Chryss - Expat In Dubai
Hi, welcome to my life in the UAE.
I’m an Australian Air Traffic Controller who moved to Dubai with my husband in late 2008 for work. My husband already had a contract to come over but I didn’t. All I had was the promise of a position. Guess what?? After arriving we were told that there was no work here for me. So for the next 12 months I was a lady that lunched. Well, not exactly, but I wasn’t bringing home any bacon (literally or figuratively).
After my enforced “sabbatical”, I was eventually hired to be an ATC at Al Maktoum International Airport which opened on 27th June 2010. So my days of leisure are now well and truly over. I started in December 2009 and I am really enjoying being a working woman again – well, enjoying the salary anyway. This blog came about as a result of a) all the spare time I had; and b) a long-held desire to be a writer. I decided to email my friends about the new city that we were living in and my thoughts about life here. It’s had a wonderful response from everyone and one of my friends suggested I make it into a blog. Well, I don’t do blogs, so welcome to my ‘ejo’ (you’ll have to read Ejo #2 to find out what the hell I’m talking about – but don’t stop there)!!
The airport hasn’t been as busy as aniticpated, so even though I am in full time employment I still find myself with a lot of time on my hands, which gives me the perfect opportunity to write about all of my observations of life in this crazy city. This year I’ve also decided to write a book. Drop me a note anytime to let me know what you think of this site (or me, or anything at all actually). I’ll always respond and I’m happy to hear from you.
Enjoy.
What a marvelous blog! I do wish you have time to continue it once you start working again. I have read some posts and the way you describe everything is just like I’m there. And so informative! Your mother sent me this link. She and I are very good friends, I love her immensely. Unfortunately, she is in Australia and I am in the United States. The day we meet we will be quite a pair.
I am bookmarking your blog so that I can read all of it as time permits. And please…… Keep writing. You are extremely talented.
Wishing you all the best,
Luella May
Hi Chryss,
Lynda said she was talking to an Australian lady over in Dubai by the name of Chryss and was wondering if I knew you. Was surprised to hear you are over there, last I heard I think you were in Melbourne tower. Looks like we might be coming over to work, will have to catch up
Regards
Dave
Hi Chryss!!
wonderful blog and very interesting life!! Would it be possible to send you an email? I would like to ask you some questions.
Thanks a lot!!
Chryss,
I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts. Sounds like quite an adventure. I’m from the Napa Valley area, so reading the In-n-Out vs. French Laundry brought big smile to my face.
Good Luck
Thanks Brent, that’s just totally made my day!
Chryss
I’m also an air traffic controller at SFO, with a contract offer at DXB to start 1/15/2012 but I still have not decided.
Great site with lots of info. I’m working in the UK and my manager has just asked if I can come over to design and deliver some training to managers. Our parent company runs some operations in Dubai. all in the planning stage at the moment. I googled ‘working and living in dubai’ and found your site. I’m glad I did…keep up the great work.
Hi Ian, thanks so much for your lovely comments!
Chryss