Italia!

The sun has set on another beautiful day at the Address Hotel, where the staff knows me by name. On two occassions I had to reactivate my room key today and couldn't decide how I felt about the fact that 1) The residence receptionist knew my surname, and furthermore how to pronounce it, and 2)that her colleague knew my apartment number. Granted I've lived here for 9 months but my humility doesn't allow me to acknowledge that I am indeed memorable even in the most modest way. There's nothing better than having the car door opened for you and the porters and security say "welcome back." This is the stuff that luxury is made of. Sure there can be more personalisation, far beyond the welcome message on the TV screen and your name on the phone display, but certainly one can't deny that it gives the feeling of being pampered which i think is the cornerstone of luxury.

Emaar has built the Address hotel and resorts brand which I look upon with an intimate curiosity. It is certainly one of the most exciting places to live and play in Dubai and as testament to this, I had the fortunate experience of being introduced to the residence inner circle today. Well at least the circle I would like to be a part of. I want to absorb what makes these people from the fashion capital of the world so effortlessy passionate, stylish and seductive. I lay on a pool bed surrounded by Italians - what a treat! We laughed, chatted and I mostly listened, just soaking up a whole lot of sun and Italian. This has motivated me to take my Italian language studies more seriously. I'll be going to watch "Nine" at the movies tonight which is quite fitting as the tagline is "Be Italian"...I smell a movie review coming up in the next few days! Until then, CIAO!