Let's talk about the weather
It's nearly August, and it's meant to be hot. According to popular consensus, extreme heat is not desirable. Take a walk down the Madinat Jumeira, though, and you'll find the outdoor seating of restaurants is full.
I don't get why people complain about the heat. Winter comes, and people love it. Summer comes, and people are on holiday, apparently escaping the heat. Yes, it's hot. But how hot is hot?
Dubai summer is really not that hot. This is the time one can feel the desert air gently blowing, the night lights softly calling, the traffic never stalling. The air is clear, the sky is blue, there's pure sunshine.
Dubai's the place to be, and the weather's an all-round please!
26 comments:
I don't think any country has perfect weather all year round and I'd certainly not trade Dubai's six week sauna for Montreal's six month freeze. All the same, while it may be possible, just, to sit outside on a Jumeirah evening, there's no fun in attempting a decent long walk at this time. And as cars can never be more than a necessary evil, and bicycles are barely legal (and deemed dangerous, by careless drivers) the 'peak season' can become a little trying, no?
Is it cooler in Pakistan? I heard the North doesn't get too hot but really how can you say it isn't hot here? You probably spend too much time indoors to actually feel the heat.
*paraglider, how are you, and how's Q? :)
There are many seasons here so the weather changes - if it had been consistently "pleasantly warm" it would have been perfect in my opinion. I also wouldn't trade the heat for an igloo! Because the post is so short I left a lot of things unsaid. The heat just now is much more bearable than one might think, and the crowds dining al fresco prove it. However, it's a little bit too hot for me personally to take a long walk! Biking? Hmm would love it if there were some bike tracks in Dubai, it would be convenient and it's also great exercise!
*anon, I live a life of luxury, so of course I spend most of my time indoors. Wouldn't want to be mixing with the likes of you, now, would I.
Now stop giving me so much attention with your pointless comments or I'll have to pull an SD on you and ignore you altogether next time ;)
I absolutely agree with you...the weather isn't that bad actually...I still see people going to the park and as you said Madinat Jumierah...Heat is the signature weathre of the UAE, and it is what I'm made of as an Emirati...thanx sis for such nice topic
I am no fan of summer weather anywhere in the world. I need cool breeze or good 'ol air conditioning. ahhh the bliss of hearing an A/C on a summer afternoon, just dozing off to a siesta - I used to sleep so well.....memories from the 'ol days :)
Despite the humidity summers used to be most fun, 'cause in the evenings we'd play tennis or soccer with friends, head to the beach, BBQ in the garden - Ahmed's mom's home for dinner (she is the Arab version of Martha Stewart cooking :) - I hardly left UAE during summer holidays, even though my folks would try and drag us to some holiday destination, there was "something" good about being in UAE in the Summer, with friends, my pets - sleeping thru the afternoons, woken by the call for prayer - and friends coming over for tea, milk shakes & cookies or just to hang out. At times the evening would get humid, and we'd get drenched, but there was joy in all that as well. It was part of the package.
Maaaaaaaaaan I miss those days :(
Anyone got a time machine?
Glad to hear your opinion because I arrive in Dubai on Sunday and all I hear about August in Dubai is the miserable weather. I was there in the spring, too, and people complained, but I thought it was fine.
The heat over here is PRETTY bad, but I was in Indiana for 6 years and man, I am happier in this crazy weather, which feels like walking inside a blow dryer. It is better than walking in what feels like living in a deep freezer! After my time in Indiana, I think Hell should've been a cold place!
i*maginate, I think this anonymous kid likes you a lot. And his mother won't accept anything, but a Pakistani girl to run the house. In any case, I have just changed jobs and where I am currently working now, I saw a seemingly Arab looking girl (in the customary local dressing) and also speaking in fluent Arabic. I got the shock of my life when I heard her talking in crystal clear Urdu!
Needless to say, I was so damn impressed! I think one of her parents must be a Pakistani/Indian. I saw that girl and I thought of you and anon-what's-his-face guy hehe.
I am staying online too long!
The heat over here is PRETTY bad, but I was in Indiana for 6 years and man, I am happier in this crazy weather, which feels like walking inside a blow dryer. It is better than walking in what feels like living in a deep freezer! After my time in Indiana, I think Hell should've been a cold place!
i*maginate, I think this anonymous kid likes you a lot. And his mother won't accept anything, but a Pakistani girl to run the house. In any case, I have just changed jobs and where I am currently working now, I saw a seemingly Arab looking girl (in the customary local dressing) and also speaking in fluent Arabic. I got the shock of my life when I heard her talking in crystal clear Urdu!
Needless to say, I was so damn impressed! I think one of her parents must be a Pakistani/Indian. I saw that girl and I thought of you and anon-what's-his-face guy hehe.
I am staying online too long!
I*maginate,
I fully agree with you, daaahling!
It's not really that hot. It's just, like, a bit not so…, like, cold in a way.
I don’t know why people are complaining. They are probably just envious or don’t have nice skin to show off.
The labourers also seem to like the heat. I can see them lie down outside, ‘al fresco’ one might call it, to catch a wink or two in the afternoon.
Lucky men, I always say – I wish I could hold siesta just like them!
And they even get cool overalls in nice bright colours. It makes working on a building site so much more cheerful. I think this is sooo Dubai.
I am sooo into heat. And Dubai.
hallo,
what kind of topic might be even more boring as „weather“ to result in an even longer queue of commentators?
i*maginates imagination images as an unimaginable image.
cheers and ciau ciau
*sugar-free sweetie, thanks for visiting! You're most welcome, I'm glad you liked the post ;) Love your blog and esp the cute nickname! You know what, I think the weather's getting cooler in the summer year on year...perhaps due to Global Warming. (?)
*rosh, playing tennis in the summer as a guy is much easier than if you're a chick - the biggest "broblem" for me in the summer is getting all "drenched" which guys are better equipped to deal with! After all, you have no long hair to wash/style/dry and prob no ounces of make-up to layer on! For me, that's the only disadvantage I face in the summer - so I try and limit "outdoor appearances" to about 10 minutes, unless summer escapades such as desert-trips are planned, and expected, and one is suitably dressed for the occasion!
I love the way you write. As for your "time machine" comment, believe me, I know how you feel. Over time, I've found writing things down and celebrating the past, as well as trying to recreate some of the elements of our memories works well. There are still like-minded people around, rosh, and blogworld is great, coz it helps you identify that.
*renee, firstly, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. It's always reassuring to know a "stranger" (i.e. not a regular reader) has passed by and has something nice to say about Dubai.
Spring-time (I would say just the month of May) is quite humid, but it seems to be less humid this summer, and just more hot during the days/nights.
Renee, it depends on what you're accustomed to and what you like. Personally I can't sit out in the heat but many tourists don't mind!
Have a safe trip to Dubai and please don't hesitate to ask either myself or any of the other bloggers here queries related to your trip.
Wish you the best!
*al republican, it is definitely hot. "How hot is hot?" Well that depends on, as I said to renee, what you're accustomed to and what you like. I can just about bear 10 minutes of pure unplanned summer sunshine. But there are many who can obviously manage more, either in the day, or at night.
LOL @ the anon person. Don't give em so much attention or else they'll troll back with an encyclopedia of the rock formation in NWFP's mountainous valleys, which of course, you'd be willing to challenge ;)
I thought you said I spend too much time online lol. And after reading your comment earlier today, I went to an office and saw this girl, similar to what you've desribed, and guess which three characters it made me think about? Myself, the anonymous troll, and someone called al-republican, who experienced an experience I experienced today. lol
P.S. (as you prob know) most locals speak Urdu...& a lot of non-locals wear the abaya!
*nick - wow! We agree on something? Now isn't that just splendid?
Look mate, this post is about the weather when it comes to the more glamourous of us, who are not confined to construction sites ;) Meaning, those of us who can choose how much time to spend in the heat *in our leisure time*. And from my observations out & about (when I'm not in the beauty parlour) I notice many people enjoying the sunshine/"heat" - as sugar-free sweetie said, loads of people in parks etc. This surprised me, and it backed up my own personal feelings about the summer here, which is why I posted about it. Thought it would be a cool refresher ;)
Nick, construction is not an easy job. My heart goes out to those endlessly in the sunshine building whatever they're building. Most of them did sign on the dotted line though, but still, it's no easy job, and for that, I respect those who work in the industry.
*joy be upon us all
Hallo back, and thanks for visiting. Man, a whole load of other respected bloggers seem to find the topic interesting enough to say equally interesting things.
P.S. it's absurd to claim the topic is so boring, then contribute to the "q of commentators"
And another thing dude, boring things are not always boring, when discussed in a non-boring way. That's i*maginate for you!
Many thanks i*... :)
"In any case, I have just changed jobs and where I am currently working now, I saw a seemingly Arab looking girl (in the customary local dressing) and also speaking in fluent Arabic."
Al Rep - by any chance is this at a bank in Jumeirah? If so, the seemingly Arab looking girl is Pakistani is a naturalized Emirati, UAEian whatever you choose to call it - oh have I said too much?
:)
Rosh-
Nope, it wasnt a bank. I am afraid if I even give you an atom's weight worth of a hint as to where I work, I will be easily trackable :P
In any case, I guess there are lots of such people Indian-Arabs or Pakistani-Arabs. I find that combination very interesting and as a Muslim, pretty convenient.
imaginate:
Don't tell me you were in my office! But, yeah many Muslim women wear the abaya, but how it is worn defers from culture to culture I guess. The head wrapping is a major clue and since she had it on like the local girls have it, I thought she was local (and she probably still could be, I am not asking her :P).
Rosh, no it wasn't a bank. I am afraid if I tell you where I work or even give you a minisucle amount of hint, you will know exactly where I work :P Hmmm, I sometimes wonder why it should make a difference if I tell you my exact location hehe. But, I guess you can understand how it isn't a good idea giving information out on the internet.
But, yeah, there are quite a few mixed Arab, huh? I like that. I think its a very convenient and nice mix. I actually cannot speak Arabic too well (I am terribly out of practice). Where I work now, I am surrounded by many Arabs, so this might be my chance to brush up.
Thanks for responding to my post -- it was pretty cool to see when I came through today. I actually visit when I remember to, and I've enjoyed your posts.
At any rate, I'm looking forward to my second trip to Dubai. I hope I can stand to stay out in the heat because I'd like to go to the beach (wasn't able to do that in March/April!). I am originally from the western part of the US where it does get pretty hot, but the nice dry type!
At any rate, keep up the great posts on here and thanks for sharing!
*Al republican, aha, so she seems to be local from the way she wore the abaya.
"Hmmm, I sometimes wonder why it should make a difference if I tell you my exact location hehe."
Al republican, we're all just very curious about you! And the point you made above is what I think too. I don't respect those who make judgements solely on personal info etc. It's so shallow. Genuine curiosity, though, is another thing. But then again, "curiosity killed the cat" ;) hahaha
"I guess you can understand how it isn't a good idea giving information out on the internet."
Damn right. I've got my share of stalkers and the less personal info, the better!
P.S. many bloggers install these programmes on blogs that also display IP addresses of blog visitors and usually it shows the network location...and/or place of work...and sometimes residence areas (esp within Dubai)..
"there are quite a few mixed Arab, huh? I like that."
"Mixedness" is always referred to if one is "mixed". One is nearly always "ORIGINALLY" from somewhere. I don't like that ;)
*renee, wow! I hope you'll comment more in the future, as I said, it's so lovely to receive comments from "new readers" - I've been blogging for about 6 months now and I daresay, it's a huge ego-boost to get new readers!
So you're from the Western part of the US? I love that bit. Oozes glamour, perhaps for the right/wrong reasons? haha. Can't say I don't love LA, that would be lying!
Oh, I'm so glad I can say "I've been to Texas". Unfortunately I never saw any cowboys! Kind of disappointed me, but from this experience, I learnt the stereotypes associated with places are not always true.
Dry heat is more comfortable than "humid heat". I find if there's a desert around when it's hot, it's psychologically more "acceptable". As for the beach, I love the scenery, but don't sunbathe myself, though I do, on occassions...
If there's any time I would sunbathe, it would be now...but I can barely sit in the sauna/steam room for more than 10 minutes so that's just me...if I had the guts to sit out in public "sunbathing" in Dubai, I wouldn't be alone, yet again, I'm not a trained sunbather so I'd probably look really weird getting to the pool/beach and leaving after 10 mins!
Have you been to Mina Seyahi (hotel)? It's a popular retreat for expats here. Loads of expats who love the beach.
I guess any beach in Dubai would be nice for someone to visit - I'd prefer the hotel beaches since there's more privacy there.
today i've learned the phrase “subtle narrative style”,
then your comments crossed my mind,
or wasn’t it just the other way round? Bye Bye
*Joy, "subtlety" is a learned practice. If I truly understood what you were saying, I might have given a true answer.
I feel you know what you want to say, but my subtle ears find it hard to comprehend your true meaning.
Perhaps leave the sarcasm for when you master the language? (Spoken from a language-lover)
*paraglider, I know you are grinning ;)
Hallo,
conversation between different first-languages can lead to misconceptions.
i wanted to translate the German word “Erzählstil”, as linguistic technical term known as “narrativer Stil”,
i used the “dict.leo.org/” for translation and what came out: „subtle narrative style“
thus, „subtle“ was the fewest I wanted to say, just an appendix without specific meaning,
but your interpretation in the comment was based on the term I just added without specific understanding or intention,
absurd theatre? it’s terrible for me, especially when its about you. Sleep well
*Joy, your English is good enough without having to resort to "leo.org"
I won't be "sleeping" until you trust in your language skills, that you don't need to resort to "leo.org" for putting your point accross.
Please wake up: language is the love of life, and *joy knows that, when *joy consults his own mind when attempting to put his point accross.
Imag, Rosh and Al, this is bit off topic and correct me if i am wrong but i have noticed that most of the emarati ladies working in private sector are... as u said "naturalized Emiraties" and not of pure breed..i mean whose parents are both from emirates.
Not necessarily true, Topaz.
I know of a few ladies in the private sector who are pure Arabs.
Whilst I agree that the heat isn't as bad as people make out most of the time.
Clear air? Pure sunshine?
There's usually a tonne of sand in the air all day in the summer! :-)
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