Before Sandstorm

I guess I’ll have to get used to these. What looks like a very smoggy day in Los Angeles is in reality one of the many sandstorms that come through this area when the wind kicks up. It’s not the car burying, run-for-cover kind of events that I always though of when picturing a sandstorm.

It’s more like wind with texture. Everything gets covered with an almost invisible layer of fine dust that is gritty to touch. I am told that these can get much worse to the point you can not see across the street. I’d hate to be the street cleaner after one of those. In a country that values clean shiny cars, and buildings, there has to be a great financial opportunity for a business where you can really clean up.

During Sandstorm

Dubai Metro Train

I went local today and took the Dubai metro. What an Experience! I have never seen a cleaner and more organized public transportation system in my life.  There was absolutely no graffiti to be seen, anywhere. The seats were made of cloth and spotless. Normally on a metro train, everything is made of plastic so at the end of the day, everything can be hosed down or jet washed, sort of like McDonalds furniture. You know, just uncomfortable enough so you leave as soon as you inhale your Quarter Pounder with cheese.

All cars were air conditioned and they really turned these things up. It was actually almost cold inside. There is even a car for women only and a first class car in the front. You pay extra for that but since the trains have no driver, the front car has a large window in the front that you can see everything through. I soon found out why these trains are so spotless. I took the train to the end of the line, where everyone has to get off and they turn the train around. Waiting as we all disembarked was a crew of cleaning personnel. They were all waiting with mop buckets, antiseptic spray and vacuum cleaners. It reminded of the crews that come on board an airplane after the flight. These trains get a complete wash down after every line run. The stations themselves are pristine with tiled floors and ornate decorations. There is a maintenance worker at every station constantly polishing the tile floors and wiping off any handprints or smudges from the walls as well.

Dubai Metro Station

Everyone is also well behaved on the trains. Men relinquish their seats willingly to any woman standing.

The only negative thing I have to add is that due to the economic crisis here, many of the stations listed on the metro map have not been completed and the trains do not stop at these incomplete stations. I was really looking forward to getting off at Internet City station, but I went right past to the Mall of the Emirates, which had several computer stores to keep me happy.

My hotel room in Dubai

I was served breakfast this morning by the captain of the yacht I am staying on in the Marina in Dubai, UAE. The yacht is owned by my future employer. Pictures to come later. Everything is clean, modern and neat without a hair out of place. Got up to 30 degrees today (90 F). Can’t beat that for February.

Captain Lawrence