The British embassy's version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas':
‘Twas the night before flying, at Stu Nicholas’s house,
Off to the Emirates, along with his spouse.
The cases were full, but packed with ill care,
Banned medication inside – a customs nightmare!
He forgot to check FCO travel advice,
For that he might pay an almighty price.
With visa in passport and job contract signed,
A place of safe hiding, Stu looked to find.
He placed carefully his passport in a safe place
And carried around a copy that he brought in his case
To the work Christmas party, off Stu went,
For an evening of dancing and merriment.
No holding of hands, or Christmas kisses,
Under the mistletoe, despite amorous wishes.
So time to go home after several spirits neat,
But it’s a crime for Stu to be drunk on the street.
He called for a taxi to get a ride back.
The driver was sullen, with no Christmas crack.
But Stu was polite and kept his calm,
And this gave the driver no cause for alarm.
So Stu makes it home to his new bed.
No prison this time, just a sore head!
Stu's story will continue each day on the UKinUAE's Facebook page and Twitter account.