Question about Dubai?

[templeton_uk]

I do not have an especial affection for arabic culture. (But a deep and professional interest in it and in Islam which is different. I am about to embark on a major trip to that region - including war zones - to make a series of documentary films) I have worked out there widely for nearly a decade.

I've been doing a lot of work in Libya since the revolution - give me a shout if you are heading into North Africa...

[runningdownthatdream]

Have you actually been to Dubai... Saudi Arabia it aint.

I've been to Dubai many times, I have don't have 'affection' for Arabic Culture, but Dubai is about as far removed from 'Arabic' culture as you can get without leaving the Middle East.

I have more fun there than I do in London... just don't be a dick and you don't get in trouble.

Would I go to Saudi Arabia. Hell no.

I haven't been to Dubai and frankly have no interest in the place. I'd rather brave Yemen or Saudi and play by their rules because they make no bones about what those rules are. These Arabic Muslim countries mimicking the West yet still under Sharia law frighten me. They wear a face to attract foreigners but are controlled below the surface by Islamists and can flip on a dime.

Bear in mind that I'm not saying one shouldn't go to Dubai but rather that it's a risk for a young, Western, relatively inexperienced, unmarried woman to go there without having strong relationships with powerful people. No matter how much liptstick you stick on a pig - it's still a pig.

[runningdownthatdream]

so, by this statement: "you don't have to read ONLY Western media" you actually meant middle eastern media as well? most americans, when they read this only consider the major north american news networks and maybe the british ones.

as far as do i know muslims. yep. actually grew up amongst some. visited the u.a.e. twice (once with my sister who is unmarried) as well as kuwait and saudia arabia (not with my sis on the last two).

i've not read arabic or muslim history. i'll admit ignorance on both those topics. perhaps the magnitude of my knowledge on both (or one of) is that i know all muslims must at least once go to mecca. and that muhammad is the prophet and allah is god. beyond that, i'm as blind as a bat.

i also know most middle eastern countries are hostile towards gays and transsexuals and some still practice marrying children to old men. and then there is the other side: the middle east is actually really beautiful, the women are extremely attractive, the land is wealthy etc.

you can't just concentrate on one thing and say "yeah, the middle east is a fucked up destination". i bought some pretty sweet gold stuff @ the gold souk in downtown dubai when i was there. i definitely came out winning-

oh and i'll tell you a really nice story about a party i attended in kuwait. it (the party) was amazing.

Yep - I hear you. As someone who's traveled a bit, I'm all for adventures and all for seeking out fun times with beautiful women. In this case, however, it would appear to me that Maddy isn't a seasoned world traveler and in particular haven't been to the Middle East. I think it behooves those of us who have had experience to offer something in the way of caution when visiting that region.

But that may just be me and my penchant for being cautious.

[Queens Guy]

I don't think you should go.

Why go to a country where punishing a rape victim is even possible? Why go to a country that enforces Sharia law, when it suits their whim? Can you even enjoy your vacation if this is all in the back of your mind?

If you want to meet his family, do it when they go to a country that allows Human Rights.

[bluesoul]

Yep - I hear you. As someone who's traveled a bit, I'm all for adventures and all for seeking out fun times with beautiful women. In this case, however, it would appear to me that Maddy isn't a seasoned world traveler and in particular haven't been to the Middle East. I think it behooves those of us who have had experience to offer something in the way of caution when visiting that region.

But that may just be me and my penchant for being cautious.

there is nothing wrong with caution- in fact, i think it's good to be cautious. but i think you're advice that maddy should just flat out ignore her boyfriend and not even give going to dubai a second thought was a bit much. frankly, i think the u.a.e is actually one of the most tolerant arab countries.

[Quiet Reflections]

If all your paperwork says you are female and you are post-op then you should go and make sure you follow their rules and laws to help avoid any trouble.

[Paladin]

I would stay in the US. Even if you are 100% post op, you run severe risks. That Norwegian woman was actually sentenced to 16 months in jail and it took over a month for the the Norwegian gov't to get here out. and she was "pardoned" - not acquitted.

You will have NO rightes while there.

And it IS hot - not 110 but more like 120. I know.

[TempestTS]

wouldnt do it - boyfriend or no boyfriend - you cant count on anyone to be able to protect you at all times and the kind of trouble you can get into over there tends to be rather scary...

[asianphoenixx]

Ok, so my boyfriend is from Dubai but lives here in USA with me. He has to return for his visa and he wants me to visit him there. I know this is a strict country and I'm just uncertain about how they will view me as a transsexual? I'm post-op, but still I'm worried.. I don't want him to get in trouble, so is it best if I wait for him to return?

I'm the right person to ask.

As some people have already mentioned, i have been there four times, and the last time got arrested because i was becoming too popular in the country.

If you are a post op and you have already had your operation, and all your legal papers, especially your passport written "FEMALE", you are good to go.

And if you are passable, I will guarantee 100% you will be allowed to enter the country.

They will not know your history. It's not written on the passport, so just chill.

Just take it easy, Dubai is also a very touristic city, they need tourists to visit the country

They might check your luggage, so make sure do not put something suspicious in your luggage, like sex toys or (lots) condoms

Have fun and say hello to the boys. I miss them a lot

Tia Phoenixx

[asianphoenixx]

I do not have an especial affection for arabic culture. (But a deep and professional interest in it and in Islam which is different. I am about to embark on a major trip to that region - including war zones - to make a series of documentary films) I have worked out there widely for nearly a decade. I fully realise the shortcomings of Muslim attitudes to women and i have spent a lot of time in Dubai with the community there - working with westerners and arabs. I mentioned the risks that transexuals especially face there. I do not know Maddy and do not know how passable she is ... a crucial concern in a place like Dubai. (If she is NOT passable then I would counsel against visiting) Of course attitudes are bad.... especially in Gulf states. Should we boycott places where women are discriminated against. That is an argument of course. But i re-iterate there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of women from the west who live and work there every day and socialize who enjoy perfectly safe lives (providing they observe the local rules. You do not party in public. You do not sexually misbehave in public at all.) My cousin for instance, a mixed race girl from the Uk (part white enlgish part afro caribbean) has lived and worked in Dubai for some years. First as a single woman and later marrying an englishman who met there. She has not had issues out there. Ever.

There is a lot of exaggeration in the reportage of what goes on in these places.

But yes Maddy should indeed be very careful. She will be moving in Emirati circles rather than expat ones by the sounds of things so that in itself places her outside the protective circle of the western community.

Every time, I cross the border in Muslim country, it is important to choose whom you are going to meet in the border/immigration check.

When I was in UAE, the MALE immigration officer gave me a signal to see him in his booth (he showed an obvious body language that he really liked me) and I followed his signal and went to his booth and showed my passport which is written MALE, but he allowed me to enter the country.

Same thing happened when I was in Tunisia and Israel.

Beauty is really a powerful weapon. Sad but true

and this is the funny thing, when I was about to leave Israel, i went to FEMALE immigration officer. And I had to spent four hours being interviewed and thoroughly body check.

C'est la vie...that's life