Three things

One: Lease Agreements

Although the preliminary administrative processes required to enter into a rental contract are substantial and time consuming, the actual agreement is remarkably short. The terms and conditions of our twelve month lease fit neatly on the left half of a single page, mirrored neatly in Arabic on the right. Of course, we were required to pay the entire year's rent up front as a precondition of being able to sign the contract, which eliminates quite a bit of the usual language. There were an additional 4 pages (half pages) of special conditions regarding early termination and utilities. Based on the special terms for the power and water connections, it seems like there may have been issues in the past with individuals re-selling or otherwise sharing electricity outside of the metered residence, but I doubt that happens much in our building.

Two: Daycare Rules

On the way to pick up the lease contract,  Q and I stopped by the "nursery" where we hoped to place him until he can start prekindergarten (again) next fall. The administrator showed us to the room where Q's age group was doing whatever kids do in a Montessori school. Q immediately went to the bookshelf to snoop around and waved good-bye to me. I followed the admin back to the office where she filled out some paperwork and I paid a deposit. She handed me a single page of school rules and regulations (not mirrored in Arabic this time), which amounted to this: don't bring peanuts, soft drinks, or gold to school. I believe the "no gold" rule is intended to prevent loss or theft of valuables, but I like to picture a room full of tiny merchants, haggling, exchanging wares, and throwing the occasional tantrum when a deal falls through.  A related side note: there is an ATM that dispenses gold at the hotel across the street from our new apartment. Gold!

Three: Traffic Enforcement

One of my cab drivers today, after complaining about another driver on the road, told me about the traffic violation penalty system here. Speed violations (over or under) result in fines and single "black marks" on your record, running a light gets you eight marks. According to him, such violations used to only result in fines, but due to the affluence of most Emiratis, fines alone were totally ineffective. The black marks, however, seem to have worked. Upon acquiring 24 black marks in a calendar year, the driver is sentenced to one month in prison. Three lights and your out! The taxi driver then told me about an acquaintance who, upon running a second light, parked the car for the rest of the year. From the pedestrian perspective, this is a great system (no one runs lights) and although the driving is relatively aggressive, it is also consistent and efficient. Kind of like Atlanta, but with only the attentive, purposeful drivers.