Ahh, dreams, everyone has dreams, hopes and a fantasy life they wish to live (I do anyway) other than that we are already living…
Certainly, we have all heard of the typical ‘American Dream’; everyone wanted to move to America and get the amazing house with the huge garden, the fancy car and lead the lifestyle of the Hollywood film stars. 

The ‘American dream’ is that of a land far away that is so much better and richer than their own and where everyone gets a fair chance to prove themselves and achieve the impossible. It is a place where all are equal and everyone will receive respect and honour for who they are in spite of class, religion, race, or ethnic group; a place where a person is judged by how talented and hard working they are not by their family’s wealth or political connections. With the ‘American Dream’ comes hope and possibility, and potential for a better future. Their children can grow up in a clean civilized environment with a good education for a better career and future.

Since the early 19th Century, America has been seen as the symbol of freedom and prosperity, so over the past century, the ‘American Dream’ has lured tens of millions from all nationalities not necessarily for materialistic benefit but with the dream of liberation where every person’s opinion counts and are important and significant. And until today many still dream the American dream... The grass is always greener on the other side as they say.

What is the ‘Sharmer’s Dream’ all about? In a way it resembles the same as the American to those having been here on holiday, it gives them something new to work towards no matter what age, religion or gender. Here they think they can find and achieve what they couldn’t back in their hometowns. Everyone needs a goal and to those that have felt life’s cruel sense of humour, and Sharm could seem the ideal cure. Everyone needs something small to hang on to even, if at the end of the day it is only an illusion.   

So, what is it that people move here for? And in search of what? Is it that they come on holiday to Sharm and think it is the perfect place to live? Or do they see the ideal lifestyle they are looking for as they see it from the outside of the surface image presented by the residents here of the happy family in the healthy environment and want to be like it? Or is it that they just need a change which usually does a person a world of good. There are so many reasons, I’m sure.

Having asked several Sharmers on what was their dream or hope of moving here, we had some very interesting responses including the following:

 “Well I can tell you mine: it was to move here, get a stable well-paid, job, a car (they are so expensive to run back home!) and a dog; to me that is the perfect Sharm life; go to work by day, hang out with friends or go to the beach by evenings and night, but is it so or am I still searching? Another bonus is to have the nice weather so I won’t have to wear layers and layers of clothes; I cannot stand the cold…” – Stated Jackie, a local resident.

 “I moved to Sharm for love; I came on holiday and met this amazing native and instantly knew he was the one. I always dreamt of having the perfect family; loving husband, and gorgeous child in the perfect setting. Well, I have met my other half and what better setting than Sharm with the healthy outdoor life and fresh air. I haven’t been here that long yet, but I will soon find out if my dream is to be.” – Revealed Mary, a local housewife.

“I came here on holiday last year and had the time of my life; the best holiday ever. The people seemed so relaxed, cheerful, easy going and laid back that I decided there and then that I wanted to be part of this great community. So I recently moved here in search of a less stressful life, well that’s my story.” – Confessed Keith, a new time Sharmer. 

“I am a diver and could see the potential in Sharm from the first moment I set foot here.  So moved here to start a business, but hadn’t expected things would be so hard on my wife and kids with lifestyle and schooling or just basic provisions. It tends to get pretty boring for them. I may have to reconsider my decision of moving here…” – Declared Sam, a local diver. 

“I needed get away; a change and here seemed so secluded and cut off that it appealed to me straight away, seeing all the people just lying on the beach, swimming and surfing made me think how nice it would be to just hang around in shorts and a vest-top all day long or go for a drive around the bay on a regular basis.” – Said Dan, a 23 yr old Sharmer.       

Everyone thinks: wow a holiday destination it must be wonderful to live here, but things aren’t so easy are they Shamers? Surviving Sharm is more than just a week on the beach; it is a bitter reality, where you can’t just pop to the supermarket for your favourite brands but having to make do with what you can find.  And all the little luxuries of back home won’t necessarily be supplied here; even something as simple as having lunch with friends could be tricky. 

So, like the American Dream, the Sharm Dream represents possibility and opportunity, it resembles the light at the end of a very long dark tunnel; something to work towards, for some people this may be all they have. Well, what is YOUR dream, why are YOU in Sharm, what are YOU searching for or escaping from?