Our Radio Star Loses His Wallet - And His Marbles

Our Radio Star Loses His Wallet - And His Marbles

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I’m celebrating my 12th year in Dubai this month.

Twelve years ago on August 4 I arrived at Dubai Airport, had my passport stamped by the wrong person before being frog marched to an office full of officials, who all seemed very angry at me. Hours later I walked out into the heat to be met by men shouting offers of a taxi ride. I was literally taken for a ride by a bloke in a beaten-up Corolla and charged five times what an official taxi would’ve charged me. It was cheaper than the UK, I suppose.

I was given a top floor room in the Trade Centre Novotel, looking south towards Emirates Towers and not a lot else. That same view now would take in Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa, DIFC and hundreds of new buildings. I trotted down to the swimming pool (the first hotel swimming pool I’d ever been to in my life) and so began my life in the UAE.