Dubai: Strip Searching the Fun From Vacations
DUBAI Vacation:
Stripping the Fun out of Those Two Weeks
[ABOVE: Dubai]
DUBAI:
Sandy Beaches, Intimate Strip Searches
Dubai is often sold as a vacation heaven. The idea of vacationing in a 120-degree desert , while attempting to enjoy the civilization, i.e. malls, dance clubs, shopping and fine restaurants, that one gave up back home to be in this desert hellhole was always a mystery to us here at DBKP.
I mean we can enjoy these things without the airfare and hotel costs of Dubai (the hotel cost per night approach the $600 range for a beachfront). But there are many, apparently, who will pay for rocky beaches, artificial islands shaped like palm trees, little booze, and a population that believes: if you are a non-Muslim you are a second-class human.
You learn the latter at the wonderful airport.
My strip-search trauma at Dubai airport by Lily… and her showbiz pals Agy and Rhys
Some of Britain’s best-known stars – including singer Lily Allen and supermodel Agyness Deyn – were subjected to intimate strip-searches on their way to the lavish launch of the world’s most expensive resort in Dubai. Now I don’t know who any of these Actor Rhys Ifans and Ms Deyn’s rock-star boyfriend Albert Hammond Jnr were also among more than 100 guests examined by Dubai Customs officials to ensure they were not smuggling drugs into the country.
Now that is not the way anyone would like to start a vacation. Nor did these individuals.
“Ms Allen said she was left ‘terrified’ by her ordeal, while Ms Deyn said she found her treatment ‘traumatic’.
[ABOVE: All smiles: Lily Allen enjoyed herself at the Aquaventure water park in Atlantis but the airport strip search was no laughing matter]
The United Arab Emirates has a strict anti-drugs policy. Earlier this year British tourist Keith Brown was jailed for four years after a microscopic speck of cannabis was found on the sole of his shoe.”
Now I know what the cynical DBKP readers are thinking: Big Deal. We got nothing to hide. Well as it turns out it is a big deal. Because these searches are not only time consuming, and initiated without cause except for the non-Islamic status of the victim, but they are bizarrely intrusive and humiliating.. Almost as if that were the intention. Hmmmmm. Recollection about one male quest, all invited by the way to publicize the opening of a hotel:
“But one of his travel companions said: ‘Rhys quivered to jelly as soon as the officers approached him. He was beside himself with worry. They made him strip bare and poked him about with plastic gloves.
‘He had to hold his private parts out of the way while an officer did a thorough inspection. After nearly two hours of being interrogated and molested he was told to put his clothes back on and go on his way.
‘He was very scared and at one point was close to tears as he honestly thought he was going to be banged up. It’s really put the wind up him. It will be the only thing he will remember about the trip – he tells everyone he comes into contact with. ”
This is by no means an isolated incident.Here is an account of a honeymonner a couple of years ago:
“[Bam Marera] told NY Daily News that upon returning from his honeymoon in Dubai with new wife, Missy Rothstein, he and his wife got close and personal with airport security.
He said, “I know Perez Hilton made a joke about how Bam and Missy are going on their honeymoon in Dubai — and don’t take any drugs with you because some guy just got caught with weed and got in big, big, big, big trouble.
“So I guess they were waiting for us to come in because they checked every pocket of our clothes. They even tapped out our cigarettes to make sure it was tobacco.
“Then they led both of us to a certain room, and we both had to get completely nude. I was like, ‘Are they kidding?’
“They were like checking under my dick for something taped under it. I’m like, ‘This is literally insane.‘”
Yes it insane. And so is anyone who would support these nutcases with his money. Try Florida or Hawaii instead. Leave these creeps to stew in their own juices.
[ABOVE: Muslim served by his naked Hindu slave]
by pat
images:
* trip advisor
* hindu jagruti
sources
http://www.celebritysmackblog.com/2007/02/26/bam-margera-and-wife-get-strip-searched-in-dubai/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1088551/My-strip-search-trauma-Dubai-airport-Lily—showbiz-pals-Agy-Rhys.html
I’m with you. Why anyone would want to vacation in the armpit of the world is beyond me. I was over there for a year, and it was no vacation.
I won’t demean their culture, but I just don’t understand how a Westerner could be attracted to it.
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This is one of the worst written bits of drivel I have ever read. To the author, I suggest you start with taking English Composition 101 and continue from there. Seriously DBKP, please read before you put articles on your website.
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tom Reply:
November 26th, 2008 at 11:57
Can you be more specific about what’s wrong with it?
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Before I read this article I wanted to visit Dubai and see the artificial islands ; the newly emerging theme parks and restaurants there. But after reading this and doing a little followup research of my own, I will permanently remove this place from my vacation designation list. There are just too many other places to visit.
And to Pete carney, what’s wrong with you? This is an informative blog sight, not English Composition 101. The point of this website is to share information, The only drivel I see is your comment, which is not really worthly of being published by DBKP. Make a comment about the substance of the article, share your point of view of why you disagree. Impress us with your incredible writing skills so that we can improve our own!
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Pete, I have composed far more drivel than this. My record as such is clear.
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I lived in Dubai for a year. If you want to do a psychological study of mans innate stupidity when financially unbridled, this is the place to go. Dubai is what these nomadic people _think_ the rest of the world will envy. It’s audacious, pointless, gaudy, and ultimately — cheap, like a flashy cheap suit. The “impossible” is dreamed up by adolescent males, paid for by the oil-money elite, designed by European engineers and architects (Emirate’s have no skill or ability to make these things themselves), and built by the slave labor of Pakistanis and Indians.
Don’t stray too far from Wild Wadi or City Center or you’ll find the secret police (the ones reading your emails and snatching people out of clubs at night), the abuse of little Russian sex-slave girls, the abuse/murder of Philippino working-class, the abuse of foreign business “owners”, the underground bars and liquor stores operated by local police and sheiks.
And for god’s sake, don’t drive too far out of town in any direction, less you find yourself in Sharja in your shorts and t-shirt… the “modestly police” will be looking for you. You’ll go to jail.
One word of advice – should you find yourself in a cell or an “interrogation room”, if you tell them (and sign documents with the government stating such) you’ve converted to Islam, they’ll go much more leniently on you… I have a buddy who did just that and instead of 60 lashes and 5 years in jail, he was let off with a warning. Do not get caught again.
Go to Miami – it’s got the same “flavor” and you still have your human-rights. Sorry, no palm-shaped islands (already falling apart – but don’t tell the investors) or indoor ski slopes.
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Heidi Reply:
November 26th, 2008 at 14:42
Thank you for the inside information on Dubai.
With all the positive publicity and Hollywood celebrities going to the opening of these resorts, it gives you a false sence of security. I hope more people like you and Pat put this information out to the public so travelors can make a safe decision when choosing a vacation spot.
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[...] Dubai is for strip search aficionados: Dubai: Strip Searching the Fun From Vacations [...]
[...] Dubai: Strip Searching the Fun From Vacations. DBKP. Be sure to shower and shave for your personalized strip search at the airport, upon arrival to this magnificant desert destination. Includes gloves. And after your violating encounter, they will be happy to take your cash or credit cards, as you relax in their man-made islands with little if any alcohol to imbibe. That is, unless they find drugs or something else on you they do not approve. Because these searches are not only time consuming, and initiated without cause except for the non-Islamic status of the victim, but they are bizarrely intrusive and humiliating.. Almost as if that were the intention. Hmmmmm. Recollection about one male quest, all invited by the way to publicize the opening of a hotel: [...]