The amount of dust a balcony can accumulate is beyond me. At the end of the day, if the only purpose of having balconies in Dubai is to clean them twice a week, you’re better of not having one at all. Or have some kind of perch that does not require any kind of cleaning what so ever. I can understand balconies in reasonable weather conditions, but in Dubai I think it’s the daftest thing an architect can come up with.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed cleaning the balcony today. It was around 5.30 am, the urge started to rush through my bloodstream while I was having horizontal rest. My sleep was very light, and doing nothing, eyes wide open in my bed is just a hell of a waste of time if you ask me.
It’s amazing the sense of satisfaction one can get out of cleaning stuff. No wonder women – without being demeaning to the opposite sex – take so much pride in the act of cleaning a household. And I admire that. “A job well done” did I think to myself after brushing, moping and clearing the cement dust that covered the whole balcony with an inch thick layer. It came from the opposite construction site that never sleeps by the way. They’re at it 24 hours, 6 days out of 7. I saw the old Tata buses dropping the labour/slave workers at 6am sharp. Change of shift. Another bus came to pick up the other workers for their journey back to the baracks.
The pool opened again today and I plan (meaning it’s still a plan) to poodle around this morning. Before I head to the mall to find some birthday presents for a number of special people in my family. It’s that time of year, you know, when everybody has their birthday in the space of 2 months…
I finally managed to get Nick (BrotherOfSodwee) a firm ticket at a discounted price for his way back to Dubai. He’ll be flying on the A380 on the 18th of August. In about 2 weeks. I can’t friggin’ wait. We’ll then try to spend two days of chillaxing time here in Dubai… By the pool I guess. Maybe have a skiing session at Mall Of The Emirates, because he’s probably the only one willing to do it with me. All the others I’ve asked looked at me with the “can’t be bothered look”.
Nick (BrotherOfSodwee) has been traveling round most of Australia for the last year. What some might call Backpacking. On a limited budget. In fact he had to work to carry on traveling. Since he landed there, Nick has successfully been working as a builder in Brisbane, waiter at an Indian restaurant, but was so disgusted at how he was treated he left by throwing his apron at the owner’s face (would of loved to see that). Then moved on to Perth and Broome where he found work as a pearl diver (he got sick on the boat, so that didn’t last very long). He then road tripped over to Darwin where he found work spraying trees for a good amount of bucks. The same employer then sent him down close to Melbourne on another cheap road trip from Darwin. He crossed the whole of Australia in a not so comfy car. Even driving at times because the other guy was falling asleep at the wheel. Playing cat and mouse with the roadtrains and such. He loved it but was knackered by the end. He is now in Sydney, having a blast at doing nothing and just roaming around for some new clothes and goodies before he leaves on the 18th.
Take a look at these pictures I managed to smuggle from his Facebook profile… Gives you a rough idea of what he’s been up to :
This is a WPSimpleViewerGallery
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I managed to shuv’ my second Hong Kong for a Zurich. Happy about it. I love Zurich so much and the timings are way better ! I have a whole day in the swiss city. Sprungli chocolate, and a city with history. I’m missing cities with history. That’s what’s missing in Dubai. Some kind of reason behind the buildings, some soul & meaning. All this glass, cement and steel doesn’t mean much apart from saying “Man, have you seen how loaded I am, check out my penthouse ??!”. So strolling around a city with thoughtful architecture, lively streets, little shops, craftshops and so on is what I’m looking for at the moment. I’m also winding down before my leave so the transation to uber-active to sloth isn’t too harsh. It’s less hours. They managed to pack my two weeks with 70+ hours of flying time (block). Don’t know how, but they have. Anyhow….
I haven’t announced to anyone my come back in Paris, except my parents. So it will be easier for me to arrange meet ups instead of having the phone constantly ringing and no time for me to actually plan and enjoy my stay.
I’m glad a lot of you enjoyed the ‘Bidding Revealed’ post. I didn’t think anyone would actually be interested in the little huge details that govern our lives here at Emirates. Maybe I should explain more ?? If you have any dark areas you’d like to shed some light upon, do not hesitate to send me an email. I enjoyed it. So I’m willing to give more “behind the scenes” peeks into the operations.
I also did an interview with a popular blogger – The Flying Pinto – over in the US and can’t wait to see it published in the coming days. Stay tuned. I will let you know in due time.
I’m missing Mother and Father quite a tad to be honest. They’re living it up in some random Greek island. I think it’s called Lesbos. Having tasty cocktails on the beach and visiting ancient sites like the Dionysos Temple and so forth. I will have pictures of the places they went to very soon. I think MotherOfSodwee will have to guest blog on her holidays. Like she did about their Nicaraguan and Costa Rican getaway trecking across raging volcanos and ruthless swamps. This time I think they went for a more relaxed itinerary. Hopping from beach to beach, faffing around in the blue waters of the mediterrenean sea. God they make me sooooo jealous ! Reminds me of the holidays I had with them. Apart from Kenya and Cyprus I think I really enjoyed the time we roadtripped all the way down to Andalucia in Spain. From Paris, through Madrid, down to Granada and finally reached Salobrena on the Costa Del Sol, before retreating into the Sierra Nevada – away from the british infested coast – where they had rented this amazing villa perched on the mountain top with a lovely swimming pool overlooking the rest of the valley. I can remember our hair turning blue because of the kind of chlorine the landlady used in that pool. We loved it, kinda punk !
I’m off to Moscow tomorrow morning. Never been there and looking forward to it. That’s about all I have in store today. Hope everything is fine with you, wherever you may be.
Have a fantastic day.
A very nice way you signed off today, all that talk about architecture and culture must have rubbed off just a bit? Lol
you made me laugh with your considerations about cleaning the balcony: it could have been ME and MY balcony!
let us know about you moscow tournée, it will be a pleasure to read about it, as for all your posts!
grazie!
Thanks Antonio !
Love to hear more behind the scenes – love that sort of stuff! Are you allowed to sneak in vids while in flight? Don’t get fired on my account – but that would also be fun to see!
Go to the video section using the “navigate” menu on the right side of this page, then use the what vimeo calls the HUBNUT to navigate through the videos and click on “Airboy does New York”… You will get a sneak peek in flight…
Another Day @ Work video: GENIUS! Hahaha love the ending, hope the fall wasn’t too bad.
Hey Airboy
yes I know balconies are not really a good commodité. Seriously, i never broom my balcony, its useless at this time of year where its suffocating anyways to stand outside!
If I open the patio door, my room will be a sand box.
nice that you will see your brother soon!
ps: donne moi le nom de ton demenageur!! j ai trouvé des personnes qui vont probablemnt signer pour moi a Millenium YAY YAY YAY!!!
x
salut,
carine
LESBOS lol lol
From wiki: “Lesbos (Greek: Λέσβος, also transliterated Lesvos) is a Greek island located in the northeastern Aegean Sea.”
I thought it was supposed to be a joke. Ahahaha.
It’s not ! Father & Mother went there this summer !