TDM
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Where to buy a real Pashmina scarf in Dubai and how much does it cost?
Dubai (Do Buy) has always been full of temptations and shopping is one of the most expensive temptations here. I was strolling casually through the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the world, when I was drawn to a shop selling scarves. Before the round-the-world trip, I already had a large collection of scarves in all colors, so I couldn’t resist the temptation to go in and take a look. Fatal mistake! I discovered a scarf that was extremely light and extremely soft, with an absolutely extraordinary feel – light as silk, but soft and warm like wool. I’ve never experienced such a texture before. The saleswoman tells me…
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A Must-Read Book if You Clench Your Teeth / Have Bruxism or an Illness of Unknown Cause
Here’s the book summary again Back Pain, Fatigue, Migraine… If You Grind Your Teeth! by Dr. Hartmann (Amazon link). I posted it in my Instagram story, but I thought it deserved a spot on the blog too, just in case you’re dealing with: bruxism if you’ve had “whiplash” if you chew on one side only if you have a condition labeled “of unknown cause” The book explains the link between your teeth and every other part of your body. Why letting your teeth touch outside of swallowing is harmful to the body. I’ll let you: with Dr. Hartmann’s website. He’s retired and has no financial interest in sharing this information;…
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Dreamscape in Dubai: A Virtual Reality Escape Game You Absolutely Must Try
When Anh suggested doing an escape game in Dubai, I was pretty skeptical. The possible activities in the emirate are countless and pricey, and an escape game didn’t seem essential, even if it was in virtual reality. I let myself be convinced and we went right after a skiing session (yes, in Dubai). Dreamscape is located in the mall Mall of the Emirates. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I was very pleasantly surprised 🙂 We hadn’t booked and didn’t have to wait. You can choose between several “adventures”; we chose “Alien Zoo” which would have us meeting extraterrestrial animals that look strangely similar to prehistoric animals. The entry…
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I Tried Skiing in Dubai: My Experience and Review of Ski Dubai
Even though I hadn’t skied in 15 years, I ended up doing it in two places in 2021, right in the middle of a global pandemic! During two dreamy weeks in Montenegro, and then for a solid hour in a shopping mall… right in the middle of the desert! Nothing should surprise us anymore when it comes to Dubai’s extravagance, but still… a ski slope! It opened in 2005 in the heart of Mall of The Emirates, one of the gigantic shopping malls Dubai is so good at. It cost $250 million. The dome housing the resort is 80 meters high, 80 meters wide, and 400 meters long. The indoor…
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[Feature] Jewelry #1: Why Is Diamond Not Rare? How to Choose Your Diamond?
Since I took jewelry courses and more and more of you are asking me questions about jewelry, I decided to put together a little jewelry feature on my Instagram stories and Facebook. The first part is about diamonds. I’m reposting the stories here. They’re also in the permanent stories on Instagram, but out of order because Instagram deleted a few of my stories (weird!)
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Receiving SMS online with SMS Expat (+ promo code)
If you’d like to sign up for SMS Expat, use the promo code TDM5C Travelers quickly ask themselves: what’s the best way to keep receiving SMS while abroad? This is mainly an administrative consideration, since receiving SMS is hardly used for anything other than getting validation codes from banks or other apps. The solution I use is to have a subscription Free Mobile : the rate is ultra-competitive, €2/month. However, there are a few drawbacks: SMS cannot be viewed online; you must insert the SIM card into a phone (which requires having a second phone, or having a dual-SIM phone, or swapping SIM cards every time you’re expecting an SMS—not…
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My Current Favorites [December 2021]: My Favorite Books about Japan
After spending months reading books that were a bit too political and too business-oriented, I wanted to find some lightness again, a bit of travel through novels or autobiographies. Here is my list of books about Japan that I really enjoyed. Some were read a few years ago, and I revisit certain passages from time to time. Memoirs of a Geisha I don’t know when my passion for geishas started; I’ve read quite a few books about geishas, the most glamorous and artistic women in Japan. They are not courtesans but artists: they excel in singing, dancing, musical instruments, and also in the art of conversation. I found two books…
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My Current Favorites [November 2021]: Christmas Gift Ideas
We’re spending Christmas in France this year, so I took advantage of our trip to buy myself some gifts, ones I can only find or receive in France or Europe. As usual, this post is not NOT sponsored. I bought everything with my own money Paper cutouts by Emi Hazlett This year, I decided to focus on the work of artisans and artists. For a long time, since I enjoy making things myself, I supported them only by buying their books, courses, DIY kits… but never the actual artwork. This year, for the first time, I decided to buy a piece by artist Emi Hazlett I discovered her work on…
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Turkey: How to get an HES code (for foreigners)
The HES code is a sort of Turkish “health pass” : a QR code you’ll need for sightseeing, taking public transport, going to restaurants (in theory, the only place we were asked for it was at the hotel), … Unlike in France, the QR code isn’t used to check that you’re vaccinated or have a recent negative PCR test. It’s used to track you. If someone tests positive, this tracking allows authorities to contact everyone they’ve crossed paths with to get tested. The process for getting an HES code is fairly simple, but there’s one catch: you need a Turkish SIM card (see our article on the subject). Once you…
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Food delivery apps in Dubai (with promo codes)
After a long day of sightseeing in Dubai, you don’t necessarily feel like going out for dinner. It can be nice to order meals on an app and have them delivered. Delivery services seem particularly popular in Dubai: you see couriers everywhere and the service is very efficient! Here are the 3 apps you should know and use Deliveroo Certainly the easiest to use for us French: it’s exactly the same app you might use in Paris, Bordeaux, Rennes, Nancy, … So you don’t have to install a new app or even create a new account if you already have one. The app is in French, which can be handy…
