Better……
Things are better.
I have a friend who is lovely and knows all the best bars, beauticians and shops. I have been to M&S (not bad, bit pricey) and in the same mall there is a play-area where you can leave your children in a sort of child’s heaven all day for about £2. Olivia has made about seven friends from all over the world. I have also seen that you can get a manicure in the same mall for less than £9. Not bad.
We have found an apartment, only problem is they want a year’s rent up front before we can move in or secure it. So we are still in the dump in the wrong part of town with the three children camping on the floor.
We have also met a lovely Sri Lankan taxi driver who says he will now stay here as long as we do. And he plays cricket. Now we are going out for an Indian meal to a restaurant he suggested.And I have a local mobile phone.
Not bad for 24 hours. I hope in another 24 we’ll be in our apartment. Rupert has pointed out that we could rent a place in Chelsea for less. But the manicures are more expensive.
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2008
12 Aug 2008 helena
It’s all about nails, isn’t it. No cheap manicure or pedicure then leave.
Now.
How else are you going to get inspiration for writing? How else are you going to get over a sudden funk that hits you overnight?
Don’t say that you weren’t warned.
Glad to here things are looking up.
One thing you will find about the UAE in general- they have fantastic jewellery- lots of great gold jewellery shops in Dubai- and, once you find them, there are fantastic lingerie shops. It’s an interesting philosophy - you can look as hot as- it’s just that only your husband sees it.
Hi Helena
Hi Helena
Am glad you all arrived safely and that the children seem to be handling the move well. It’s a massive culture shock and only natural that things will feel weird to begin with, but you know from experience that things will settle down. Once you have the apartment and can unpack and have your familiar things around you I’m sure that you’ll feel lots better. Take advantage of all the offers and meet up with as many people as you can…I’m still suffering from culture shock in Lyon and it’s been 6 months now!
I’m thinking of you in these early days…
Jo
Hello all
Well, things are still stressful, although we are supposed to move to a better hotel tomorrow. So I can only say, as one man said to me today, that things are “almost better”!
Hx
Dear H.
How the world has changed. It seems only a few years ago veiled women would sit on the pavement outside Oxford Street M&S removing the Jewish owned brand labels from their forbidden purchases before returning to the Arab states.
Glad things are looking up for you and hope that a new hotel, apartment or villa will come along soon in that land of economical promise and inevitable disappointment.
As with many western economies, projects are built, sold or left to rot and never maintained. Business moves on just a few miles down the coast to start again. The UAE is no different, apart from the absurd amount of money flashed about. And “flashing about” seems to be the name of their game rather than “investing in the future”.
I really do hope things get better for you and the family, especially the children who I am sure will settle in à la rentré. You were in my thoughts on Sunday evening as we sat under the plain trees outside a little village café just east of Lyon. 35° and heavily scented with wild meadow flowers, we ate a simple, fresh crunchy green salad, Janou chose a juicy rare steak and I had a few grilled sardines. Home made apricot sorbet, coffee and armagnac – and another armagnac. €32 per head including a bottle of local rosé.
Does your M&S have a food store?
Hi Graham
It sounds lovely. I had dinner last night with a French woman. She is not that happy here and longs for the France you describe. M & S does have a food store but very small.
Hx