lifestyle and culture

When it comes to spreading an important message, Bella Hadid never shies away.
In doing so, Hadid recently opened up about her battles with the autoimmune disorders she suffers from.

The supermodel candidly shared a series of photos to Instagram of herself hooked up to an IV.
“Living with a few chronic autoimmune diseases = always finding time for my IVs,” she said.

One of the autoimmune diseases Hadid suffers from is Lyme disease, which she has previously referred to as an “invisible” condition.
Last year, the supermodel took to Instagram to give an insight to her fans about the illness she has struggled with throughout her teenage years and young adulthood.
“Every day I feel at least 10 of these attributes without fail … since I was probably 14, but more aggressively when I turned 18,” she said, also sharing an infographic of the many symptoms that Lyme disease sufferers go through.
The Palestinian-Dutch model was diagnosed with the disease in 2012, which is contracted through a tick bite. Her younger brother Anwar Hadid and mother Yolanda Hadid also suffer from the condition.
Per the Mayo Clinic, initial symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash “forming a bull’s-eye pattern” as well as fever, chills, fatigue and headaches, but with the right antibiotics and early diagnosis, most people make a full recovery. However, for some, they suffer long-term effects of Lyme disease.
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With many opting not to travel amidst the pandemic, more space has opened up on planes.
For those who are currently travelling internationally, Emirates Airline has just introduced a new policy where passengers can opt for more comfort and space on their next flight.

Those travelling are now being given the option to purchase up to three seats for extra comfort and privacy with the airline’s increased option for comfort.
“Empty seats will only be offered for purchase at the airport check-in counter prior to flight departure, and costs range from Dhs200 to Dhs600 (US$ 55 to US$ 165) per empty seat, plus applicable taxes depending on flight sector,” the Dubai-based airline announced.

Just recently, Emirates also announced their partnership with the Dubai Health Authority to launch digital verification of travellers’ medical records, to implement a structured system making it a natural step in the right direction for the airline.
Also read: Emirates to launch digital verification of passenger COVID-19 records with DHA
While also introducing a contactless travelling experience earlier this year for all passengers flying Emirates, this facial biometric technology is sure to make your airport journey as seamless as possible while keeping all the necessary COVID-19 protocols in place.
For more information regarding the latest travel updates visit emirates.com 
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His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, is well-known for supporting homegrown restaurants around Dubai.
The Crown Prince of Dubai was recently spotted out in one of his favourite areas in Dubai to dine in, DIFC, putting this restaurant, known for its modern Afghan cuisine, on our radars.

Having opened in 2015, Gudee Pizza & Cafe in DIFC is hugely popular for its traditional Middle Eastern dishes, this family-owned restaurant has an array of scrumptious meals infusing Afghani flavours in each dish.
From the indulgent pizza combinations to its Afghani specialities with steamed lamb dumplings and the mouth-watering potato samosas, the culinary expertise at this restaurant is sure to take you by surprise.

From a diverse set of ingredients to be used as toppings on Gudee’s pizzas, customers can get as creative as possible with a huge burst of flavours.
Also read: The Dubai royal-approved guide to DIFC restaurants
Sheikh Hamdan isn’t the only royal who is a fan of the DIFC restaurant. The Crown Prince’s uncle, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, also known as Uncle Saeed on Instagram, is a regular at Gudee’s.
Sheikh Hamdan and Uncle Saeed regularly frequent many Dubai restaurants together, showing love to the incredible cuisine and establishments the emirate has to offer.
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Feature image: Instagram @gudeepizzacafe More

From glistening skylines to beautiful sandy beaches along with a melting hotpot of cultures, Dubai has been named one of the friendliest cities in the world.
In the complete list of 15 cities, Dubai attained the 8th position in the list of top 15 cities where Glasgow in Scotland was first and Dublin ranked second, per UK travel guide publisher Rough Guides, as voted by its readers.

Other cities on the list also included Montreal in Canada, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Vancouver and Atlanta, Georgia USA.

It’s no surprise that Dubai has been rated #8 in the top 10 friendliest cities in the world! With the sun shining everyday, a beach always a stone throw away and always a palm tree in sight, what’s not to smile about?! Source: Travel Publisher, Rough Guides Ltd pic.twitter.com/FQlp8sQ8qh
— Middlesex University Dubai (@MiddlesexDubai) February 28, 2021

Also read: Dubai ranks amongst the top 10 most Instagrammable cities in the world for 2021
While providing the perfect blend of beach life with strong work culture, Dubai is a hub for many A-listers to visit including Will Smith and Cristiano Ronaldo. Many celebrities even own homes in Dubai, including David and Victoria Beckham.
With Dubai to soon host the Expo 2020, there will be an amalgamation of technological advancements with culture, as people from around the world are all set to visit the most awaited exhibition hosted.
Earlier this year, Dubai also ranked as the top 10 most Instagrammable cities in the world by Big 7 Travel, as it continues to be a hub for the best restaurants and venues, all designed in an aesthetic manner.
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When you plan a staycation, it’s all about an escape from the mundane routine for something fascinating with experiences that offer a respite from the ordinary.
While your calendars might be devoid of any travel plans currently, Emirates Woman has gathered a unique list of escapades that include everything from caravans to glamping grounds for a truly memorable experience.
Long Beach Campground, RAK

This is the perfect getaway to get close to nature with various recreational facilities such as beach yoga, sea view aerobics, kite flying and exhilarating water sports. If you’re looking for a fun-filled camp, kids will be far from bored with all the host of onboard activities for them to try out during the stay. There’s also a pleasant site of farm animals for kids to interact with at the petting zoo. Starting at Dhs249 for the authentic deluxe tent with a comfortable setting, this will make the perfect home for your next camping trip in Ras Al Khaimah.

For more information visit binmajid.com
Mysk Kingfisher Retreat, Sharjah

Offering a unique getaway to a world of conservation, this natural retreat is the perfect haven to slow down and relaxes it’s set on the east coast of Sharjah with a pristine beach with a private boat to take you to an island with amazing views of the Indian Ocean. It will allow you to reconnect with yourself as you embrace the true Arabian heritage with a world-class luxurious experience starting at Dhs1690 for a one-bedroom tent with a sea view.
For more information visit myskhotels.com
Also read: Inside the UAE’s luxury new ‘Moon Retreat’
Al Seef Heritage Hotel

You can witness the charm of Dubai’s ancient culture at this hotel which emulates a rustic charm as you witness the breezy winds from the Dubai creek. With a haven of detailed architecture added to each corner, this retreat is the perfect getaway while still being located in the city. There’s also an array of restaurants available closely, you’re sure to swoon over the Middle Eastern dishes served at the hotel. Prices for a room start at Dhs299 without service tax.
For more information or to make a reservation visit hilton.com
Hatta Sedr Trailers

While now being home to the region’s first trailer hotel, guests can camp alongside the banks of Hatta Dam with these innovative trailers to have a truly memorable experience. With luxurious facilities on board, it’s all set to feel like a thrilling adventure with all the necessary amenities provided as you’ll be nestled in the heart of the mountains starting at Dhs986 with prices varying.
For more information regarding booking and details head to visithatta.com
Bedouin Oasis, RAK

You can live like a bedouin for a day with luxury in the middle of nowhere with thrilling desert experiences, traditional hospitality at its best all set in the dunes of Ras Al Khaimah with a traditional style setting offering a host of exciting activities as you witness a touch of the Arabian culture with beautiful landscapes on the trip starting at Dhs750 for three adults.
For more information visit bedouinoasis.org
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel-Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi

You can lose yourself to nature’s beauty as you embark on this wonderful journey in a wildlife sanctuary as you explore this distinct escape from the world inspired by the sights of Africa. Seclude yourself in the utmost privacy in the resort with one-of-a-kind facilities and you also dine in a secluded villa beneath the stars on your terrace starting at Dhs1,840 depending on availability.
For more information visit anantara.com
JA The Resort, Dubai

Offering activities for those of all ages, this leading luxury family resort is an all-inclusive hotel with lush gardens, an equestrian centre, a golf course, a shooting club and a range of other rejuvenating activities to help you unwind, while being located at this picturesque area in Jebel Ali.
For more information or to make a reservation visit jaresortshotels.com
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Welcome to EW’s weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and business people both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
This week we chat with the director of Dubai-based, Bite Me Burger Co. originally hailing from the UK. Christian Tabet calls Dubai his second home as he’s also worked for an international oil company.

With a wealth of experience in the engineering industry, he took the leap of faith and jumped into the hospitality industry with this restaurant serving delightful mini-burgers, providing a mix of delights to share among your loved ones.
EW sat down with Tabet to find out more about his impressive career history and what paved his way to the world of F&B.
What was your favourite subject at school?

As I always excelled in the sciences at school, my favourite subject was physics, which eventually led me towards becoming an engineer. I went to school in Lebanon, Germany and the UAE as I grew up in different countries. However, throughout my school, it was the subject I enjoyed the most. With all the lab experiments accompanied with the subject in teams, I enjoyed the collaborative process just as much as the concept of exploration.
What was your first job?
Working with an international oil company as a management trainee was how I started off my career. I worked for the company for 28 years across different departments with my last role being Regional Managing Director. After leaving full-time employment at the end of 2018, I’m still actively involved in the oil and gas sector as I enjoy being part of the transition towards clean and sustainable energy.

What inspired you to go into the food industry?
My eldest son first came across this incredible brand – Bite Me Burger Co in the UK and along with my closest childhood friend, we decided to go for it and open the brand in this region, despite hospitality being a really interesting business but a tough one too, especially during COVID. Thankfully, as we’re quite passionate about the brand and know that the world of hospitality will come back strong in due course as we definitely intend to grow Bite Me Burger Co over the next years.
What eventually brought you to Dubai?
My father was seconded from Germany to Sharjah in the ’70s so I virtually grew up here. Now the UAE is our home and we love living in Dubai. Our kids were also born and raised here and are presently working from home, one of them on UK hours. Frankly, why go anywhere else when the entire world is trying to come here. We are blessed to be able to live in the UAE, especially during the winter months.
What are the key elements of your role?
My role is to try to do the right things. There are plenty of others who know how to do things right. With the division of labour that works for me and it also gives space for others to grow.
Talk us through your daily routine.
While being an early riser, I generally wake up before 6am and head out in the mornings for some exercise to then catch the sun afterwards while I enjoy a nice coffee on the terrace. I usually scroll through a bunch of electronic news from the world over and then get to my emails. I try to organize several days a week to cluster my Teams and Zoom meetings but mostly I tend to go out to attend meetings from 10am onwards and then will head back to Teams all afternoon until the evenings. Before COVID, I used to play music with a band and we’d occasionally play for friends and in venues, mostly for fun. We can’t wait to get back into it once it is possible again. On weekends, I try to socialize with friends and family but more often than not, I still attend to conference calls. The world has changed and the concept of a Friday or a weekend when you just chill out is long gone. That’s not too bad when the rest of your work week is fluid but I do sometimes have access to the calendars of others and realize that some people work even longer hours during COVID than ever before.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
Don’t just cut your own path as every journey is unique and you can’t emulate anybody, especially since there’s no reason to. While some enjoy being entrepreneurial and starting their own business, other’s prefer a career with a global multinational in the public sector or to even work for a socially oriented organization. Each person has his career anchors and his personal drivers. When I grew up the only acceptable choice I was given was to become a lawyer, doctor or engineer. The approach to was more linear then because your career choices dictated your earning potential and lifestyle. Thankfully, the career cycle is more circular now and there are no hard and fast rules you need to follow – just keep it legal and ethical would be my only advise. Otherwise, you don’t have a long-term chance in any industry. If you have a passion, make it your career, find a way to make a positive contribution to society and generate serious wealth from it.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Natural ability can get you so far in life but in order to maximise your potential, you need to put in the effort. This piece of advice was given to me by one of my teachers who was a mentor and it resonated powerfully. So many people have naturally given talents but they do not understand that it takes serious commitment, hard work, discipline and sometimes sacrifice to channel success.

And what is the worst?
I don’t remember specifically as I got so much good and bad advice along the way. Too many people like to give advice and most of the time it is based on their own bias. Very few people are good at giving purely objective advice. Those are the ones to listen to. The worst ones are those who are half experts and turn themselves into sages based on a modicum of success. Stay away from those who like the sound of their own voice too much. I hope this is good advice – because I am not a sage myself.
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
One of the interesting challenges I went through was to transition from a senior position in a multi-national firm to almost a one-man show where you constantly need to market yourself to others in the business. It is quite a sobering experience but can be highly rewarding at the same time. Add a global pandemic to the mix, a couple of new business investments, a few tricksters along the way and you can visualize the meltdown potential if you don’t have a strong sense of self.
What are your goals for 2021?
My objective for 2021 is to continue to develop personally and to be there for others if they desire. I can’t wait for the world to re-open again and look forward to travelling, reconnecting with friends and family and sourcing more opportunities for growth.
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For more information regarding the brand or to place a delivery visit bitemeburgerco.ae More