A Day in the Life: Dubai, U.A.E.
Introduction
To many people Dubai is just a boom city in the middle of the desert in the Middle East, but its so much more. It’s an oasis of mixed cultures, it’s one of the fastest developing places in the world providing many things to do, see, and experience.
In this ‘Day in the Life’ entry I’ll share a brief history of this great metropolis in the desert, and also some of the amazing attractions, activities and sights to see and experience. A trip to Dubai gives you a glimpse into a culture all its own.
Brief History
According to the United Arab Emirates U.S. Embassy website, Dubai really hit it’s major changing piont in 1969 when Dubai started to export oil. Sheikh Rashid the then ruler of Dubai used the profits from this new revenue stream to make big changes to his kingdom.
The second major link that played a big role in this amazing city was the formation of the United Arab Emirates back in 1972 when all 7 of the formerly separate Emirates combined into one great State the U.A.E. with a national identity all their own.
Due to an initiative spearheaded by the Sheikh to diversify Dubai’s economy and keep it from relying solely upon the oil trade, Dubai has been perusing the hope of being a major tourist destination. It is in part because of this and in part because of trade with western nations that Dubai has such a distinct culture from the rest of the Middle East and the rest of the world.
Only within the last 46 years has Dubai started to really make a name for it’s self. Due to it’s recent start at modernization Dubai has some amazing things going on, it’s home to the worlds tallest tower, man made islands in the shape of a map of earth, an indoor sky resort in a desert, one of the worlds largest shopping malls and so much more.
What to Do and Say
My plan for what to do with during a day in Dubai may seem cliche and touristy, but after all this is a town built to be a tourist mecca, and a playground for the rich, so this is actually not out of the norm. Starting with a breakfast at at one of the many amazing eateries in the city, called Little More Cafe, then wrapping up the day by star watching under the crystal clear dessert night sky, with many activities in between.
A breakfast at Little More Cafe is like taking a bight out of Dubai culture. According to whatson.ae whether your looking for classic fluffy American style pancakes, a classic English style breakfast or a little taste of the Arabic cuisine with Arabic inspired scrambled eggs. This mixing of breakfast options may seems a little out of the ordinary so most people around the world, but like I said the food offered is very much like a bite out of Dubai culture. From the fluffy American style pancakes to showcase the massive infusion of American culture that has come with trade between the two nations. The English style breakfast due to the longstanding influx culture from imperial English. Down to the simple Arabic inspired scrambled eggs that show the more traditional deep rooted Arabic culture and life style that sits just beneath the shinny new facades of the city.
As a side note, when eating in much of the Middle East it is considered gross and inappropriate to eat with ones left hand. In fact refrain from using your left hand where ever possible. The left hand has traditionally been used for “body hygene” and other gross tasks along those lines.
The next stop in my day in Dubai is a little bit of a break before my next stop. Dubai is a major city when it comes to international trade and because of this it has also become a major spot for international shopping. So if your one for shopping Dubai is a good place to be, even if you’re like me and couldn't care less about cloths and things, the things to shop for aren't limited to just the typical stuff. Dubai is a very rich and extravagant city so seeing things come in that would normally never be seen in most parts of the world, like high end car dealerships on very corner, spice markets that deal in exotic and rare spices, to jewelry stores that offer things that would be unthinkable in most of the world. Shopping doesn't have to mean having the intention to buy anything, for me and many tourists the prices are too high for buying much to be a realistic proposition. But there is a lot to take in and experience culture wise by pretending to be a rich person shopping for gems and exotic cars.
Our next destination is Ski Dubai, that’s right skiing in Dubai a desert with daily highs averaging 75 degrees ferinheight in the cold months. A company in Dubai built a completely man made indoor ski slope. The ski slope just show cases the attitude that is seen in Dubai’s architecture. The ski slope has varying levels of difficulty and steepness and holds the worlds first black level indoor slope.
The architecture itself is a showcase of the culture in Dubai, it is constantly changing and evolving, striving for new heights both literally and metaphorically in its design and purpose. The people of Dubai are an ever changing group of individuals who hold a lot of pride in themselves and in their heritage.
Even with their great cultural pride, almost everyone in Dubai speaks English fluently, but this isn't to say that there wont be any communication problems. Like most people who have learned a second language the interpretation of words will tend to be very literal, and the use and understanding of slang will be limited. It’s also important to note that as destinationtrips.com points out, cursing and profanity are illegal and punishable under the laws of Dubai. It is important to keep in mind too that you are in a place without the right to entirely free speech, making comments and remarks that bear insult to the royal family and or Islam is very bad and can in some cases result in jail time for a tourist. In most Islamic cultures cursing and profanity is very inappropriate, and it’s also seen as being sacrilegious in some cases. Also keep in mind the relationship the people of Dubai have with the ruling family, they are seen as being very close family, like a literal big brother of sorts always watching out for their best interests
Then last but not least is a camel back ride through the desert away from the bright city lights and loud noises, to see the night sky like never before. The desert sky is particularly clear due to it’s lack of clouds which is why many times huge telescope arrays are planted in these areas. A ride out into the desert if Dubai can be like a ride back into the history of Dubai, and can help you to better take in and understand the culture of the U.A.E.
Dubai has sprung up from what was a barren desert landscape less then 60 years ago. Many of the older people in the region remember in detail what life was like before the city sprung up and the oil money began to role into the country. To better understand the culture of Dubai, taking a look into it’s short history can explain the changes over time, and the way the culture has been shaped into its current form. From the fishermen along the coast just up from Dubai city limits to the nomadic herders that had thrived along it’s rivers for hundred of years, the mixing of cultures can really clearly be seen once you've left the city to explore the simple pleasure that is watching the night sky.
Watching the night sky is also a way to connect to the Arab culture. For thousands of years the people of the middle east have been watching and charting the stars and planets. For a long time in the beginning of recorded history almost all of the highly revered astrologists. So in a way looking up and watching the stars is a way to connect back to the ancient astrologists culture that is deeply ingrained in many religions and cultures across the middle east.
Final Thoughts
After a day exploring the a day in the life of a Dubawi (a person who lives in Dubai) I hope you have picked up a new understanding and appreciation for what life is like in Dubai. I discovered my passion for the city and it’s people about 5 years ago when I was researching the architecture of the city and how this small desert city had been working for years to become a tourist mega city. A city that would change the worlds view of the middle east, in this era of revolution, instability, and terrorist regimes has left a scar on much of the middle east that Dubai is trying to wipe from the worlds view.
