Prince Ali, Fabulous Me.

A warning note: this one's a bit long...so strap in!

Just as I suspected, my welcoming committee into the United Arab Emirates was exactly like this:

Go ahead...press play and enjoy for a minute!

With all the concern over my Israeli passport stamps, the Emirati people never made me feel uncomfortable.  It was after midnight by the time I made it to the Crown Plaza Hotel.  I parked my rental car and then promptly got propositioned for sex by a Canadian Airlines Flight Attendant.  He actually asked me to get in the car and take a ride with him.  If I wasn’t so creeped out, I would have laughed.  Do sex offenders still really use that line?

It turns out I was the biggest danger to myself.  Without thinking, I gulped down 2 glasses of sink water when I woke up in the morning.  I confirmed with the front desk that sink water is not for drinking in Abu Dhabi.  So I laced up my running shoes and went out for what I thought would be my final run.  The water front path along the Corniche stretches 6.5 miles from the Fish Market at one end to the Emirates Palace at the other.  I survived the run, freshened up at home, and waited for the contaminants to have their way with me.  Luckily, I never got the death.  I did suffer one messy poop situation…but with the whole lactose intolerance condition, you can never be 100% sure where credit is doodoo.

I found Abu Dhabi to be clean and beautiful.  The highlight was a cup of Jasmine green tea at the Emirates Palace, which came with 3 of the best cookies I’ve ever tasted.  It was just me, some live lounge music, and a few interesting NYTimes articles. 

On my way to Dubai, I took a 6 hour detour to see a Camel Beauty Contest.  I arrived just after it ended, but still got some photos that I consider well worth the trip.

Dubai has more charm than it gets credit for.  It is certainly over the top, but after my Gloria Jeans Coffees Soy Chai Tea Latte kicked in, I got into the mall culture over there!  Everyone told me to expect extravagance, and even still, I was amazed.  The mall itself is the destination.  People don't come to shop.  The one person I did see carrying a bag of purchases forgot it next to me while I was photographing the waterfall, leaving me with an awkward sense of responsibility and no idea what to do with the bag.  They come to see the underwater zoo, the aquarium, or maybe the ice rink.  The fashion cat walk draws a nice crowd as well.  When they’re through inside the mall, they exit as an exotic car paparazzi, marveling at the vehicles valeted before them.  The best part, though, happens from 6-11p, during the Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building) Fountain show.  It’s spectacular! 

MJ’s “Thriller” welcomed me to the scene and I was completely hooked after that!  They followed with Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” (which I know every word and beat) and played Lionel Riche’s “All Night Long” (which I didn’t have an issue singing along to either).  That unexpected Friday night treat made my visit to Dubai.  The following morning included brunch at the magificantly designed and decorated Burj Al Arab (hotel in the shape of a sailboat, which is the only 7 star hotel in the world).  Thanks, Barbara, for the recommendation to check it out. 

The pictures tell a better story of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aussielevy/AbuDhabiAndDubai?authkey=Gv1sRgCKPZy6_Cs4ahbw#

I made a wrong turn in a round-a-bout into Masdar city near the airport on my way back from Dubai.  I had a little extra time before catching my flight, so I went with it.  I’m so glad I did.  My brief tour of Masdar city was worth missing my flight (although I’m happy I didn’t).  It’s the first and only carbon negative city in development.  Currently only the institute and student housing is finished, but keep an ear out for this place.

I was super-excited Adamo on my sprint through Masdar.  Make sure you watch until you get to the self-driving vehicle (about a minute in).  Absolutely nuts!

Happy New Year everyone!