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[ProfessorsWife]

Hi all. My family and I arrived in Sharjah last weekend. To date, thins have proven to be just about the opposite of what the Sharjah tourism site would have you believe. If there are areas like the ones that the tourism site points out to you, I've yet to see them.
HCT has been very good to us. We have a very nice, very large apartment that supposedly is in the best part of the city. Which, is a good thing, because even being in the best part of the city, at this point I'm not fully comfortable taking my 2 daughters out on my own.
Take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. It's only been 10 days and I'm sure there's a lot to learn about the area.
Basically, it feels like a large construction site. There are a number of nationalities throughout the city, but it seems to me that Sharjah itself is made up primarily of men from India that are here working on the new construction. Prostitution runs rampant. The nationals have their own set of prostitutes, the Indians and Philipino have a different set.
My daughter has blonde hair and blue eyes. I've been told that she's a rare commodity in these parts and to be aware of that. I'm very aware. She's stared at constantly, as our the rest of my family because we're caucasion.
Shopping is huge here, but it's all malls, unless you want to walk around the streets, which I wouldn't suggest, at least not when you first come to the area.
The canal is nice, the garbage floating in it however, leaves a little something to be desired.
That's a very brief overview. If anyone has questions about the area, I'll answer them as best I can.
Again, take what I've said with a grain of salt. I'm still new to the area and feeling very let down by what I've found. Things will get better, right?

[helenl]

Take heart, your comfort level will improve. I remember watching a Sharjah tourism video after I'd lived in the emirates several year and thinking - "that's not the Sharjah I know - maybe there's another Sharjah?" I guess all government tourism websites try to show their area and attractions in the best light - but Sharjah takes it to a whole new level.

Being stared at is uncomfortable and disconcerting for the new arrivals - you won't ever get used to it but you will learn to ignore it. Construction is everywhere in the Emirates - as is trash. You will really notice the difference if youtravel to Oman where trash is minimal in most places.

Relax, pamper yourself and your family - it will get better, especially when the temperatures get cooler and you're not so cooped up.

[uaeobserver]

No place in the Emirates matches the tourism videos. In fact, I'm guessing this is generally the case for any place, anywhere on the globe.

Being a parent of a very blonde girl, I understand. It's usually more of a curiosity thing than it is a lustful thing (depending on her age).

Remember, Sharjah forbids alcohol, and also openly uses capital punishment. Persons comitting rape would be due for a long stay in prison, and risk getting shot, and subsequently deported. 99.99 percent of the people around you would not dare dishonor their family that way.

[veiledsentiments]

Oh dear... you should have asked us about that tourism video before you went. Sharjah has always been pretty much the armpit of the UAE, but I believe it has improved. If you read any of the history of the first European visitors to this part of the world you will find that the trash problem has been around for a long time... very much a 'toss it over the back fence' situation. (and Oman's cleanliness in comparison is also mentioned in the old writings)

The UAE is one big construction site... they have to do something with all that oil money pouring in and construction is the way that they spread the wealth. But it does mean dust and noise if you end up next door to it - and you will find that they work all hours of the day and night. As long as it is not just outside your bedroom windows, it does become just part of the atmostphere of the place. Granted it means that the city ends up never looking finished.

And the constant staring does take some getting used to. If you have ever visited India, you would know that it seems to be the major hobby there... everyone stares at you... men, women, and children stare at you. But, it is just curiosity and the more that you don't look like them, the stronger the curiosity. And some of it is missing their wives and children back home that they won't see for another 2-3 years when they finally have a day off.

You do learn to ignore it, and it isn't dangerous - though it does feel that way sometimes. You and your daughters are safer there than on the streets of Houston or London. Just use common sense as you would anywhere with pretty little blond daughters, and talk to the other parents at HCT. They will know the ropes.

VS

[ProfessorsWife]

Thanks so much to all of you. It's been a long 10 days and I'm still working things out. I'm not sure what to do yet, but I do appreciate everyone's comments regarding safety. Considering that you've all said that it's safe, would you think that it's perfectly okay to take my girls out on my own? What I mean is a taxi ride to one of the shopping centers (as those are the only places I've found to go). I know I'm being paranoid, but I'm still figuring things out. I need to get over being so scared!
To those of you that have lived here before, be honest, is there actually anything to do? I want to be able to take the girls out but I have no idea what to do with them. The Sharjah tourism site (damn that thing) indicated that there were beaches and childrens activities, mueseums and the like. I haven't got a clue about any of them. Be honest, is it worth it? And, what's the longest that any of you have spent here?
VS - I believe you're correct in saying that Sharjah is the armpit of the UAE. I read your comment to my husband and he actually laughed out loud at it. Thank you for that...

[veiledsentiments]

The initial arrival is always stressful... so much to do... so danged hot. It is really too hot for any outdoor activities. No problem taking the taxis to go shopping. Just be sure that you know the name of the place... and maybe even sort of where it is. Taxi drivers of the world are notorious for not knowing how to find things. Sit in the backseat, of course. I would say the only possible, but still slim, danger in taxis might be for a single woman in the middle of the night... unless she is coming from the airport which is controlled.

Your best source is the other parents at the college. Until more of them are back here to ask, just head for a big mall.

VS

[helenl]

There are a number of places to visit in Sharjah besides the malls. Outdoors at this time of year is not a real draw but when it gets cooler you can go for walks along the corniche (which is near where you are - Qasbat canal I think from the description you gave?)

The blue souq is always interesting to go poke around in (westerners call it the blue souq because of the tiles decorating it but locals I believe call it the central souq - just tell the taxi driver the big souq near the King Faisal mosque. You can't miss it (and it probably featured prominently in the tourism video/website ) It's air conditioned and worth a look to see what's on offer for souveniers to take home with you. Bargaining is expected and essential.

There are a couple of beaches - one near Al Khan and another past the Sharjah Ladies Club (which has wonderful facilities, including a small ice rink - it's very pricey though). The latter is located on the harbour side of Sharjah on the beach road going to Ajman. I do know females who go swimming there but only with male companionship as single ladies tend to attract the attention you want to avoid.

There is a Science and Discovery Centre past the Sharjah Airport and an Arabian Animal Park (also past the airport). There is at least one other centre out there but I'm not sure. There is another museum near the cultural round about which caters to children - say 6 - 14 years of age. There is also a ladies only park on the other side of that roundabout where you can avoid the staring, at least from asian laborers.

When I drove past the Radisson Hotel (near the Sharjah Ladies Club) they have a summer day camp going on. That might be something to check out for the children - with the Sharjah shopping promotion going on there is usually children's entertaiment at the malls - I know they do this in the malls in Dubai for Dubai Summer Surprises.

Your biggest problem is going to be traffic. With the new Salik road toll system just implemented in Dubai, the new Metro construction and several large road projects (and related diversions) in Sharjah - traffic is a mess and will remain so for the next couple of years I suspect.

[abudhabi]

As my moniker implies, I'm from Abu Dhabi and not Sharjah. However, I also have blond haired and blue eyed children. The wee lass is younger and arouses curiosity (and kisses) from Arab women, but my son, now 4 has got attention from everyone when he was born. The most memorable case of "attention" was when he was grabbed from my arms while I was on an escalator in a mall and kissed profusely when he was about 2 by someone - an Arab I presume, but without the head dress. Had this happened in Australia, I'd have been more than pi**** off. But, hey, I'm in a country where every second guy tells me I have a gift from Allah. So I waited patiently till he was handed back.

Kids are tolerated way more in the UAE when they are mucking around in shops than in the West. And it is not just the Arabs. Many of the shop assisitants are Phillipinos who have children back in their home country being looked after by grandma. Any smile they can raise from kids visiting their shop is a bonus and if that means bouncing them on the furniture in Ikea, so be it.

So my advice, Professor's Wife, is not to worry too much about the extra attention - it is generally envy and kindness exuding, not antagonism.

That said, make sure you keep them in view - a prudent measure in any society.

[holbrook]

This was improperly posted as a new thread. Here it is where it belongs.

I have to agree with uaeobserver. Sharjah will be very safe for you and your daughter in that very "American" sense (I can say this because I'm American) that there is nearly no chance or her ever being touched, molested, kidnapped or anything like that.

The constant staring is a problem. It takes a while to get used to. Also you need to fight back by staring back a bit. My wife stares right back hard and then they usually avert. Most of them are just bored and a bit sad. They come here, work hard in the heat for 60-70 hours a week with no family or friends, let alone female companionship. Mostly they are harmless and mean no offence.

If anyone does give you trouble just tell them that you are a married woman and that you will call the police. In the UAE, especially in Sharjah, men have no legal right to interact with a woman who is not their wife, sister, mother, etc. It is a crime for a man to start up a conversation with you for the fun of it and most of the workers know this. If you mention the police they will apologize and run away quick. The same is true of taxi drivers. If they adjust the mirror to look at you or start getting personal, just read their name off of their printed licence and tell them that you are married. It works for my wife anyway.

I hope this was helpful.

Cheers,

[ProfessorsWife]

Holbrook - Yes, incredibly helpful. I spoke to someone on the telephone that I met on this site, a short while ago. He too was very helpful. I think part of my nervousness comes from culture shock. Part of it comes from being younger and having 2 small children. I worry more than I need to. Everything is new and very different. I've lived in a city before, but not one quite like this. I'll take everyones suggestions to heart and do my best to remember them when I'm out with my girls.
All comments are always welcome. Thank you so much everyone.

[sarina]

Sharjah is probably the safest city I have ever encountered. Certainly there is no problem walking around the Corniche, the malls (or most places in general - unless it is the middle of the night and you are alone - and that is just dumb to do in any city).
Sharjah is conservative, and the local men very respectful. The ethos is to treat women very well - even the subcontinentals will look but never touch. As a Western foreigner you really are protected - noone would dare bother you as the penalties are so strong, and as VS said - most staring is just curiosity not bad intent. The comment "blue eyed blond children are a valuable and rare commodity" just makes me cross - anywhere in the world you need to take care of your children -this is just scaremongering of the worst kind.
Most probably you are just going through culture shcck - it's really hot now and those first few weeks of settling in to the apartment or villa, furnishing it, establishing a routine are very stressful.
Compared to anywhere in the Middle East I have lived in (and I'm Western) I find it the safest city. I'm not too thrilled about it being called "the armpit" of the UAE - sure the traffic is a bit of a mess at the moment, but it is a developing country and when you go abroad there will always be elements that seem different - but what a rich experience for your family!
You can PM me if you have any other questions - I'll be happy to fill you in. Don't let people scare you with stories - mostly they are expats who haven't properly assimilated and would have trouble anywhere outside their own culture.

[sarina]

I also forgot to mention - join a private club. This will greatly improve the quality of your life. There are several in Sharjah (and a good one in Ajman). The college your husband works for should have discounts at several of the local hotel/clubs - in some you will have private beach (no staring, and you can wear Western beachware), very comfortable pool areas, restaurants. One of the things about adjusting to Sharjah (and the Middle East in general) is the differences in the way in which public spaces are used. The public/private dimensions are different here - that sense of community life outdoors is not something you will find here.
Have a look at the Coral Beach, the Kempinski or the Wanderers.

[helenl]

Of the three clubs mentioned, the Kempinski is probably the best for the money - access to a private beach and the health club and other facilities. I believe they have special programs for children too. It's a 5 star German(?) chain located just over the border in Ajman - so if you or your husband want to enjoy a beer/wine while relaxing, that's doable.

The Wanderers does not have a beach but it does have a bar and it used to have a golf course outside the city. It's probably cheaper than the Kempinski but the only water access is a pool and the bar is a little seedy.

The Coral Beach is slightly closer to your location on the same road as the Kempinski. I don't think the beach is as private as the K and being much smaller and in Sharjah it has neither the scope and quality of facilities nor alcohol.

[ProfessorsWife]

You are all truly amazing. I appreciate this so much. Okay, so join a club, a decent one. I'll look into that tomorrow.
Next question.
Should we buy a car? It seems like it will be impossible to get along without one unless we take taxi's everywhere.

[helenl]

You will probably decide you do want a car - whether to rent or buy is a valid question. When I (and many others) first arrived in the emirates, I rented by the month. It was an year old model, Toyotal Corolla manual shift from Hertz and it cost about 1000AED/month - you can shop around at the various car rental places to see what kind of deal you can get. It's probably 200-300 dirhams higher a month now.

Benefits, you have your own transport without the hassle of maintenance and should it break down, you get a replacement vehicle. I did this for about 6 months - that way I could take my time and look around. Other benefits, when you leave, you don't have a car to sell - same for leasing which a rarer option 7 years ago.

It also gives you the chance to "practice" driving amongst the complete nutters, road hogs, and general crazy people in a car that is (a) insured (b) not yours if it does get damaged.