...having a BBQ on the beach

My wife and I live in a very pleasant location within Sharjah. Sharjah is not the destination of choice for many people, even those that live here, but it does have some nicer areas, one of them being where we rent our apartment. We live on Khalid Lagoon, with Al Khan lagoon on the other side, and, compared to the rest of Sharjah, not so much traffic and human kind. In fact, there is a lot of sand and a large grassy area. However, this relative peace and quiet means that people with only one discernible aim in mind, to burn fresh meat to a cinder, come to the beaches in big numbers in the evening and the weekend. Obviously there are many signs on the beach saying that barbecuing is prohibited, but this is one of those local regulations that is never enforced. We like to walk there, but it is impossible to do so without a full face gas mask and night vision goggles due to the waves of impenetrable choking blue-black smoke and the acrid smell that clings to the atmosphere. I am amazed that barbecuers can even sit amongst it, let alone eat. When we do venture in that direction we are inevitably driven back into our apartment, which thankfully is 35 floors up. The smoke doesn't reach that height, yet.

..being caught in a traffic jam in Sharjah

There's nothing worse than being caught in a traffic jam in Sharjah.   People, in Sharjah, are in their cars. There's no metro or effective bus service. They need to go somewhere. They can't – they are caught in a solid wall of slow-moving or stationary traffic. No car dare leave more than a 10 cm gap between itself and the car in front. Three lanes go to four then back to three. Is there a possibility of turning into a side street and taking another route? Yes, but then the traffic on that route will also be at a stand still. Will a bit of multiple lane-swapping help? Many are not good at it, so don't do it, but some, particularly the smart dark blue BMW's and white Mercedes are – but then they only manage to move up a few places. Perhaps now is the time to listen to the news broadcast on the radio. Okay, you've done that, now what? Listen to a CD, but then you've heard it 50 times before. Make a phone call – illegal, but all the Landcruisers do it, now what? Contemplate life, but don't go into a dream and take your eyes off the fender of the car in front or you will certainly bump into him. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? If you are heading towards Dubai, yes, because there the traffic moves along at an acceptable pace.