Working in the Middle East

Well in Sarjah there is not much to do that is fun other than shopping. It can be quite conservative at times. There is no liquor/beer allowed. Also smoking of the sheesha is not allowed in cafes as it is in Dubai.

Quick Tips:

Be very mindful and respectful of the laws. While I was there I read in the news paper about a foreign couple being arrested for kissing in public. They were lucky to have their sentence suspened. Interesting enough that was the worst crime reported. For the most part people are 'good' there (the reason is that foreigners who commit crimes are deported).

Best Way To Get Around:

Use the taxis to get around. Most are very fair. Set your price before the start of the journey. Local trips should cost 5 dirhams. Going between Sarjah and Dubai should be 15 dirhams. Avoid getting taxis near your hotel as they expect you to pay more. There is no public transit in the UAE. So don't look for it.

The accommodations were nice. The room was modern with lots of nice marble and wood work. What was nice is that Sharjah is very HOT and HUMID, yet the room smelled fresh and not like mildew.

This place was fun. It's a great place to smoke sheesha or the hookah (flavored tobbaco through a water pipe). Yes, it's legal! Sheesh . . . dirty pot heads!

No really, it's got the nicest sheesha I had in Dubai and came recommended by all the locals and my students.

The food was okay. Learn one thing. You get a lot of food for your money. I ordered the half chicken and it was more than enough for me to eat!

The fruit juices are especially yummy!

Well, I asked my friends to help me out and I received it. In Sharjah, it may be illegal to smoke sheesha, but it's okay to buy them. So Muhannad took me to Adnan Coffee Roastry Co. They have a good selection and you can mix and match components that are made in places from Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Unfortunatly the best hoses for the Hookahs are made in Korea. But for the most part everything is Middle Eastern made.

The address is:
P.O. Box 5097
Sharjah UAE

Ask any cab driver to take you to the Adnan Coffee Roastry. It's near a giant grocery store.

You can also go to their .

I bought a nice Hookah for 260 Dirham (about US$60). That included the tobacco and all the accessories I needed for it.

Can I suggest Muhannad Shaweesh?

He was my student and has excellent English and Arabic skills. He's a native of Palistine and lived in Jordan for the past few years.

He's very experienced in guiding and is good at coming up with ideas of things to do!

His e-mail is mr_vage@yahoo.com

Good luck! Joe

This is the best way to get around. These public/private boats ferry people around Dubai across the canal.

It's a nice, fun way to get from Point A to B. You can agree on a price, usually a dirham or less, to take you to your destination. Don't expect much safety devices and the boats seem old, but it's an adventure.

Well, here are some nice photos of the market and some odd and ends like mosques and such.

Nothing exiciting. Unfortunately it's dark out. But that's the only time to go outside. A lot of locals can be found fishing at the canal in Dubai. Some are also found out relaxing in the many parks.