With the UAE's 40th National Day just around the corner, I decided to grill the JadoPado team for their favourite memories of living in UAE or on anything that they loved about their life out here. A few of us were born and bred here, some of us have been here for a long time, and the likes of me moved here just a few years ago!
There was only one rule: Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind.
Omar – The Boss: Omar is one of the team's UAE lifers. He grew up in Dubai and recently discovered that he likes Dijon Mustard.
I love winter in Dubai. It's an entirely different experience to anywhere else in the world and such a stark contrast to our hot, humid summers. Winter is when Dubai kicks into high gear and really comes into its own. If you've got a convertible, you'll know what I mean.
Oh and I love it when it rains. Yes I know, it's the long term residents cliche.
**Samar – JP's Resident Jabber: ** Samar moved to UAE 4 years ago as a newly wed and a fresh grad and hasn't looked back since.
The one thing that stands out about my life in UAE are the picnics. I've never had more picnics in my life than I've had in the four years I've been here. The minute the weather starts getting better, BBQs, beach trips, road trips and outdoor dining become my one true calling.
The way I see it: The more, the merrier – both people and picnics!
Karlo – The Corporate Clown: Karlo loves to travel and moved to the UAE 6 years ago.
Watching the first ever Formula 1 race to take place in Abu Dhabi is one of my nicest memories of living out here. Bahrain had the F1 before we did, but the Yas Marina Circuit is a testament of everything that the UAE aspired to and has actually become. It's a beautiful venue and it turned out to be a spectacular race.
Those F1 engines revving up to 18,000 RPMs really made the night!
Shabbir – Our Go-to Guy: S__habbir's lived his entire life here. He's a foodie… as you'll find out below
Having spent my entire life here says it all about my love for the UAE. The one National Day related memory that stands out for me is the Silver Jubilee.
A huge cake had been prepared for occasion at Dubai Creek – rumoured to be the world's largest. There was to be an official cake cutting ceremony and everyone there was meant to get a nice piece cake. A very sudden Dubaiesque rumour flared up and spread like wildfire, that there were car keys for new cars hidden inside the cake as prizes to anyone who could find them.
The crowd went nuts! The cake was destroyed in a matter of minutes and where once stood a beautiful, proud National Day celebration cake was nothing but mush.
Every time National Day rolls around, I remember that cake and I think not of the car keys rumour, but of the poor pastry chefs bawling somewhere while witnessing the crude destruction of their creation.
Sree and Reyaz – JP's Resident Code Monkeys: Our Code Monkeys moved here four and five years ago respectively and they love road trips!
We love getting in the car on the weekends with our families and just driving out somewhere. An 8-hour road trip covering all the Northern Emirates in a day? Bring it on.
If you ever want to know how long a road trip will take or what's the best route, we're your guys. Or try Google Maps.
Salman – The Ruler of the JP Warehouse: Salman is another UAE lifer. He left for a few years but now he's back home.
When I moved back it was a shock to see how much Dubai had grown. I remember not that long ago when the Emirates Towers were the tallest buildings in Dubai and could be seen from the Sharjah Corniche. Now the Burj Khalifa and many others, tower over them.
The change that Dubai has gone through has been amazing. But when I think of the UAE, I think of all the years I spent here as a youth and the amazing memories I have of my family (especially my Dad), my friends and my childhood.
The Awesome JP Transporters: They drive the JP vans, they wear the JP shirts and they make sure you get your deliveries on time. What's not awesome about that?
The JP Transporters chanted in unison: "We can't imagine living anywhere else!"
Well said guys, well said. They like doing things on time and with total commitment (mostly!).
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Enjoy the long weekend everyone! If you've got a moment, tell us a little bit about your own UAE experiences!