Dubai is breathtaking.
And I fell in love.
You can’t understand if you did not experience it. I did not expect anything from Dubai, except maybe a shallow sunny time while I was facing the full lockdown and the UK weather.
My friend Clement showed me around and every single day I was just amazed.
I cancelled my return flight and eventually ended up staying here for 4 months.
And that means overstaying in the UAE - illegally - and paying an expensive fine for that. Worth it.
I was not on a holiday anymore.
I literally lived there for 4 months.
It makes a huge different. Because LIVING somewhere is creating habits and connecting with the place and people around. Things you don’t do if you stay a week or so just to relax.
An apartment thanks to my friend, a New Phone number, a gym membership and a perfect working place to work on my projects.
I was home from day 1.
Honestly, I lived my best life.
I had the best food I’ve ever had in the coolest places on earth.
I lived a dream, adventuring in the desert or enjoying water sports in a daily basis.
Chilling afterwork, watching sunset. Waking up early in the mystic fog.
Delivering açai bowls for movie nights. Delivering anything anytime…
Going around by Taxi on cycling on the beautiful marina.
Everything was so easy.
I often say that Dubai is like Disney Land. A different reality.
Beyond luxury, something just fired me up.
When France and Europe in general aim low and lower day after day, encouraging and achieving the minimum, dumbing down everything, Dubai and the UAE settle for anything less than excellence.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime minister and ruler of Dubai said,
“We must believe in people. Human beings – their ideas, innovations, dreams, and connections – are the capital of the future. In this sense, the ‘brain regain’ is not so much an achievement in itself as it is a leading indicator of development, because where great minds go today, great things will happen tomorrow.”
I dive into his book.
I met very hard workers, successful entrepreneurs, businessman and women, they motivated me to work harder and better,
I learned about cryptocurrency,
I made good money,
And I spent money of course...
As I said, I lived here. Therefore I trained.
Ended up at TKMMA, hitting lifetime PB on a roof top.
In the capital of social media influences, I’ve found real athletes, bodybuilders, trainers and fighters.
They showed me everyday what hard work was.
I am so grateful that I get to be a part or that gym’s family.
I got to teach some of my stuff,
To take pictures of cool people,
To coach amazing athletes,
To meet incredible fighters.
To learn about the MMA culture.
And finally to start my own boxing journey.
Last but not least, I was lucky enough to be around during Ramadan and to celebrate iftar with my Muslim friends. I am forever grateful for them to have welcomed me as family.
People who know me, know that I am not a religious person. my beliefs are elsewhere. But I understand and respect people who believe in god and I’ve learned a lot from them.
A whole unknown culture. Religion, values, traditions, priers, langage, music, food.
I believe, that the people and places shape who you are.
I will remember everything, from the Burj Khalifa’s sparkling lights to the purity of the desert.
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