Living in Dubai has changed many things in
my life, ranging from the obvious to the surprising. I expected that my days
would be different (no job!), but didn’t expect I would spend them mostly
driving (my least favourite activity in the whole world, behind even watching
sport). I thought I’d dress differently, but didn’t know that would mean my
jeans would go unworn for a year. I expected we would eat differently, but how
could I have anticipated such things as cinnamon buns that come in cans?
And I gave no thought to what would become
of the contents of my handbag. Of course, my wallet, phone and sunglasses are
still there. Ditto the occasional discarded muesli bar from the kids and about
a thousand receipts.
But there are now a few things I never
leave home without, things that rarely featured in my handbag at home.
Fortunately, it is a generously proportioned and capacious receptacle, with
room for:
1. A water bottle, preferably filled. In
Australia, there’s always a tap or a bubbler handy. I’ve long been a big hater
of paying for bottled water (it’s about scrooginess as much as environmental
responsibility), so would happily cup my hands under the nearest tap. And to be
honest, I didn’t regularly spend whole days away from home/work/a friend’s
house, where water was always available. Now that I roam the malls and streets
of Dubai for hours at a time, I have to byo water or pay for it (the tap water
here is iffy) and contribute to one of the worst recycling problems in the
world. And if I don’t, the possibility of actual dehydration is very real.
Bloody desert.
2. A scarf. Moving, as I do, from blasting
desert heat to glacially arctic interiors, I often need protection from either
the evil Dubai sun (scarves can shade your head as well) or the evil Dubai air
conditioning. And there’s no predicting where you’ll get funny looks for daring
to bare your shoulders.
3. Serious moisturiser. I’ve finally found it
– the face cream that’s cheap, effective and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy.
Nivea Crème. It’s so dense that it’s a bit like rubbing Sudocrem into your face
(that’s nappy rash treatment, in case you don’t know), but it’s solved my
lizard-lady problems like nothing else. Now it travels with me in case of a dry
face emergency.
4. Talcum powder. The less said about this the
better. All I can tell you is that heat rash can strike here at any time and
talcum powder has proved a powerful weapon.5. Small change. Oh my goodness. If I had a dirham for every time I was asked if I had a dirham… For some reason, everyone from the supermarket check-out chick to the assistant at the most upmarket fashion store (like I shop there all the time – ha!) is desperate for my small change. “Do you have coins, ma’am?” has to be one of the most common phrases uttered in this city. Get it together people.
Has anything changed in your handbag as your life changes around you?
