"Arabian Nights" or "Lifestyles of the rich and the famous" or "War! (Huh, yeah) What is it good for?"

Our week-long, random, relaxing trip to Dubai has come to an end, and I'm not exactly sure what to write in this blog entry. Dubai is quite an amazing city. It's young, incredibly wealthy, over-the-top, yet deeply grounded in the Arabian Peninsula's rich Islamic tradition. I had heard tidbits about Dubai before arriving: a perfect 21st-century city, a city hell-bent on breaking every urban record imaginable, "the gem of the Middle East," etc.

I don't have a lot to say about my experiences in Dubai, but I can say that everything that I expected from the city is basically true. The skyline alone is worth the trip. In addition to the world's tallest building--which towers over the whole city in an unimaginable way--the city boasts a hodgepodge of interesting and awe-inspiring architecture. One day, Mike and I went for a long walk through downtown, gawking at all of the buildings. Perhaps it's just because I've been out of big cities (except Bangkok) for a while, but I don't think so. Dubai has built itself up into an extremely impressive city.

Dubai Skyline.

The World's Tallest building.

One of Dubai's many upscale malls.



In Jumeirah, the beach resort area of the city, there are some amazing hotels. Our trip happened to coincide with Art Dubai, the city's big art festival. It was held at an enormous Vegas-style hotel resort, which Lonely Planet described as "a city within a city." Within moments of entering the art exhibits, Mike and I felt entirely out of place. It was perhaps the most bourgeois affair I have ever attended--suited socialites drinking cocktails, high-brow artists showcasing their works, the whole nine yards. Even so, the exhibits were really awesome, and we were lucky to stumble upon it.

The view from one of the luxury resorts in Jumeirah.



                                       

                                                  Art Dubai.

To avoid breaking the bank, Mike and I generally hung out away from the costs of the expensive districts. Instead, we spent our days in Bur Dubai, a neighborhood near the river with a lot of quaint Middle Eastern flavor. In true Dubai fashion, we gorged ourselves on enormous Indian meals and smoked hookah constantly. It was quite relaxing and rejuvenating, particularly after the chaos and commotion of South/Southeast Asia. We meandered through the spice, gold, and textile souqs by the river. We admired the mosques and the traditional garb of the locals. To be quite honest, though, we just lazed around most days, wandering around and planning little outside of our next meal. 

Shop in the Spice Souq

Typical day in Bur Dubai.

Mosque.

That's about all I have on Dubai. It's a really cool city, and I'm glad I got to see it. There were no especially notable things that happened to us. Probably fortunately, we had a comfortable, safe, clean, gluttonous week.


However, it was pretty interesting to be stationed on the Arabian Peninsula at this particular moment in world history. As everyone knows, the region has been undergoing some changes that are incredible, promising, uncertain, and--if nothing else--notable. From Libya to Egypt to Syria to Bahrain to Tunisia to Yemen, citizens of Arab nations have chosen this moment to stage rebellions and so-called "Facebook Revolutions" against their governing regimes. Additionally, the West's decision to engage militarily against Gaddafi in Libya adds further spice to the geopolitical scene.

Obviously, the United Arab Emirates does not appear on that list of endangered countries. Nevertheless, it's an interesting place from which to watch it all unfold. I don't yet know how I feel about the United States' military commitment, though I must say I strongly approve of the diplomacy and delicacy with which the Obama administration dealt with France, Britain, and the nations of the Middle East. I hate to wave my flag behind any American military action that doesn't directly involve U.S. security, but, assuming the BBC and other news media aren't spinning the reality of Gaddafi's brutality too badly, I must say that I am inclined to support the international community in its mission to support the organic rebellions taking place. However, that may be putting undeserved faith in the media. Pining after such things as natural resources (oil) to shipping routes (colonial history) to strategic military posts (World War I), the West has a long history of dubious and cynical motivations for involving themselves in the affairs of the Middle East. Unfortunately, I'm slightly skeptical about the newest military operations, but I am simultaneously optimistic. Indeed, this new round of protests and rebellions seems genuine and locally grown. I hope that the Western nations are sincere in their commitment to simply preserve the safety of civilians. I hope that the dictators of the region fall, and I hope that the local people henceforth have control over their own futures. More than anything, I hope that this military action will not merely add yet another example of sinister self-interest on the part of Western nations. Perhaps I am being led astray by reporters and politicians—it certainly wouldn’t be the first time. Truthfully, though tentatively, I believe that we are doing the right thing, and I believe that the motives of the West are true. However, only time will tell, and I sincerely hope that history does not prove me wrong. It would be a damned shame to engage in more senseless war.

"Be well, do good work, and keep in touch."

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