Ramadan #3

If I were to pick the BEST time in Dubai, I would say it is Ramadan. I know, I know, many people think it's the WORST time because of the inconvenience - you can't eat or drink in public, traffic is crrraazzzzyy before Iftar (when the fast is broken), and now it happens to fall smack in the middle of the summer. Our average temps are 110 deg with humidity easily above 50% daily.

So why do I think it's the BEST time in Dubai?

Primarily, the shorter work hours!!!!! As I've repeatedly said (complained?), in Dubai, we work a lot. Average is 48 hours a week, but usually ends up being 50. In the States the average is 40-42. 9 hours a day is a LOT. Sooo.... Ramadan hours are 6 HOURS a day!!! That's it! It almost feels like I am on vacation and then going to work. Working 9-3pm is literally The.Best.Thing.EVER!!!! Seeing daylight, having soo much extra time free, sooo nice. Now it happens that Ramadan is smack in the middle of the summer when most expats go to their home countries and locals travel, the city is fairly quiet. Meaning that traffic is generally less (except pre-Iftar) AND work has been a wee bit more quiet (or maybe it's just because we are seeing less patients?).

Anyway, I've been in the BEST mood and am slowly... VERY sloooowly ticking off my "Things To Do During Ramadan" list. The 1st week I have to admit was more about napping and relaxing and going to the gym, but time is passing and I need to get moving with those things that you want to do but never have the time for? Example, "spring cleaning" the closet. Bor-ing, but should be done!!

Soo.... I just had to write a blog how awesome it is to get paid full-time and work almost 1/2 as much time, and again, the FREE time!!! Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice!!!!

On a unrelated note, this actually happened right before Ramadan, but as a farewell gift to some of my dear friends that are leaving Dubai (sniff sniff), I had VIP connections and organized a helicopter ride around Dubai! It was sooo cool! Here are a few snaps:

Ramadan Kareem everyone!!!