Finally took the plunge...Digital Nomadding during covid19

[Ket12]

So, what's the rent there in Dubai atm? I heard that it looks cheap because of this pandemic.

Wondering the same, I might go in October.

 

[AAW]

Just be careful in Dubai and the Middle East in general, don't drink alcohol or do weed (or drugs) or you will end up in jail for 20+ years, don't kiss your wife in public (and if you have a girlfriend, not your wife, then good luck with that) dress conservatively, don't talk about politics, even if the locals do, everything you do or say as a foreigner will back fire on you. I see people from the other parts of the world, like EU or USA/ Canada .... act like they are in their original country when they go to Dubai or Saudi Arabia. Even if the locals are doing it, they may get away with it, but you won't get away with it.

Respect the culture, remember there is Ramadan month coming soon (the fasting month), don't eat or drink or smoke in public from sunrise to sunset, even if you see the locals do it.

I have heard horror stories from people who thought its ok to do what they were doing, not following the customs in these countries just because the locals were doing it.

 

[jake lionar]

don't drink alcohol or do weed (or drugs) or you will end up in jail for 20+ years, don't kiss your wife in public (and if you have a girlfriend, not your wife, then good luck with that) dress conservatively, don't talk about politics, even if the locals do, everything you do or say as a foreigner will back fire on you. I see people from the other parts of the world, like EU or USA/ Canada .... act like they are in their original country when they go to Dubai or Saudi Arabia. Even if the locals are doing it, they may get away with it, but you won't get away with it.

I dont knew if im on the wrong place, but what i see is that they do all that you hae montionned above i mean you are free man no one force you to follow their culture,...

remember there is Ramadan month coming soon (the fasting month)

no still 8 months to come for ramadan

 

[Zakch93]

I run a media buying company

Have fun OP. I want to learn what is meia buying and how to start a company on it, please share some guides and ressources around in it, send in pm if you don't want to clog the thread, thanks.

 

[AAW]

I dont knew if im on the wrong place, but what i see is that they do all that you hae montionned above i mean you are free man no one force you to follow their culture,...

no still 8 months to come for ramadan

That's true about Ramadan LOL
BUT, you are not free on what to do when you were not born in Dubai or these countries, they are FREE but NOT YOU. Trust me on this. Wish you the best.

 

[polecat]

That's true about Ramadan LOL
BUT, you are not free on what to do when you were not born in Dubai or these countries, they are FREE but NOT YOU. Trust me on this. Wish you the best.

The big feast at the end of Ramadan is amazing I sometimes join my Pakistani friends when they do it's like the ultimate big feast

 

[kasher9]

So, what's the rent there in Dubai atm? I heard that it looks cheap because of this pandemic.

It was around $2000/month for a decent apartment, but this has suddenly gone up in the past week - due to EXPO and an influx of tourists, as the heat is starting to level out. Hotels are still very cheap though, but I personally prefer apartments/airbnb.

Wondering the same, I might go in October.

^^

Just be careful in Dubai and the Middle East in general, don't drink alcohol or do weed (or drugs) or you will end up in jail for 20+ years, don't kiss your wife in public (and if you have a girlfriend, not your wife, then good luck with that) dress conservatively, don't talk about politics, even if the locals do, everything you do or say as a foreigner will back fire on you. I see people from the other parts of the world, like EU or USA/ Canada .... act like they are in their original country when they go to Dubai or Saudi Arabia. Even if the locals are doing it, they may get away with it, but you won't get away with it.

Respect the culture, remember there is Ramadan month coming soon (the fasting month), don't eat or drink or smoke in public from sunrise to sunset, even if you see the locals do it.

I have heard horror stories from people who thought its ok to do what they were doing, not following the customs in these countries just because the locals were doing it.

Ramadan isnt now, it was earlier . Also, I think you're wrong as a whole about dubai, times have changed, but I won't get into politics.

Have fun OP. I want to learn what is meia buying and how to start a company on it, please share some guides and ressources around in it, send in pm if you don't want to clog the thread, thanks.

It's hard. Try and test some stuff


TLDR; Visit UAE

• Don't stick around in Dubai too long, it can get toxic with all the fakeness, UAE has way more to offer
• The food is amazing. So varied, and very very affordable (if you find the right places)
• Awesome seafood markets
• Beaches in Sharjah are way better than Dubai, although the best beach we found in Dubai is kite beach
• People are generally friendly
• Alcohol is expensive, and scarce. Fair warning
• We found the best place to stay is dubai marina/JLT. Other areas aren't as pedestrianised, so it's difficult to just walk around.
• Taxis are stupid cheap, because fuel is cheaper than water (according to EU prices). But I'd recommend renting a car and exploring the other parts of UAE, honestly you won't be disappointed. We used Drivus for our car rental - super easy and friendly. Be wary of rental places here.

What's Next?

We're going to go back to UK for a little while, until feb/march. There's a few reasons, but they are urgent reasons. We wanted to continue travelling, especially since Asia looks like it's finally opening up, but we'll have to pause our international travels. HOWEVER, we will be getting a van in UK and travelling around UK, so the journey won't be stopping


The Long Awaited Pictures:

 

[Ket12]

Thanks so much for the update!
I booked my trip in October. Any specific activity you recommend doing or visiting?

 

[oldguyjoe]

Post more pictures if you can. Not of your mug, the landscape of countries you are in, lol. Otherwise, great thread and yep, no reason to delay any longer, if traveling is your thing, because as you concluded, the world is going to shit and you are probably at least 10 to 20 years too late already to travel to certain parts and experience them in their former glory.