touches each other,’ Jennifer
says. On another occasion, she
tells me that, while high, her
and her boyfriend had a three
some with another expat. ‘We’d
taken mushrooms and decided
to get into this giant bath.
One thing led to another, and
I ended up on top of her, with
my boyfriend touching me,
f*cking me, and watching us
together.’
Everything in excess
Even in some places where the
cultural norms and laws don’t
permit holding hands in public
- let alone orgies and skinny
dipping – excess for expats is
par for the course. In Dubai,
being drunk in public is a
criminal offence – yet women
drink for free on ‘ladies’ night’
(which lasts from Sunday ’til
Wednesday) in the areas where
alcohol is permitted.
It’s a paradox not lost onschool teacher Karen Mitchel*.
‘I moved here three years ago
and haven’t looked back,’ she
says. ‘I save $1650† a month and
still go out every night. My rent
is paid for. In Dubai it’s hard to
have a night in. There’s always
something happening. It truly
is the land of decadence.’
BRITON
CHARLOTTE LEWIS
WAS IMPRISONED
IN 2010 FOR
BREACHING
DUBAI’S
MODESTY LAWS.SOME EXPATS
FORGET THE
RULES... AND END.