Flew to Dubai on Tuesday to open a new bookshop and do a signing. It still surprises me that you only have to go away for a few weeks and the place has changed; buildings are rising at the rate of one a day and they are currently attempting the largest skyscraper in the world. I marvel at the builders being able to work at that height, but one hears there are deaths from heat exhaustion and falling from the structures. The labourers are brought in from India, housed in a shanty town and paid $70 a month. Many complain they were promised $250, but even $70 to them is more than they can earn in India, so they stay here for 2-3 years and send the money home to their families. There must be more millionaires per square mile in Dubai than in any city on earth, and here there truly is a division between the rich and the poor.
The signing at Borders went well and took just over 2 hours to complete. I met a lot of interesting people, including many locals who wanted to talk about Dubai and ex-pats who wanted to talk about England. I can understand why young people come here to make their fortune, but I must confess that the heat and lack of any cultural activity meant I wasn’t unhappy to leave after 48 hours.
Today is the first day of the Test Match against the West Indies, where half of our team play half of their team, but let’s hope we at least have an exciting 5 days.
The signing at Borders went well and took just over 2 hours to complete. I met a lot of interesting people, including many locals who wanted to talk about Dubai and ex-pats who wanted to talk about England. I can understand why young people come here to make their fortune, but I must confess that the heat and lack of any cultural activity meant I wasn’t unhappy to leave after 48 hours.
Today is the first day of the Test Match against the West Indies, where half of our team play half of their team, but let’s hope we at least have an exciting 5 days.
7 Comments:
Oh, I'm not sure sure about this 'half of our team' thing Jeffrey. We needed a new wicky and Prior is on 37no as I write. Jonesy has been out a while now, Tresco in and out a while and Vaughny hasn't played a test in a long time. It's only Flintoff that's missing in my view.
I did cringe for Sarwan when he put us in to bat, Ponting would have batted first there, he must have been scared of Harmy, Hoggy and Plunkett in those conditions.
Hi Jeffrey
I thought The Verdict was a standout show for BBC2 and I would love to talk to you about where I should be taking my channel next...?
http://thetvcontroller.blogspot.com
Get in touch. Or have your agent talk to Anthony, my PA.
Warm regards,
The TV Controller
Honest comments about Dubai; I haven't been, but it seems like all the local colour and culture has been bled away by concrete and technology.
Why this sudden desire for tourism?
At loose moments, you wonder if the Saudi's are almost looking for an alternative income; but that scenario (for the whole world) would surely contradict their ambitions.
For what it's worth, I've bummed my way around most of the great sights of Europe, and it's hard to argue against this being the cradle of civilization.
Wouldn't JA do a terrific travel book; perhaps exploring the link between literary heroes and locations?
hi Mr Archer,
truly said,there are many poor people from India working in Dubai,i am from India too,but if you consider the Otherwise situation in India those even those $70 mean a lot to them ,most indians in Dubai are from the southern state of 'Kerela',and a highly poor state in India,and if they are getting a better pay in Dubai ...why wont he.
to tell you a fact if a person fom kerela works in Dubai for 1 year or so with a salary of $70,he can lead an enormous happy life with his family in kerela.
I will tell you an amazing fact,there is a village in Kerela,this village has a record that,atleast 1 person from every house works in Dubai........
Jeffrey, I've just discovered your prison diaries and I can't put them down. One more to go. Victoria x
Hello ...I'am a medical student from the Arabian Gulf and i read some of ur great novels ...I'am really impressed... my best novel is " the elevnth commandment" ... I just would like to know where exactly can i find the novel " false impression" in dubai .... Noor
anonymous - many thanks for your comments. 'False Impression' is certainly available in Border's Bookshops in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, as I did a signing there a couple of weeks ago.
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