Dubai

Originally, the game plan was that both the American and Arab students would spend the last day hanging out and exploring Dubai. However, on what was to be our last day in Abu Dhabi, the damn Brits issued a warning to their citizens living in the UAE, and specifically in Dubai, that they thought the risk of a terror attack was high. Of course, everyone started getting freaked out about that. So obviously, the trip got cancelled for the entire group. I definitely understand why people were concerned, but it was really frustrating, especially as nothing happened anyway.

Thing was, though, we Americans already had plane tickets to return to Cairo- from Dubai. So we had to go there anyway, we just left later at night. The drive only took about an hour or maybe an hour and a half, and it felt quick, because we were almost always surrounded by buildings in various phases of construction. The UAE, and Dubai especially, contain a ridiculous percentage of the world's largest cranes (I believe it was 70% of them are in Dubai alone). Because we'd left with plenty of time before our flight, we were able to make two brief stops.

The first was at the Mall of the Emirates, famous for the indoor ski slope, pictured here. The mall was truly incredible, despite the fact that our alloted half-hour there didn't give us a chance to cover more than a fraction of it. Katharine, Lily, and I had a great time looking around at all the ridiculous stores and taking pictures of things that we'll never be able to afford.

The entire time that we've spent in the UAE has given me time to reflect on wealth and religiousity and their juxtaposition in Middle Eastern society. Look at this picture of a woman, completely covered, walking by Rodeo Drive. In my mind, it's always seemed like it would be hard to be both ostentatiously wealthy while being religious. How can you in good conscience, waste hundreds of dollars on a Gucci or Fendi accessory while knowing that others are starving? Aren't you supposed to help them? I still haven't resolved any of this in my head, but I'm trying to wrap my mind around what seems to me like a huge paradox.

Our other stop was to see the Burg Al-Arab, literally "The Arab Tower", which is the huge 7-star sailboat-shaped hotel in Dubai (left). It really was quite a magnificent view, which it should be, as it costs around $10,000/night. I don't think I'll ever get any closer to it than I did the other night. The building just follows the tradition of everything in Dubai- crazy. Everything is state of the art, and bigger and better than anything you've ever seen before. It also has what either is or will be the tallest building in the world- it tapers off to look like a pencil at the very top. This picture (right) shows the building, but it was much more overwhelming to actually see it streching into the night sky and almost seem never-ending.

During the time spent from 11 PM to 3 AM in the Dubai airport gave me time to reflect on the differences between UAE and Egypt. And although I'm so glad I went to Abu Dhabi and Dubai and had such an important experience, Cairo is the city to which I would return if I had the choice. The buildings are older and in some cases falling into disrepair. But there is a charm about their fading glory and splendor. In general, the sense of life is so vibrant in Cairo; there is passion and fervour. It's not at all a cold or sterile city, it teems with people. And this sense of humanity is what may someday draw me back again.

One last note- the entire time I was in UAE, I didn't have to spend a dime (or dirham, as their currency is called) until the airport, where I chose to spend my money at McDonald's (I don't think the two cheeseburger meal has ever tasted so good in my life). Who was eating at the exact same place? The Iraqi soccer team...I cannot get over the irony of this.