As the English rock band Mud once sang, it will be lonely this Christmas.
The coronavirus situation means the holiday season will be very different for UAE residents this year, with travel plans dropped by many in recent days and celebrations kept low key.
But in true 2020-style, people are using video conferencing to celebrate the big day with loved ones abroad instead.
This year in general I have been in touch with my friends more than I would have been before. In a way it's brought us closer
Some say they are using technology to spend time with people they would not otherwise have seen.
That includes Thomas Smith, 25, a Dubai resident from the UK. He said he has seen friends more than ever during the start of the outbreak since moving to the UAE in April 2019.
“I rang maybe one of my friends last Christmas as I was quite busy,” he said.
“This year in general I have been in touch with my friends more than I would have been before. It’s sort of making the effort to see people virtually, because you know they’re not necessarily going out.
“In a weird way I’m kind of glad it’s happened because it’s brought us closer.”
He had always planned to spend Christmas here, but has arranged a special Zoom meeting on Monday evening, with 10 of his friends, for a festive quiz and catch-up, “just to keep the spirits alive”.
“Some of my friends are struggling a little bit because they can’t really go out,” he said.
He will spend the big day itself with UAE friends. There are more of them around this year because fewer have chosen to travel.
Dubai resident Karen Hammond and her family were supposed to be travelling back to the UK for Christmas, but decided against it to avoid putting elderly relatives at risk.
So her son, Isaac, 19, who studies at Durham University, travelled back to Dubai to join his parents and 13 year-old sister on December 10.
"We're complete again as a family of four," said Ms Hammond, who is from Newcastle.
“I don’t like the idea of my mum being by herself, but it’s just too complicated to travel. The new restrictions would have made it difficult.
“We will have a video chat with her in the morning.”
It will be Kate Richards’ family’s final Christmas here, after her husband was made redundant during the pandemic.
The Dubai residents plan to return to the UK in January.
"We are heading back to Bedfordshire while we look for a house to rent as John, my husband, was offered a new job there yesterday," she said.
“We would have gone home to the UK for Christmas, but seeing as we are going home in January, we are going to have one last party brunch with our friends here and then head back over to the UK."
“You have to just get on with it and make the best of it.”
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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points
Company%20Profile
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Zayed Sustainability Prize
