Second to Last

December 11, 2009 | Filed Under Main | 2 Comments

Watched the sun come up over Abu Dhabi on my way to the airport. This will be my second to last flight in the region. My last trip to our office out here was successful on my terms. Said goodbye to some friends, got my staff situated for the future and had a few beers. However, I mainly came out to meet with the CEO to settle some issues but she never had the time. Sunday – she promises. Doesn’t actually matter to me.

The cab ride was only twenty minutes. We started in darkness and watched the skies lighten over the cranes and palm trees. Had my last glimpse of the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Saw structures completed since my last trip and new construction everywhere – all out in the middle of nothing. The main city is an okay place. Nicely put together. Bustling with folks from all different countries. I saw joggers in the darkness and men of bicycles. The atmosphere is much more friendly and social than Kuwait or other neighbors. The Killers played the other night, as did the techno group Underworld. The city is trying to grow and take over more of the desert. They already have a Formula One racetrack and new soccer stadiums and luxury hotels and new office buildings and the beginnings of new housing complexes and planned villages.

And my question is the same as when I was in Qatar, walking the construction site for the massive complex called Education City: Who is this for? Trust me – the locals don’t care about all this shimmer and shake. Golf tournament? Tennis tournaments? Beyonce? This is not to appeal to the Emiratis or Qataris. This is the Middle East’s “come hither” look. But who really is going to come and buy?

Again – not my problem. But I think of all the people I’ve met or seen out here who have come to take the money. And I will look out the window as we take off and wonder if this region truly knows its audience.

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2 comments so far
  1. jewaira December 16, 2009 3:46 am

    Interesting perspective Gorky

  2. mburma December 16, 2009 9:51 am

    There is a type of life style that all that steel, glass and concrete draws to itself. And I don’t think it will mix well with the indigenous populations over time. And there is sooo much being built.