Here I am sitting at the Tampa Airport about to embark on my farthest travel adventure to date. I am heading to Dubai, a place I have dreamed about going to ever since I saw my first episode on the making of the Palm Islands.
Today begins with a short flight to Washington-Dulles and then a 14-hour flight directly to Dubai. As I sit in the airport and run a quick Google news search on Dubai, to see the current news of the day, I am sidetracked by reading more about the country and culture of Dubai and the ways I plan on contributing to Dubai's tourism market.
When I found out I was going to Dubai, it was within days of the opening of Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Everyone I told about the trip immediately asked if I was planning on going to the top. And I responded "Of Course!" However it closed over a month ago with no announcement of when it will reopen. Maybe we will get lucky and it will reopen while we are there.
Then I asked some friends who have spent short visits in Dubai what the "must sees/dos" are while I am there. The number one response was a desert safari. I am so thankful that this experience has already been included in the trip itinerary.
The activity I am looking forward to most is our visit to the mosque in Abu Dhabi. World religion has always interested me and I am excited to spend time in an Arab country and learn more about their religion and culture. In preparation for this trip I researched Oman, a neighboring country. I was interested to learn that the laws in the country are based on the laws of Islam. This is very different from the way laws are developed in the United States.
I am very excited for my adventure to begin. In the meantime, my first flight has been delayed so here I sit, people watching and wondering about all the amazing things I hope to see, the people I will meet, and the culture I will encounter.
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