Dubai Calling!

[Jorja]

Given the current situation with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and the fact war could erupt at any time, I am surprised they would send anyone over there right now. Anyone who would go over there is awfully brave, whether they dress or not (which I wouldn't risk as others have said.)

Oh don't sweat the small stuff!

[Niya W]

And the votes are in. It's unanimous .

[suit]

just standin the corner over by that small guliatine said the judge, sentice will start there...

[karanne]

I guess we've had more civil wars because we've been around a bit longer Karanne. They occur every couple of hundred years or so, you'll be coming up to your second one soon so don't get too jealous.

<Political>
With the discrepancy in income between the .01% and the rest of society, the rumblings I'm hearing aren't peaceful. Congress is perceived as owned in toto by BIG MONEY, the GOP and the Tea Party are defending the Rich and Powerful, and the Democrats are seen as Not much Better.

There is a large percentage of the population who are poor, military veterans, and armed. (I have guns myself.) While the country isn't quite at the stage of violent revolution, there's a lot of agreement with the messages of the Occupy crowd. While we're still a nation of laws, there's a lot of discontent, a lot of anger. After all, we've worked hard all our lives, done everything we're supposed to for the American Dream. Gone to college, got that good job, paid our bills, had 2.5 kids and a dog, bought a home, invested in America. Only we're seeing it ripped away by Big Business, by corporate greed, and protected by politicians who are viewed as arrogant, intolerant, and unwilling to compromise. They are practicing 'slash and burn, scorched earth' politics and are in the pockets, bought and sold to the Rich and Powerful, and who protect their corporate masters in return. The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited corporate donations to politicians doesn't help the situation. It just allows more Big Money to buy more politicians.

As I said, I don't think we're quite there yet. However, the match is lit, and is only an inch or two from the end of the fuse. Personally, I think Gabbi Giffords was only the first ... Something widely viewed as an injustice will move that match.
</Political>

[Lorileah]

Any news from Kaz? Do we need to assemble our seal team?

[PretzelGirl]

I am just now seeing this thread for the first time. My vote? I think she was having a little fun with everyone. I could be wrong....

[Crysten]

You know what? If you're dead set on dressing in a conservative Muslim country, and no one here can talk you out of it, please feel free to do so, you're a big girl, after all. Just keep in mind the consequences may be EXTREMELY steep. Enjoy your trip.

[ReineD]

Now I'm really looking forward for Kaz to come back. Didn't she say she'd only be gone for a few days? She left three days ago on the 24th. Maybe she's returning home over the weekend?

So ... let's take bets!

Did she or didn't she ......... take the femme stuff with her?

My guess is no.

[Niya W]

Kaz is going to come back say were all were punked






























then saying the US is the great Satan .

[Carole]

I think someone has bought her for 12 camels............................................ ..

[aliceeliot]

Well, I've only just seen this thread, and it's too late for Kaz - but my experience as follows.....

Back in the mid 00's I had the dubious pleasure of being posted to Dubai for two months. I did my research and decided not to take any of Alice's stuff with me, which was just as well. My suitcase was x-rayed in front of me by security, if any underwired bras (or, god forbid, my forms) had shown up, I don't know what I would have said (I would have been refused entry, and my company informed of why)

Dubai is many things to many people, it can be a great place to visit, but you have to be aware of the local rules, especially 'offending public decency' (OPD - I can't be bothered to type it out every time) Dubai is more 'tolerant' than most Arab countries, but OPD is a pretty vague crime - as has described by many of the posts in this thread, and the risk of offending anyone, airport security included, is too high. Having said that, I found the OPD law to be a 'suits the occasion' excuse - for example, if you get caught trying to smuggle a copy of Playboy through the airport, the chances are you will have your boys cut off and you will be put on the first plane out of there. However, once through the airport, for the price of a copy of Playboy, you can have 4 Thai/Fillipino/Indian(etc) girls for the night, for which the authorities conveniently turn a blind eye - I think it's called 'tourism'. The same girls will constantly pester you in any bar even if you are with your wife and kids (OPD?)

As you have probably guessed, I was not too enamoured with Dubai, but I digress.....

I had great fun!!

Two months without Alice was too much to bear, so I bought Alice lots of presents while I was there, and this was where the fun came in. In the UK, buying clothes for Alice is second nature, in Dubai it was hilarious. First off I bought a pair of hold-ups in a department store and I reckon every single member of staff got involved, presumably it was a novelty to them. From then on, every shopping trip was a Monty Python experience - buying a matching bra and panties set resulted in the security guard following me out of the store. I wanted a bikini, but the SA insisted I needed bathing shorts, the blouse was not a regular mens fit.... surely the skirt should have leg holes.... and the bodycon dress was not a jalabya. Great fun.

As to crossdressing in public in Dubai, that's a no-no - definitely OPD. I think several of you have posted links to the story of the Indian guy arrested and being thrown in prison for being only partially crossdressed. I was fortunate to be in a company villa complex, and the roof had a pretty discreet sun deck, which was used on a regular basis with the bikini I finally convinced the SA to sell me. I also used the pool on regular basis, and this was the first time I swam in a bikini.

So, if you go to Dubai, be very careful, don't take your alter-ego's stuff with you, buy it there. As a footnote, when I left, I took all of Alice's presents with me - they didn't seem to care on the way out.

Alice

[Sister Rachel]

karanne, I'd be glad to clarify a bit of British history for you, but time is short, so another day, hey

Kaz, tha's a Yorkshire lass, 'ave a bit o' sense, don't be daft, I were going ta send thee a friend request but it's no use if tha's rotting in some Arab jail, is there?

I know Dubai might seem like Amsterdam compared to Saudi Arabia, but all the same I'd let discretion be the better part of valour in this instance!

...or is this all a wind-up, in which case NAUGHTY girl!

[Kaz]

Hi Girls,

Literally just got back! I have just unpacked and got on the site before I go to bed... it is 00.18 here and I need to be up at 7 for a full day on my feet at work tomorrow. Sorry you didn't here from me... when I clicked on the site I got a nice message telling me I couldn't and shouldn't!! It is blocked!

So I couldn't give you any updates! Anyway... I am back and will give you an update tomorrow when I get back from work. As usual, I took all your advice on board and then did my own thing!

Behaved myself getting into the country, underdressed coming out. Had some fun while there, but not in public!

Had loads of fun on a work/experience level, made loads of new friends and learned loads! As we do with foreign travel!

All in all, a great trip! And yes.. I did behave myself... mostly!

[Laura912]

Well come back! It is great that all our worries were for naught.
Laura

[stacycoral]

Kaz, so glad to hear your home safe.

[Cindi]

If you cannot take the advise of all the people here, then you must be mad.

[Barbara Ella]

Glad you are back Kaz. Cant wait for the stories and to find out how bad you really can get.

Babes

[t-girlxsophie]

As usual, I took all your advice on board and then did my own thing!

Man,that got me glad everything went so well for you ,welcome back to the cold and the rain

Sophie

[Lorileah]

And just how was the golf tournament?

[suzy1]

Never thought I would here from you again.

Now I can sleep nights.

Hugs, SUZY

[Kathy Smith]

A Yorkshire lass as behaves 'erself? Even mostly? Don't gimme that twaddle!
;-)

Welcome back Kaz. :-)

[JessicaM1985]

Glad to hear that you made it ok. The thought of going to a middle eastern country en-drab scares the hell out of me, let alone en femme.

But at least the forum won't be short one talented musician now.

[Ava Tryptyk]

Great to hear you made it back safely, Kaz!

I'm curious about the situation in Dubai. I could understand why it would be dangerous to bring in pornography if it's explicitly banned there, but are there any laws that say you can't bring womens' clothing if you're travelling alone as a male? Theoretically you could say that it's for your wife, girlfriend or other female friend that lives in Dubai. Or is it because the clothing is that of western women, rather than that of conservative Arab women, and therefore would look too conspicuous?

[JustWendy]

Kaz - glad to hear you made it back safely. We were all worried when we hadn't heard from you.

[Kaz]

Hi Everyone....

Thanks for all the heartfelt stuff... it is amazing! I am a little in awe of the support we give each other here in general and when you are on the receiving end it is really awe..some!

I am very moved by your comments... all of them! Only 12 camels? Am I that cheap!

I had a blast, but it was all very understated... Wherever I go in the world I am always amazed but not suprised that we all have far much more in common than we have differences. I have made some more good friends at a work level and my Linked In professional profile grows...

The morning of the flight I slept in! My wife woke me up with a start and I knew then I would miss the train and would have to drive to the airport... so I packed my bag very quickly... took some clothes, wig, forms, heels... I wasn't really thinking - I had just woken from a deep dream and now was in reality! The night before I had it all planned out... on the morning I was a mess! My wife and 22 year old daughter were helping the process with telling me how I was not going to get the train or the plane and I was stuffed... I am thinking 'pack the bag - be ruthless' - I am in 'do it' mode navigating the negative rhetoric of the crowd... I know they want me to win, I just wish they would share that emotion and not the one they choose to project!

I won't bore you with the rest.... the systems went down at Manchester so I was in the check-in queue for an hour (yes I had checked in on-line)... I got there 3 hours before the flight... I arrived at the gate on 'last call'!

Dubai... All my 'dodgy' stuff in my suitcase... cleared immigration...

Get to the hotel/apartment thing.... everything intact... game on!

TBC