A few weeks ago I went to visit Dubai for the first time. I must say I was quite delighted by the experience. It's a cosmopolitan city with a mixed flavor of Miami, New York City and Los Angeles all in one place. As I was landing I could see the variation of the architecture from the classical Arabic style structures to the Western state of the art high-rises. It was breath-taking. As I arrived at the airport I had an immediate fairy-tale feeling. The majority of the staff was wearing their typical outfits. And immediately you realize that you are now immersed in a dual culture.
I think that one of the first things I noticed was their courtesy. Everybody from the airport staff, to the waiters at restaurants, sales people at shops, bartenders at fancy bars, are incredibly highly trained towards customer service, they are very pleasant. They will open doors for you, move out of your way if you're walking, and they always thank you. Meant that I live in London where people will push you, step on you and they will never apologize... it was quite refreshing! I'm not just referring to the locals, here you will find a very multi-cultural population. It is highly populated by Western Europeans, Asians, Americans, South Africans, and Australians. Which is exactly what amazed me. This city has developed incredibly fast in the last few decades. Now all of these people from different backgrounds are co-existing and accepting each others differences. You expect to encounter that in NYC, London, LA, and pretty much any metropolis. But I guess I was quite surprised about such a "young" city in the Emirates to be so avant-guarde.
On the other hand there is some sort of secret law (or not so secret), where everyone is expected to respect everyone's beliefs and customs. I must admit that I am at times (especially when I drink), quite the potty mouth! On an evening that I was returning home with my friends from a bar, while riding in the cab, I decided to start using the F word on and on! I was scolded by my friend Esoteros! She warned me that if the cab driver was for any reason offended by my language, he could have called the police and have me arrested! How hilarious would that have been! Yet, how cool that the cab driver can complain!!! I think that is great! Imagine in NYC, the cab driver has to listen to all sort of crap from the passengers and never once he/she can complain! I think is a lesson to respect others.
I was also surprised by the fact you can't buy alcohol everywhere, only in specific locations, such as resorts the bars/clubs in their proximity. And yes, I knew this in advance and bought Vodka at the Heathrow and Dubai Airport... luckily I was not sent straight to the Dubai AA!! Yes, they do have a lot of rules you have to follow. You can't kiss in public, only a married couple can hold hands or have a baby. Single people cannot adopt nor live with a person of the opposite sex. However I still felt so at peace while I was there. It was so calm, and organized, and clean. You just have to compromise and accept the customs they have.
The weather was in my opinion wonderful, in the 100s, sunny, lightly breezy. The Arabic Gulf also known as the Persian Gulf is incredible. As you dive in the sea, it feels like a giant hot tub! The waves are docile and slow. The shore is populated with all sort of creatures, from crabs to hermit crabs, to sea snails, and many other living beings that looked like aliens. I felt like a kid in a secret sea garden. I don't think I have ever seen so many beautiful shells.
Shopping is also great, they are tax free, so you definitely get good bargains. They have so many malls, very Americanized. These shopping structures are so enormous they even have snow slopes for the kids! Malls do exhausts me though, so I had to go have a drink there too!
My feelings about Dubai? Wow, it is an amazing city still in full development. It has so much potential on a business point of view. I guess Abu Dhabi will be the next one to flourish at the same level. It's just amazing how they have incorporated in their home the American life-style. I seriously felt like I was back in the US at times. That is why I consider it like two worlds in one, extremely different although able to function in full harmony.
