Dubai Expo 2020 - Part 2

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My fifth time back, I started at the opportunity plaza again. This was early February, so not hot, but warmer than I thought. I stopped for lunch here after Vietnam, planning Vietnamese food, but found this nice Korean-Japanese restaurant instead: Kojaki. It was empty and the staff were friendly. I ordered a nice refreshing drink (non-alcoholic) and a bibimbap - it was good and satisfied any craving I may have for it, but it lacked that sizzling hot bowl that keeps cooking the rice and egg as you eat it.

My sixth time was in the late afternoon during the week (Tuesday) after I had dropped my car off for service. This time I took the metro and was taken to the main entrance, so I finally got to see Al Wasl plaza. This was a completely different experience, and it was crazy how non-crowded it was at this time.



Saudi Arabia

I had been wanting to see this pavilion since I first saw it one night on a previous visit, but it always seemed crowded. So I came early and made it my first stop and it was easy to get in and out. It was very well done and just beautiful, though from the outside it seems huge so I expected it to take a bit longer. But I was through the whole thing in less than 10 minutes I think. Still, a lovely pavilion with examples of architecture by city on the escalator going up and then a big 3-D type of projection of various area within the country. (Opportunity)

USA

Same, finally got to see the usually busy USA pavilion early on and there was nobody in line. You ride on a moving platform through some of the US history, such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, and Thomas Jefferson with his copy of the Quran. Then, something about innovation by kids. Then you walk past some pictures of the national parks as you go upstairs and see some space stuff in a large room, focusing on Mars. It was ok, but nothing special. (Al Forsan Park)

Kazakhstan

I tried to visit here before one night, but they were putting on a show and it was quite busy. Today was a bit busy, but nothing crazy. And it was one of my favorites! You walk into the main room and my breath was just taken away - they really knew how to display the mirrors and plants to maximum effect, but they kind of rushed you through here to the side rooms, one of which discussed the geography of the country (I so want to visit now!) and the other which discussed some traditions and customs. I paused a few times to get some photos in the mirrored area, where they were constantly changing the lighting - so cool. Then you go to a room with shows the environment and shows how apples and tulips are endemic to the area. Then you go upstairs to an open area, the attendant had told me the show would start in two minutes. We were then put into the room which then had a dancer interacting with a robotic arm. At first I thought it was cheesy, which it was, but I also enjoyed it at the same time as I thought it sent a good message. (Al Forsan Park)

Palestine

This one had a fairly long line to enter, mostly because you had to wait for the elevator to take you upstairs where the tour mainly started. The outside was quite nice. I have to say... I'm not sure what was happening. There were a few items placed in random places and some curiously empty spaces. However, two things that I really enjoyed: first was the aroma room where you can smell certain herbs from various kiosks (one woman was hoarding the zaatar smell, so I just enjoyed my citrusy ones). The second was they really showed the various dishes that they are known for and my mouth was watering. Also, I really loved the artwork in the bottom exit hall where someone had painted four (I think) paintings of one woman in Palestine, from girl hood, enjoying nature, to elderly woman, seeing tanks and fences erected in the meadow. It was pretty powerful. (Al Forsan Park)

Morocco

I had passed this by a few times and there was always a line. This time, the line was negligible so I waited just a few minutes before boarding an elevator with about 10 others (including one woman who seriously almost ran over my ankle with her stroller twice!). From the top, you are directed down a ramp which follows the inside of the beautiful wooden structure. So, I stopped for some selfies, but mainly to make sure I could take my time in peace while everyone else raced down. There were a few rooms along the way, starting with a skull replica of early human. Then a room that initially confused me, but I wound up loving - the wall was covered with descriptions of famous men who had contributed to Moroccan history, including my favorite: Ibn Battuta. What made it cool, was the changing lights, which at first bothered my eyes, but I realized the lights showed the descriptions on the wall pertaining to the individual, then it would change again and it was all intermingled, but you could only read one story depending on which light was on. Very cool. Then you go to a room describing how they get water in the desert, followed by a room which showed the argan fruit and its harvesting and uses. The next room was also neat, like a huge apothecary with all kinds of herbs and medicinal plants, used for healing or cosmetics, or whatever. I could have stayed here for an hour probably. Toward the bottom were the instagram-type locations with artistic structures or 3-D projections. Very well done pavilion - don't miss it! (Opportunity)

Switzerland

This one was somewhat interesting. You wait in line outside and they give you an umbrella (I did not take) and can walk in front of the mirrored building and take photos, including a picture showing Switzerland and its flag correlation. Inside, your first room is to enter fog, representing what is at the base of their famous mountains, then you hike up to the top for a 'view' over the fog - it was nice, especially after the heat from outside. But.... not much to see otherwise. (Opportunity)

Vietnam

I came into this one, one of the smaller pavilions, and they definitely maximized their space. I was a little unsure when I first walked into the well-decorated entry, but was soon directed to the right. Very pretty, lots of great decor, looks like they may have some live music on occasion. They had displays of typical women's dress and types of instruments, bamboo wind chimes, as well as a really cool diorama on the center wall. (Opportunity)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Not much to see here. Some placards describing the country, focusing on tourism on one end and industry (I think) on the other end, including some handmade crafts. At least there were a few photos of the famous Mostar bridge. (Opportunity)

Pakistan

One of the more popular ones and one that I had been looking forward to visiting. The outside is quite lovely and unique. Inside, you walk into a room that has some historical context, such as various tribes throughout the centuries, and large ceramics on the other side. then you walk up a ramp through walled art and glass, to enter a huge room with a wooden ship replica and a huge screen that kind of cycles through the famous imposing landscapes (mountains, lakes especially). There are some homemade typical dress, and I loved the old photos of women going about their daily life along the wall. Upstairs is some more impressive artworks and examples of the rock salt that they mine. And then a final descent through some place that represents a forest. It was pretty nice. (Opportunity)

Bahrain

The outside of this building was very unique and imposing. You enter via a tunnel underground and spit out into the interior of this giant structure, with metal columns throughout intended to resemble needles. It was nice because it was open and spacious, protected from the sun, but with openings throughout the structure to let in light and air. I thought the design was interesting. There were a lot of displays of handmade items, but most impressively was this long woven tapestry hanging from the top of the building to the floor, dyed with indigo. I thought I got a photo describing the tapestry, but can't find it - however I remember it took like 3,000 hours to make. (Opportunity)

Belarus

My last one for a long day. This one was not too busy, but was tastefully decorated. There were some nice representative items giving a pleasant atmosphere and an idea of what Belarus is like. The information mostly focused on education and a riverfront development in Minsk. My favorite was the last room, where you descend via a ramp and look over this beautifully light blue lit tree in the center, but when you come closer, you realize the tree is made of rope and yarn. I am not sure what it was meant to represent, but I liked it! (Opportunity)

Luxembourg

I had been wanting to see this for a while, so coming around 4pm on my sixth visit, I was determined to get it done. It didn't seem like a long line, but I wound up waiting a half hour. Not sure I would say it was worth the wait, but it was nice. You are greeted by the Grand Duke for about 30 seconds, which was nice. Then you walk up a ramp into a pretty impressive structure, and as you enter, there are these displays, like phones, showing people (I assume) from Luxembourg of all different ethnicities and walks of life - I think this was actually my favorite part. They also show on the ramp some of the economics and development typical for the country; I knew steel was huge having visited my friends years ago in Esch-Sur-Alzette. But everyone seemed in a hurry to get up the ramp, which was weird considering we had to wait so long. Then you walk into a room with a 'movie' playing, which discussed Luxembourg's investment into space mining and then an example from their philharmonic orchestra. Finally, you come out onto a plaza area where you can either walk down the steps or take the slide. Um, the slide of course! It was pretty fun, and you actually go fast! So, I was happy when I left (Opportunity)

Latvia

This one is a bit hidden, but it is actually a medium sized pavilion. When I first walked up, the girl told me that it was 7 minutes to the next show, so recommended I start at the other exhibit upstairs. Here they are selling items as well as displaying the many things they produce, some of which I had no idea - microphones, art glass - and they change the display on one side of the room each week; this week it was cosmetics. I returned downstairs to see the show which is in this large room with screens set up in three different sections and three different themes. They had interpretative dance accompanying the shows, which I thought was weird (not a huge fan of interpretative dance at all), but otherwise the show was fine. However, what I really liked was the wood and just the overall smell of the room - it was so peaceful, I felt like I was immersed in nature. They then take a photo of you at the end that you can download. The best part of this pavilion for me though was the staff - they were all so nice! (Opportunity)

Marshall Islands

This was a small pavilion and tastefully decorated. No native representative (understandably!), but they put a lot of thought into what and how to display their items. Not placards - so you are not overwhelmed with information, but you get a really good idea of how they live. There were many handmade decorative pieces, such as wall hangings, baskets, and hats. However, my favorite was seeing the navigational charts - they are these pieces made from coconut (I think) that can cover different navigation tools, such as the directions to the various islands or typical wave directions. I mean, it is so simple, and yet so brilliant! (Opportunity)

Chad

Another small pavilion with no representative, but again good information presented. It was a little overwhelming at times with things kind of spread throughout and no real organization. However, the main theme was "The Chad We Want", which had a very ambitions vision for 2030 - reduction of poverty, better planning for extreme weather events, better education, and gender equality. My favorite was all the art scattered around the display, some of it was incredible. (Opportunity)

San Marino

This one was fine. I have not been to San Marino yet, though I want to. This one focused on the "treasures", so there were some displays of replicated treasure and lots of written information throughout. I liked the "nine castles" display at the back. (Opportunity)

Nicaragua

This was tastefully decorated with many written descriptions along the walls and partitions, but also interspersed with beautiful works of art throughout the space. (Opportunity)

Ethiopia

I was rushed through this one when my dealership called to tell me to pick up the car. Sorry! I've been to Addis Ababa so had seen "Lucy", the bones which were replicated in a slightly smaller scale here. They also had pretty displays of types of locations and some displays of traditional dress. In the back, they will pour you a small cup of coffee, which I tried, even though I'm not a coffee drinker! 😊 (Opportunity)

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Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Dubai Expo
This sounds like a great event. Maybe I'll make it to one someday. I imagine is screws up your head by making you want to get on the next plane and fly somewhere!