A Trip Down the Garden Path

I know the title of this post sounds corny, but the thing is, it is so entirely true. Dubai is a city that proudly does everything BIG. From enormous shopping centres (500+ shops, not only one of these centres exists, but there are a number of them). A ski slope in the middle of the desert, a man made island shaped like a palm tree, a number of islands shaped like the world map (FYI if you're keen to buy your own island in "the world islands" you'll just need to fork over a minimum 10 mill thanks very much, that'll probably buy you a scaled down Tassie. Oh, and you will most likely be living next to some movie star's holiday home - how bout that?) Not people to do things by halvsies are the Emaritis. Needless to say in a country of plenty, there was certainly no disappointment. Here's a run down of some of the things we enjoyed most.

1. Things are pretty cheap. Our accommodation was a measly 4 stars of super luxury, especially after a free upgrade. You know you've hit the jackpot when they are supplying the very spesh l'Occitane soaps and hand creams in the bathroom. Shopping was unbelievable, especially given the immense number of shops, and meals were cheap too. We ate in an Italian restaurant on our last night that was situated just to provide for panoramic views of the world's largest water fountain, ALONG WITH the world's largest building - the Burj Al Khalifa. We walked out at the end of the night paying a bill the equivalent of $50AUD. And, most impressively, the waterfall performed a lights and music show every 15 minutes. You know you're in a special place when a giant water fountain is dancing along to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.

2. History is fascinating. Loved, loved, loved learning more about the lifestyle of a people so completely different to our own. It might be the teacher in me, but I love going on a good tour. I'm the one who sits up straighter straining to hear what the tour leader has to say, following close behind her for fear I may miss some very important fact and I'm never backward in asking a question or two. I also fancy myself an artsy photographer, to which Glen comments 'not another photo of flowers/bricks/food.' Yet, what I was amazed by was the multicultural makeup of the population of Dubai. 20% Arab, and 80% immigrants: Indian, Pakistani and Asian most commonly. And for a city that's a building Mecca, it's difficult to think that 20 years ago, people still lived in huts made out of palm leaves. Also, the place of women in society is totally different to what I'm accustomed. Being an Islamic country, women aren't allowed in most mosques, only the larger ones, of which there are only a few. Also, there a banks that advertise women's only banking, and there are recreational clubs for only women, so they don't feel uncomfortable around men. I find this fascinating; I think I'll have to do a little more reading about these things...

3. 4WDriving to a Bedouin camp in the Arabian dessert was by far a highlight. Up and over sand dunes, wheels spinning to get traction, sand flying everywhere. It takes sheer skill to manoeuvre a car over sand (geez, it takes all my skill to manoeuvre myself through the sand at the best of times). A camel ride, dinner under the stars, a belly dancer (who performed for longer than was possible to bare) and a henna tattoo that is still hanging onto my had like a brown mess, all make for great memories of the evening. My henna tattoo was done by the more amateur of the artists, and while it's tolerable, it's certainly not something I want stuck to my skin for 2 weeks (so the German tourist tells me excitedly). And so it is that no amount of scrubbing will remove the wilted brown flowers, they will just have to fade under some long sleeves and a glove for the next 2 weeks.

I thought seriously about staying in Dubai, teaching in a local school. You know I could really do it. Yet, we've moved on to Brighton, and that my friends, I will save for my next post.

Good night!

P.S. No photos of Dubai yet, Glen needs to work out the internet probs with our laptop, I'm very proud of myself for having typed all of this on the iPad.