I Survived RAK!!

We live our days taking for granted what we have and forgetting to thank Allah for all the blessings. Until you get a sudden wakeup call!

Yesterday I had to go to Ras Al Khaima for business, my second visit ever since the early 1990’s. The drive was smooth thanks to leaving just before rush hour and to the new Emirates Highway.

Five minutes in RAK city and I was already missing Dubai. There were no signs, no proper roads and people were driving on the wrong side of the road. Since I needed to get to the Hilton, I called them up and asked for the street name. I was told to just come to Etisalat building. Using Etisalat building as a landmark (which thank Allah you can actually see from most parts of the city!), I finally managed to manoeuvre across the city and reached the Hilton.

Expecting people to jump at me to get my car valet parked, I stopped at the main entrance. Five minutes later and no one appeared. I went down and to the concierge and asked for someone to HELP!! I just got a look and I was told yeah sure in a minute! The minute extended to much more! I actually parked my own car (in an illegal spot but I was not in a law-abiding mood by then), went and checked the conference ballroom (oh my GOSH, are they going for flashy trashy 60’s look??), checked our stand (classy!!), got my stuff down of the car (by myself!), got someone to keep them for next morning, then back to my car just by the time the Valet attendant finally showed up to park my car!

I drove my colleague to where she would be staying the night, the Hilton Beach Resort. The minute I drove in, I was jumped at but what appeared later to be the security guard!! The service was slow at the beginning and it seemed that you really don’t need IQ to work in RAK. But the room was lovely and the beach was even lovelier. Waiting for another colleague to arrive, we headed to the mall.

Shopping in RAK, now that’s an experience! I think people knew we are tourists from Dubai!! I'm sure I looked like a snob!! It was completely empty per Dubai standards. The shops were different too, most were on the low budget retail side. It was easy to come out of the small Al Manar mall without buying anything, not even from the huge Starbucks!

Driving back from RAK, I counted my blessings.

Dubai spoils me. I’m so used to the finer things that I take everything around me for granted. I expect people to jump to serve me, I expect them to serve me excellently, and I expect the revolving doors to revolve automatically!!

Yes, Dubai Rocks!