Arabian Tales - First Rules

You’re a non-person in UAE without a cell phone, a local cell phone. It acts as a personal ID and address. So it was that we headed to the mall and bought phones on our first night here, even though we’d arrived in the early hours, got to our hotel at 2am, been picked up at 10am and spent all day at work. And, it was a Sunday – a normal working day here, of course.

Next, I opened a Bank Account – you can’t get paid without a local bank account, unless you want it in cash. And of course you can’t get a bank account without a phone number. I took an HSBC debit card and credit cards; now, with every transaction I get a text from HSBC with the details – instantly.

Crowne Plaza, Yas Island - Pool and Golf Course

Our first 10 days were spent in the desert but then we moved to the Crowne Plaza, perhaps the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in…

If getting a phone is the first act, then the first rule must be ‘Cars Go First’ – always. The otherwise polite and calm Emiratis go to ‘take no prisoner’ mode when behind the wheel. And they do not stop for anything, except a red light or the police. So, even on pedestrian crosswalks, you do not step off the sidewalk if there’s a car coming. Unless there’s a red light, and there rarely is, cars go first; even on a crosswalk. I’ve stopped at crosswalks to allow pedestrians to cross but they eye you with a mix of fear and suspicion, then they wave you on, not willing to take the risk.

Conventional wisdom here blames pedestrians – see link: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/emergencies/most-pedestrian-accidents-caused-by-jaywalking-1.1009946

Actually, aggressive driving is one of the reasons we’ve chosen to live in Abu Dhabi, close to where I work, rather than Dubai – those that live in Dubai take their life in their hands on the daily commute.

The Crowne Plaza, Yas Island, is one of 6 hotels built in a circle within walking distance of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 track. While we were staying there, the UAE Ferrari Owners Club met at the track sponsored by our hotel. There were 150 Ferraris in the hotel, many parked conspicuously in the front of the hotel. Apparently there were another 100 at the track, with suspensions too low to get over the vicious speed bumps that litter UAE roads. The track hosts race days for various clubs; Ferraris hold a special place here, with Ferrari World adjoining the track.

On Tuesday evenings the Formula 1 track is open to runners, walkers and cyclists (Wednesday evening’s for women only) at no charge and it's a popular place - you can even rent a bike if you need to - we didn't. But, we took advantage while the weather was still cool enough to get onto the track. 

Unfortunately, this is a small place and we saw lots of people we know, running and cycling, who realized we were just loafers with a camera.

The Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Track accommodates all skill levels...

Ferrari World Link: http://goo.gl/maps/nGHAq