10 Things I should have known before writing the previous blog

1. Deep Pockets: Although Dubai with its extensive economic activity is seen as the face of the Middle East, it is Abu Dhabi which has the big bucks (owing to huge oil reserves). It is said that Abu Dhabi’s pockets goes deep down to the socks whereas Dubai is getting its pockets sewed. Abu Dhabi has in fact purchased Dubai’s assets and provided liquidity in order to bail it out from the economic crises. Also, Abu Dhabi is the only government in the world which announced in January to the entire world that the deposits of the customers in Abu Dhabi’s banks are entirely safe. No government in the world has provided that kind of guarantee.
2. No Prisoners in Apartments: Dubai’s Skyline is Abu Dhabi’s Onida Television – Neighbour’s Envy, Owner’s Pride. Dubai has swankiest of the malls and best of the places to visit. However, Dubai people term themselves as prisoners in their own apartments. With so much traffic on the roads, it usually took an hour to cover a small distance of 5 kms. The traffic condition is though better these days. A good expanse of Abu Dhabi resembles a parking lot but moving around the city is considered far easier.
3. Real Enabler: Real Estate can not be a sector that drives economic growth; it should just be an enabler. That’s why; one would not see hyped-up construction in Abu Dhabi. Apart from Oil and Gas, Abu Dhabi is promoting sectors such as Education, Healthcare and Entertainment that would result in steady yet sustainable growth. More the high rises, steepest and widest is the fall. That’s Dubai for you.
4. Sangeetha L.L.P: The food junkie in me is moving around like a zombie in these pious times. The goal is to find a vegetarian, cost effective and preferably Indian joint. Guess what! I have found one, a Tamil restaurant. Authentic Onion Rava Masala Dosa and Special Chennai Coffee (served in a steel glass within a steel cup) will go as the second highlight food of the trip (First of course is Ricotto – Please read my previous blog)
5. Sugar Daddy: Last year, 25% of the total cranes in the world were in UAE; majority being in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Considering that they are mere ‘dots’ on the world map, one can imagine the intensity of construction activities. The projects in Abu Dhabi are still underway at the same pace. Compared to Dubai, there have not been any lay-offs. The sovereign institutions such as ADIC and ADIA are flush with funds and have stakes in formidable companies of these times. There is a little twinkle in the eyes of Abu Dhabi people, a little confidence (and pride) suggesting that even if the situation turns worse, Abu Dhabi will be able to maneuver and in fact play ‘ Sugar Daddy’.
6. DD News and Sony: Hey, I now have these two channels as well and believe me it has helped a lot. I at last had a date with Sony Serials and felt at home. Although I am a strict detracter of Varun Gandhi type histrionics, I kept running DD news. After all, we Indians love chaos!
7. Rulebook Drivers: The more I commute in the city, the more the initial ‘Screw’ Driver image perishes. Most of the times, drivers run by the meter, provide you the receipt and do not resist tenancy in general.
8. Accessible Greens: Imagine Dubai? A concrete jungle, an expansive desert land, Sea-shores across Burj Dubai, the Malls – Most possibly, these pictures will flash across your mind (even if you haven’t visited the place). Where are the greens for the locals? - Except the Palm Trees on the sidewalks or on road dividers? The Corniche Road to the Port runs parallel to the creek and has manicured plantation all across the stretch. Parks and Gardens are lungs of the city and Abu Dhabi planners seemed to have ensured ‘access to greenery’ to every inhabitant.
9. Raining Time to Timing Rain: If one fine day, your girl friend/boy friend informs you that you are not required in her/his life, because climate has changed, what would you do? Hardly anything…, you were not prepared. The ghastly thunderstorms and continuous rainfall, which lashed out the city for the past 5 days, were never expected. The region has never witnessed anything like this before and was not prepared. Going by the spirit of Abu Dhabi, I am sure, next time, they will time the rain as per their convenience.
10. Where will you be on November 1?: These signboards cloud the city now as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the last of the Formula 1 race on 1st November. The tickets went on sale yesterday and were sold out in 2 hours. The City is understandably and successfully hosting a string of events to stamp itself as the ‘Culture’ capital of the region. The Other Day, Bertolucci, the world famous and signature ‘tenor’ artist, held in awe an audience of 20,000 people in the magnificent Empire Palace.

Notwithstanding these comparisons, Dubai would still glad a tourist’s attention. The Female Species is more prominent and amazingly supreme. As I wrongly considered, ‘Burqua’ is not a symbol for the old, oppressed and illiterate. It, in fact, adds to the mystique and to the desire. The ‘highlights’ of the travel remain the front desk at Zawya and Al Reem. My fellow traveler, Rahul, breathlessly and aptly put it – ‘They were dolls’