I went to Dubai in Feb 07 and left in Feb 09-- it went from a long big real estate-fuled boom to a car crash bust in late 08... it was scary-- people moonwalking outta there like crazy! big problem was you have to pay your exorbitant rent up front in a lot of cases-- and if you got the heave ho, you'd have to be out of Dubai in 30 days! so you'd have to sublet your place (in a crashing economy) instantly! plus you have to clear up all your car/personal loans before you leave or you can get thrown in jail... there are a lot of people who chucked it all in and left owing lots. if they ever even connect through Dubai on a flight, they can be arrested on the spot!
it will be years before it ever comes back... it was based on a total confidence scam, since most of the buildings are and will be for a very long time, just empty... all hundreds of gleaming floors of 'em
thank good i had best show to see me through it!!!
all in all, it was a most pleasant au revoir to that hellhole... and it is nice to be back in Sydney (France, wait...whuuuuuut?
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