| Jul 15, 2005 - Dubai
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 | | Posing in front of the 7 star hotel, Burj Al Arab | | Local on Jumeira Beach | | partial Dubai skyline |
| We are now in Dubai which is one of the United Arab Emirates. (Don't worry if you don't know where it is, I had to look at the map when Paul said he wanted to stop here on the way to Egypt...then again, maybe I am the only dummy here.)
This is a city built right in the desert on the coast. (A little strange to see the desert on the coast.) In my opinion, Dubai is a mut mixture of Vegas, L.A. and Hong Kong and I'll tell you why...
After flying all night we arrived in Dubai at 4:30a.m. and were lucky to find a hotel which allowed us to check in early without extra charge. We got a midday start and decided to hop onto a city tour (double decker bus.) It was a great way to get oriented for the short few days we will be here. First, it's like Las Vegas because it is an architectural playground. You wouldn't believe the buildings here, a skyscraper with a giant square hole for style, a building with the longest unsupported pedestrian bridge, a seven star hotel shaped like a sail and there is construction underway for the tallest building in the world and also for an underwater hotel. The sheik here is a bit of an egomaniac (as far as we can tell) as there is 24 hour construction EVERYWHERE and he owns EVERYTHING. He is working to become the "father of modern Dubai" and has brought in busloads of migrant workers largely from India who work alternating 12 hour shifts. There was a recent international news story about a proposal to prevent hard labour from 1-5pm each day given the desert heat which the sheik tried to prevent because there is 'too much work to be done.' The goal is to complete construction on this amusement city before 2010 when the oil runs out. Did I mention that oil is cheaper than water here? Anyway, everyone drives everywhere and has at minimum a luxury sedan. This is how it reminds me of L.A. Lastly, shopping seems to be the national pastime and they joking refer to it as "Do Buy," hence it reminds of Hong Kong. It is a tax free zone and some of the postcards even have pictures of the malls on them!!
The heat here is very intense (temperatures about 109F while here.) On the second day I was literally reduced to a puddle of sweat and tears...decompensation. We moved to some accomodations on Jumeira beach and I slept for nearly 20 hours (combo of heat exhaustion and jet lag I suppose.) Paul took good care of me and himself fell into a coma the following day for about the same length. Anyway, the beach is a fine powdery white sand beach with green/blue Arabian Sea (which feels like bath water.) The wind feels like someone holding a gigantic hairdryer in our faces. Speaking of the beach, it was interesting to see the women covered in black veils and robes with only the slightest area open to reveal the eyes. Most women wear Cleopatra-like eyeliner, high heeled designer shoes and henna paintings on the hands...express yourself wherever you can I suppose. The men wear white gowns with white headress and a black cord coiled atop the head (for tying up the camel, of course.) Only nationals are permitted to wear this clothing and only 20% of the population are nationals.
The weekends are Thursday and Friday due to the Muslim holy day is Friday. We took a midnight stroll on Friday night and the streets were a parking lot with people cruising and the beaches were packed with moonlit picnics and swimmers (children and all.) Definately a different life here.
While enjoying our western comforts I must mention that Paul went to McDonalds four (yes, 4) times in four days. I think he was having a Big Mac attack!
I am really excited for our next destination, Egypt. :) |
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