Driving tests, helping neighbours, celebrations: Friday readers’ fondest memories of life in the UAE

Last week we asked you: What is your fondest memory of living in the UAE?

Going across the Maktoum bridge to watch the fireworks during the first DSF. I was only 3, but it was the first time I saw stars exploding across the sky, and the reflections in the Creek below. Magical!

– Neetha Kurup

Having lived in the UAE all my life I’ve made plenty of memories, but one of the fondest would be the time that I went on a desert retreat with my youth group. It is an annual activity that takes place in the desert between Sharjah and Ajman. The weather was crisp and cool, which made it even more enjoyable. When the sun had finally gone to sleep, the sky was the prettiest thing to gaze at. The stars looked like scattered moondust in the sky and that wondrous sight is forever engraved in my mind. At first light I decided to walk around to get some pictures and it was truly a grand morning. Glorious, heavenly light shone through the light, wispy clouds, signifying a new day. The animal life in the desert just seemed to be so busy in the early hours of the day. What made the experience all the more memorable was the light shower that dropped from the cloudy blue skies. Living in the UAE has definitely provided me with thrilling episodes during my life.

– Sarah Ronad

Everything about living in UAE has the fondest memories – shawarmas, desert safari, dune bashing, national day celebrations and many more. So it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact one.

– Jessica Pereira

My fondest memory of The UAE is my life. The air I breathe, the food I eat, the thoughts of mine are in the UAE.

My love was found in the UAE

My gems were born in the UAE

My passion of driving was triggered in the UAE

My dream of living in a multicultural society was satisfied in the UAE

My imagination blossomed gazing the high-rise towers in the UAE

My favourite unique shells were found on the beaches of the UAE

My desire to see the edge of the world was fulfilled in the UAE

My fascination of having breakfast in the sky was felt in the UAE

My hearty gratitude to my UAE

– Rajeswari Nandeeswar

A trip to Al Qudra Lakes. It is an impressive artificial habitat with a series of man-made lakes across the desert. We found a lot of wildlife like oryx , deer and birds including flamingoes and swans around the lake. My family stayed overnight for a camping adventure to see Dubai’s beautiful sunrise and sunset as well as to enjoy the calm and peaceful nature away from the busy lifestyle and the noise of the workplace.

– Sayada Mehnaaz Husaaini

When I landed in Dubai a year ago, it came as a shock to me – a concrete city with lots of high-rise buildings, a lack of greenery and hundreds of plush cars running around here and there at high speed. The roads were bereft of people, unlike India where lots of hustle and bustle is there on the streets of any city with small cars and not very wide streets.

But once I settled down I started liking the spirit of Dubai, the discipline, the richness, the cleanliness and traffic control. I saw hundreds of people with different nationalities living in harmony and closeness. The city has its uniqueness in culture and spirit. I saw different areas and came to know different people have different preferences of locations and all cultures gel well in this wonderful city.

But one of the fondest memories came when I had been here just three months and was trying to acclimatize myself to the fast-moving city. I was staying in a locality which consisted of mostly Europeans and Americans. I had developed some acquaintances and had made some friends in my organization as well in my area of residence.

My neighbour was however aloof and we exchanged only some pleasantries and hardly talked. But since our walls were common I could hear some of the noises and also some music being played and vice–versa. We never disturbed each other. But once I was trying to sleep I heard an unusual voice, as if somebody was in pain. I rushed out and knocked on the next door. I was shocked to see my neighbour in severe pain and holding his chest. An ambulance was called and he was rushed to the hospital. The man was saved after a severe heart attack. All the neighbours took turns in serving the man whom they did not know a few days earlier. The man was working here in order to save for his family in Poland and was also new to the city, just like me. Though he was under insurance there were many expenses which all the people of the block pooled and contributed towards.

The man got well and he personally thanked everyone in the block who were from different localities, countries and religions. He became more social after this event.

The person became very close to me and later on our families also became very close. Till now though we have adopted different routes and no longer neighbours, but still have distant relationships and make it a point to meet at least a year at any place.

This is how friendships happen in a city like Dubai where no religion, no nationality, no community is differentiated but only tolerance and human values are followed.

– Kovid Ranjan

My first visit to Abu Dhabi was in 2001. In my imagination I had pictures of deserts where ‘the lone and level sands stretch far away’ but was pleasantly surprised to see four- and six-lane roads with date palms neatly planted on both sides and along the dividers and no sign of fallen fronds or leaves.

As my son drove along the green belt of Abu Dhabi one day, he pointed to three vehicles along the highway and a small group of people inspecting the planting of trees. One of them was Shaikh Zayed himself. There was no fanfare or convoys or stopping of traffic as it happens in India when dignitaries move outside their homes and I was amazed at his total dedication to the cause in which he believed. Even today whenever I visit Shaikh Zayed Mosque, I stand in silence near his tomb outside and wonder at the humility and farsightedness of this great person.

– Dr Ganga Viswanath

I have been living in the UAE for over 20 years and it’s been amazing to see the rapid growth in this country. The most memorable and wonderful experience I have had is a trip to Baniyas island in 1998. The island was a private property of the late Shaikh Zayed. We had to get permission to visit the island and once permission is obtained you are totally Shaikh Zayed’s guest!

We were a group of about 10 adults and 10 kids from Abu Dhabi and from the moment we stepped foot on the island were treated like royalty. As we toured the island we realised what a noble soul Shaikh Zayed, was providing a home to so many animals – ostriches, peacocks prancing freely, llamas, sambar deer – who were being looked after so well.

– Dr Suganthi Sabu Ganesan

I have recently joined a group called Gulf Saree Pact in Dubai. We’re a group of women who stand for causes and celebrate life together donning the whole six yards. Last week, we had a private screening of the Bollywood film Tumhari Sulu.

It’s about the varied roles that a woman takes up in order to please her family and herself and the constant struggle she goes through to achieve that – and yet finds happiness and binds her family together. I was and am in awe of all the ladies in our group that came forward to celebrate the film and one another.

This day without a doubt has been the most memorable or my fondest day so far. I loved the spirit of the ladies (we call ourselves saristas) and the celebration of womanhood.

– Qashish Dhiraj Mehta

National day on Sharjah, Corniche in 2012. Every person, regardless of race, colour or nationality celebrated the UAE national day with much joy and cheer. Roads were filled with party poppers, snow spray, the UAE flags and cars decorated in the most creative ways. Each year, these amazing celebrations get better and better. I am awaiting the upcoming national day with much happiness and expectation – and I’m hoping it will give us more memories to cherish from here on.

– Sharon Sam Kodunthara

The fondest memory for me is the day my youngest daughter started going to school. It was like a dream for me to believe that my small angel is so big.

– Seema Ismail

A trip by metro and then a ride on the abra for the first time, to cross the long creek, with cool breeze blowing over our faces. Though we’ve travelled like that many a time, the first abra ride is my fondest ride yet.

– Priya Lakshman

I’ve been in this amazing country for 17 years and it has become my second home. When I was very new to this place I had difficulty understanding Arabic and was unable to help my kids with their lessons. A person who had a car tyre maintenance shop near where we used to wait for the kids’ school bus helped me out by translating all the lessons for me. Neither the shop nor the person is there now but when I pass by the place I can’t help recalling the kind gesture of that person.

– Bala Sadasivan

I have an endless list of fond memories in Dubai. But an event that marked a milestone in my life was when I got my driving license on my first attempt. I already had an Indian driving license, but at the age of 37 could not muster the courage to take out the car on my own on Mumbai roads. The systematic approach at the driving school, the unmatched driving discipline in Dubai and world-class roads helped me to overcome my driving phobia. Subsequently, my husband got me my first car ever, a Ferrari red Peugeot 207. Driving independently gave me a new sense of freedom, confidence and accomplishment.

– Jayashree Mehta