and French life on the glorious Ile de Re.
    Hx

  • gillie says:
    18th June 2008 at 10:31 pm

    How wonderfully exciting (despite the wine challenge!). I am a firm believer in fate and what is meant to be will be. Clearly this was meant to be! I’m looking forward to in depth reseach on milk and rose petal baths and other exotic beauty rituals!

  • Natalie says:
    19th June 2008 at 12:11 am

    I love reading your take of French life, it will be great to here all about life in the East. Will you keep your home for holidays? I’m living in Canada at present – great people but oh, I do miss the romance of places such a France and the East is just one step better!

  • Jonathan Miller says:
    19th June 2008 at 7:58 am

    My Goddaughter must have a maid of her own. Also a driver.

  • VR says:
    19th June 2008 at 9:54 am

    WOW, how exciting Helena!!! Congrats on your new posting in Abu Dabi, Ive met so many people who have lived and worked there and loved it. Designer tax free shops everywhere, what more can u ask for!!
    Hope you continue to post us your adventures though!!
    Just finished “To Hell in High Hells” Loved it – as I do with all your books, so relevant and informative, but witty and fun!! So far Ive sent away for Carolyns Faceial Excersies and have started pilates while trying to laugh at myself every morning in the mirror. Also saving up for some La Prarie moisturiser. Hope your lips are back to normal….Im sure they looked great!! You’ve always looked gorgeous whenever Ive seen you, cant believe you ever doubted your beauty.
    Take care
    Virginia
    xoxo

  • helena says:
    19th June 2008 at 10:01 am

    Hi Virginia – that’s the kind of comment I like! Thank you. Actually instead of La Prairie go for Philosophy or another cream with active ingredients.
    And to answer Natalie – yes we will keep the house, we’re looking for a tenant if anyone is interested.
    Hx

  • Jo says:
    19th June 2008 at 1:29 pm

    How utterly fantastic. I still can’t believe you’re going, after writing so brilliantly in your books about the move to France. So here’s my question; as I’m struggling with my 3 hours + per day learning French (at school!!), will you take the plunge and learn whatever it is they speak in Abu Dhabi?! If you do, please share with us…

    Good luck – what an adventure for all of you. I know you’ve got shops galore out there, but you know you won’t be able to hop on the Eurostar to Knightsbridge!
    x

  • Sev says:
    21st June 2008 at 8:29 am

    All the best with your new adventure. It will be quite a change from the Languedoc!
    I wasn’t surprised you are keeping your house in France. Abu Dhabi will be great fun I’m sure, but equally it will be good to know that you can always easily return to la belle France!

  • colin says:
    1st July 2008 at 2:41 pm

    I always assumed we’d meet in or near Montpellier. But I look forward to seeing you here. Do I qualify for a commission?
    You may need to get used to South African wine since that, in my experience, offers the best value here.

  • helena says:
    2nd July 2008 at 6:49 am

    Of course! I will bring you some Languedoc wine…

  • Denise says:
    2nd July 2008 at 10:38 pm

    Ah, well.
    Just don’t be gay there.
    Even the most perfunctory Internet search brings up some rather unsavory official treatment of gays in Abu Dhabi.

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Helena Frith Powell was born in Sweden to a Swedish mother and Italian father, but grew up mainly in England. She is the author of eleven books, translated into several languages including Chinese and Russian. She wrote the French Mistress column The Sunday Times about life in France for several years. She is a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, The Times, Daily Telegraph, Tatler Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar.

Helena has been the editor of four magazines, including M Magazine, a supplement for the Abu Dhabi-based National Newspaper and FIVE, a high-end fashion glossy, also published in Abu Dhabi. Helena was also editor-in-chief of 360 Life, a quarterly glossy magazine published with the Sports 360 Newspaper in Dubai, part of the Chalhoub Group.

Helena contributes regularly to UK-based newspapers and magazines and holds a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge. She is working on a thriller set in Sweden as well as a novel about the relationship between Virginia Woolf and Katherine Mansfield called Sense of an Echo.

In 2022 her short story The Japanese Gardener came second in the Fish Publishing Short Story Prize. One of her stories was also shortlisted for the Bridport Short Story Prize. When she’s not writing, she works as a headhunter for the media and entertainment industry for the Sucherman Group. 

Helena, who was educated at Durham University, lives in the Languedoc region of France with her husband Rupert and their three children.

Bibliography

More France Please, we’re British; Gibson Square 2004

Two Lipsticks and a Lover 2005; Gibson Square (hardback)

All You Need to be Impossibly French; (US version of above) Penguin 2006

Two Lipsticks and a Lover; Arrow Books (paperback) 2007

Ciao Bella Gibson Square; (hardback) 2006

Ciao Bella Gibson Square; (paperback) 2007

So Chic! (French version of Two Lipsticks) Leduc Editions 2008 (also translated into Chinese, Russian and Thai)

More, More France; Gibson Square 2009

To Hell in High Heels; Arrow Books 2009 (also translated into Polish)

The Viva Mayr Diet; Harper Collins 2009

Love in a Warm Climate; Gibson Square 2011

The Ex-Factor; Gibson Square 2013

Smart Women Don’t Get Wrinkles; Gibson Square 2016

The Arnolfini Marriage; Amazon Kindle December 2016

Smart Women Don’t Get Wrinkles (paperback); Gibson Square spring 2018

The Longest Night; Gibson Square spring 2019

 

 

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