Dubai in the Desert: Monday, August 18, 2014

The flight, as it turned out, was not as bad as I thought it would be. You see, the last time I was on a flight remotely the length of the one we just embarked on, was back in the summer of 2003. It was 10 1/2 hours and it was awful. The seats were uncomfortable, and the airline played two things - Daredevil and an episode of Touched by an Angel. Being that I had suffered through Daredevil once before and didn't watch the other, you can see why I was dreading this. Technology today and technology then are very different. I didn't have. An iPod in 2003, but I did have a CD player. One complete with the "no skip buton" (us 90s children know what a farce that was). I am now forever spoiled by Emirates airlines. The food was great, the seats comfortable and roomy, they even give each passenger their own comfy socks, toothbrush/toothpaste, and eye mask. The entertainment system held new movies, whole tv seasons, audiobooks, music, and you could even pay for wifi. Which we didn't, but the option was new and different. The best part was that the comfort made it easier to sleep than in the past. This is an important thing since we were transporting 6 hours into the future. 

Watching the sunrise.

Trying to blog. 

Somewhere over the Middle East. 

We finally arrived in Dubai at about 730 pm, 130 pm eastern time. They announced that the current temperature when we landed was a cool 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It felt so good to get off of the plane and stretch our legs. We wanted to go and see the Burj Kalifa first, so we could go and sleep. After riding Chicago's rail line for the past few days, I can successfully compare Dubai's. It's cleaner, smoother, and it feels like they built it to go through all of the main destinations one would need. As large as I imagined Dubai to be, it dwarfed in comparison to how massive this city is. We got off at Dubai Mall/Burj Kalifa station and walked for what felt like forever. It turns out we went the long way around, when we could have got straight across to get to our destination. It didn't help that it was so very very hot out either. This kind of heat sticks to you like glue. It almost cuts off your air supply. Keep in mind that we arrived in the evening, after the sun had set. I can confidently say that I am thankful we didn't get there earlier. Moving on. And so we have arrived at the point of this excursion. The Burj Kalifa. The current tallest building in the world. So very tall was it that, to get the entire building in one picture, I had to take a panorama. Even practically lying on the ground to get a normal shot cut off probably 25 floors (the one you might have seen on Instagram). I can not express the true magnificence of this building. Did we go to the top? No, it costs about $40 USD per person for about a ten minute trip. Not that it wouldnot have been worth it, but we were so exhausted by that point, and I believe those 'tours' had ended for the day. 

A comparison shot. 

The panorama.

We then sat out to find our hotel. It is located in the older part of the city, and it's called the XVA art hotel. We definitely were turned around for a bit, but a helpful security guard showed us the way back in the old neighborhood of Al Fahidi Bastakiya. This neighborhood felt like I was walking through what we might imagine as old Arabia. (Or as the village from Aladdin). Our room was number 6. The rooms are all layed out in a courtyard, and it is very quaint. You have to duck to get through the doorway, so you have to be paying attention. Our room had a small sitting area, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Now you might be thinking I am describing the largeness one would find at a a Doubletree Suites. But do not be misled in my description. The rooms are small, but have very tall ceilings. And it was like stepping into an air conditioned oasis. A further example of the heat- showers here require water heaters, but the water was already hot without turning it on. If you live in the desert, I am not sure why you would need a water heater. After bumping my head a couple times on the doorways, I finally was able to get a little shut eye. Bed=heaven. We have only a precious few hours to sleep before we make it back to the airport, and I wish we had longer in this city. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would  see Dubai in this system. And here we are. For the first time on another continent, with a different national language, and a whole new culture to appreciate. Well, until I can write again! Hope everyone is doing well!