Dubai

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Dubai - Rich Lands

My vacation in Dubai was one of the best trips I have ever been on. More exciting than other vacations I have been on because, unlike any other country in the west, you get the new experience of exotic travel, landscape, tourism, and of course, weather.

Sunny over 350 days a year, Dubai's desolate desert landscape is only half of what attracts the tourists, if that. Most establishments seem to have been created specifically for tourist satisfaction, so you will always be entertained. Some of the best things to do or see include the Burj al Arab hotel which is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, the Wild Wadi water park which pushes you up the slides as well as down, and of course the world and Palm Tree islands cited as the"eighth wonder of the world."

I went with my parents when I was 15 years old, so all of the activities that we did were family friendly. My favorite part of the whole trip, besides the water park of course (since the sun is absolutely brutal), was a jeep ride through the desert. I got the front passenger seat in our jeep and felt like I was on some kind of unbelievable roller-coaster, driving over sand dunes, watching other jeeps slide around effortlessly, and listening to the other people in the jeep gasping with surprise and fear. Don't worry, of course it was all in good fun! This trip included a stop so that we could take a short ride on camels and grab some traditional eats. Although the food didn't take me too much by surprise, as it was definitely edible, it was in a small quantity and I didn't see how it was cooked. And I will probably never know. As a fun side-note, I also learned how to snowboard on sand. Pretty slow, but my mom got some good pictures.

If you are not looking for anything adventurous, there are still other things to do - like shopping! The jewelry is an obvious must-see/must-do. From emeralds to diamonds, the chains and necklaces are breathtaking. Although quite expensive for a larger piece, don't be shy to take a look at a pair of earrings, as these will be an item in your jewelry box that will not be mistreated or forgotten.

As I have suggested, there was also something to do, but to get a full experience of the culture and lives of those who live there, I'm not sure how far out you may have to venture, or how safe or unsafe it might be. Even though the tours do try to teach you something about the culture, in terms of how the landscape affects everyday lifestyles and vegetation, riding camels and seeing sand does not get you close enough to the real people of the area who have built homes and families in this foreign land.

As for my personal experience, I was an ideal tourist, and kept to my "areas" so I am unable to make any significant cultural conclusions. Now that I personally am friends with a few Arabs who live in Montreal, I can't even imagine the cultural experiences available outside of the tours and the hotel, or even the sightseeing buses and jeeps.

Most importantly, Dubai is one of those places that you will most likely only get to once in your lifetime, so make the most of it, and don't be afraid to get involved with the tourism community.

*I would probably recommend not flashing your American passport around during your visit. At least, while relations are not quite understood, to say the least. But remember, as long as you are careful, sensitive, and smart, any vacation should be a great one!!

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