Before moving on to greener pastures, Jane Plunkett reflects on the highs and lows of life in an urban desert

It’s been feeling a little like Groundhog Day the past week.

Why? Well, because I am leaving Dubai and have found myself on loop relaying future plans to friends, colleagues, the guy at the gym, my pal in the coffee shop and even complete strangers who I’ve sparked up conversation with.

It makes it all a bit scary really, as it sinks in that I am actually leaving - for good.

Like many expatriates living and working in this city, I initially planned to stay one year, but as no tax, sunshine and lots of fun would have it, that one year stretched... and turned into almost five - long enough to get a good grasp of the city; be able to navigate its roads and still only speak a few token words of Arabic.

As I pack my bags for Europe and bid farewell to life in the Middle East, I start to think a bit more about this city that has been my home for the past few years. And I’ve come up with just a few things, unique to Dubai, that I know I’ll be leaving behind for good:

Home delivery service
Forget to pick up a pint of milk at the shops in Europe and you can put your shoes back on and go out again to buy one, because no magic delivery boy is going to appear at your doorstep.

Dubai’s culture for delivering the smallest item to your door, and for no extra charge, will be sorely missed.

Feeling like a celeb
Walk into a restaurant in Dubai and a chorus of 40 people will call out “Hello Ma’am” and rush to usher you to a seat.

Go to the opening of an envelope in this city and the cameras will be flashing and your picture will most probably appear on the social pages of any one of Dubai’s glossy magazines.

Indeed, the days of feeling important for absolutely no reason at all are coming to an abrupt end.
 
Those crazy drivers
It’s with much relief I leave behind the scary chance of ending up with my head plastered through the windscreen of my car because of all the ignorant and crazy drivers in this city.

Having lived in Europe, America and Australia, the UAE is the only place I have truly witnessed atrociously dangerous driving.

Lower blood pressure from not having to swerve and dodge cars, as well as read the minds of demented drivers on the road, will be a welcome change too.
 
Park and socialise
Get ready to find your own parking space and pay a lot for it too.

Where else can you valet park your car right outside your local?

The honesty
Maybe it’s just me, but have you ever noticed how brutally honest some people in Dubai can be?

When it comes to appearance anyway. From the office receptionist gleefully announcing that you’ve put on weight having returned from a holiday to the girl at the salon commenting that you have too many freckles - a little bit of more reserved and tactful feedback will do wonders for a girl’s self esteem.

striking sunsets
It doesn’t have the Alps, rolling green hills or lush rainforests, but one thing Dubai does have is magnificent sunsets.

As it creeps towards six o’clock the sun here turns into a beautiful firey orange ball. But don’t blink or you’ll miss it, the sun quickly lowers down to the horizon and disappears.
 
A cure for all ills
Orange, apple, lemon, banana and mango - freshly squeezed juices and at an affordable price too, are a major perk to living in this city. As are the yummy cheese manakish dished up at Lebanese restaurants. A hangover will never be the same again…

Ahh... the Memories
From good, bad to infuriating, Dubai has  certainly not left me short on memories.