Day One

January 6, 2008 | Filed Under Main |

I watched dawn break over Dubai. My first real look at a Middle Eastern city. Except that it’s not a city. Dubai is more like a state – one part of the United Arab Emirates. As it has grown, designated districts or boroughs have sprung up. But when you look outside your hotel room, it is all Dubai. It is packed! There are a few tall buildings ahead, but most are boxy, 7 or 8 story structures. You also see cranes. Further out I can see the port and more cranes. Off to the left – in the water – I can see a sand structure taking shape that will be one of the new “Palms” (the Palm Deira, I believe). And yet more cranes.
When I was out later – visiting the Kuwait Embassy for my visa – I could see down the street some of the funkier skyscrapers that have been built. When they are all complete, this skyline is going to look pretty interesting. But right now, it is just building and building.

My hotel is attached to one of the large shopping centers around and I am sitting in a café there – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. So much of outside (and what I have heard about Dubai) reminds me of Las Vegas and the Coffee Bean just adds to it. The first one I ever saw was attached the Venetian when I stayed there.

Lastly – when I say “shopping mall”, I mean one of the most beautiful and high-end and EXPENSIVE I’ve ever walked through. How high-end you ask? Well, instead of little kiosks selling t-shirts or cell phones littering the corridors, this shopping mall’s kiosks sell real estate. Crazy,huh?

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3 comments so far
  1. terry January 6, 2008 2:40 pm

    good to hear that you made it OK!

    And is your first workday a Sunday?

  2. Tim January 6, 2008 8:19 pm

    I’m looking forward to following your adventures. I hope you’ll stay in touch with AH via a relaunched AHMuse coming soon.

    We had a great time at your party, the wife and I thank you very much…

    -Tim

  3. mburma January 7, 2008 12:02 am

    Well - yes. My first work day would have been Sunday. Instead I spent the morning at the Kuwait Embassy working on my visa. But it looks like work is not in the cards for this week as no one has anything for me to do until I get to Kuwait.

    So I am a tourist.