Mi casa, su casa, mate. I'll be here for the next few months at least, you're welcome to visit - when we go back to Malayisa you welcome to visit us there too!

Sorry to hear about your problems though Tazzy. If you'd like to travel to Dubai & look for a job here, you're always welcome to stay with us. I'm sure we can squeeze you in for a while until you either get a job & your own place or decide to move on elsewhere.

I was thinking of places/countries where you could go to stay over/ make a few bob while you're at it. I thought of the States, but their visa requirements are very strict, and it's very expensive there (relatively) plus I don't know how easy it'll be for you to get a job there (the Americans can tell you better).

South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia/Thailand etc) are out of the picture IMHO for people starting out - we're a good place to travel to & spend money, but I think we've strict visa requirements as well for job seekers, and while a job posting there would be fabulous (I know many UK expats there who refuse to go back home ), it's be easier (legally) if you're sent there from the UK in the first place. And we've got a lot of expats anyway, so the governments don't look too kindly at those who overstay their visas.

Dunno about the EU countries. Again, probably a good place to visit, and it'll be easier for you to get jobs, but the biggies (France/Germany/Italy) have relatively high unemployment rates anyway so it'll be tough prolly to get a job there. Dunno about Spain though - I've heard from friends that it's the place to be in Europe right now.

The Eastern European countries again would be a nice place to visit (I'm planning to go to Romania one of these days for a quick holiday), but again jobwise it'll be tough as the salaries are quite low compared to the UK. Russia is out of the picture unless you speak Russian and besides, it's still trying to get back on it's feet so I don't think job opportunities are that great.

So I think Dubai would be a good place for you then. It's very modern, clean, good nightlife, and with a very large UK expat community. The whole place (in fact the entire UAE & the Gulf States like Qatar, Baharain etc) is growing like nobody's business right now. A bit about Dubai below:

1) It's part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It's the second most properous emirate in UAE, the richest being the capital, Abu Dhabi (where the oil is).

2) It's the most progressive place in the Gulf region. True, their citizens don't get to vote, but each one is entitled to a free house (bungalow), land, furniture & appliances. And cars too I think, and they don't have to pay any utility bills. The locals are encouraged to work, but not all do, since they get money from the government anyway. It's 100% tax-free for everyone, including foreigners. There's also great clubs, discos, restaurants (Western food galore), pubs, cafes, hospitals, schools, unis, sports clubs, malls, stadiums (oh btw, we've got Deep Purple coming next week for a concert and that'll be fun!). Women can work, drive & don't have to cover up, and I can walk around in shorts & t-shirts if I want. Alcohol is freely available in hotels & restaurants, although you'd have to get a licence to purchase alcohol for private consumption - the licence is only available for non-Muslims.

3) They just completed the infrastucture of the 'Dubai Internet City' last last year. I think they're trying to turn Dubai into the Melti-Media Corridor of the Gulf region, and so are trying to attract Western businessed in this field. It's a bit like the Malaysian Internet City built 4 years ago, but the Malaysians include manufacturing as well as designing/management whatever services. You can tell I don't know much about this since I'm an Oil & Gas engineer, and know nothing about IT at all.

4) Dubai is very stable & good place for investment. The reason is that they don't have oil (well, a bit - but nothing compared to Abu Dhabi) so they have to be open, modern & progressive to attract Western investment. Whereas Abu Dhabi is more conservative - they can afford to since they've got money coming out of their ears - you got like it, get out, there's plenty of people queing to get in, that kind of attitude). So Dubai is more of a commercial, financial centre - a trading point of the Gulf region. They've got the biggest port in the world (in Jebel Ali), and along with the Great Wall of China, is one of the few man-made structures that you can see from outer space I think.

5) Downside of Dubai. Not many, but (sensitive issue here) it's one of the few places where (I hate to say this) the white expats still behave with the old colonial arrogance. Not to the Arab locals or the wealthier 'coloured people', but definitely to the Indians, Indonesian & Filipino expats. They really do treat them terribly sometimes. The whites generally keep to themselves & get treated like kings, but it's getting better & more open now. It's more true in the case of the UK/US expats mind you - the white Europeans are much more open & are generally nicer all around. I think it's because most of the whites here come from the lower middle or working classes in the UK, and when they come here, they get villas, cars, servants etc and thus tend to let it go to their head. Unlike in the South East Asian region where I come from - our white expats there are a lot more educated and therefore know their place & so they behave themselves. However, this could be to your advantage since you'd then stand a better chance of getting work/accepted as compared to a bloke from Bangladesh, for instance.

Ooops. Now I'm rambling, sorry about that. Tell me if you need more info & I'll e-mail you some interesting links. I've got a friend working with Microsoft over here, but he's gone off to Mauritius for the month, the lucky sod. I'll ask him more about work opportunites when he gets back.

Cheers!

Taz,
You are welcome to come visit us in Dallas. We have an extra bed that we can put up in the computer room, or you can sleep in Robbie's bed, and he can sleep in the computer room. No cats are allowed in the bedrooms, so you won't have them climbing all over you in the night. There is a great night life in Dallas, which is only 15 minutes away. Not sure what the job market is like or the visa requirements, but until you can find something in the field of your choice, my friend knows someplace that always has openings pay is ok, not great, and benefits. It is working for the state of texas. I also know of a couple of companies that do contract work in the computer field. Matthew used to work for them and that is how he got hired at Microsoft.
Fort Worth is not toooo far from us either and they also have a great night life. Lots of things to do in the DFW Metroplex. If you come soon, like before April, it won't be too hot, and you can start getting adjusted to the temperatures before they get really hot in June, July and August. Those are the worst.

The kids that clean my house are 20 and 21. They can show you around take you out. and you would have a great time, even if you don't have a job.

You can stay as long as you want for a visit, or even longer. We would love to have you.

Mellie

Oh, btw, we have a dsl line and 3 computers. So that you can still be in touch with your PT family. Also in January, we maybe moving to a bigger house. If we do you can have your own room. Either way you will have a bed here.

[Edited on 21/9/2002 by MelliotSandybanks]

Taz

Aus. is probably a little out of your way, but would love to catch up with you if you decide to pass through.

My house (cottage) is pretty small, I am afraid, and I share it with two very noisy little people, so you would probably not like to stay here. I am also planning some rennovations later, so my place is sure to be in an uproar. Oh, and I should warn you, it gets to 40 deg. C. over Dec - Feb period and I dont have air conditioning.

Unfortunately, the job situation here is not so good in general (we also lost a major airline recently) , though computer people generally seem to find work of some kind. Or you can always teach! There seems to be plenty of opportunities for teachers - I cant imagine why.

I think you should definately visit Mellie, sounds like just what you need!

Just wondering, what is happening with P-T while you are away?

[Edited on 22/9/2002 by Allyssa]

Amen. However, I don't think we need to worry: P-T is in Taz's blood and as long as there are enough donations to pay our rent, Taz will always be popping in from wherever he can find a modem.

The difference between an "a" and an "i" could get you well lost, Plastic. Boston is in Lincs not Lancs... wrong coast and no simple trip up the M6 for you.

Come over some time though if you want. The Axe and Cleaver is quite a place for a backwater like Boston. It has bands almost every night, is free to get in (a surcharge of 20pence a pint when the bands are on) and it's licenced until 1.30am. Long hair, leather jackets and tattoos are the order of the day (and that's just the women).
And the Indian Queen, well that's home from home. Bands most weekends, late hours, and long in the tooth bikers who once had long hair (hope none of them are reading this or I'll have no-teeth)
We'll have to keep our eyes out for Taz though. I know some right evil ladies who'd love to rip him apart... I think their daughters would too.

Well we will see what happens first, I think fate has directed me to a different path however I won't let you know what it is yet, you will have to wait a couple of weeks and then I shall tell you

Anytime you want, Plastic. There's plenty of room. Just check I'm around first though. I tend to go off for a week at a time at sea. Failing that, the three of us should meet at a halfway point sometime and get totally rat-a$$ed together... Where would that be? Oxford/Reading sort of area?
Nah... Get over here the pair of you. We'll take care of you, Taz

Everyone here who knows me also knows that I HAVE THE shortest memory in the world so excuse me but I ask of you to clarify who Robbie is and some info about him?

Don't be sorry! Just curious was I...

Changed your plans then eh, Taz? If you feel up to it, you can always visit me (and Gnampie too if she's willing) in B*lgium, and then you can come back here and tell all the other unbelievers how brilliant it really is down here.

ROFL! You've been told Taz!

btw, I might be heading back east next summer (talk about planning in advance!) so I may well get to meet up with you then mate.

I will try to but my email is so flakey. I may just private postBody you. Ok?

Mellie: Why is your email flakey, can't Matthew do anything about it? Or is he like my auto-mechanic son-in-law who can't be bothered to keep his own vehicles in running condition. There should be no reason for flakey email service in this day and age. You could even sign up for ours, but of course, you would still be at the mercy of your internet provider and that may be where your problem resides.

Taz going off travelling? Is he?

Well, I can't wait to find out what you decide.

Yes I got your private postBody Mellie, thank you. Ok so here it goes, I am going to make my final decision this sunday. Those of you who did offer to take me in for a bit could you please reply again with just your location as I need to figure out traverling costs and where to go first, if I do go....

Yea, start up the road, then go to the rest of europe, and then make a circle around the world.

[Edited on 8/10/2002 by MelliotSandybanks]

And of course, while planning your itinerary, you should consider that Australia (and NZ) get very HOT around Dec - Feb. I really wouldnt recommend it during those months.

Made your decision yet? If not, consider Brussels again! I promise I'll give you a warm welcome though it's freezing cold here now.

Yay! And my final argument to come to Belgium: you can visit Gnampie and Jana, and me all at once.