Image via WikipediaOk, now that I have got a license, the next logical step was obviously to buy a car.

In Dubai, you need a car to buy a car. There is no point in hopping around from one showroom to another in a taxi. You are better off renting out a vehicle and use that for your search.

That’s exactly what I did.

I rented out a car to get rid of the taxi menace, and also to make my search for an ideal car economical.

So over the weekend I visited showrooms of five car companies, and looked at new SUVs and sedans.

Below are the major makes and models that grabbed my attention (in no particular order of preference)

Toyota RAV4
Toyota Camry
Honda CR-V
Honda Accord
Nissan Murano
Nissan Altima
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage

Out of these, I liked Nissan Murano the best, but it is also the most expensive of all. I have yet to figure out how much I can afford per month on a car. If Murano comes under my budget then I’ll definitely go for that.

Another important factor is that I want to avoid Korean cars for their lack or resale value. I admit Sportage is a good quality vehicle but it’s a little hard to sell one after using it for a couple of years.

Next step: Look at used models of same cars and see if buying a used vehicle is a better option or not.

Image via Wikipedia.
The beach above is not in DubaiWell, unfortunately, there are none!

It would have been great to have some nude beaches in Dubai, but as it stands none exist in Dubai, or anywhere else in the UAE, for that matter.

Yet, people from some Western countries fail to understand this and do not hesitate to go topless as soon as they get their feet wet at a Dubai beach.

Some go as far as indulging in sexual activities at a public beach.

Obviously the authorities will take action against any public display of indecency.

But what’s unfortunate is that the media is covering this negatively. They are portraying Dubai as a conservative place. And that’s very sad.

I really don’t understand why this is such a big deal if nudity in beaches is not allowed in Dubai, or having sex in public. How many places exist in the world where you can go nude in public, or make out with your significant other? Not a lot.

These acts are considered indecent (and illegal) in most parts of the world, belonging to any religion. There is a limit to how can you behave in public. Cross that line and you will find yourself in trouble.

You will be warned and arrested in any country for acting indecent.

So please, don’t make a fuss about it when Dubai police is trying to stop people from indecency.

Just because it’s tax-free doesn’t mean the beaches are clothes-free as well.

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Usually I don’t talk about weather a lot, but for last three days it’s been extremely hot in Dubai. So hot that I don’t remember living at a hotter place. The maximum temperature has easily been over 50C (122F). Good thing everything is air conditioned in Dubai so you don’t feel the heat if you stay indoors, but if you do happen to go out for any reason, just two minutes are enough to give you a heatstroke.

That’s another aspect to life in Dubai, extreme heat in summer. If weather is a big deal for you, if you can’t survive in extreme weather conditions (cold or hot), then maybe you shouldn’t live in Dubai. It gets really really hot here.

Ideally, weather should not be an excuse for anyone. You gotta do what you gotta do, come hail, shine, or snow. So if it is scorching hot in Dubai, just avoid staying outdoors during the day. Take plenty of fluids, and go for shopping sprees after sunset.

Just soak up the sun and party on.

One thing that you cannot miss in Dubai this summer is Modhesh.

This yellow cartoon character is the mascot for Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival. It invites people to visit the malls and take advantage of the mini shopping festival happening these days. There is also a theme park based entirely on modesh. It’s called Modesh Fun City.

Modesh is slowly becoming the icon of Dubai.

People have love-hate relationship with Modhesh. Some people love it. They think it’s the most adorable thing they have ever seen. At the same time, there are people who are sick and tired of Modesh mania.

Since this is my first year in Dubai, I am not yet tired of it. In fact, I barely notice the banners and statues of Modhesh mounted around Dubai, unless someone shows me. Plus I understand I live in a materialistic city with consumerism at its peak so I really can’t be bothered by this seemingly harmless imaginary creature whose sole purpose so make people spend more money. I don’t even have any kids who would start shouting and jumping with joy at every sight of modhesh. I am least annoyed.

Have you ever seen marketing campaigns going to such lengths that it becomes the identity of a city?

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While boarding the plane during my last trip to Algeria and Morocco, I noticed the display screen loading the Linux operating System.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that, considering my IT background and all. I felt a little bit safer knowing the airplane was not powered by Windows. Imagine the operating system crashing in the middle of the flight. Scary!

Image via WikipediaIf you are considering moving to Dubai, or just want to know more about how things work in Dubai, then I can give you following pieces of information that I gathered over the months I have been in Dubai.

My first days in Dubai - What I went through during the initial days of moving in Dubai

Finding a place live in Dubai (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) - My experience of finding an apartment.

Taxis in Dubai - How Dubai Taxi System Works. Another three part series.

The US Education - Did my US Educational Degree help in settling down in Dubai?

The advantage of US passport - If you are US citizen, what advantages you can have while living in Dubai.

Moving to Dubai? Read this first - As the title suggests

Dubai is for riches - Another important aspect of life in Dubai

How much money you should be making in Dubai - My most popular post so far. Gives an overview of cost of living in Dubai and provides guidelines for calculating your minimum income required while living in Dubai.

Unmarried couples of Dubai - What dangers are lurking for unmarried couples in Dubai

Carpooling in Dubai - What Dubai government thinks about car pooling in Dubai

Hot Girls in Dubai - Where to find hot girls in Dubai. A cheeky post.