First trip to Dubai

It is very difficult to write that first line, but fortunately this first line will be at the bottom of this blog very soon. I intend to report my observations and thoughts during my travels. I am very interested in the differences between cultures and I hope to leave a trace with these writings.

My first journey brought me to Dubai. The experience was fascinating. Please go read a travel guide to learn what to visit and why what is where, as I just wanted to mention a few things that surprised me.

Dubai was my first time outside Europe and it somehow felt like walking into a film set. Nothing seemed real, everything was staged. After a few days I got used to the sandy air, the hot weather, the tall buildings and the many cars. A friend looked at my photos, and had to ask: Is anyone actually living in Dubai? Indeed on my photos, it's only the friend I visited and me, but the streets, the parks and the beaches are empty. Only the shopping malls are overcrowded. There are people outside, just not that many. That's quite understandable when it's minimum 35°C.

What I found far more disturbing, were the stares. My friend who had been to Dubai many times before had warned me. The men stare, they turn when you arrive into a shop, they slow down their car, eventually lower the window, they say something to you... I didn't really want to believe her. I thought she was exaggerating. Well, she wasn't. It was like being a superstar... with lots of creepy fans. I felt rather uncomfortable at the beginning but after a few days I got pretty much used to it.

Also there seems to be a lot of discrimination, not against the foreigners who bring money, but against migrant workers. Policy gives locals a lot more power. For example, in order to start a business you need to have a local sponsor. Also as a local you earn more money than foreigners. I found that really odd, coming from Europe.

I have miles to go before I sleep...