Dubai, United Arab Emirates
While technically I have never had the pleasure to stay long term in Dubai, I have had countless opportunities to explore due to extended twelve hour layovers on my travels to India. This being said, Dubai is a hub for many travelers from all over the world! It is also the place where you will find phenomenal beaches, incredible food, state of the art buildings, shopping and adrenaline filled experiences.
Known as the City of Gold, due to the amazing amount of financial growth it has undergone in less than a generation. While here you are extremely likely to see fancy cars and other luxurious items big and small, that are worth more than you could ever dream of making in a lifetime. As someone that’s been there, seeing and touching these items will make you feel like you are in a fantasy world. Don’t worry, there are a ton of places within Dubai where you can experience what the city was like before all the glitz and glam.
The Al Fahidi Quarter is a good place to start if you have a taste for history. From here you can make your way to the Burj Khalifa, if you are lucky enough to not be afraid of heights you can make your way up to the top level – nearly 828 meters up! Be sure to take some pictures of the awe inspiring sights from the windows.
After exploring all over this vast city, you’ve had to work up an appetite. Now, while the food may overwhelm you, if you are not used to spice there are a ton of items that you should try:
- Knafeh, a pastry dish made from sour cream, crisp sugar syrup and dough.
- Samboosa, while this is another pastry dish, it will fill you like an appetizer. Samboosa are filled with meat, veggies, spices, and an array of cheeses.
- Margoogat, a hearty meat and tomato based stew that is savory and delicious.
- Machboos, a rice dish made with the spices cardamom and cinnamon, mixed with dried lemon. It’s served with local shrimp, lamb or chicken.
With your basic’s covered, I feel like it’s time to dive into the do’s and don’t while you are in this great city. While there are times that Dubai can feel extremely futuristic, the country and its people are traditional and conservative. Take care to be extremely mindful of the words you use, and the way that you dress. While it may seem obtuse, you must take care to display next to no public affection.
The do’s of Dubai are taking public transport, requesting permission to take photos, book activities in advance and packing a throw or light jacket. The don’ts include cursing, PDA, drinking in public, staying in a motel with someone you aren’t married to and bringing illegal or prescribed drugs.
Don’t let what I mentioned frighten you – Dubai truly holds a magic that needs to be experienced!