Arabic Numbers Aren't Really

  One of my more recent surprises in Dubai is seeing that there is a different set of numerals in the Arabic language. All the price tags in the stores have numbers in English and again in Arabic. They look a lot like the flowing script used in Arabic writing. My confusion comes from the fact that all my life, math teachers called our numbers "Arabic numbers".   As you can see from this grid, they are really "European numbers."

But beyond the nomenclature, there is not a lot of Arabic numbering going on. There are no street addresses around here. It makes finding places very difficult for newcomers. When you think it would be easy, it's hard. I drove around for two and a half hours looking for a landmark hotel one evening. Kind of gives a new meaning to the word 'landmark'.

When you get directions, it always includes landmarks because that's how folks navigate around here.   And before you say it, Google Maps doesn't help. Every time I've tried to get driving directions on Google, it gives the bus and train routes. There is a 'default to public transportation' that is impossible to avoid. You can't get any 'turn by turn' instructions. I've tried.  

So the next possible thing is to invest in a GPS. We have had mixed reviews for the local GPS and their maps. Everyone agrees that they will get you to the neighborhood where you are heading, but since there are no actual street addresses (that number thing again), they won't generally get you to a final destination. Except big places, like malls and shopping centers, which all appear to be waypointed on the maps.   I've been thinking that we could waypoint our home, and then at least we could always get back home... this might be my next purchase.

--Sandee Wagner