going to the united arab emirates?

Oh, you already knew.

 

I would go only if I was ready to tell my dad what you've told us.

The world is pretty much the same everywhere; human beings have similar needs. The differences are mostly aesthetic. As someone who's traveled a bit; that's my experience.

So, it's about whether you wish to actively work on the relationship with your dad (if you think it will be productive) or whether you will passively wait for him to "win you over" (which is doomed to fail), in which case I would not go.

 

Agreed.

Are you going because you want to build a relationship with your father?

Or because you want to travel? Theres nothing wrong with traveling for the fun of it on his bill, but if you're doing it because you think the trip is some grand gesture which can win your affection over...

It isn't. It's going to take a lot of work.

 

go if you have nothing else to do.

don't if you have stuff on your plate.

thats what i'd do

 

I'm inclined to say go.

Unless you don't get along with your father at all, it'll be good. The only way I'd go to the UAE is if everything was paid for.. it's apparently ridiculoulsly expensive.

 

I say go and try to bond with your father while you have a chance while allowing him the privilege to bond with you. Also you'll get to see a part of the world you haven't experienced yet FOR FREE! Have fun and try not to fall in love aboard.

 

Perhaps you’ll catch the eye of one of the crown princesses who will sweep you away in his flying carpet (Lear Jet) to unknown destinations around the world and cover you in diamonds and jewels (Bling Bling)

Hotwater

 

a little bit of both i suppose. i dont hate him or anything like that. i can actually learn a lot from him. he speaks multiple languages and has traveled a ton. i wouldnt have to spend every second around him, a few of my half sisters offered to be my tour guides. and plus his wife is just wonderful and she really wants to see me

just outside of dubai

 

I would go. The cultural experience will be nice. But the chance to heal old wounds with your father might be priceless.

Forgiving and moving beyond will open up new doors for you.

Have fun.

 

Beautiful!

Sounds like a win-win. It may be time for a nice vacation. And you will still give yourself the opportunity to strengthen relationship bonds.

I just wouldn't want it to be a way to continue the pattern of him trying to buy you, and you trying to spend him.

With some courage, you may turn that relationship around. Or, at least, come to terms with its limitations.

 

Dubai sounds like an interesting place. I have made a transfer at the airport before. I've got the right country yeah? Its a very moderate Islamic country right?

 

Moderate meaning, one of those countries that keep Wall St. afloat with oil money?

 

I bet the religious ones do; which means, they have less back problems than western women due to not using heels.

 

Exactly.

 

How you are treated in UAE is by class. The super wealthy do not answer to the religions fanatics. They make their own rules.

They may do public token gestures to create appearances.

If you are poor you are in the burka. If you are rich you have freedom to wear what you want because you are in the back of a limo being taken from one place to another. The public does not see you.

Is Ramadan just a pain in the ass for you..Just fly to your house in Paris.

It is all about social class.

 

ABSOLUTELY GO.

I went because I hadn't seen my dad in four years, and he wanted to treat us by taking us to Abu Dhabi, since my mother hated where he lived (Cairo) and he hates America. I spent two months there three years ago and it was wonderful.

So, that's my advice. But reitirating what everyone else said; BE PRODUCTIVE. What happened with me was I tried to work things out with my Dad, put in a last effort, then realized it wasn't working and started really studying the different culture and enjoying the traveling and took a 3 week Arabic class.

In conclusion, go. Take advantage of it.

 

Also, it's starting to creep me out how similar these situations are.

 

Wow, it wasn't like that AT ALL for me. It didn't matter if you were rich or poor; everyone did what they wanted and was wonderfully open about it. And I didn't think there was much money spent on this trip... My dad never made much money and neither did my Mom or I. Then again... it was three years ago and the American dollar was much more than a Durham, if I do remember correctly... So I could have been in the oblivious upper class. Wow, I'm so spacey tonight... I like dot dots... Anywawy, when did you live there? Or do you live there currently?

 

That's a big surprise.

 

Let me clarify myself. I am an outsider. That means I am not Muslim.

I have stayed there as a guest of several families in Abu Dhabi. Total time there was about 4 months total over several years.

They were very wealthy. I was always with someone and always taken by limo.

I asked him about why there is extreme Islam. He said it was because of poverty and the Muslims as a group had failed to watch out and take care of his Muslim brother.

In abu dhabi a waiter makes about $80,000 US and has a free condo to stay at. In UAE they seem to take better care of each other. So I did not see extremism. But I know it is there.

There are some things that definity appeal to me in abu dhabi. I love the people they were so nice.

However the drug laws there terrify me. I also am at odd with the Muslims about Jews. I make tons of money from them. I do not hate customers.

Yes it is a great city. A glittering jewel in the sewer of a desert.

Too bad the glittery city is built on a house of cards.