the last week...Dubai

Goodness, finding reliable internet has been quite a challenge and there has been so much going on to write about! In the past week I have taken trains and planes half way around the world and now I find myself perched on the 3rd floor of the UGM graduate studies building, cooling off after my 10 minute walk from my house to the university. But that's getting too far ahead....
After leaving the States last Wednesday I spent 3 days in Dubai with my friend from Temple, Chelsea. It was a nice stopover in the sense that we could gradually adjust to jet lag and see a city we have never seen before. Dubai is really a place like no other. In the middle of the desert, buildings reach toward the heavens and construction abounds....they are building roads, houses, a rail system, hotels, malls, and huge office buildings! It's a bit overwhelming....when driving at night the road is consumed with trucks and construction vehicles. The consumerism in Dubai is quite apparent, too. The Mall of the Emirates boasts an indoor ski slope!

One evening we did a very "touristy" thing...a desert safari. Through the hotel we signed up for an extreme adventure into the desert. Just from the name, "extreme adventure" one ought to take it as a sign of ultra-touristy. The drive through the desert was actually quite cool! The red sand truly sparkled against the glaring sun and not knowing what was over the next dune was a bit exhilarating. After the safari we were taken to a campsite where "traditional" food was prepared and guests could take a camel ride, smoke sheesha, or get a henna tatoo. This part was so cheesy! During the camel ride your picture was taken and you could purchase it for something like $15USD; I felt like I was at an amusement park when your picture is taken on the roller coaster. Nonetheless, the desert safari was worth it.