Somehow I always known I was going to end up in some mission.
They flew me to Dubai to get a week of training which allowed me to explore this amassing city in between mandatory roll calls. I’ve met quite a few Bosnians labor workers and other Balkan nationalities that were going to Afghanistan. From the day one getting to know them the only thing they would do is drink coffee, smoke and bitch about everything. "The hotel sucks, the food is crap, the people are weird", and nothing was right, for them. I’ve tried getting them out of the hotel to explore the city, but no one was interested.
I don’t understand, really. The company paid your flight, the full board and you don’t want to see what is out there? Finally I gave up on them and found a, kinder soul, Mexican guy by the name of Jose that actually gets it.
The best part of this trip was the fact that Dzana, a very good friend from Sarajevo that now works for Quatar Air, had 4 days off so she decided to come to Dubai to visit her friend Nivada who is a flight attendant for the Emirates. Guess what, she was in Dubai the same time I was there. These girls made my trip! It was so cool to see Dzana again you have no idea how awesome it is to see a friendly face in a foreign land. Naturally, we did what all Bosnians do, got some coffee and talked for hours while commenting the local customs and the attire they were wearing.
Dubai is an interesting place. It is flat, sandy and packed with modern phallic looking buildings and it is ran by other non-Arab nationalities.
Arab’s don’t work, they don’t have to because they are privileged that their government pays them as soon as they are born. The only Arab that Iv actually seen working was the one that have stamped my passport.
Arab’s don’t work, they don’t have to because they are privileged that their government pays them as soon as they are born. The only Arab that Iv actually seen working was the one that have stamped my passport.
Jose and me took on a little adventure in looking for a way to go to Jumeirah beach where the famous BurjArab is located. First we got lost but I didn’t panic because along the way I found the stand with soft coconut that I didn’t drink/ate for over 12 years. I was jumping of joy after I had some. Pour Jose was first confused by my reaction, because as he said…they are on every corner where he lives. Last time I had them was in India and let me tell you, it brought me back by the first taste of it.
The beach was amazing, just like from a post-card photo… White sand, creamy blue water and proud Burj Aarab in the distance. I am so smart by bringing my bikini with me. Yey, me! I don’t wait for things to happen, I make them happen!
That night, Dzana picked me up and we went to Nivada’s apartment, owned by the Air Emirates. The place was amazing and excellently decorated by this lovely Bosnian hoast. She won my heart when she popped up that champagne and welcomed us to Dubai. I made dinner, because…who ever knows me, knows that this is my thing and the way to say thank you for the hospitality. Since I was dressed for Afghanistan, Nivada opened her wardrobe closed and gave me a hot black dress followed by high heals and red lipstick. It was ladies night at Makiki night club which meant the cocktails’ were free. I’m glad she dressed me up, ‘coz I could not enter in casual wear. The place was packed with all nations and let me tell you, Dubai nightlife can pare up with any major city in the west. Sin city. Prostitution is pretty big In Dubai. Some places like this do not allow traditional outfit’s (So nothing long or covered).
I really enjoyed myself and the music was awesome and free cocktails’ almost vouch for “good time”. We met a lot of various Middle-Eastern guys who went gaga for Nivada but that is what happens to a blond in this part of the world, plus let’s face it, she is super-hot!
Everything closes after 3 am so we shared a cab back home.
The next day was perfect, I finished some classes online before I came here so I had free afternoon to cruise around with Dzana. We went to Dubai mall that has over 2.500 shops. It is located by Burj Khalifa, The highest single standing building in The world and its amazing musical fountain. You easily get overwhelmed by the Mall’s size and the varieties of things you want to buy. Luckily for me I was on the budget, so I could not go crazy (because everything was 20-70% discount!). We decided to visit the Dubai Mall aquarium and had super fun imitating and making fun of the sea creatures. It was there when I realized how I miss travelling with Dzana. She is so natural and easy going that is a true blessing. I had to go back to the hotel and she had to fly back to Doha. What a treat in seeing her again!
The next day, Jose and me wen to see the Dubai Fountain show. It is on every night from 18-24h. Every half an hour they play a song and the fountain turns into this beautiful & magical experience of dancing water and light. I was just like a little kid. Fascinated and genuinely happy! If you are ever in Dubai, don’t miss this, it is an unique experience.
The hotel we were staying had a lot of Indians and I was very happy to be there during their harvest festival. They had made a bonfire by the pool. Started dancing and singing and throwing the first harvest offerings into the flames (peanuts, pop-corn ect). Ofcourse, Iv joined them. I circled the fire 3 times and thank the God for the first harvest and my new job. They welcomed me with the smile and let me dance with them for a while. I miss India. I miss my Indian friends and especially Ninu and her family and I truly hope I will have a chance to visit them soon enough.
After the morning roll call, almost all the Bosnian guys cornered me to ask what was I doing dancing with the Indians by the fire. They saw me from their balcony and they were all curious in what possessed me to do this?! (Hehehe…Mahalci*)
Our hotel has about 6-7 night clubs and after 21h it is mayhem. I sat down one night, watching the girls in high heels and short’n’tight lacey dresses walk by. The face foundation could be as cement and dark and trashy makeup can be compared to transvestites. No, drag queens can give these ladies some make up tips…this was just nasty. But I guess all cats are the same in the dark, so who am I to judge.
Curious by nature, of course I went to check these night clubs. The first one was quite good, the live Pilipino band kicked ass. These petit girls really could sing some though songs, so I was very impressed. It was this or the fact I could drink beer here. The second one was “authentic Indian night club”. It was dark and fairly empty because it was early in the evening. On the stage there were about 20-30 girls all dressed up in traditional dancing dresses with thick long hair and lots of fake and flashy jewelry. They would start dancing when they call out their name and surprisingly enough there was nothing erotic about it but rather sensual. They would dance songs from some popular Indian soundtracks and once they are finished the guys in front would give them “the crown/tiara” . Puzzled by this custom, Iv asked the waiter what’s up with this “crown” and he said, if you pay 100$ you can chose which girl was the best and if you like her performance she can join your table. I really don’t know what happens later on and what kind of “royal treatment” she gets later all I know is that I am sad about them. They are very young and beautiful girls. It is a shame they don’t have the ability to do something else than this.
I had enough. I went to my room and thanked God for my blessings in life.
Since I got my papers, medical check and green light for Afghanistan, I have decided to treat myself and for my new job to purchase the super extra hot red heals that I simply had to have. What would I do with them in Afghanistan… probably nothing, but I know for sure I will be enjoying them on my R&R (Rest & Relaxation) time! By the end of the next week my name was on the manifest and it was time to go. I had mixed feelings…leaving this paradise and going to a war zone, you have to be crazy not to have feelings of fright. In my case they were spiced up with the feelings of excitement and adventure. I know…im crazy.
Iv packed my things, locked my suitcase and I was ready to go.
Somehow I always known I was going to end up in some mission and here I was…on the plain to Afghani land.
