Hello and Dubai
From the Paris of the Middle East, I ventured to the "Las Vegas" of the Middle East. However, I learned one thing during my short stay in Dubai: If America builds something amazing, the Arabs can build it bigger, and better.
I was shocked at the level of sophistication and glamor of the entire city. It was like a mix of New York and Las Vegas on steroids, without the traffic, garbage, and sense of tackiness. Even the airport is a feat to behold. Even at 4 am, customs officials are manning their posts and processing people at a quick pace. If you're lucky, you may even get a smile and a "Welcome to Dubai" out of them.
Most people dread a 4 am arrival, including me. However, I decided to make the most of it. Kite Beach is situated right next to the Burj-al-Arab, the world's first 7-star hotel. You have probably seen it in travel magazines or throughout Instagram. The traditional view of the hotel is not the only view to consider, as I found out later that morning. Turning back towards the center of Dubai at around 5.30 am, I was greeted by a spectacular sunrise. Glowing orange like the sands of the Arabian desert, the sun peeped out just southwest of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. As you can see by the above picture, it was a sight to behold.
After my brief sunrise, I proceeded to my hotel in the Dubai Marina. Situated right on the beach, my hotel was a perfect spot for some much-needed relaxation. Usually, this area is bustling with tourists and nightlife. However, as it was Ramadan when I visited it was quite dead, but I was not complaining. I was even fortunate enough to meet up with one of my dad's colleagues for a beer or two and a nice dinner.
The following day, I headed to Abu Dhabi to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. When you have all the money in the world, it's quite easy to build one of the world's most beautiful mosques. I was lucky enough to be wandering around the vast halls during several calls to prayer, adding an extra bit of magic to my visit.
I then drove back to Dubai to a different hotel closer to downtown. When I checked in, I was surprised to be given a room with a view of the Burj Khalifa. After about a 15 minute walk, I was at the Dubai Mall and at the base of the impressive building. I decided to take the cheaper tour to the "top", or 125th floor, to get a view of the city below. The elevator was even fast enough to make my ears pop.
Impressed once again, I headed back for an early night in. Although built from seemingly out of nowhere, Dubai seems to hold its ground among the great cities of the world. Bustling with business and tourism, it offers a unique paradise in the midst of the Arab world. It definitely wouldn't be a bad spot to live for a few years.