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| Window Washers at the Burj Khalifa |
For the last few months we are now to the good part.
It’s that time of year where the
weather is so nice - Mild, sunny days.
Yes, Dubai is extremely hot for 3 or 4 months of the year, but it is a
small price to pay for beautiful weather the rest of the time.
The city and everyone living here takes advantage of the
amazing weather. There are
countless events outside, and it is always a great day to head to the
beach. It only rained one day
about a week ago, and that will likely be it for the next 12 months or more.
In addition to the weather, we enjoy the area where we
live. When we first moved to
Dubai, housing was hard to come by.
If you saw an apartment you liked, you had to sign on the spot because
it would be gone within an hour later.
No joke.
I came here and had a look for one week, and during that
time I found a complex that was under construction. The model looked nice, and the size seemed reasonable, but
more importantly I had the most unexplainable feeling that we needed to live
there. I felt very strongly that
we should not live anywhere else.
It was not until a few years later that I learned we would be across the
street from the world’s tallest building and what is referred to as “Downtown
Dubai”.
I remember looking out the window asking my husband where it
would be. “There,” he told
me. But there was nothing
there. It was all desert. We were pretty much living at the end
of Dubai for a few short years.
I watched Burj Khalifa emerge from the sand out my window,
and I somehow still could not believe it.
Now it is great to wake up every morning and see it. We also enjoy a walk or run around the Dubai Fountains
and spend a lot of time playing football (soccer) or lately, freeze tag on the lawn at the base of the building on the
weekends.
Two weeks ago I went out earlier than usual to shoot some
architecture photography. I was
amazed at how many people were out cleaning the area. I know they do it, but to see so many was both impressive and humbling.
Many places here are always immaculately clean. Even if it looks clean already, someone
is cleaning. They wash the
sidewalks, maintain the fountains and clean the windows of all these buildings
among other things.
Since last weekend, they have been preparing for the New
Year. We will watch from our much
less crowded balcony again, but to see all this come together and all the work
that goes into it, has been amazing. I am so appreciative of the workers, and all the others who work
to keep the area and Dubai clean.
The big thing in the news here last week was about a gas
station attendant that was strip searched over a small tip. Needless to say it created a lot of
outrage. Blue-collar workers here are paid a low wage, and like many
migrant workers throughout the world, they send their money back home to their
families and children so they can hopefully have a better life.
The story did not go unnoticed. Many people are protesting the gas station. But more importantly, on the seventh
anniversary of his accession, Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai, used this as an
opportunity to honor and create awareness about the blue-collar workers here.
He is quoted as tweeting, “This year, we focus on a new
group: general labor employees such as gardeners, janitors, construction
workers, domestic workers among others.
“These groups play an active role in society. Some have
spent many years doing a great job and they deserve a big ‘thank you’ from all
of us.” Sheikh Mohammed said these
“unknown soldiers” were the reason streets, buildings and other facilities were
ready, clean, and decorated every day.
“We want to let them know that their services are valued and appreciated
as they make our lives easier and better.” (thenational.ae)
This is such a big step for workers rights here, and
hopefully those who have been mistreated, or not appreciated will see improved
conditions and pay in the future.
So while we are watching the fireworks
at Burj Khalifa, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, let's not litter, pick up our trash, maybe buy the workers a sandwich or a bottle of
water. Let's do something in 2013 to let them
know how much they are appreciated. As Sheikh Mohammed said, they make our lives easier, so let’s do
something in return.
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| Washing the sidewalks at the Burj Khalifa |
There is also one honey for "married only". My husband was out at the rides with my son while I shopped, so the vendor would not let me taste any! I don't know what the big deal is because I am married. The honey claims to be a miracle cure. According to the description, it could cure any reproductive ailment you could think of - both male and female! Move over Dr. Oz, I've found the next cure-all! 
