<p>^Hey jai nice to meet you :)
I agree the traffic in Dubai is pretty bad (I live in Al Ain so I don't see it except when I go in the weekend. I agree with the heavy inflation as well it should be discussed but never is! Hopefully the new bridge will decrease traffic in Garhoud (I've been stuck there A LOT!)</p>
<p>I've only been stuck on and near Al Maktum Bridge. That part of town is a living hell when it comes to transportation. Not to mention Rigga road; the last time I was there there was construction all the way through and it took us forever to get out of there.</p>
<p>I live in Rigga, so I can second that!!</p>
<p>I've always wondered why is it that only Dubai has this problem. Abu Dhabi (the city) is just as rich and vibrant yet it's traffic isn't at all bad. I actually enjoy car rides there. Why only Dubai?</p>
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Hey jai nice to meet you
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<p>Thanks much :). </p>
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I've always wondered why is it that only Dubai has this problem
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<p>Three reasons:</p>
<p>1) Influx of populatoin in Dubai is much higher than in Abu Dhabih
2) Abu Dhabhi is relateively bigger and has just recently started expanding in terms of urban development
3) Dubai's planning sucks big time. For example:</p>
<p>a) The road leading to Garhoud bridge is 4 lanes while the bridge itself has three lanes.. hence, there is a bottleneck there.
b) Service road on Sheikh zayed road where all the towers are located ( near Crowne plaza ) is and always has been a nightmare due to bad planning. The service road, in some places, has the footpath jutting out causing a bottle neck since it goes from 2 lanes to 1 lane and then back to 2 lanes ( this is near City Tower 1). Another bottle neck is right before the crowne plaza ( near the entrance ) where the road divides suddenly causing people to switch in and out. </p>
<p>Having lived on Sheikh zayed road for more than 10 years, I can tell you that everytime they have tried to fix that bottleneck, they have created another one due to horrendous planning! </p>
<p>I dont mean to sound like a Dubai basher.. I love the city but its just irritating to see these problems time and again! Dubai's planning commission never gets it right..Patience is key I guess..</p>
<p>yeah, patience.
But if you think that that is bad planning, then you should come live here for a while. EVERYTHING is planned wrong and everything goes wrong half way through construction. The one and only road that was expanded and not touched after it was the corniche...and that still has traffic jams after going from a two lane to a five lane (and in some places; seven).
Dubai is literally heaven compared to what I have to go through here on a daily basis.</p>
<p>That must really suck..</p>
<p>Since I visit Dubai for my vacation now, I love driving there.. The disorderliness is great :). It's great to be able to drive like a manic once in a while and also speed at 180 km/hr on Sheikh Zayed road without worryin about the cops unlike here in the US.. ;)</p>
<p>My Dad works in a Hpstpital there (in the ER), and he's always telling me about people driving at 160 or more who crash right into a building and smash their heads against the concrete walls. But I still wantto try it someday.
Imagine what it would be like for a guy trying to cross Shk. Zayed Road...12 lanes of crazy speeding maniacs all going at over 160 km/h.</p>
<p>You lot are crazy!! </p>
<p>Don't you realise that you are not only endangering your own lives but those of others too. I have seen families get destroyed because of a drunk driver or reckless drivers.</p>
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Imagine what it would be like for a guy trying to cross Shk. Zayed Road...12 lanes of crazy speeding maniacs all going at over 160 km/h.
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<p>Thats what laborers used to do before they installed fences ( even though some still do that .. ). We live on Sheikh zayed road. Hence, my mother was once sitting in the balcony and saw a man who got hit by a car and went up 20 feet high ( no exxageration ). He died on the spot ofcourse! </p>
<p>To be honest, driving at 160-170 doesnt feel all that bad when driving on the border of dxb-abu dhabhi. Everyone is going at a minimum of 140 and hence due to relativity, it feels like as if one is driving at 120! But your right... It is dangerous...</p>
<p>of course it's dangerous. I've seen numerous accidets (and was almost going to be in one myself) that were caused by speeding.
frankly, like you said jai, it doesn't feel that fast because everyone is doing it and becasue all the windows are closed and ACs on full blast so no one can hear the cars flying by.
btw, the only reason people come out of accidents disfigured and looking like crap is becasue THEY DON'T PUT ON THE SEAT BELT! Even when people are in really bad accidents, they can still come out without a single scratch if the wear seat belts!</p>
<p>Does anyone know of any summer programs that take teens to the middle east? I'd LOVE to visit Egypt, Jordan, or the UAE this summer. </p>
<p>Also, do you guys know of any websites/software/books that are good for teaching Arabic? I LOVE ARABIC. It sounds so awesome...</p>
<p>I would not recommend visiting these countries in the summer.. Its oppresively hot with temps reaching 120 F ( and around 100% humidity ).</p>
<p>^ that's only in the Arab Gulf. Here it can reach about 110 at most. (with humidity in the high 90s)</p>
<p>um...Johnothan, the only website I can think of is the Amideast (America-Middle East). But I don't know if it will help you though.
I think it's <a href="http://www.amideast.org%5B/url%5D">www.amideast.org</a> but you'll have to make sure. (just google it).</p>
<p>Its still hot though.... There are summer programs that I came across when I was googling....There's definatley one at Tel Aviv University in Israel but thats hebrew so not sure if your interested.</p>
<p>but at least people can walk in the street here and not be drenched in sweat in 5 minutes.
I like winter there more because although it rains like twice a year, it really pours and can flood streets (way cooler than here)</p>
<p>That's ok. I don't mind the heat that much. I'd only go for a week or two anyway. I'll take a look at that site. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>I looked at the site and it seems like it's only for adults. Thanks, anyway :)</p>
<p>are you sure, I remember seeing sometihng on it about exchange programs and stuff...</p>
<p>Yes, I saw those, but those are for older high school students. I'm only in eighth grade. Maybe next year, though.</p>