DesertRat

Hi, I am Mahesh Butani, Indian male, aged 57 years, born in Mumbai, India, live and work in Abu Dhabi, am married, and have a daughter.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE. It is a pleasant and safe city; it was recently voted the second best city in an Ipsos survey. We have the Ferrari World and the Grand Mosque as prime attractions. A Louvre and a Guggenheim museum are under construction too.
I collect stamps, small denomination banknotes, and coins from all over the world. I used to tinker with electronics components before the coming of IC’s.
I have read a lot of James Hadley Chase, Harold Robins, and Mills & Boons books. Later was reading science magazines and books by Issac Asimov. I also used to read science fiction books by various authors. I like soulful music, enjoy Jazz, and Classical music of all cultures. I enjoy real SF movies. I have an interest in history, archeology, astronomy, ecology, environment, doomsday, wildlife, evolution, spirituality, and volcanoes.
I am passionate about the universe and our place in it.
I could remember flags, capitals, currencies of most of the countries of the world, and can instantly point out cities on a map. I can find solutions to most life problems.
I am a civil engineer by education and a quantity surveyor by profession, and currently am a contracts manager in an engineering consultancy. I try and resolve issues financial and contractual issues between contractors and employers, among other things.
I completed my masters degree at the age of 50, and my mother, wife, and daughter attended the graduation. I recently was admitted as a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
I am inspired by ordinary people making personal sacrifices to perform acts of kindness for the less privileged
I would like to know from people about the interesting things in their cities. I would also like to know the life and interests of the people who write to me.