This week’s Into-yous features British expat Amanda Anderson

Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a British expat and have not lived in the UK since 1993, I have my own business here, Homely Petz, a leading pet care company in the UAE. I love working with animals and am especially fond of Great Danes. I’m very settled in Dubai and have no plans on leaving at present..

When did you move to Dubai and what brought you here?
My family and I moved to Dubai in 2004, my husbands work bought us here.

Have you been an expat elsewhere and if so, where?
I lived in Riyadh for 7 years and then Cairo for 4 years prior to Dubai.

The best advice you were given to prepare you for life in Dubai
Try hard not to spend too much otherwise you will never save, there is so many things to do, see and spend on in Dubai.
What surprised you most about Dubai?
How liberal the place is compared to other countries in the Middle East.

If money were no object, where would you most like to live in Dubai?
A fair size house with a huge garden to accommodate my 5 dogs and neighbours who will tolerate the odd bit of barking? Where? I am not bothered as long as I have understanding and friendly neighbours and the all important huge garden.

Your favorite Arabic word or phrase you have learned so far
Baksheesh – a phrased used a lot in Egypt, meaning a tip or bribe, this word is an institution in Egypt and I do miss its playful use in Dubai.

Your least favorite word or phrase you have adopted since moving to Dubai
‘Who does your husband work for?’ – An expat phrase that shows how un-interested a person is in you as all they are after is “connections”.

What has been your best experience in Dubai to date?
Flying over the Palm Jumeira and our home in a light aircraft.

Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Somewhere cold ;o)

Who is the person you most miss when you are in Dubai?
My dad’s calming ways, nothing every bothers him.

What is your favourite restaurant in Dubai?
It has to be the Fish and Chip Room, my favourite dish has to be Cod and Chips with a pickled egg; they are in JBR and they deliver too :o)

What grocery item do you most miss from your home country?
HP Brown sauce, they have the brown fruity version here but not the plain brown sauce, perfect with sausages on a Friday morning.

When friends and family visit you in Dubai where will you absolutely take them?
Dubai Museum – as they always want to know the history of Dubai and this is a super little place to show the speed of development here.

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The team at Expat Echo Dubai would like to feature you in our Into-yous section

Please complete our 5 minute interview and submit your answers along with a profile picture (in JPEG format).