GETTING "LUCKY" IN SHARJAH, UAE

If you recall from the blog “Settling in a Foreign Country,” Roger and I had embarked on a desperate mission to find “Lucky’s” and “Pinky’s” furniture outlets in Sharja, the Emirate (state) just north of Dubai. After a three hour search Roger finally called it quits and offered me a blank check to purchase furniture if I could find the place. Ever up for a challenge, it took only one phone call to my friend Anne O’Connell to locate Debbie Nicol who knew the way to Lucky's! Needless to say I took copious notes on how to get there.

Lucky’s is three enormous warehouses of imported hardwood furniture, antiques and decorator items. I understand now why it was so impossible for Roger and I to find the place - it is tucked away in a far corner of Industrial Area 11. As a shopper, you must have an immense imagination since the warehouses are comprised of small narrow aisles between rows of very dusty furniture stacked 2-stories high. Parvez Mohammad is a jewel to work with and happy to accommodate any request just like Flo in the Progressive Insurance commercials.  “Can you paint it red? YES!”  Can you add shelves? YES!”  “Can I have new doors? YES!”  This is a cash enterprise and, even though we are in the UAE where bargaining is an art form, at Lucky’s no bargaining is necessary as Mohammed has already deeply-discounted his goods. 

Give yourself plenty of time to roam the aisles because there is an overwhelming assortment of furniture and decorator items to peruse. You choose the furniture you want which is then put in a container.  Once the container is full of customers' orders, the furniture is fumigated!  This is a good thing since we don’t want any little Arab bugs running around our apartment!    Within a week we received the call that our order was ready, delivery was arranged and a merry band of Lucky’s workers showed up at our door. “Do I get free delivery? YES!” 

SETTLING INTO DUBAI - A 2-WEEK UPDATE

We have been in Dubai for 2 weeks and 4 days and life is a total adventure. Every step right now is a challenge and a learning experience . . . new food, new stores, new products, new language - forget learning Arabic we need to learn "Indian/Pakistani  English” because all of the service people are either Indian or Pakistani and each speak their own dialect of English.

Roger is enjoying his new assignment. The commute to Abu Dhabi is tough but I send him off each morning with coffee and a snack and he keeps returning to me every night! I will let him tell you all about the project(s) he is working on – massive, exciting – Abu Dhabi will certainly have a one-of-a-kind airport.


The apartment Roger found for us is perfect. I had requested a water view and he gave me two! We have a view of the Dubai Marina from our balcony and a view of the Arabian Gulf from two bedrooms. Our first purchase is a patio table and 2 chairs so we can have a glass of wine on the patio at the end of the day. Oops! Forgot you must obtain a liquor license in order to purchase alcohol in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For the time being we make do with iced tea.


The apartment has a very nice kitchen that I know I will enjoy. When I arrived, my darling Roger presented me with an Arabian cookbook. He is so thoughtful – he knows I will enjoy experimenting with the new cuisine. Dubai was once the center of the pearl industry, and as he is the most wonderful husband ever, he also gave me a beautiful pearl necklace and earrings to wear while I cook. What a guy!

OUR FIRST-EVER EXPAT ADVENTURE BEGINS IN DUBAI

Our “Arabian Adventure” begins . . . never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be moving to a foreign country to live, let alone a country in the Middle East. Over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays Roger and I discussed what lifestyle we wanted for the next part of our life. He thought that before retiring, he would like to do one more project but only if he could find something very interesting. I half-jokingly agreed that would be fine but could he try for some exotic location. As usual, my handsome Prince came through and soon we were headed to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The hardest part for both of us was leaving our family. One father, 2 sisters, 4 brothers, 7 in-laws, tons of nieces, nephews and favorite cousins, 6 children and 7 absolutely precious and perfect grandchildren!! While there was trepidation on the part of some of these loving relatives, the greater majority cheered us on and wished us well . . . some may even work up the courage and bankroll to visit!