Dubai & I- Changing co-ordinates, doing life

Its an old post from my other blog. Since its difficult to manage two blogs, I have deleted one of my blogs.
The post below is from that blog.It was posted sometime in November, 2009.

Five Springs back I came to this city with a broken heart and empty pockets.

The pockets are still empty every now and then, but my heart is there no more.

It's the property of this city called Dubai.

Some say it's an artificial city and some call it the concrete jungle.

Still, others call it selfish and vain

But, for me,

Dubai has taught me the most important thing of all----

"HOW TO DO LIFE"

And for this very reason, I dedicate this blog to this city by the sea.

Dubai, I heart You

"Its sheer ecstasy, this place was meant for me"

BREAKFAST AT BASTAKIYA

BASTAKIYA TOUR
12th Feb, 2010
Lovely Bastakiya Walk

Me and my cat

Old habits die hard- trying to peep into the house (Backdrop of old and new Dubai!)


Its all coming back!

Finally!!! Romancing the tree the old way- Monkey days are back!!!

The pose!

Dubai, I Love You! : Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Dazed and Confused

PAST
11.30AM, Dubai

Bastakiya Area, Burdubai

So, how was the dinner? - Noor
Elena- It was o.k
Noor- And how's the crazy frog? Have he turned into a prince yet?
Elena- Oh, com'on Noor, it was just a dinner!
Noor- Yeah, the 4th one in the last 10 days and I'm ofcourse not counting the other outings!
Elena just smiles.
So, what are you going to do ?- Noor
Elena- Nothing
Noor- Thats sad, you know, cause he is hot.
Elena- O.K enough.Lets talk about you and Sagar. Looks like he's got feelings for you.
Noor- Maybe but you know me its got to be an Egyptian.
Elena- Oh com'on, what happened to the "Dubai, the united colors of Benetton" thingy???

PRESENT

3PM, Dubai Media City

Elena- Ivanayyyy, are the faces ready?
Ivan- Not yet, give me some time
Elena- They might want us to add some other stuff too.Customers never have time man you know that..
Ivan- And you remember that never allow the customer to design.
Elena- RightO! I just want to get over with the storyboard don't want the story to continue like a never ending soap opera.
Ivan- Speaking of soap operas, when's your leading man landing?
Elena- Havn't checked yet.
Ivan- So, you trying to get serious with him?
Elena- Why on earth you people keep asking me the same question again and again!!!
Ivan- BE-CAUSE!
Elena- O.K I will answer your question. I will get serious when I meet Captain Jack Sparrow.
Ivan (smiling)- You know thats asking too much
Elena (laughing)- Not much, O.K I could do with Dr House also!

Glenn- Hey Boss, can we talk?
Elena- Yeah, Sure; and you finish the faces

PAST
1.30AM, Greens

The sharp sound of the intercom startles Elena. She gets up from the maze of tender documents ad answers the intercom- Who is it?
Shawn- Your friendly neighbourhood stalker
Elena- Shawn? What are you doing here at this time of the night?
Shawn- Nothing, I was just...I don't know, just kinda wanted to see you.
Elena- O.K, come up

Shawn- Hey
Elena- oh my God, Shawn, what happened?
Shawn- You should have seen the other guy, American Douchebag
Elena- What was the fight all about?
Shawn- Nothing
Elena- Nothing? Why do you guys have to do it everytime? Let me see it..eww, let me clean it up for you.
Shawn- No,Its o.k
Elena- Bloody nose, swollen eyelids, yeah its o.k actually its quite sexy.
Shawn- You want to clean it?
Elena- yes
Shawn- O.k I will let you clean it if you let me kiss you.

Elena doesn't know what to do with this guy. Both start to laugh. They are interrupted by the ringing phone.

Elena- Hello?....Fridu, slow down please, ...what happened?.....o.k I will be there in 15, just hang on o.k? I will be there
Shawn- What happened?
Elena- Its my friend Frida. I need to meet her now.
Shawn- Its pretty late, let me drive you.
Elena- O.K

PRESENT
3.20PM, Dubai Media City

So what is it?- Elena
Glenn- Boss, can i borrow some money?
Elena- Sure, however I need to know why?
Glenn- The other day I was at the bus stop, this Indian guy was bothering one girl, she is a Filipina, I couldnot stand it, you know that right
Elena- Mmmhmm
Glenn- So, I punched him, he fell down. there was this policeman, he took him to the hospital but took my Pataka card. He said he will not arrest me cause he had seen what had happened earlier. But I need to pay the medical bills. So, I need the money around 300 would be fine.
Elena- O.K, here it is and remember next time, just make sure police is not around and yes give a kick from my side as well, will ya? Both smile.

PAST
3.30AM Sana Fashions, Al Karama

Frida- So tell me E, what do I do?
Elena- You do life! Is there any other plan girl? I'm sorry, its just that I don't understand why do you have to make anyone your life? They can be part of your lives but they are not your life!
Frida- Its easy for you to say that..guys always fall for you look at Shawn..

Elena- You don't know that do you......I had a nervous break down once and since then I have realised, there should be nothing in this world, I mean nothing..that you cannot live without.

Frida- How can you be so always cut to the point?
Elena- That's called mutation
and they both break out in laughter.

Elena- Seriously, Fridu,Look, you will find your way out of this ..I cannot tell you how, everyone's road is different.If he has already decided to marry according to his mother's wishes, then you should stop seeing him. Cause you will keep going around with him and he will still go ahead and marry according to his mom. You know these mother's boys belong to only one kind of woman and that's their mother.So, let him go to his mother, you go ahead with your life. Don't be bitter, as long as it was, it was beautiful. You don't cry when your ice-cream box finishes at midnight..there's always some ice-cream parlour open if you so really want or you can wait till the morning when you can shop for all the ice-cream in the world.

Frida- E you really have some timing...and you keep complaining that your friend Robbie is painful.. I think its a tie!
Elena- So you o.k now?
Frida- I don't know I'm confused.
Elena- Give yourself time, what comes naturally, will go naturally. ...It was around 3 months right? So, I give you 2 months..you will be fine
Frida- EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Dubai, I Love You!: Chapter 2

Hook, Line and Sinker

PRESENT: 3PM, Saturday, Dubai

Discovery Gardens

Ivan: So how much time did he give you?

Anna: 1 week; I never felt so humiliated in my whole life.

Ivan: Don't cry, please..please

Anna: I'm trying, just don't know how to handle all these..I hate my life - doing this stupid job at the art gallery, hardly saving any money and now my boyfriend wants me to move out of his life and apartment. Thought in Dubai, I will find all the joys I was searching for and now all that i find in Dubai is sand!

Ivan: Com'on now. Don't say that. Give time to yourself. o.k? And you don't have to worry about the accommodation. You can stay here with me till you find a place.

Anna: Is it o.k?

Ivan: Of course Anna; Tell me how long we have been friends? 14? 15 years? You helped me come here. Look at me I'm living my dream and I want to share it with you.

Anna: Oh Ivan, you are the best.

Ivan: You ever doubted that?
They both laugh and hug.


PRESENT: Somewhere off the coast of Arabian Sea

Elena: Where are all the fishes?

Robbie: Looks like they have gone for a swim

Elena: Really Thor, were you always like that?

Robbie: Like what?

Elena: Dodgy hair and shit sense of humor!

Christopher: So, you miss him?

Elena: What?

Christopher: Com'on now, don't give me that. I know...say you miss him.

Elena: O.k O.k.maybe a little.

Robbie: Shall I call Skinny and tell him

Elena: Thor, you are impossible.

Christopher starts to chuckle.

Elena: Topher lets just push him off the boat. He is superhero anyways!


PAST: 1 AM, The Greens

Elena: Hey Topher gotta go now, its almost 1 now.

Topher: What? Please stay for sometime more.

Elena: Tomorrow I'm working unlike you losers who get to enjoy their weekend morning sleep.

Topher: Well then at least have the ice cream and go. I got your favourite one Cream and Cookies. Will get it for you..

Elena: That's o.k let me get it myself


Elena walks into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator to take out the ice-cream.

So, how old are you?: Shawn

Elena taken by surprise: what?

Shawn: I asked how old are you, cause I won't date a girl if she ain't legal

What hit her????

Elena: Funny

Shawn: I'm serious, I want to take you to dinner sometime.

Elena smiles: No thank you, I'm good

Shawn: Yeah I know you are good that's why I want to take you out.

Elena laughs: You are crazy or something?

Just then Ivan enters the kitchen: E, lets go man, I'm sleepy.

Elena: Excuse me please.

PRESENT: 4PM, Golden Sands, Burdubai

Noor: Ismail, I'm fed up of your excuses! When are you going to grow up?

Ismail: Noor, I'm honestly sorry but I really need this money. This time we have a good business plan. Its going to work out for sure. I will pay you back everything and I'll take care of you and parents. I promise.

Noor: Ismail, my brother, every time you say that and every time you fail us all.

Ismail: Please Noor, don't abandon me in this time of my need. I'm your younger brother. I thought I didn't have to ask others for help when I have a successful Business Manager for a sister. Please Noor, where will I go?

Noor:............ O.k Ismail, this is the last time I'm going to give you money. Remember, I'm doing this for parents.

Ismail: I love you Noor. I'll make it up to you for sure.

PAST: 4.30AM, Dubai Marina

As Elena starts her round of jogging, she says to herself: Its a perfect morning.

Is it???

Hey!: Shawn

Elena: Oh God!

Shawn (smiling): Yes?

Elena shakes her head in disbelief

Shawn (still smiling): What?

Elena:What are you doing here?

Shawn: Oh, Topher told me you do your round here and I thought if I go home I might just sleep over, so basically, I was waiting here for the past 3 hours for you to show up.

Elena: What? Are you a stalker or something?

Shawn : Naah. Just wanted to tell you I'll pick you up tonight at 7 for dinner.

Elena: Dinner?!

Shawn: Yeah dinner; and please wear something short and freeflow. There's dancing too in the menu. See ya, laters then.

Dubai, I Love You!: Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Truth is stranger than fiction

11.45AM, FRIDAY, DUBAI

Baghdad Street, Al Qusais

Rani, " Babuji! Where have u been babuji? I have been logged on for so long."
Arun," Sorry dear, got caught up in a meeting. So, what's ur plan for today?"
Rani, " Will go to Irish Village with Elena and her gang. Oktoberfest is going on there. Its going to be a blast they say!"
Arun," Enjoy, enjoy, our weekend starts tomorrow. Hey I miss you"
Rani, " Miss you too babuji."

Sana Fashions, Al Karama

" Got to send the money to India today, oops need to take out the clothes from the machine before it starts to smell"
As Frida straightens her hair, she also makes a mental note to buy some dresses this weekend. "Its never enough when it comes to dresses for a girl"

Golden Sands I, Burdubai

" Noor, we will have to keep the cast for another extra week", Dr. Haitham
Noor, " I see; I was thinking maybe, we can take it out as soon as possible. You see I'm going home for vacation & I have not told my parents about my leg. I don't want them to worry unnecessarily, you know, I just.."
Haitham, " Dont worry, everything will be fine. Inshallah."

The Greens, Sheikh Zayed Road

" E, baby I'm hungry. Is the food ready?", Christopher
Elena, " Get your ass up here Topher! I ain't gonna bring you food in bed. Thor is already here."

8.30PM

Frida, " Granny's getting her eye operated, Missing family a lot."
" Hey, don't cry. Things are gonna be o.k", Elena
" I really don't know E, too much pressure from family", Frida
Elena, " Then why don't you just meet the guy. Nothings wrong in meeting yaar. Who knows you may even like him."
Frida, " I dont want an arranged marriage."
"O.K Queen Victoria, even the Aviation Club manager has called asking for you. We gotta go now", Christopher
Elena, " Hey Fridu dear, my gang is waiting for me. We are going to IV. You just try and relax. I will come down tomorrow to your place. Is that o.k?"
Frida, " O.k sure; bye then, enjoy"
" I will", Elena

11PM, Irish Village, Aviation Club, Al Garhoud

Rani, " Hey E, How's your friend Noor doing?"
Elena, " The cast's gonna stay another week, It sucks big time."
" Hey guys! What's up?", Jamal
Christopher, " I didn't win the Billion dollar lotto, thats the news."
Jamal, " O.K, what happened, why is he pissed?"
Thor, " He can't have more than 3 pegs tonight; E made him promise that."
Anna, " That's so severe..why E?"
" Cause!, I don't want to clean up his shit again tonight. You should have seen last night. What a mess he did in my living room."
Ivan, " He had a whole bottle of white wine and two glasses of dirty martini!"

Lila, " What a concoction!" "Tell me about it", Christopher, " By the way who are you?!"
Jamal, " Sorry folks!, This is my friend Lila. This is Topher-Christopher,Ivan, Thor, Anna, E and..". E," Thats Rani". All, " Hi, come join us"
Jamal, " Thanks, but others are waiting for us over there. See you guys later."
" Laters.."

Forever (DJ Clement remix) playing in the background. Christopher, " Common E, thats our song, lets dance"
Elena," Do you see anyone dancing Topher?"
Christopher, " Exactly! Common doll"

" Quite a group", Lila. Jamal, " Yeah, rude, trippy, genuine"
Lila, " What kind of a name is Thor?"
Jamal, " Oh, His real name is Robbie; they call him Thor because of his height and size. You know Thor, the superhero?

Lila, " No, I didnot know that. See,they are dancing..; Hey that girl E and Topher, they a couple or something?"
" No, no, Topher is Skinny's best friend", Jamal
" Skinny? Who is Skinny?", Lila
Jamal, " E's boyfriend."

Tripping: Looking for my voice

I lost my voice to a bad case of viral infection and have been looking for it since sunday. It started with a bad headache on Thursday. By nightfall, I had high fever. I couldn't sleep the whole night. Next morning and afternoon were the same. My weekend sucked badly. Thank god, saturday was off for me this week or i did have to take my day off.

My new found voice( or lack thereof) has given me lot of names. Ivan the Terrible calls me Golum (LOTR) now, but I prefer to call myself Don Corleone. Hager the Horrible, on the otherhand, is very happy, cause I cannot argue with him now about the sales tracker and sales forecast. Truth is I'm supposed to make my team members achieve their targets, whereas I myself has been unable to achieve it- which is-I've been after him these past one week for the sales forecast figures without any success, whatsoever!

Coming back to my current situation- I'm taking steroids that I'm allowed to take. There is no fever and I feel very strong but am still looking for my voice. I pray that there are no important meeting with clients this week.

Tripping: Two guys, a girl and a revolving restaurant (under construction)

Date: 3/02/09, Place: Fortune Tower, Jumeirah Lakes
On camera: Ivan The Terrible & Hagar The Horrible
With camera: Ms. Lenticulars

On their quest for the daily dose of LSD, the day Trippers stumbled upon this unknown place- a revolving restaurant on the 33rd floor. The restaurant is under construction; only the basic framework has been laid (wheels can be seen in the photo). The view is magnificent from the top- almost all the landmarks of Dubai are visible.

It was a great find- there were no one at the site. It was a fantastic place for day tripping!

SEA- I can SEE u now!

The climate of Dubai is so wonderful today. Actually it has been a lovely winter since it started to rain from the first week of december. It has rained regulary these two months..maybe just a couple of dry days and the rest wet, foggy, cosy and beautiful.

Today, visibility was about 50mts around my office area which is like next to the sea.

I still remember the day my "friends" at B-School, laughed at me when I had told them that I have never been to a sea beach before. I always longed to see the sea, smell it and touch it. Wonder of wonders, my first job posting after MBA was in Mumbai, India.I got a load of "sea dose". But, there was more to come.

I'm in Dubai now. I live near a sea beach and work at a office situated by the sea. I get to enjoy the sea everyday. Oh , the view from my cabin- the yachts, the towers, the beach, the sea and the sea-gulls! I love the "MARINA"

RTA and the Floating Bridge

The RTA seem to be doing some good work in decreasing the traffic bottlenecks in Dubai. The floating brigde in the Creek Area is one such solution. Also I love the drive...I can almost hear the water and touch it! I HEART Dubai.

SRK, Smoking and NRIs

Watching SRK perform along with the Indian Cricket Team in some function makes me wonder- is he a man or a machine..I mean he is present in almost every event related to media industry and not related to media industry. Does he ever get some sleep or what ..does he eat?I know he smokes..Smoking Kills..but by the looks of it I'm not sure anymore.I mean look at him, he has so much energy..He is like what 43-44; Young guys like Dhoni who are almost half his age were finding it difficult to do the jumps and rolls he was doing.
Anyway coming to the point this SRK is here-there-everywhere..Mr.Omnipresent I must say. You may hate him or love him but you simply cant avoid him!
Who is this phenomenon? From acting in Traffic rules videos for Doordarshan to TV seriels To telefilms to Movies..it has been a meteoric rise for this guy. Most people I meet are critical of him..he hamms too much, he cant act at all...well I can only say you may fool all people sometime but cannot fool all the people all the time. He has been able to do that ..so i guess if he cannot act he can definitely entertain. I dont know how many fans he has in India.but I can tell you for sure every Indian living abroad will definitely watch his movie. NRIs are like crazy for a dose of SRK entertainment. Even Emiratis are crazy about him.
I still remember the day I went to watch Main Hoon Na at Cinestar in Citycentre( my fav hangout place in the whole of Dubai)..the hall was packed--shared by Local Arabs and Indians ofcourse. It was my first SRK movie viewing in Arabland and i was surprised at the fan following SRK had in Emirates. They were singing songs!I was like OK i get it now..SRK you are really a Huge star with NRIs.
When you are away from homeland for a long time, you want to remember all the beautiful things related to it...the sweetness of it and SRK films have huge doses of them.
I guess NRIs like the bold-beautiful colours, song n dance for every ocassion, glitzy clothes present in almost all SRK films. And ofcourse the main ingredient is the Love factor. You can hardly go wrong with a love story movie if well told. Like,for instance Titanic (James Cameroon one) was a huge hit practically everywhere it was screened. Because the main story was a love story and that too a doomed love story! SRK is the king of romance and i guess so he is the King of Hindi film industry. Let me tell you an incident how known SRK is in Dubai. One day I caught a screening of Swades in Cinestar, did some shopping in Carrefour and hoped into the first taxi I got. After sometime, the taxi driver(a arab local) asked me"madam, you not going to the Shahrukh khan show tonight?" Actually SRK was in town with his team to perform for a show called Temptations or something like that... I thought why is he asking me ..then i realised i was wearing a Salwar kameez. I smiled and said "No, i just watched him in a film today" He is like" Madam, this is Shahrukh Khan...not movie, LIVE!....everbody going there" His emphasis was so much on the word live and he couldnot believe that I an Indian wouldnot like to watch SRK perform live!
Oh SRK you are really big time favourites with NRIs and Arabs..you maynot be the greatest actor but you are definitely a great entertainer!