Dubai. It oozes money, wealth, and over-the-top everything. When you have so much money you don't know what to do... what do you build? Islands in the ocean, ski hills in the desert and the tallest building in the world (sorry, Shanghai.. they've got ya beat). The malls are filled with high-end stores with names that I've only heard of in "Sex in the City" (no Targets around here)... and women are draped in jewels, couture clothing and five-thousand dollar handbags (of course, you can't see much of it underneath the hijab).
But don't be fooled.
Only 10% of the population of the Emirates (made up of seven "Emirates" or states) is actually Emirati. The others are a global mash of citizens, either laborers or businessmen or educators... looking for a better life... better pay... or just a new experience. The 10% have everything paid for by the government... housing, health care, and a significant monthly stipend (thank you, oil). The other 90% are expatriates (even if you are born in the Emirates, if you cannot prove Emirati heritage you won't receive the government benefits) who are working in a variety of businesses.
Today we visited the Dubai Ski Mall(!) and the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa... a spectacular building rising from this big sandbox. This place is a bit like Vegas (minus the casinos) - showy fountains, shiny buildings, green grass - but all a bit fake. Don't get me wrong - it's an exceptionally interesting oasis here... but it is still a desert.
The Dubai Ski Mall boasts a ski hill (albeit small) a luge, inner tubes and a clear, round plastic ball that you actually get inside of - then roll down the hill. The women wear ankle-length parkas. It's all inside a huge mall. Crazy. The mall is the biggest I've ever seen. The floors are marble..!
We visited a great tea shop - inside some ritzy department store. Great tea. Expensive price!
And off to the tallest building in the world - The Burj Khalifa.
At the bottom of the Burj, there are extravagant fountains (ala Bellagio - but on a much grander scale, of course!). The skyscrapers all around look small compared to the height of the Burj. But looking down - you see they're all built on sand. Crazy.
Next post soon - I've a flight to catch to Qatar! Hope to hear from you soon!
Hope you were on time to that flight to Qatar! I can't imagine how screwed up your sense of time is gonna be after you make it home?
ReplyDeleteThe photo you posted on facebook of you in Abu Daubi in the hijab is striking in contrast to the lightness of the architecture.
Also, there is no freakin' way you'd get me to look down from the top of the world's tallest building. Heights are my big weakness and I would have surely vommited! I can't believe you took a pic looking down! The photo is VERY cool!!
Well.. I called Scoot B tonight on my way to work. I couldn't go another day without talking to one of the Bahan bunch! Miss ya like a crazy person~ Co