Before starting, I’d like to say that this trip happened about eight years ago, so my words are the same age. I wrote them when I returned from Dubai. So please excuse the “wonder” in my voice as now I believe it to be “cute.” The writing was a bit dry, but hang in there because it was my first time in Dubai, and I had no idea what to expect. Not only was it my first time in Dubai, but it was also my very first paid vacation as a flight attendant. I don’t know why I chose Paris and Dubai for this vacation, but they set the learning curve for my future trips. At the end of this post, I include some things I learned while on this trip.

Please bear with me.

As Told in 2016

Dubai was a lot different than I expected. Upon arrival, I was excited to stay at a well-known hotel chain with airport transportation. Well, until I found out there was no airport transportation. The transition in the airport went smoothly. I deplaned and made it through customs. After talking to a charming passport control guard about my plans and passport troubles, I collected my luggage and went to the nearest restroom. This is significant because my restroom experience was my first impression of Dubai. Everyone knows that the last stall tends to have the most space, so I went for it. I set my luggage aside and opened the door.

Imagine my surprise when I saw this contraption with just a hole in the ground. I walked around it a couple of times to figure out what the hell I was supposed to do with that until I threw my hands in the air and said screw this while busting out of the stall. I pushed open a random door to find a regular toilet! With all this money Dubai is known for, I knew they could at least afford a toilet.

After exchanging my euros for Durham, I called the hotel to send my transportation. As I mentioned before, they didn’t have any. I was once again forced to become familiar with the public transportation system. Apparently, I needed a bus card, and they would not accept Durham, so the bus driver sold me his for 20 Durham. I am almost sure he cheated me, but whatever.

The bus driver told me to request AL Fahimi station as my stop. Well, 3rd stop on our route, the transportation authority came on board to check the validity of the passes of those aboard. At that moment, I thanked God for the overpriced bus pass. I finally reached my station and took a 12 Durham taxi the rest of the way. Meanwhile, I now possess a UAE bus pass that I will most likely never use again.

At last, I am in the hotel for less than five minutes before they tell me only smoking rooms are available. They let me choose, and I march up to my room with bags in hand, avoiding the bellhop and their itching palms. I come back downstairs in search of food and a long-time-deserved beer. It was great; I returned to my room and wished for tomorrow.

Tomorrow came, and I peeled myself out of bed to eat the 45 Durham breakfast I paid for, which was very delicious. I ate until the mention of the shuttle to the outlet malls was coming. Before I got to the mall, I regretted my decision to go. I was tired and had little to spend on things I could get in the US. I walked around for a bit and then spent most of my time at a Starbucks on the phone with my brother. So far, this has been the best part of my trip. After getting off the phone, I decided to shop for some sneakers. Everything was highly-priced for it to be an outlet mall. I was bargain-hunting up until I needed to leave. I left empty-handed. I was so tired when I returned that I thought about not going on my excursion. I slept the entire ride to the hotel and napped when I got in the room.

Camel Kisses

By the time my departure time came around for my excursion, I was ready to go. The ride to the desert was so long that I fell asleep on the way there. We arrived at what looked like a camel farm. We took pictures and petted the camels. Then we did a 4 x 4 safari going up and down the Dune hills in a truck. It was exciting and got the night started on an adrenaline-pumping note. We were brought to a point in the desert where we took fun pictures, jumping and holding the sun. Then we were off again.

We finally approached the campsite. We were briefed on what would happen in the next few hours and then ran for the riding part. I ran for the ATVs. They weren’t as exciting as I liked, but I did it. We were limited to a minimal range in which we could explore. And when I say small, I mean smaller than a go-cart course. The same thing happened in the next part, camel riding. It was interesting, to say the least after my camel tried to kiss me. Thank God for his muzzle. The camel ride was something like a live marry-go-round. There was no “exploring” of any nature.

It was getting dark, and there were still tons to do before the barbecue. I went to the sand art table and got a henna tattoo. After the tattoo, there was a small selection of souvenirs to be bought, and then a belly dancing show. The show and food were great, and the company was even better. I met several people and learned where many of them were visiting. I was excited that the night ended on such a high note.

The following day, at breakfast, I found myself hopeful for the day, still taken by the night before. I talked to more staff during this breakfast and noticed they were pretty young. They were as fascinated with my culture as I was with their culture. I asked about the women wearing all-black, covering everything but their hands. I was and still am a little confused about the answer. I am unsure if it has more to do with modesty or mourning. In any case, it was time for my excursion.

I Present to You, the Burj Khalifa

I visited the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world at the time of writing this). It was so beautiful. I felt so insignificant looking up at it from the base. When I got inside, I went to an escalator and was ushered to an elevator that took me to an observation deck. The elevator ride was even brilliant. There was a showcase of how tall other buildings and significant architectural figures were compared to the Burj Khalifa. I was in awe when the elevator doors opened; I could see so much of Dubai from where I stood. I spent much of my time sitting up there and thinking, “Oh my gosh, I’m in Dubai.”

I waited patiently for my chance to sit in one of the swinging chairs suspended from the ceiling. In the meantime, a photographer came to take pictures of me and told me that if I liked them, I could purchase them on the 124th floor at the gift shop. After the photographer left, I had another visitor take some pictures of me with my phone, just in case I couldn’t afford or didn’t like the pictures taken of me.

I was finally ready to make my way to the gift shop. I went souvenir shopping once again! I wanted to get something for everyone. I also ended up purchasing the pictures taken by the photographer. They were beautiful. I must have spent at least 40 minutes in that gift shop. After taking a photo in front of the restaurant, I returned to the mall.

This mall was massive! I saw a sign for a zoo and aquarium inside the mall. Inside!!! I witnessed people ice skating and shopping at what seemed to be a million and one shops. I grabbed some food and took it all in. I found myself outside at a fountain. The fountain seemed ordinary yet beautiful enough for a photo-op. After my photos, the fountain proved to be much less ordinary than I thought. All I can say is that the water put on an unexpected show, and I was happy to be there.

After the water show, it was almost time for the last hotel shuttle pickup at the mall. I went to the pickup location, smiling like a crazy woman. My trip was worth it. Though it wasn’t extremely late, I had to prepare for my 4 am taxi to the airport. I had enough time to pack, shower, and briefly nap before saying goodbye to Dubai.

Things I learned from this trip:

Go when you can afford it. I went when my job was new, and I just wanted to see what the big deal was.

Go to somewhere like Abu Dhabi. Bur Dubai was cute, but it was also not the most popular place to form an opinion about Dubai as a whole.

Go with friends. This trip would have been so much more incredible if it was a girl’s trip; however, I’m glad I went alone versus going with the people I was supposed to be traveling with (that’s another story).

Do some more research! I jumped at the chance that I could afford not the one that would fulfill my wonder! This was my fault; however, as I said before, this was a part of my first paid vacation, and I was very, very new to this.

Know the rules. I was so afraid of stepping out of the boundaries of respect that I limited my wardrobe. I wasn’t sure when to cover my head if I was allowed to wear a swimsuit in certain places. I stayed modest the entire time and remained respectful. This was nice, but it was not that deep. And if I’m being honest, in Bur Dubai, there is nowhere to wear a swimsuit; that was just an example.

If you’d like to read about the first part of this vacation, it can be found in Paris: Tears, Towers, and Tours.