The Sandy Times

When Being Healthy Costs You Your Social Life

Because nobody tells you that trading drinks for tempo runs can feel... kind of lonely

by Sofia Brontvein

24 Aug 2025

Sport

Why Cycling Ruins Your Dating Life

Because nothing kills romance like a 4:45 am alarm and a pile of sweaty bib shorts

by Sofia Brontvein

21 Aug 2025

Travel

Flying From the UAE? New Rules On Liquids And Power Banks

Why the new flight rules matter — clarity for passengers, calm for anxious flyers

by Barbara Yakimchuk

20 Aug 2025

People

How Do Kids Settle In Abroad? Parents Share What Really Happens

We spoke with parents whose children really went through it all to find out what helped and what didn’t

by Alexandra Mansilla

20 Aug 2025

Sport

Why Running Is So Damn Hard

Turns out, a lifetime of sports doesn't prepare you for the humbling hell that is a 7-minute kilometre

by Sofia Brontvein

16 Aug 2025

Inside the Workspaces Of Creative People

We don’t know what your workspace looks like — but here is how our creative friends set theirs up

by Barbara Yakimchuk

14 Aug 2025

Why Nature Heals And Cities Drain Us

Because I spent a month in forests and oceans and came back wondering what we are even doing here

by Sofia Brontvein

13 Aug 2025

Lebanon

“Guests From Over 30 Countries Came To Celebrate Our Love In Lebanon” — A Personal Story By Noor Taan

A Lebanese wedding: the preparation, the dress, and the magic that brought It all together

by Barbara Yakimchuk

31 Jul 2025

“Too Foreign For Home, Too Brown For Here” — What It Means, And What It Feels Like

Myself, my psychologist, and someone who has lived it — together, we dive into the messy story of belonging

by Barbara Yakimchuk

23 Jul 2025

Offline And Loving It: Notes From a Digital Detox

A few days without phone — exactly what you need when 30 is around

by Dara Morgan

11 Jul 2025

Reprogramming the Mind. Hypnotherapy Through The Eyes Of Client And Therapist

Our attempts to understand what hypnotherapy is and how it actually works

by Alexandra Mansilla

10 Jul 2025

Cars

How To Get a Driving Licence In The UAE? A Step-by-Step Guide

How long does it take? How much does it cost? What is the process like? Get all the answers

by Barbara Yakimchuk

2 Jul 2025

Sustainability

Sustainable Living In Dubai: Myth Or Reality?

Your step-by-step guide to living sustainably in Dubai — coming with inspiring local initiatives

by Barbara Yakimchuk

28 Jun 2025

My Flight Is Cancelled: What To Do Next

Quick answers on what to do if your flight is cancelled, which airlines offer refunds, and which routes remain suspended

by Barbara Yakimchuk

25 Jun 2025

Health

Too Hot To Function: A Heat Survival Guide For MENA Summers

Your must-know tips for getting through the heat

by Sana Bun

23 Jun 2025

Brick By Brick: How LEGO Helped Me Rebuild My Nervous System

Publisher of The Sandy Times, Sofia Brontvein, shares how LEGO became her unexpected ally in the daily battle with anxiety

by Sofia Brontvein

17 Jun 2025

Animals

People

Birdwatchers: Why Do People Passionately Observe Birds?

And is birdwatching only about binoculars and notebooks?

by Alexandra Mansilla

12 Jun 2025

Parties

Wellness Over Wild Nights: Is Dubai Still a Party City?

Is Dubai swapping dance floors for downward dogs? The party scene faces a wellness takeover

by Dara Morgan

4 Jun 2025

Studying Arabic In Dubai: Everything You Need To Know

What dialect to choose? What to expect? Where to start? Here is your guide to learning Arabic

by Barbara Yakimchuk

20 May 2025