18 hours in Dubai...

So being sleep deprived on a regular basis has its advantages: my 12+ hour flight to the UAE flew by quickly. I napped, ate, watched a movie and repeated until we landed. Granted I am nearly certain that every child on the flight was within a 2 row radius, but the provided headphones sufficed to block out (mostly) screams, cries, etc.

My last month at the hospital was rather busy, so I conveniently didn’t notice that I had an 18 hour lay-over in Dubai until the week prior to my departure. And since that week was typically painful, I obviously had plenty of time to plan. Thus, I literally walked off the plane, went to the information booth and was like WHAT DO I DO? Wound up booking a hotel (they kept talking free breakfast and I kept thinking thanks, but my next flight leaves at 2 AM) and then arranging for a bus tour of the city. Bus was a generous word, as it wound up being an SUV, containing me, our tour guide, an Irish couple and a gentleman from Pakistan (who was convinced I was the Irish couple’s daughter for like the WHOLE trip, even though my New Yawk accent was fully evident). Honestly not that much to report. Basically the whole of the city springs randomly from the desert.

Crazy to think that all of the building is a recent phenomenon, with entire conglomerates of buildings appearing within the past few decades.
Now keeping in mind I got a very (very) superficial view of the city, I was overall very unimpressed. It made me think of a classier Las Vegas – fun to see, maybe spend a few days and then move on. Granted you would need a day to do one of the desert Safaris and I would love to see the inside of the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world) and Burj Al Arab (the only 7 star hotel)... not to mention sample some of the reportedly delicious restaurants. As for the largest mall in the world, it overwhelmed me (despite my brief stay). I mean, it has taxis INSIDE to get you around. Which I guess is helpful when you get lost.

Disclaimer: These views may be slightly skewed through the eye(lids) of jet lag and being hot. And we know how I get when I get overheated. And tired. I actually fell asleep in the SUV/tour “bus” on our drive back. Took what will likely be my last hot shower (and succumbed to the pouf that will now be my hairstyle) and collapsed into bed. Now am biding the last few hours (and taking advantage of the internet) before I head back to the airport.

Burj Al Arab

Burj Khalifa

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall