Post Crash

The posts up till now are extracted from an article I wrote for a magazine but too long to put here in one piece.  But they've set me thinking about how things have changed here in the last 18 months and especially since the more visible crash towards the end of 2009.
Traffic for one.  The roadbuilding programme has continued apace.  Perhaps somewhat slowed from the mad dash of the bubble years but nonetheless...
Yet at the same time the number of vehicles has noticeably decreased.  This is very visible in Dubai where even the rush hour is bearable.  Compared to Sharjah for instance it is a positive pleasure to drive in Dubai - free flowing traffic and wide roads.  Most of the worst bottlenecks have gone. 
The dangerously stupid, selfish, arrogant,  unskilled driving hasn't gone though so it remains a frustrating and dangerous experience albeit a much quicker one.
There's a partially open Metro now in Dubai too.   It's a boon if you live and work close enough to be able to use it and once the rest is open sometime this year it's usefulness will go up exponentially.  Pity about the busses though.
There's plenty of them and they run frequently.  But they have typical UAE drivers.  Too focussed on speed and no thought for their passengers or other road users.  The experience fills you with terror AND makes you feel sick from the weaving and too fast cornering.  No fun at all and I know many who've chosen not to use them again - me included.  That's a great waste and I'm a big fan of bus travel in cities elsewhere.
Dubai housing is still ridiculously expensive though it has plunged dramatically.  It's merely excessive now rather that outrageous.  But it is still USD1300/month for a small one bed flat in an outlying area!
There's life in the business world too.  At the end of '09 my pipeline was empty.  Even of prospects.  Now there are prospects, including a really sweet deal that I want to talk about at length if it comes off.  But economic activity has returned and you feel it in the atmosphere.  One of my Anglo friends is even having to hand off work as he's overloaded.  I remember those days.  They'll be back more widely soon - though the bubble has burst and Abu Dhabi will see we don't try to recreate it any time soon.