Top 5 Weekend Diversions for Expat Contractors in the Middle East

Dune bashing is a unique desert safari not to be missed.

Thursday night rolls around and you want to start your weekend off right. (Note to contractors thinking of working here - weekends in the Middle East are typically Friday and Saturday but vary by country.) What of the hundreds of things you could possibly do this weekend will you choose?

Now if you’re a typical Westerner, you’re probably thinking I am mad. Your mental image of the region may include mostly sand dunes, heat and oil fields; all of which are here, but the region has so much to offer when the workweek is done.

Here’s my list of 5 great ways to spend weekend days and nights in Abu Dhabi (and most other modernized cities in the region):

1. Finish work and head for the pub - In Abu Dhabi there are literally over 100 bars, pubs and snack hangouts. Most of them can be found in hotels or at sporting facilities as they are generally granted licenses to sell alcohol. From English-themed old timey pubs to raucous sports bars to upscale dining to dancing you can find it all here. What’s even better is the fact that there is some much diversity among the expat population, there is a pub to make almost anyone feel like they’re not far from home. A typical night out for a meal and some drinks for two will run you about Dhs300 (EUR65, GBP50, USD80). If you’re a bachelor or bachelorette, halve that. 



2. Golf - Some of the world’s top golf courses can be found between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In fact, the European PGA Tour season makes a stop at the beginning of the season in Abu Dhabi and culminates in Dubai with the championship. There are tournaments sprinkled in throughout the season as well including a stop in Qatar. The Abu Dhabi municipal course is the most affordable at around Dhs90-119, and the PGA calibre courses will run you almost Dhs700 for a weekend round. (If you’re an avid golfer, it’s worth it: at least once. Although, if you’re a bad golfer it might cause you fits!)



3. Water sports/beaches - Abu Dhabi and many of the regions modern cities are on the coastline giving easy access to sea related activities. Kite surfing has caught on big here with the steady coastal winds powering enthusiast as long as they can last. Sailing and sail boarding are popular as well for the same reason; there are very few days when the wind isn’t sufficient enough for an amazing time on the water. Deep sea fishing, jet skiing, you name it; you’ll find it in the modernized coastal cities. (A word of caution though; do not wear your beach attire anywhere but the beach. It’s somewhat insulting to wear shorts in public as it is a bikini at a public beach. Ladies, if you prefer to wear western beach attire, it is generally a good idea to get a membership at a private or ladies-only beach club. It is the safest and best bet for women, especially if they are alone.)



4. Dune bashing - A huge favourite amongst the expat crowd, dune bashing is an adrenaline junkies’ best friend. Hop in a 4WD vehicle and spend half the day playing in the sand adult style.  There are many tour companies that rent out vehicles. Beginners may want to pay a little extra for the tour guide because, if you get stuck in the soft sands of the region, you need to know how to get unstuck. You can also take time out for some sand skiing during your adventure. (Just make sure you have someone to fetch you up from the dune’s bottom unless you enjoy climbing a mountain that moves under your feet with every step.)



5. Brunch -A Middle East favourite amongst the expat crowd is brunch. This is one’s chance to eat yourself silly and drink the afternoon away; all in a 5-star hotel. Food choices range depending on the hotel. From grilled prawns  and fresh oysters to Middle Eastern to Indian to Japanese and beyond. Some of the most delicious entrees I’ve eaten in my lifetime have been courtesy of a weekend brunch (and some entrees that were not so delicious). The hotels attract chefs and culinary masters from the world over. Prices generally range from Dhs90 (without beverage service) and Dhs225 with house pours included.

I am tired just thinking about it all. Have fun. Be safe. And most of all; enjoy all of the adventures a weekend in the Middle East has to offer. I’d like to invite and encourage my readers to share some of the things you like to do or some of your favourite places to pass your off-time away.

Have Engineering Skills, Will Travel: 5 things to consider before packing your bags for the Middle East

As we were getting ready to wrap up our global executive conference in the late morning in the US, I found myself anticipating my return to the hot breezes and the bustle of home.

It takes a special mindset to make it in the Middle East

The Middle East is a great place, alive with culture, lucrative opportunities and professional and personal relationships that will last a lifetime. Yet, it takes a special mindset to work and live here. I would not trade the experiences I’ve had here for anything. It is not a lifestyle for everyone.

I look hard at the following five aspects of working in the region when reviewing candidates with my team for placement on engineering projects. If a candidate doesn’t match up well with most or all of these points, although not a scientifically proven fact, it could be a pretty good indicator they will struggle to make it here.

1. Motivations for seeking work in the Middle East

Obviously, the comparatively lucrative nature of working here is a big draw. I often find it is the main draw for many candidates. If it’s just about money, that’s fine. Just know you’ll have to match up with the rest of the list and make sometimes life-altering concessions to your social mindset to be successful.  I have seen many an engineer fill his or her pockets and bank account to the point where retirement 10 years early is possible, although, people who work here successfully are often the type that cannot stay still for long and are looking for the next challenge. Some are attracted by the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of transforming the landscape of a country from the ground up or developing innovative ways to increase untapped reserves. Point being, you must have a strong motivation for coming here to work other than simply needing work.

2. Know your place

One of the largest barriers to success here is not being able to adapt your sense of self to that of a guest in a country. You are here to help contribute to building the country but you are not a citizen, nor do you have the rights of a citizen.  If you are a boisterous leader in full command on projects elsewhere, you will quickly learn that it doesn’t play well in the streets of Baghdad, Dubai or Doha. Officials and organisational leadership here are very respectful of you and your knowledge. You would not be working here if you did not possess the talent to get the job done. In return, they expect the same kind of respect be extended to them. Life can be very difficult and your bags may be packed for you should you forget your place as a guest and if you have a need to always be in control.

3. It’s hot   

I am not a meteorologist. The temperature at this time of year hovers between 40 and 45 ⁰C. The coastal cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha have prevailing winds that sometimes make all the difference, but make no mistake; your body must be able to handle the heat in the summer months. I have seen many heat-related illnesses on jobs here. It is a definite consideration. While it’s not generally humid, on days that it is, it can be stifling. Anyone considering working here needs to be prepared for just how intense the heat can be.

4. Bureaucracy is rampant

For one reason or another, be it the chain of command within domestic organisational structures or the respect and power a particular lineage commands; there are many situations in which the same job or function is lead or handled by more than one person or department. In other words, there are many people in charge of the same thing, and often times, one makes a decision or a ruling that the others are unaware of until it becomes an issue. Streets often have several names. Registering a vehicle can take months. Projects can get stymied in a myriad of redundant paperwork. In the end, bureaucracy, in the modern sense, can sometimes hamper progress and one must be prepared to take on some red tape, have some patience and remind yourself that these modern cities didn’t build themselves and that your project will be built too.

5. Cultural norms

Plain and simple; what is acceptable in one country or culture may not be acceptable in another. This goes both ways in the Middle East. You may see a person being treated in a way that is considered unacceptable in your country but is culturally and religiously acceptable here. You may feel compelled to step in, however, remember the part about knowing your place? You are going to have to learn to ignore situations that you would normally act on at home and sometimes, it can be difficult.  Stepping in is not advisable.

While many women in the engineering industry do work and do very well here; their position, as with men, determines the amount of respect they have on a project. They may sometimes be asked to adhere to certain dress codes in public.

The same goes for the expatriate worker. What is perfectly acceptable in your country may be outlawed here. In some countries smoking and drinking is reviled and illegal. Should your significant other be with you on your journey, in some countries, public displays of affection are shunned or illegal. Many offenses can and will be punished as crimes against the state and result in serious consequences. You will need to be certain that they too are ready for the challenge that lies ahead and are able to adapt and adhere to the guest mindset.

As I reflect on what we’ve accomplished in the region as a company and the people we’ve matched with jobs here, I have found that the candidates that can deal with these and other aspects of working, living and playing in the region are the best candidates to present to my customers.