I spent almost half of the weekend in Dubai for two main reasons. One of which was to hand over some items to a newly married close friend who was flying to Manila that night. (Her husband would follow a week later. We were discussing that he would be doing the home chores alone the whole week. Since he’s not fond of washing the dishes, I advised that he buys disposable plates and other utensils. Heehee. Rather than to leave a messy kitchen and dining table.) As I needed to cancel my trip back home this December, I better ship through her such contrabands which are not safe to be sent through air or sea cargo. Another close friend was coming over to their house, with the assumption that she already took lunch, we consumed all the edibles. It turned out that she has not.
So we drove around, hopping from one possible source of ready to eat lunch to the other. As it was Ramadan, it was like searching for a needle during a brown out. We’ve proven once again how (generally) aggressive is Dubai compared to Abu Dhabi. In the latter, you will not find fastfood chains and restaurants and even non-food establishments until Iftar (normally at 7:00 PM) during Ramadan. Luckily, we found a Mc Donald’s and Krispy Kreme outlets housed in separate gasoline stations serving food for take-away.
We can’t wait until we reach their house. That though there’s an obvious risk that we’ll get caught through the radar/secretly installed government cameras, we munched on the Mc Donald’s munchies inside the car. As we tried to discreetly eat, I exclaimed, “Mas masarap ang fries ng Mc Donald’s ngayon!” It follows that when it’s forbidden, it challenges the appetite.
The other day, an Emirati colleague and I were talking about how we spent the weekend. I mentioned about that particular disobedience to Ramadan rules that I observed in Dubai. She can’t believe it at first. The next thing I know, she was already calling a hotline to report that misconduct.
Ngeee, that’s how to be an instant whistleblower. I’m glad I skipped the part that we ate discreetly in a public place (read: inside the car, still we were on the road) and how I/we enjoyed it. Otherwise, my friends and I are in great danger. 😉
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0 thoughts on “Catch us if you can”
sheng
so did she report you really? what did the government do as sanction?
.-= sheng´s last blog ..30 Be Good to Yourself Therapy =-.
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witsandnuts
She reported that a certain Mc Donald’s Branch (and Krispy Kreme outlet) were opened during those holy hours in Dubai. But nothing mentioned about me. It’s like a general tip/request lang to authority to investigate on the matter.
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bursky
ngyeh! ang KJ naman nun. walang pakikisama. 😉 ahehe… pero masarap nga i-kuwento yang (mis)adventures na ganyan! hehe
.-= bursky´s last blog ..4 days shy of a postless month =-.
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witsandnuts
You now what, feeling ko ako si Kris Aquino while in The Buzz, after ko marealize yung consequence ng kwentuhan/disclosure ko. 😦
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kreez
She really reported the establishments to a hotline, grabe talaga hehe! it’s really a good thing that you didn’t mention you ate in the car haha, baka pati kayo nireport nya.
.-= kreez´s last blog ..Final Trimester Begins =-.
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witsandnuts
Oo nga, buti na lang I edited that part. 😉
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Sleepless In KL
That is so odd. Here is Malaysia, restaurants and fastfood establishments are open like usual. In fact, it’s quite common to see parents (who are obviously Muslims) coming in with their children. Their children will eat, the parents will not.
Ladies who have their period cannot fast and will eat their lunches discreetly inside the pantry or somewhere private.
I suppose Malaysia is more relaxed and moderate than most Muslim countries.
.-= Sleepless In KL´s last blog ..Mushroom Soup With Puff Pastry Lid =-.
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witsandnuts
It’s more relaxed there. I remember reading one of your tweets about mentioning to some foreigners that dining life is normal there in Malaysia.
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yummybite
talagang may ganon? hehehe…nainggit lang siguro kasi gutom na gutom na sya. =)
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witsandnuts
Hehe, nagulat nga ako. Very vigilant kase sya. 🙂
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layrayski
wow. good thing you didn’t tell her how you know why mcdonalds was open that day.
.-= layrayski´s last blog ..A view from the top =-.
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witsandnuts
I think I indirectly mentioned that we were looking for any resto which was open that time. But not the part that we ate. 😉
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BlogusVox
Rule number one. Never discuss your affairs to a muslim (especially about religion and anything they consider forbidden) even if you know them or you are close to them.
I’m not descriminating here, but I’ve witness pinoys terminated from work and sent home just because he doesn’t agree with their practices.
.-= BlogusVox´s last blog ..Buhay Buhangin (Sn 26) =-.
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witsandnuts
I’ll always remember this from now on. Thanks. 😀
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katcarneo
It’s that strict over there? Jeez. If I were there I’d probably break the rules year after year—it’s simply so tempting!
So, err, are you going to jail?
.-= katcarneo´s last blog ..Eye Bags and Aegyo-sal =-.
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witsandnuts
No, Kat. I never mentioned to her that we discreetly ate in public. 😀
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reena
what! sobra naman ka-strict! hay, i will never go there na tlga. hahaha.. unless i marry a sheik. lol.
btw, is there something new in this llayout? whatever it is, i like it. 🙂
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witsandnuts
Try to visit. You’d like it here especially if you have a degree in urban planning. Haha, marrying a sheik. Gwapito ang Dubai prince.
Re: layout, I changed my theme. Hindi compatible yung ibang plug ins sa current version of wordpress that I’m using. Glad you liked it.
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renin
So, Ramadan is a difficult time for a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country…
I am glad you screened your disclosure, it saved you from a greater trouble.
.-= renin´s last blog .. =-.
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witsandnuts
It’s especially difficult for first timers. But it’s a matter of acceptance and respecting one’s beliefs.
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Nebz
Hala! Don’t even try it. As my friend always coyingly tell me: Mahirap yatang maghimas ng malamig na rehas! Haha.
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witsandnuts
I learned my lesson. Ayokong ma-penalize. Waaaah! 😦
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bw
yikes, now you simply don’t trust these people because they can get you in trouble ! What is the penalty ? Is it deportation? ugh 😦
.-= bw´s last blog ..A Day Trip to the Capital City =-.
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witsandnuts
It depends on the extent of offense. No deportation naman right now, worst is 1 month stay in jail. 😦
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dyanie
anu ba yun/ nagsumbong pa sya? buti di kayo nasama haha!
.-= dyanie´s last blog ..Dory and Panini =-.
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