Dubai Takeover 2.0
I am currently in Dubai for a 1 week Special Executive MBA programme organised by the Metropolitan School of Business & Management. On my course timetable are topics like Business Strategy, People Leadership and People Management for Senior Managers, Marketing Management and Financial Management. Looking at my timetable alone gives me a headache, yo! I’m in classes from 9am till 5pm with group assignments from 5pm to 6pm. Cheers to capacity building!
It’s my second time in Dubai — first time was with family. This time, I’m alone and I plan on making the best out of it, classes or not.
I’m on the flight after checking in 3 hours earlier to avoid stories that touch. As usual, I’m ready to keep to myself with my AirPods in my ears ready to blast loud music. I’m the only one on my row and I’m more than delighted till a young man comes from behind to sit on the aisle seat. This leaves a seat between us (I’m at my fave spot — window) and that’s fine. I immediately dismiss his presence because he doesn’t look Arab and I’m looking for Arab ozband (husband).
Uchechi and internet connection are like Siamese twins, aswearugad! Shortly after take off, yours truly is already hooked up to the WiFi onboard and tormenting Whatsapp people with pictures and messages. After minutes of watching me smile and giggle to my phone, the gentleman beside me asks if the internet is working because he can’t seem to connect. You see I don’t like starting conversations on a trip. Why? I fear the person won’t know when to keep quiet. I wouldn’t want to be rude to a stranger especially when traveling alone. But this gentleman seems pleasant so I show him how to troubleshoot and connect to the WiFi.
He asks if I’m from Lagos and I reply with a nod and take off my Airpods. He’s from Mumbai, India and is taking his 74 year old mom, who had an accident, from Dubai to India. He lives and works in Lagos and believes Nigeria is a rich country with an advantage of a robust population but still swims in poverty because of mismanagement and “the cabal”. Please no one should look for me. Mr. Mumbai said it, not me. We talk about the economy briefly. He also believes most Nigerians love white collar jobs instead of business. When I try to make a case, he smiles and asks what tribe/ethnic group I’m from. He responds with a smile after I say I’m Igbo. When we land, he walks with me a little while helping me carry my hand luggage — such a gentleman — before proceeding to check in to his connecting flight.
I get to my hotel at 6 am only to be told that guests had not checked out yet and I’ll have to wait till 11 am/12 noon. Hian. So what will I do with myself, uncle? I proceed to sit on the fluffy sofas in the reception and take a nap. But hian. There are plenty mansions in my motherland. I cannot come to Dubai and be camping in the reception, eh. I immediately remember some friends are staying not far from my hotel so I decide to pay them a visit and walk around a little and hopefully catch a nap on a proper bed.
I get back to my hotel by 10am to try my luck. Another man at the desk tells me to wait an extra hour while showing me a line up of documents belonging to people waiting to be checked in as well. “Eez like you don’t know I’m tired, unku”, I say to myself. I look around to see people napping on the sofas. Nope! Not me. After realising that speaking big English won’t help my case, I make my voice a lot softer and unleash my puppy eyes while asking him to check again for an available room. And guess what? He found one!
Please let me finish unpacking and sleep. I’ll continue this gist tomorrow.
