Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!

saivalli · 18th February 2009, 15:49

My first visit abroad !! And believe me, its been like a dream ever since i landed here

Landed on 5th of Feb 2009

Thought of sharing my trip with you guys !!

Enjoy !!

vikram_d · 18th February 2009, 15:52

I don't see much to enjoy here right now. Waiting for the enjoyment portion to begin.

Tejas@perioimpl · 18th February 2009, 16:03

Shouldn't this go in the Travelogues section?

Where is the sharing bit?

Anyways, since you are there now, you will get great deals at malls due to the economic slowdown! BTW, which part of the middle east?

saivalli · 18th February 2009, 16:48

I am posting the BEST ones of the day.....

Enjoy...

Cheers !

saivalli · 18th February 2009, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Shouldn't this go in the Travelogues section?

Where is the sharing bit?

Anyways, since you are there now, you will get great deals at malls due to the economic slowdown! BTW, which part of the middle east?

If this is the wrong place for this, MODs !! kindly do the needful

I am staying close to Abu Dhabi actually. But i am moving around hunting down every place related to AUTOMOBILES ! Anyways... let my snaps speak

Cheers..

mobike008 · 18th February 2009, 17:39

I can almost feel your excitement of your first visit abroad jump out of this thread

Glad to see your enjoying and that's some cool pictures of cars. Keep 'em coming!

saivalli · 18th February 2009, 17:45

Dodge CHARGER , Lincoln TOWN CAR , R8 , Porsche CARRERA , H2 LIMO , Nissan GTR , Maserati QUATTROPORTE , G Wagon- G55 , CORVETTE , MUSTANG...

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc00261.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc00263.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc00299.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc00336.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc00347.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc04540.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc04554.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc04627.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc04641.jpg

Mid- East!! THE place to BE !!-dsc04679.jpg

Cheers...

saivalli · 18th February 2009, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobike008

I can almost feel your excitement of your first visit abroad jump out of this thread

Glad to see your enjoying and that's some cool pictures of cars. Keep 'em coming!

True dude !! Everytime i go to the city, i dont know where to see !! Wherever i see, there is somethin new and awesome

Lots to come

Cheers !!

abhinav.gupta88 · 18th February 2009, 17:59

Ive been to the place and the Mall of the Emirates.
Its like the most exotic mall ( car wise )

Waiting for more.

shajufx · 18th February 2009, 18:25

My partner said all the malls are giving things at throw away prices due to the recession effect. Around 20000 indians will return with their jobs lost by March 2009. If you are on a visit, you will enjoy the place, if you are on a job assignment, it may not be that great place to be !

Su-47 · 18th February 2009, 18:55

Shajufx, Would you know how many Indians work in the middle east. This is just to get an estimate of %-age of people getting affected.

shajufx · 18th February 2009, 19:32

Oh, I dont dare to calculate the numbers !! My family (mine and wife's) itself has got over 40 people (direct cousines or uncles or aunties, excluding distant relatives), my previous collegues, friends, school mates or college mates from India will exceed roughly 100+. My above post on 20000 figure is purely an estimation telecasted on Asianet News channel 24 hours back ! Actual figures would be much more. I know almost every house in Kerala has someone in the 'GELF', atleast a relative ! There are reports of 'given up' cars in the airports (my friend works at emirates office), which means some Indians have left mid east leaving their cars (on loan offcourse) at the airport, never intending to return. My another collegue was telling, over a dozen North Indians who lost their jobs in Dubai but having an EMI running on home loans in India, totally heart broken and lost not knowing what next ?

These are things that are plain truths, we know over 25000 jobs are lost in Bangalore alone, more shocking figures are announced from different companies almost each day. Its a situation, everyone is at risk. My cousine who used to do 40 to 50 laks business a month (state dealership for 2 major household brands) is now struggling to touch 7 laks a month. His salary commitment itself is over 90k a month, not counting the wearhouse, telephone, delivery vans and all such expenses that are fixed.

I think I ran out of topic, sorry !

sujaylahiri · 19th February 2009, 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajufx

Oh, I dont dare to calculate the numbers !! My family (mine and wife's) itself has got over 40 people (direct cousines or uncles or aunties, excluding distant relatives), my previous collegues, friends, school mates or college mates from India will exceed roughly 100+. My above post on 20000 figure is purely an estimation telecasted on Asianet News channel 24 hours back ! Actual figures would be much more. I know almost every house in Kerala has someone in the 'GELF', atleast a relative ! There are reports of 'given up' cars in the airports (my friend works at emirates office), which means some Indians have left mid east leaving their cars (on loan offcourse) at the airport, never intending to return. My another collegue was telling, over a dozen North Indians who lost their jobs in Dubai but having an EMI running on home loans in India, totally heart broken and lost not knowing what next ?

These are things that are plain truths, we know over 25000 jobs are lost in Bangalore alone, more shocking figures are announced from different companies almost each day. Its a situation, everyone is at risk. My cousine who used to do 40 to 50 laks business a month (state dealership for 2 major household brands) is now struggling to touch 7 laks a month. His salary commitment itself is over 90k a month, not counting the wearhouse, telephone, delivery vans and all such expenses that are fixed.

I think I ran out of topic, sorry !

Wow I didn't know the recession has hit the middle east so bad. I thought all you guys were cruising there with all the oil and construction money.

But I guess in a truly global economy, you can feel the ripple effects everywhere.

HappyWheels · 19th February 2009, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

Wow I didn't know the recession has hit the middle east so bad. I thought all you guys were cruising there with all the oil and construction money...

Recession has hit the 'Gelf' really bad with a capital "R".

Top constructions companies like Damas have a lean plan for the year and Nakheel seems to be having most of their vendor payments outside the credit time frame.

Even the construction at Burj Dubai, the tallest building has been put on hold. Maybe the Dubai members can confirm this.

Compound with the 15%+ increase in the rental Year-on-Year, people are being squeezed to death!!

Bottom line - 'GElf' is not the 'GElf' it was, at least for the time being.

shajufx · 19th February 2009, 12:50

Its interesting that the thread has gone from a 'great place Dubai' to a miserable, recession hit, shrinking economy discussion here. Certain fields are totally unaffected though, apart from people losing jobs almost everyday, I also see people getting promoted with 20% increase in salary + new car given with driver etc. in my compound itself. I have no clue how they do that and what makes them so bold in a time like this !!

18th February 2009, 15:49	#1
saivalli BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Abu Dhabi / Dubai Posts: 144 Thanked: 14 Times	Mid- East!! THE place to BE !! My first visit abroad !! And believe me, its been like a dream ever since i landed here Landed on 5th of Feb 2009 Thought of sharing my trip with you guys !! Enjoy !!
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 15:52	#2
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	I don't see much to enjoy here right now. Waiting for the enjoyment portion to begin.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 16:03	#3
Tejas@perioimpl Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 4,423 Thanked: 9,581 Times View My Garage	Shouldn't this go in the Travelogues section? Where is the sharing bit? Anyways, since you are there now, you will get great deals at malls due to the economic slowdown! BTW, which part of the middle east?
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 16:48	#4
saivalli BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Abu Dhabi / Dubai Posts: 144 Thanked: 14 Times	My First Outing ! MALL OF EMIRATES :) I am posting the BEST ones of the day..... Enjoy... Cheers !
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 17:39	#6
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,695 Thanked: 14,801 Times View My Garage	I can almost feel your excitement of your first visit abroad jump out of this thread Glad to see your enjoying and that's some cool pictures of cars. Keep 'em coming!
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 17:45	#7
saivalli BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Abu Dhabi / Dubai Posts: 144 Thanked: 14 Times	Few more spottings made in the first couple of days. Dodge CHARGER , Lincoln TOWN CAR , R8 , Porsche CARRERA , H2 LIMO , Nissan GTR , Maserati QUATTROPORTE , G Wagon- G55 , CORVETTE , MUSTANG... Cheers...
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 17:59	#9
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Ive been to the place and the Mall of the Emirates. Its like the most exotic mall ( car wise ) Waiting for more.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 18:25	#10
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: BLR & Singapore Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 831 Times View My Garage	My partner said all the malls are giving things at throw away prices due to the recession effect. Around 20000 indians will return with their jobs lost by March 2009. If you are on a visit, you will enjoy the place, if you are on a job assignment, it may not be that great place to be !
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 18:55	#11
Su-47 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 692 Thanked: 327 Times	Shajufx, Would you know how many Indians work in the middle east. This is just to get an estimate of %-age of people getting affected.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 19:32	#12
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: BLR & Singapore Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 831 Times View My Garage	Oh, I dont dare to calculate the numbers !! My family (mine and wife's) itself has got over 40 people (direct cousines or uncles or aunties, excluding distant relatives), my previous collegues, friends, school mates or college mates from India will exceed roughly 100+. My above post on 20000 figure is purely an estimation telecasted on Asianet News channel 24 hours back ! Actual figures would be much more. I know almost every house in Kerala has someone in the 'GELF', atleast a relative ! There are reports of 'given up' cars in the airports (my friend works at emirates office), which means some Indians have left mid east leaving their cars (on loan offcourse) at the airport, never intending to return. My another collegue was telling, over a dozen North Indians who lost their jobs in Dubai but having an EMI running on home loans in India, totally heart broken and lost not knowing what next ? These are things that are plain truths, we know over 25000 jobs are lost in Bangalore alone, more shocking figures are announced from different companies almost each day. Its a situation, everyone is at risk. My cousine who used to do 40 to 50 laks business a month (state dealership for 2 major household brands) is now struggling to touch 7 laks a month. His salary commitment itself is over 90k a month, not counting the wearhouse, telephone, delivery vans and all such expenses that are fixed. I think I ran out of topic, sorry !
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 12:50	#15
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: BLR & Singapore Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 831 Times View My Garage	Its interesting that the thread has gone from a 'great place Dubai' to a miserable, recession hit, shrinking economy discussion here. Certain fields are totally unaffected though, apart from people losing jobs almost everyday, I also see people getting promoted with 20% increase in salary + new car given with driver etc. in my compound itself. I have no clue how they do that and what makes them so bold in a time like this !!
	() Thanks