I was standing inside my building lift, carrying my bulky laptop, on my way to another coffee shop in the city to work and presumably network with others. This concept of working and networking from cafes was recommended to me by my neighbor, as one of many steps I had to take in order to get anywhere in my career life in Dubai.
To me, working from cafes was what I did when I first moved to the city and had no access to the internet from where I was staying. It was a temporary solution that went on for months on end, and that’s why, when I had the “luxury” of being connected from my own place, I never considered working from a cafe again. Oddly enough, it turned out I was wrong! very wrong…Apparently, everyone in Dubai who was not working at an office headed to these work spaces or wired cafes to get their work done and maybe network with others or arrange meetings. When I thought that I was in pure eternal high-speed home internet bliss, that bubble had to be burst and I found myself confronted by yet another task and challenge!
So, in response to my neighbor’s advise, I was back on the running track. This time running around cafes with my not so slim laptop and bulky carry bag. Back to my first line, I was in the building lift, when the lady standing there with me was carrying her beach bag and dressed in her beach clothes. I can’t say I was jealous because I’m not a huge beach fan, especially when it means lounging in the Dubai mid-day summer heat. I think I was jealous of the freedom that allowed her to go to the beach on a week day, while I was obliged to follow my neighbor’s advise to work harder and put more effort and dedication into my goal.
Today I’m writing this post from “The Pavilion”; one of the most popular work spaces in Dubai. My experience today hasn’t been so great. Mainly because I am not feeling too well…I am drained…I am wondering to myself: how many more wi-fi spots do I need to work from before I finally make it in this place? As for my review of this particular work space, the internet connection is not stable, my order of lamb fillet was too tough, and I got a rejection e-mail as soon as I opened my inbox. Well the last bit had nothing to do with the place, but I think my experience has been affected somehow by that message. I can’t say that I won’t be making another trip to “The Pavilion”, as it’s the current meetup location for the Dubai writers’ group…and I can’t let a small thing like a rejection e-mail prevent me from frequenting this classy and contemporary art space.
One place that I have worked from and don’t intend to go back to however is another popular work space at the other end of town. Which is close to where I live…I think that wi-fi hotspot was the first place I went to when I decided to begin my “working from cafes” chapter. The reason I don’t plan on going there again is the fact that their wooden seats are too uncomfortable for long working sessions. Although I was offered a cushion from the friendly waiter to place on the seat, the hours I spent working there on that day resulted to a stiff back and shoulders on the next day, and the desperate need for a deep tissue back massage treatment.
Working at the JBR cafes proved to be more of a leisurely experience than a serious one. Most guests at those places were tourists or families out with their kids on a relaxing day at the walk. At one cafe, the staff were happily singing along to the music and humming the words to the songs….which certainly doesn’t help anyone who is trying to get some work done at the premise. The quiet atmosphere at Caribou JBR always appeals to me though….so does the coziness of the winter-themed decor and the choice to sit at a comfy couch and sip on a soothing dark hot chocolate or chai latte.
The funniest trip that I made was to a cafe that closes early, and is located near a gold and diamond shopping center. I was the only person sitting at the long wooden table (pictured above) and managed to check some e-mails and have a late lunch. Hey, at least I got to take a good picture for this blog topic.
As with everything I have been through in my journey, you always learn new ways to develop and improve your trials. In this phase, that included finding out about a wi-fi spot located in the heart of Dubai Media City…and is considered to be where media types and journalists go. Once I discovered that piece of information, I chose a date and headed to that cafe for my lunch. The food was great, the atmosphere was chilled, the staff were friendly and greeted you with “Bonjour” since it was a French bakery. But did I manage to network with anyone from the media crowd? unfortunately not. All I did that day was strike up a conversation with a lady I met at the washroom who worked at a telecom flagship store located in the area.
Before I had seriously embarked on my “cafe culture” journey, I was explaining to my neighbor how it wasn’t convenient for me to carry my hefty laptop with me everywhere, especially since I don’t drive. She suggested that I carry it in a back-pack or get an i-pad and use that instead. I answered that I was looking at this stage as a temporary one that will hopefully end when I eventually get a full-time role at a company.
I must conclude by saying that the warm date cake with almond ice-cream at The Pavilion was surely a great mood-enhancer, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who has a sweet tooth….also, if you fancy working or having a go at networking from a cafe in Dubai, here’s a list to get you inspired:
http://www.timeoutdubai.com/gallery/34786-15-wi-fi-hotspots-in-dubai#.UJ-8ZYaWHcw
Happy surfing!
Always enjoying reading ur posts!! And remind me to have interview in almost every cafes which u mentioned!!! Hope for the full time job!!!well paid as well!
It’s my pleasure Sara! I always enjoy reading your comments as well! If you had interviews in so many places, that means that you really put in a lot of effort in the job search and gave it your best! It’s a great learning experience and it means that you lived your life to the fullest 🙂 Thank you so much for the kind wishes, It’s so sweet of you. Inshallah we both reach our goals or whatever God has in store for us 🙂
Miss you and love you so much X
Aside of them playing/ singing/ or relaxing. when they work, none work as hard as you. i loved this post darling! really interesting. reminded me of the saudi guy the other day. lol!
LOOOOOOOOOOOOL Yeah that piece was dropped from the story that will be published on this blog! for reasons you are already aware of! I have to be a little bit more discreet sometimes….I’m glad that you are enjoying reading my posts! and thanks for taking the time to go through them although you are busy 🙂
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