It looks like I will be traveling to Dubai with my youngest daughter end of next month. I invite any comments or suggestions. We will be looking around, her gathering information for her thesis project, me tagging along.

I am interested in good but inexpensive places to eat and rent cars, along with sights to see and general suggestions such as how she should dress to avoid stirring up the Muslims.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I've had friends and family who have worked in Dubai and they love it. They describe it as the new Hong Kong. Lots of shopping, lots of bars, clubs and restaurants. The majority of people living there are foreign nationals and for the most part they know that they're only going to be there for a couple of years so they party like that.

As far as being around a lot of religious conservatives, the middle east is not much different to the mid west. If she's dressed appropriately in front of her father, then she should be dressed appropriately in front of the locals.

Here's something that I found online when I searched for things to do in Dubai.

http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1849667,00.html

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With best regards

Al

While I've never been, and am admittedly speaking from a point of complete naivety, are "Dubai" and "inexpensive" mutually exclusive?

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

The UAE Dirham is pegged at the U.S. dollar. Notes are 5-10-20-50-100-200-500. ATM from your bank can make the conversion. Or, they have Money changers.
Food is everywhere, Middle Eastern to Indian, Thai hot, American fast food, Shawara outlets are worth eating at.
For Thai, trie the Tom Yon Kung soup.
For Sri Lankin, Pakistani, Indian trie the sizzling hot chicken Tandoori with Roti, or an assortment of curries, be it the rich Mughlai, or the simple south Indian dishes-Thalis. Briyani rice is excellant, as is Murtarbak.
For Middle Eastern food, your selections will be from Lebanese, Morroccan,Persian, Tunisian. As far as I am concerned all of these cuisins are excellant.
Just remember that Asian, Middle Eastern food that is authentic, tastes nothing like what you may have eaten in the states. As in this area of the world,the cooks have access to spices not available in the States.
(You will not be disapointed)

Females and Muslims.
Dress modestly. Loose trousers and long sleeve cotton shirts are fine.
Ignore unwelcome comments. The Police take sexual harrassment VERY seriously-so if your daughter feels someone is being outrageuos, all she has to do is make a lot of noise, the polisi will come, and take the actor away.
In resteraunts, women are usually served first. Many resteraunts have 'Women only' dining areas.

She should not shake hands..unless a hand is offered.

Have a nice time.

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CHILCUTT~
The secret to a long life. Is knowing when it is time to leave.

Hope you've been saving your pennies, Tom!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

70 bucks for a pass to the beach. Ya THINK??

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I didn't think I could afford to go but the Mrs says I need to go. I think it boils down to the daughter will go and Mom does not want her going alone.

As for me? I am always ready for a trip!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I don't need to go to the beach.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Whats her thesis?

- Peter.

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81 240D stick. 316000 miles at purchase. 346000 now
2000 GMC Sonoma
Formerly...
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. Deceased Jan 08
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I jus' fig'rd.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I think it would be a great experience!

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Something about providing affordble housing for the workers who live there.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Ah. Opening up a can of worms I see.

- Peter.

__________________
81 240D stick. 316000 miles at purchase. 346000 now
2000 GMC Sonoma
Formerly...
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. Deceased Jan 08
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

you could always do some base jumping?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pGp1LX8yZY

seriously, i imagine her visit has something to do with this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUW9MWLIQYw&feature=related (especially about nine minutes in)

and if abc, the most right wing network out there excepting fox, chooses to report on it, things must be bad.

be careful, don't want to sheikh things up over there, as they will have no qualms about sending you away. (no, not on a flying carpet.)

(sorry, couldn't resist)

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

I've been to their airport en-route from Tokyo to Cairo... it was very upscale and it seemed that money was everywhere. You could buy gold bullion right there at the airport.... and all of the service vehicles on the tarmac were BMW 7-series...

The Palm-shaped island (man-made) would be worth seeing:
http://realestate.theemiratesnetwork.com/developments/dubai/palm_deira.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Islands

Good luck Tom -

Safe trip -
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K