Middle East

[Guest guest]

I just remembered you, Shyam, when an NRI boasted about the great living

conditions in the Middle East. I told him that I had a friend in Riyadh who

could beat him hollow anytime regarding the descriptions of glamour of the

Middle East.

He said, and I quote him, " Phwa! Saudi Arabia is fanatic. Dubai is the place

to be. "

He went on to boast that he had advised Benazir not to go to Pakistan, but

she did not listen to him, and look where that got her! (The main point of

this was that he could sit rubbing shoulders with Benazir, who is not in a

position to contradict him now.)

I guess everyman has his own poison. In Dubai, you can also meet Dawood, I

guess.

Kishore Shah 1974

[Guest guest]

I liked that....Kishoreda..

This discussion..on a whole lot of such advantages/disadvantages of living in...

X or a Y country, around the Gulf,....r essay questions..which r answered by us

all..thru experience,..related by our friends.....out here,..over the

weekends..and thus we r in possession of a range of statistics...relating to

Saudi Arabia..being the best place..amongst the middle eastern countries...

(I will be very short..)

Firstly..comparison of Saudi Arabia..with other Gulf countries...(From an NRI

savings point of view..)

The rate of inflation..is the lowest amongst the Gulf nations.

The price of essential commodities...hasn't risen,in last 11yrs, except since

6mnths, due to the falling Dollar.

The price of gasoline is on the lowest side ..today..in World market..

The most beautiful World class malls,numerous..doting each and every

districts.and housing the finest..money can buy......

The crime rate,pretty much under control..

The std of living.moderate-good

The savings..at the end of each month...fairly decent..

Drawbacks..

A) Yes,less public social outing centres..But, we expatriates, have our own

social circle..

Lack of Cinema Theatres..and religious places..

But,with the arrival of huge Plasma TVs..and mind-blowing hometheatre

systems.,at affordable prices,.who need to really go and watch..in a theatre..

AND.as long as u..have ur ways..of communicating with..Upparwala..,no need to

have a designated...religious place..to go and worship.(My take).

Now..Comparison of the DREAM DUBAI..with other Gulf Countries..

Dubai is a place..to go and spend ur vactions ONLY..,bcos, the cost of living,

bordering around 80%..inflation,along with...Qatar. around 110%..makes everyday

living pretty much a struggle..

It is said..that Dubai will be a dream abode,..for the rich and the super-rich

to stay...but,for middle class gentry..it will be tough,in days to come..

Those working in Dubai...prefer staying in satellite cities..like Sharjah/Abu

Dhabi...due to unaffordable houses..

Plus,those who have cars in Dubai..tend still to use Mass Transport system...due

to lack of space .for parking their cars..near to their offices...

The savings at the end of the month,practically very poor.

Advantages..

Yes,excellent social centres..and world class Amusement parks..and funtime, all

year around..

Great...visual treat..and very much an open country..where u will mingle with

cinestars..,bhais...etc...

But that's about it....

LASTLY..on comments about Fanatic..well I wish not to discuss..as I see..such

fanatism..in all forms..now, in practically everywhere, round the

world..including Apna Bharat..

(Sometimes I wonder,friends,...if I had managed to write..half of what I could

write..out here,..during my MBBS days..I would probably..have..jumped..a few

places higher..in the ranking).

Bye.

Shyam(84)

..

Middle East

I just remembered you, Shyam, when an NRI boasted about the great living

conditions in the Middle East. I told him that I had a friend in Riyadh who

could beat him hollow anytime regarding the descriptions of glamour of the

Middle East.

He said, and I quote him, " Phwa! Saudi Arabia is fanatic. Dubai is the place

to be. "

He went on to boast that he had advised Benazir not to go to Pakistan, but

she did not listen to him, and look where that got her! (The main point of

this was that he could sit rubbing shoulders with Benazir, who is not in a

position to contradict him now.)

I guess everyman has his own poison. In Dubai, you can also meet Dawood, I

guess.

Kishore Shah 1974