22nd - 24th March 2024 Post Comment Love

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

We're taking a 2 week break now until the 12th April, we'll tweet/x you a reminder when we're back. In the meantime, link up, leave a comment or two and we'll do the same back.

Hope you have a Happy Easter if you celebrate. Ramadan Mubarak to those of you celebrating that also.

We'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter, tag us and we'll RT. You can find us on twitter here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby 

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

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Post Comment Love 21st - 23rd April 2023

Welcome back to #pocolo with Stephanie from Lifeat139a and I.

I hope you all had a good Easter and Ramadan Kareem whatever you celebrate. We were in Dubai for Ramadan and Easter. Then I took mum to Brighton for a few days to see her family. Easter isn't a big affair in Dubai unlike Christmas and Halloween, but there are still chocolate eggs and decorations for sale in the supermarkets.

It's been two years since I've been in Dubai and as you can imagine there have been huge changes. The construction and development seems to double in size every year.

It was lovely to visit the Worlds Largest Aquarium in Dubai and then the Worlds Oldest Aquarium in Brighton over the holidays. 

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week and all we ask is that you leave a comment on either mine or Stephanie's post which you linked up through and at least one other post. We'd also love it if you could RT us on Twitter when we tag you to help us reach a wider audience.

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the weekend.

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Ramadan in Dubai 2023

It's been almost 2 years since we were in Dubai during Ramadan and so much has changed in the way non muslims can operate during the day.

In 2015 there was no alcohol served during Ramadan and all food outlets were closed during day light hours.

In 2016 they allowed alcohol to be served after Iftar (sundown) Some places were open for take out only but hours were restricted and the number of venues limited.

In 2017 - 2019 coffee shops with indoor service only were open during restricted hours and hotels were allowed to serve alcohol during the day, the food halls were open and screened off.

2020 took place during lock down.

2021 we were surprised to see the removal of screens and all coffee shops, restaurants were open during the day. However the rules asked you to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public during daylight hours.

2023 People were walking around the tourist areas eating, drinking and smoking. There were decorations in the malls and offers in the stores.

It was also Easter at the same time and whilst there are decorations in shops and chocolate eggs in stores, it's never been a big thing in Dubai unlike Christmas which is a huge event over there.

The take out coffee cups were decorated, but that was that. No restrictions at all and it just didn't feel like Ramadan at all.

Post Comment Love. 29th April - 2nd May

Welcome back to #Pocolo with Stephanie from Lifeat139 and I where we host a weekly post where you can link up with any post, on any subject, you've written this week.

Hope you've all had a good Easter, Ramadan and a blessed Eid Al Fitr.

We were away in West Wales for 5 nights with the dog. Have you been to this part of the world? Did you go away for the Easter break.

I've been back in school for 4 days and have Monday off for the bank holiday, then just over 3 weeks till the half term holidays and we'll be off to explore the Yorkshire coast. 

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Week 16 - One Daily Positive - A staycation and Ramadan Kareem

It doesn't feel like I've been away from Dubai at all. It's automatic to hop in the car and drive on the other side of the road and the money and way of doing things is familiar. 

However Ramadan is very different this year, it's cooler for starters as it occurs 11 days earlier each year and most of the restrictions of previous years have changed and as long as you eat or drink in a cafe or restaurant there is no need for screening from the rest of the public. More places are open this year due to not requiring a permit to operate during Ramadan.

Smoking, eating and drinking whilst walking around or in your car is still prohibited during day light hours.

I've been back and forth to the Drs for yet more blood tests, thankfully my phosphate levels have corrected themselves with medication but they really do need to get to the bottom of the iron deficiency anaemia as the side effects of the infusions are causing other issues now and I really don't want to be on more and more medications long term.

We managed to get away for a few days, but if I'm honest I'm not a big fan of hotel stays. The staff were excellent but a lot of the guests refused to wear masks in communal areas both indoors and outdoors, but this is what happens when people visit from other countries, they don't recognise the laws or think they can do the same as they do at home but in the sun. The hotel was also very tired, soft furnishings were stained and towels were thread bare and a good clean was needed in the rooms. The communal areas looked ok as they were being cleaned throughout the day. 

107 Saturday All change with Ramadan. We went to the Outlet Village and other than coffee didn't buy anything.

108 Sunday Stopped at the beach on the way to the Doctors

109 Monday A mini break in Ras Al Khaimah at the Rixos. 

110 Tuesday Days split between the beach and the pool side and dinner and a show in the evening.

111 Wednesday Some of the entertainment leaves a lot to be desired such as Baby Shark throughout the day and the Macarena at night, thank fully it was relatively quiet with numbers.

112 Thursday Morning by the pool and the drive home, stopping at the local mall for a coffee and a food shop for the week.

113 Friday Whilst we have a lot more freedom in Dubai we are required to wear masks 24/7 including outdoors, in parking lots etc. Both Peter and I are used to wearing them when out the house, I'll just have to remind him that he can take his mask off in open space when he's back in the UK. I attempted to sit out in the garden, but by the time I'd swept and put the cushions out I had overheated, so spent the day trying to sell the garden, organise Bupa to continue when we relocate (quoted £23,000 per annum for medical aid) cancelling internet and sorting out investments. 

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Ramadan Kareem 2021. Then and now in Dubai. 'Service for non-Muslims'

Ramadan in Dubai is very different this year as an observer.

Our first Ramadan was in July 2015. Muslims fast, which means they do not eat, drink, chew gum and yes that includes not even having a sip of water during daylight hours. It also means as a non resident in the UAE that you will also observe this and not eat in, drink or smoke in public places or in the view of others. So no drinking water in your car, smoking a cigarette or dipping your hands in a bag of crisps during the same time period. You can how ever eat in the privacy of your own home or allocated room at work.

In 2015 I rarely left the house for a month, no where was open, no coffee shops, no restaurants, nothing during the day and it was dry as in no alcohol served at all during Ramadan.

2016 was slightly different, they lifted the rules on drinking alcohol for tourists and residents but only in the evenings and with a licence, places were allowed to open in the day to serve food, but only after a certain time and doors and windows had to be blocked off. Most places though were take out only. I was teaching that year in an Arabic school and had to go into the toilets in the classrooms to have a drink of water and had to wait for an hour to drive home before I could drink again. I'd skip lunch most days as the break room was too far away.

Summer in Dubai reaches 50c.

2017 more changes, now alcohol could be consumed during the day at brunches, coffee shops now open to sit indoors only, Mall food halls now serving food from midday if you sat behind the screens.

2018 and 2019 pretty much the same.

2020 Ramadan took place during a full lockdown.

2021 You wouldn't even know Ramadan was happening. You can eat and drink in public seated in a cafe or restaurant indoors. No screens, no curtains, no signs.

The first weekend some areas had outdoor seating open, people were smoking and drinking whilst walking around. The rules have now been clarified to indoor dining only and the general public should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum outdoors during daylight hours.

 

One Daily Positive - Week 19. Ramadan Kareem

Week 19 sees the start of Ramadan. As a non muslim it only affects me by limiting where I can eat, drink or smoke when I'm out in public during daylight hours.

Ramadan this year in Dubai will be much easier to manage as it is occurring earlier in the year and therefore much cooler than our first year here when it took place in the middle of June 2015. Apparently it won't occur in the middle of summer again until around 2042.

The laws in Dubai have also relaxed quite a bit since we first came her. The first year no alcohol was served and during the day time food outlets only did takeaways. In 2016 they relaxed the alcohol laws and you could drink in a bar/restaurant/hotel after Iftar which is the breaking of the fast. Some outlets were open during the day so you could eat/drink in, but it was hit and miss. In 2017 I was in Dubai most of Ramadan and only half of 2018. By 2018 I could pretty much guarantee to go most places and get a drink or something to eat during the daytime. I find it strange when I go to the UK and Ramadan is on to be able to eat and drink in public and tend to abstain from doing so when walking around unless I'm indoors.

This year, I have 12 days out from the 11th till the 23rd of May. Ramadan starts on the 6th May and ends on the 3rd of June. School and work days are reduced from 8am till 2pm and the roads get very busy at the end of the day as people race to get home to break fast, mosque, followed by Iftar. We will avoid the roads between 2pm and 6.30pm, as it's hectic out there.

Being British I find it very strange still to see signs stating 'No Muslims allowed' it's because it's the food halls in the mall, they can of course take their children in their to be fed and the elderly, people who are ill and pregnant or breast feeding women are exempt from fasting.

It's a fun place to be despite the restrictions on me, lots of sales, invites for Iftars and dates galore.

125 Sunday Having got up at 5am to walk the dog, do some gardening and wash the entrance hall, I was back in bed by 9am as I was tired and very hot. Took myself out for a coffee and to do some blogging around 11am and did a food shop. The afternoon was spent catching up with bills, paperwork and some letter writing.  Went for a swim early evening and a dog walk.

126 Monday Plans to dog walk and garden went out the window when I woke up late, so a short walk only for Bob. Popped out for coffee and came home frustrated due to Ramadan opening hours not being consistent and available online, watched TV in bed, ate junk food, paid bills and booked my next UK flight with a return via Sydney/Melbourne to visit child 3 in late July early August for a 3 week road trip. Ramadan Mubarak.

127 Tuesday Off to the dog park for the morning. One of the few places I can get a drink out before midday. Joined in with the yoga group. Left at midday and the car was 50c inside. Tidied up in the garden after pruning the trees and spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV and writing letters. Took Bob for a long walk.

The worlds largest indoor dog park

128 Wednesday Back to the dog park for the morning. Peter left his phone at home so I met him at the bank with it, as we had some papers to sign. Did some washing and ironing while watching youtube, went for a swim and dinner out and pub quiz in the evening. We won.

The new road system and apartments being built. Work started after we moved in December 2017

129 Thursday Up early, dog walk, garden watered, bed changed and 4 loads of washing done. Off to the nail bar, found a Starbucks open for dine in. Caught up with some blog comments and posts, home by 12pm and started cleaning up stairs. Swim in the late afternoon, dinner and an early night.

Too many children in the pool to take a photo

130 Friday Out for lunch with friends followed by a BBQ with another set in the evening. It's all or nothing with us on weekends here, we're either super busy with friends or just the two of us at home.

View of Dubai Marina from the roof top

131 Saturday Popped out for coffee and a food shop for Peter while I'm away. I finished packing, had a swim and a sleep mid afternoon. I'm catching an over night flight to Johannesburg at midnight.

Bob doesn't want me to go

On the blog this week:

We're super excited to announce We're going to be Grandparents in September.

Ramadan in Dubai
2015 Our first Ramadan Very different from how it is 4 years on
2016 Iftars and breaking fast with dates and milk
         Living and working in Dubai during Ramadan
2017 Visiting Dubai in Ramadan
2018 Where is Ramadan in the UK?
         Ramadan for a non muslim

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Where is Ramadan in the UK?

I'm over from Dubai for the summer. I leave around this time every year because it just gets too hot and besides I get to spend time with my family and friends.

We've been living in Dubai for 3 and a half years and have been experiencing our 4th Ramadan. We're not muslims and we don't fast, but we do observe Ramadan and alter our behaviour to accommodate those fasting which is more than 60% of the population.

I arrived in the UK at the end of the 2nd full week of Ramadan this year and to be honest I forgot it was Ramadan, we had our sons wedding on Saturday and a funeral on Monday. Today is the first day I've had some time to switch off. I went out for a coffee and it struck me that the windows weren't covered or that I was only able to purchase a take away.

Ramadan ends on Thursday this week and I'm pretty sure there are a lot of people in the UK who have no idea that Ramadan is actually taking place and exactly what it involves. I did hear a comment from a school volunteer who said they had wondered why year 6 has been making lanterns and why there were Arabic words on the classroom wall.

I've written about what Ramadan is like living in Dubai many times, which you can read more about here.

I'm actually missing Ramadan, even though I don't fast, it reminds me think about other people's needs and to have some discipline in my own life.

Are you observing Ramadan in the UK? How is the experience for you? Either as a Muslim or an observor?

Eid Mubarak 

May you have a blessed Eid Al-Fitr. 

Week 21 One Daily Positive

So much to do before I return to the UK for the summer. There are photos strewn around the spare bedroom waiting to find a home, I have ironing to do, a pile of washing and some paperwork to sort. I tend to work better leaving things to the last minute.

I started my latest migraine on Friday evening, by Tuesday I was beaten back by it and spent the day in bed. I get so many that my life would be put on hold if I gave into them all the time.

140 Sunday Up at 5am to walk Bob and sort the garden watering system out. Had a blood test at 10am and called round to a friends. Received the news that Peter's Uncle died last night.

141 Monday Spent the morning prepping dinner, making jelly and cakes. Popped over to see my friend, called in at the Mall to return a dress that's a little too tight. Had my nails done.

142 Tuesday Everything stopped today for me to battle with my migraine, I'm now not getting any respite from it, so spent the day in bed.

143 Wednesday Still had the migraine, not helped by setting fire to the laundry, rubbish bags, wheat pillow and basket. Caused by a cigarette in the rubbish bag, my fault. Thankfully Peter was going to work later and discovered 3ft high flames in the kitchen, he managed to put the fire out but the house was engulfed with smoke. We discovered we had no smoke detectors in the house which is a new build, we have a CO2 detector but I dread to think how bad the fire needed to be to trigger that. We went out for the evening to the pub quiz for dinner.

144 Thursday I spent 2 hours with Bob at the dog park and did a food shop. The house stinks of smoke. I've been doing a lot of research into my diet and reduced the amount of dairy and wheat, that can prevent my body from absorbing iron. I had cut caffeine out of my diet, but reintroduced after realising my migraine/headache was caffeine withdrawal.

145 Friday A lovely relaxing day, spent the morning lazing around home then met friends for Brunch, had a sleep in the afternoon and spent the evening watching TV.

146 Saturday A leisurely start to the morning, dog walk and breakfast, then a trip to the Souk Madinat for coffee and a spot of lunch. One of the few places in Dubai selling food and drink and allowing you to sit inside to eat during Ramadan.

On the blog this week:

My Sunday Photo - The Paris Hotel Las Vegas. 
TriumphantTales, TweensTeensBeyond, BestBootForward, PoCoLo - I don't have cancer, but there's still no explanation for my blog test results.

What does Ramadan mean to a non Muslim living in the Middle East?

There are positives and negatives of course and as an non muslim, I don't have to deal with having with going about my daily activities in the heat of summer whilst fasting. With Ramadan starting next week, I thought I'd blog about what I can and can't do here during this time and can refer people to this post rather than answering endless questions that I face every year about what people think I can't do whilst living here.

The shops go into full retail mode with sales and fantastic deals on offer to everyone. There are Iftars (breaking fast) meals, social events and gatherings. And the end of Ramadan Eid al Fitr is marked with fireworks and celebrations.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year, in which strict fasting is observed from dawn to sunset. In 2018 Ramadan starts 16/17th May. Our first Ramadan in Dubai, in 2015 was in the middle of June. On average it is 11 days earlier each year and whilst this is an approximate date, final confirmation isn't until the new moon is sighted.

If we're still here in a few years, Ramadan will be in winter, day light hours shorter and not as hot. It's the heat I struggle with the most and not being able to drink water if I'm out in public, although as a non muslim I can carry on eating and drinking as normal. I have actually been asked If I'm actually allowed to eat and drink during this month.

However there are some restrictions placed upon me in public during daylight hours whilst I go about my everyday activites in Dubai, during Ramadan and these include:

• No eating
• No drinking (not even water)
• No chewing gum
• No smoking

I can still do the above in the privacy of my own home, my garden as it's fenced off and on our balcony. 

However if I'm out it's a bit more of a struggle. You won't find anywhere to smoke during the day, unless you sit in your car, surrounded by sun screens. Although not recommend when the car temps reach 57c.

Food halls and some cafes are open, but finding out who is and who isn't and who is available for take away only and opening times is a different matter altogether. 

Every year I find more and more places open for non muslims during Ramadan. However opening hours change, with places opening later in the day and staying open later at night. Little is advertised on the websites. But if you're in Dubai on holiday during Ramadan, then your hotel restaurant will operate as normal. However you may find alcohol is restricted during day light hours in Ramadan.

Everyone is exceptionally friendly here in Dubai during Ramadan and they will allow for mistakes. You'll be politely asked not to eat or drink in the malls, outside of restricted areas which are clearly labelled and with a list of the rules.

Muslims who are ill, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding etc are exempt from fasting and you will see muslims in non muslim areas feeding their children during the day. 

My Sunday Photo - Week 127. G is for Giving

It's Ramadan and the lovely people of Dubai are getting into the spirit of giving with the installation and filling up of street fridges.

You don't have to be a Muslim to participate in Ramadan, it's not just about fasting, it's also about giving.

Last year an initiative was set up to provide food and drinks for labourers and low-income workers with the Sharing Fridge. Anyone can set one up, there are approximately 70 in the city and you can find out more about how to get involved on their Facebook page.

The fridges are filled by the community and are available 24 hours a day. Each fridge is expected to be used by around 100 people per day. There are around 70 fridges across the city.

You are encouraged to fill the fridges with juice, water, fruit, vegetables, dates, biscuits, nuts and crisps. They do not encourage prepared food and ask that you check the expiry dates before filling the fridges. They are not designed for left over food, but for food and drink that can be consumed on the go so chop your carrots, slice the water melon etc.

People who use the fridges are asked in 7 languages to only take what they need, in the spirit of sharing with their brothers and sisters.

There is one in our street and another on the Al Wasl Road near the bus stop. It's an excellent initiative and I will be donating to the fridge on a weekly basis.

One Daily Positive - Week 22 Dr's appointments and migraine.

AHHHHHHHHHH

I seriously don't seem to EVER achieve anything, EVER, at all.

It's hot, humid and apart from walking from the house to car to mall and early 5am walks with Bob, there is no outdoor life to be had now it's summer in Dubai. As it's also Ramadan there are few places to eat and drink during the day unless you visit a hotel or one of the larger malls and use the food halls after 12pm. Despite there being plenty to do in Dubai, it all costs money.

After spending last week, deep cleaning the house, cupboards, windows, doors, as well as bathrooms,  hoovering and mopping, after a weekend of 3 adults in the house, eating crisps, meals in front of the TV, spilling coke, beer and wine as they walk with their over filled hands, the house needs bloody cleaning again.

I've deleted my face book account. I'm sick to death of seeing the same crap day after day, slagging other bloggers off in closed groups, criticising and launching attacks on people's political views and the back patting of how wonderful certain bloggers are.

As they say in Arabic 'Khalas' ENOUGH., STOP TALKING, I'M DONE.

148 Sunday. Perfect.
Had a lovely day with the teen at Dubai Mall, purchasing gadgets to improve internet and file sharing around the home. Discovered the new router can only be configured by our internet supplier. By accident I'd deleted the entire contents of my laptop. Apple Mac only allows you to restore files 1 by 1. I was up till midnight trying to move them all back.

149 Monday. Jewel.
I heard rumours that the Souk Madinat was open for food and drinks during Ramadan in the day. Most of the coffee shops are take out only, Starbucks was allowing dine ins and several of the restaurants were open from 12pm. The rest of the day was spent restoring my files.

150 Tuesday. Fly. Up and down the Al Wasl Road to the 3 different Doctors surgeries.
The entire day was filled up with the Doctors, I had appointments with the Neurologist, Ophthalmologist and physio, the teen had 3 appointments also. I've suffered with migraines since I was a baby, chronic neck pain for 23 years and had meningitis 17 years ago. My migraines have had me hospitalised numerous times over the years, so anything different from the norm sees me heading to the Doctors ASAP. By today I was on my 5th day of constant burning pain behind my left eye. I spent the late afternoon and early evening in bed, watching youtube.

151 Wednesday. Amaze. glasses steam up when you you OUTSIDE in Dubai.
Physio and X-rays first thing and by day by midday, every file/photo was restored. How come after 3 years I only just discovered I can enlarge the thumbnails on my MacBook Air? The evening was spent having dinner and enjoying the pub quiz, which we won, with friends. The eye pain is still here.

152 Thursday. Dance.
Dental appointment for the teen, a food shop and nothing much else was achieved other than washing Bob and all his bedding and there always seems to be paperwork to sort.

153 Friday. Hello.
Bob walked, breakfast eaten and the rest of the day spent in bed. My eye pain is getting worse, the migraine threatened to hit full force but dissipated, some exercises were done, but that was it. Peter spent the day watching movies and the teen appeared around 2pm to join him.

154 Saturday. Expand. Not 1 but 2 Ramadan Fridges near us, this year.
Woken at 5am by the cat demanding food, took Bob for a walk and drank tea till 8am when I woke everyone up for the teens physio and Peter's haircut. We did a food shop, bought take away coffee to drink at home and popped to Dubai Mall before it go too busy, just to get out the house for a few hours. Yes I still have the eye pain and headaches.

On the blog this week:

Expat Life - My Sunday Photo - R is for Ramadan.
Life Style - Triumphant Tales - Treat yourself to a make over.
Travel - PoCoLo - Should I cancel my UK trip in light of recent terrorism?
Gardening - My Summer Garden in the sand.