In this Issue
We could not think of a better way to end the year than to dedicate this issue to expatriates across the globe and shed light on their work, lifestyle, and contributions to different walks of life.

Features
The woman behind the UAE’s fabulous weddings
The events planning and designing business in the GCC region is expanding. Why, and what does it take to go into it?
Delivering digital disruption
The innovative courier firm is shaking up parcel delivery across the region by using your smartphone’s GPS location rather than a physical address like a standard courier.
Ayah Tabari: Stitching sustainability into fashion
The All Things Mochi collections are inspired by the work of artisans from various countries.
A chat with the UAE’s first fashion blogger
Tala Samman is the UAE’s first fashion blogger, having launched and maintained her blog myfashdiary.com since 2009.
Fadi Sarieddine: Furniture designed around your personality
Fadi is not your average furniture designer. His pieces are interactive and reflect his clients’ personalities.
Arts and Culture
Why is the UAE invested in arts and culture?
The last two decades have witnessed a series of challenges for the region.
Photo story: Break time in Oman
Adnan Al Baloch explores the joy of rest at break time for Bengali construction workers at a labor camp in Barka.
The rules of grief we all must follow
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, no correct or incorrect way to illustrate your love for someone.
Why are you an expat?
Mohammed Al Moosa, takes us on a photo journey in Dubai, as he speaks to different residents about the reasons behind them living away from home.
The Greek man in love with Oman
“I’ve travelled all over the world from the States to Scandinavia and from Tunisia to China. I’ve never been to a place like Oman.”
Ali Al Saloom: Every expat’s guide to the UAE
Ali’s platform is the go-to for expats for UAE cultural insights.
How much nostalgia is too much?
The word nostalgia is derived from the classical Greek, nostos (return) and algos (pain).
Captured: Happily ever afters in the UAE
Nabeela Huda shares an exclusive photo story of different expatriates’ wedding ceremonies that took place in the country.
Opinion
All alone? You’re not the only one.
Studies have shown that rates of loneliness and depression have more than doubled since the 1980s.
Creative
FICTION: Under the sun
“What I was doing wasn’t exactly legal.”
Travel
Coffee with a side of 10,000 books in this Bahraini cafe
Sekka visits Words Bookstore Cafe, one of Bahrain’s hidden gems.
Sekka Eats- Abdul Khader’s Samosas
This gem has been serving households of Bahrain delicious potato, vegetable and cheese wrapped samosas since 1972.
The ascent to Machu Picchu
Our chief creative officer shares the details of his trip to one of the world’s wonders.
On the terraces with the ‘Sofredors’: football in Northeastern Brazil
There are no seats in the stadium, only steep concrete terraces.