It is real culture shock coming to Dubai on the heels of being in India. It is a surreal futuristic world. We almost expected to see robots walking the streets. The United Arab Emirates is said to be the safest country in the Middle East and one of the safest in the world. Dubai has a very short history…. most of it has been built in the last 12 years. Before that it was sand and desert. It is now the fastest growing city in the world. It is estimated that 25-35% (depending on who you listen to) of the world’s cranes are currently involved in building projects here. The tallest building in the world, which looks like a giant lego construction, is currently being built here. Its final height is a closely guarded secret…. an indication of the developer’s resolve to attain the title of the world’s tallest building and its intention to hold on to it for as long as possible. 96% of the population is Muslim…. and they actually have pink taxis that are for women only! (We were warned ahead of time NOT to take photographs of veiled Emirati women.) We visited the iconic Burj Al Arab (the world’s only 7 star hotel), the Palm Islands and Ski Dubai, one of the largest indoor snow parks in the world. We finished up by going to a mall, which was more like a palace. And within that palace was…. Yes!.... a Starbucks!! That’s where we lifted a luscious latte with the Saudi at the next table. (See photo above) Oh…. and we also found a bookstore, so we now have 4 new books on India!
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