If anything is a more accurate indicator of the effects of the LE crackdown than an afternoon's TGIT, I don't know it. Had not been to TGIT for a LONG time, pre-crackdown. Due to having a business meeting in the area, stopped in today for a drink, 3:00 - 3:40. It was the definition of "sparse". PLENTY of room at the bar. In fact, the short side, opposite the alcove, empty. Alcove was mostly empty; I had to look at my watch to make sure it was not after closing.
Some punters, a few africans, couple CIS, majority PRC's. One nice rack on display, one cute face. Unfortunately, they were not the same girl. No desire to make do with [u]her[/u] place, and while the drive to mine would be no problem, the drive back... I would not blame a taxi driver for refusing. It's just not worth it with the way traffic is today. Those afternoon pulls are just a memory.
The back was also sparse, few tables occupied. Must have been some sailors in town: a crowd of 5, 6 girls all in the back surrounding a back table. A friend of Miss Rack's alerted her to the potential; she followed to try her luck. Did get the number of Miss Face for a rainy day, but we all know dxb: very few rainy days. But she reminded me of a girl I used to know.
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My [i]business[/i] was actually interesting. On the last Miss T's LE detention, I had hit the bank for some cash to pass to her if I had the chance, or if she needed some cash outlay support. Had hoped to meet her at the airport, so had converted dirhams to dollars there while waiting, figuring she'd get a better rate with dollars back home. Unfortunately, she was brought in a back way, so no chance to see her before departure.
But still, the money was earmarked for her, and I did want to get it to her. Calling her in China, she suggested I contact her cousin who knew her account at the [i]China bank[/i]. What's the term for these places? You know, you give money to a guy, he makes a note, takes a cut, makes a phone call (or sends an e-mail) and his cousin back in the home country makes the funds available to the person. The ones they want to stamp out as there is no control.
Actually, she had had 2 of these [i]bank accounts[/i], 2 different [i]banks[/i], one on each side of the creek. Smart girl, believed in the old cliche of not putting all your eggs in 1 basket (from what I saw today, they would also "hold" money). Anyway, on 2 different Fridays, she had asked me to take her to the bank (in my naivety, I'm saying, "But the banks are not open of Fridays..."). So I knew their vicinity. Contacting [i]Little Sister[/i], who I'd never met (but she knew me from my picture), we agreed to meet at the Bur Dubai bank. Little Sister cute and sweet. Certainly not a Cyclone [i]office[/i] worker, but could hold her own in the old York, Seaview, Rattlesnake, etc. But off-limits for me (Miss T's ONLY request).
First, an internet phone call to Miss T. I was impressed; there was the usual delay of VOIP, but the sound was crystal clear. She and sister got everything worked out; more than 5 minutes, less than 10. 3 dhs. Order of magnitude less than the phone company charges (it always amazes me how they crow about their world record profits! How can you not make record profits where you are a monopoly and set your own rates?!? Duh!!!)
Anyway, then to the cashier. Turns out, the [i]bank[/i] prefers dirhams, not dollars. So dollars were converted to dirhams, then to RMB. Not that much hit on the exchange rates, and it would have been a walk to one of my bank's atm's. Receipt given (all in Chinese), and away we went. Very easy (especially if you have a PRC to handle everything for you). Little Sister actually took the dollars, giving the cited amount of dirhams to the cashier ("I like dollars"). Dollars were then handed over to the cashier, and a receipt given. Like I said, I assumed a deposit, not a transfer.
Another side of life, and a chance to view some [u]back[/u] alleys. Would not have found the place on my own.
