Laughter and Liveliness:
The Adventures of the Rashidiyah Quarters: How to Survive and Thrive in a Dubai Hotel
A strange event occurred near the showers in the madcap world of Rashidiya quarters, where pandemonium and laughter are inseparable companions. Picture this: I curiously peeked out of my room, only to find my mischievous friends embarking on a daring naked parade to the showers! Oh, the gasps of innocence echoed through the halls as some unsuspecting souls witnessed their first glimpse of naked men and promptly called upon the heavens for guidance. Others, in a fit of panic, sprinted to their rooms, their shalwar kameez attire flapping in the wind like distressed flags.
But my friends, oh, they were unstoppable. With roars of laughter that could rival thunder, they boldly showered in their birthday suits, revelling in the chaos they had sown. It was a sight to behold, a spectacle of pure amusement, and they took immense joy in rattling the nerves of the poor, shivering onlookers.
Later, aboard the magnificent Mitsubishi Rosa bus, our eclectic group of hotel workers embarked on their daily adventure. The back seats, a kingdom of flowing shalwar kameezes, were occupied by our spirited friends, while the front seats housed a lively bunch of Western-attired pals dressed in snazzy shirts and bell-bottom pants. We were on our way to work.
As the bus zoomed down the airport road, applause erupted from the back. A voice from the front chimed in with a jest, “Hey, look, a plane managed to take off without crashing!” Chuckles spread like wildfire among the front passengers, but the men in their billowing shalwar kameezes remained blissfully unaware. Meanwhile, I spotted a green and white plane in the sky. More applause from the back. Oh, the joy of a successful take-off!, in a period when some airlines had an awful safety record and frequent crashes.
Now, let’s talk about the culinary wonders that awaited us in the hotel cafeteria. Brace yourselves, for the menu was nothing short of a surprise! Meatballs, white rice, and oranges — that’s all we had. With his impeccable timing, Quintus couldn’t help but make a jest, “Boys, today you get to eat the owner’s nuts!” Undeterred by the unusual fare, the men in their kameezes skilfully sliced the oranges in half and devoured them with gusto, spitting seeds onto their plates. They consumed orange after orange until there were none left.
Lads who felt like heroes puffed away their Rothman cigarettes, creating an aura of smoky sophistication reminiscent of movie actors.
The diligent workers strolled into the hotel, their bellies leading like pioneers of a food-filled frontier. They punched their attendance on the time machine with practised precision as if secretly competing in a high-stakes game.
But wait, amid this extravaganza, there were the devout souls, the spiritual pillars of the workplace. With a purpose, they gracefully made their way to the prayer room, their faces radiating serenity. They washed their feet and hands on the basins and entered the prayer rooms with mats in their arms.
At the laundry queue, where fashion dreams met practical realities! There, amidst a colourful sea of uniforms, our workers patiently waited, eyeing the assortment of garments like kids in a candy store. Black pants, blue, white, and cream shirts, black coats — it was a veritable fashion show of hotel employee chic. They changed to the freshly pressed uniforms at their lockers and attached their nametags with the hotel’s logo on their coats.
When they walked into the hotel’s guest areas, the restaurant workers split into their restaurants on various floors. The room service workers entered the room service area adjacent to the kitchen. The kitchen workers in white uniforms and donning headgear rushed into the kitchen through its backdoor, exposing its pristine floors and metal tables. The engineering folks, IE, the DIY guys, got into their light blue overalls and ran towards their dungeon.
Everybody walked fast, wishing everyone. Everyone was smiling, ready for an eight-hour shift.
The hotel lobby was a marvel of elegance. The air was infused with a delightful blend of Arabian coffee, fragrant flowers, and the enticing aroma of exquisite restaurant dishes. Stepping into the lobby felt like entering another realm, where leather chairs, sophisticated furnishings, and timeless decor created a lavish ambience. Impeccably dressed men, women in Western gear, and locals in traditional dishdashas moved gracefully through the space. At the heart of the lobby, a youthful Arab attendant graciously served traditional Arabian coffee to guests seated comfortably on plush cushions.
Uniformed staff stood ready, prepared to fulfil every wish of the lobby’s discerning guests, adding to the overall air of opulence and luxury.
And so, in this peculiar haven of hilarity and camaraderie, the workers’ days were painted with awe, laughter, and discovery, nudged by the delightful antics of friends and the unpredictable twists of fate. Ah, at the Dubai Inter-Continental Hotel, where every moment was an adventure, and every day was a marvel and a comedy waiting to unfold!
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Images belong to the original owners.
