The Sojourner

My gig in Dubai has ended rather abruptly and I am heading back to America soon.  The company for which I have worked had a couple of big projects 'go South', so senior management is having me 'go West' back to the States along with my salary.

Before returning to the U.S.A., I thought that it would be best if I explored job options here in the Emirates.  Ship construction is virtually dead here unless you are building a dhow like this one.



Keeping an open mind, I thought that it would be best to investigate employment options in other fields.

This seemed to be a position that offered plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and all the salt that you could use, but the benefits and compensation were lacking.

I thought that working with animals may be an interesting change.  However, the smell that you acquire by living in a close proximity to camels compromises your social options with humans.


The water taxis seemed to be a way to stay in boating but with a fare of one dirham per ride it would take many trips to pay the mortgage.  Besides, my fluency in Malayalam and Tamil is not adequate to converse with the other watermen.

I shall have to cast my fate to the world market once again.  I have opportunities to explore in the States and abroad.  I shall miss many of the people with whom I have worked and flown during my tenure but I should be able to keep up with them through e-mail and Facebook.  I have had a good run for the last two years and enjoyed the adventure.  Although the Emirates have not had any insurrection, my family will be glad to have me home, since I have been in living in an unstable part of the world.

Many are familiar with this expression.  American television has many offerings showing custom shops modifying vintage Chevies, Honda Civics, BMW's, AMG Mercedes, and a whole range of other automobiles.  Since the car is as much a vehicle for self-expression as for transport, it has become the perfect medium for many to demonstrate their creativity.

Here in Dubai, we have a good number of decked-out German automobiles and SUV's that you could view in the parking lot of any mall or nightclub.  However, we have an influence from the sub-continent due to large number of ex-patriot Indian citizens.  Their expressionism takes on a different form.




Virtually all of the 'pimped' vehicles are trucks.  They may be seen plying the roads loaded with everything from camels to freight.  Some of you may think that this has the flavor of Mexican ornamentation.  However, the tassels and sheet metal are distinctly eastern and some have religious significance.  It is great to see how the drivers personalize their utilitarian rides.

Remember that many of the commercial haulers are not limited to the roads here in the Emirates.  Self-expression extends to the waterways.


Since many waterman both live and work on the dhows, 'pimping their ride' is also a form of home beautification.