Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And in my experience, the people of Dubai are far more tolerant of other cultures than many conservative Americans.
Originally Posted By jonvn Well, not entirely. Becaues the entire region is unstable and dangerous. Not all of Europe was unstable and dangerous, and it was a fixable situation. What is going on in the mideast is not. While I'm sure they are putting up a very nice facade for the tourists there, it's a very dangerous area. And I can't imagine this development not being a major target for terrorism by the crazies who hate the other crazies down there. Why would you want to vacation in the middle of a hornet nest? I think I'd rather visit somewhere else.
Originally Posted By jonvn "the people of Dubai are far more tolerant of other cultures" I would suspect that may be true. Conservative Americans are extremely intolerant of just about everyone except themselves. And they probably aren't too sure about that, either.
Originally Posted By jonvn Oh, I don't mean to be a debbie downer all the time. I'm sure it'll be fine. I just wouldn't go, and probably would not be welcome, anyway. They don't like my kind.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo What is your kind jon? I was a little nervous (we had a leadership conference for work, followed by a 3 day break where they invited spouses as well). I had all these preconcieved ideas that were all wrong. It felt more like if you took the vib of It's a Small World, Beverly Hills, Vegas and a bouduin culture and mix it together. It was fabulous!
Originally Posted By dshyates I'd go to Dubai in a heartbeat if I could afford it. I can't even afford the airfare much less do anything when I get there.
Originally Posted By jonvn The kind they don't like. Be that as it may, I would not travel to a country that is basically not free in any case.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo funny, it felt like there was more freedom in dubai than in the US. Also, what do you mean by the type they do not like? And dsyates, once you get out there, Dubai is pretty cheap. A bottle of water runs about 30 cents, lunch for 2 including fresh watermelon juice, $5. Entrance to museums - $2. Water taxi for 30mins, $10. 5star hotel room with butler service - $200 a night.
Originally Posted By leemac <<It was fabulous!>> Really Dave? I've had the misfortune to spend about 9 months out there for work over the past few years and I absolutely detest the place. I have never been to such a phoney place in my life - it makes Vegas look like Paris. The traffic is appalling - I'd rather be stuck on the commute from Glendale down to DLR on the 5. It just assimilates every other culture whilst suppressing its own (or ripping it out like all of the old souks that are now only found in Old Dubai). The weather is repressive - hot and very humid coupled with the disgusting smog of LA in the 80s. All of the hotels are completely soulless. The architecture is bland and homogenous. I honestly don't have a single positive thing to say about the place. Not one. I've got another few trips out there before the end of April and I dread it every time. Thank God I have a TDR trip coming up in three weeks. That will literally save my sanity.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well perhaps it's one of those things that a brief visit, compared to an extended stay makes a difference. I love that they are taking chances, in the vein of Walt's view of Epcot. The US seems to have cut back dramatically in that regard, and so too has Europe in that regard. I like mega building projects, and for that reason, Dubai facinates me.
Originally Posted By jonvn Gee, Lee, it's the stinking Persian Gulf! It's not exactly the world's garden spot.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I love that they are taking chances>> The thing is that I don't think they are taking chances. All of the architecture is entirely uninspiring and typically has been cloned from other locations. It is homogenized to ensure it can all be built quickly and easily. The Jumeirah resorts are the sole exceptions but they only number three (the Burj al Arab, Jumeirah Beach and Madinat). The remainder of the hotels, condo blocks and countless malls are so similar it is easy to confuse them. Take a look at the Dubai Marina disaster to see that - every skyscraper looks the same and they are literally right next door to each other casting shadows over everything. The real trendsetter in UAE is Abu Dhabi - Sadiyaat Island is an intriguing proposition if it is pulled off. Also Norman Foster is building an eco-suburb that is absolutely fascinating. All I can say is that I'll be glad when our attention to international expansion is not UAE and Shanghai.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ok, things sound like they have changed a bit then. We were there about 4 years ago. What I saw then was fab.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ It is the traffic that erks me the most. It took 3 1/2 hours once to go about ten miles. If it wasn't still 45 degrees Celsius out I would have walked. The infrastructure just hasn't kept up with the development. They are building a massive metro link but it simply runs alongside the main highway that runs parallel to the coastline. Madness. I would happily take being stuck on the 5 in OC over Dubai any day - and that is saying something in my book!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh dear, it wasn't that bad when we were there. That's a shame. As for I5 in the OC, it was still better than the M25!
Originally Posted By dshyates "The real trendsetter in UAE is Abu Dhabi - Sadiyaat Island is an intriguing proposition if it is pulled off. Also Norman Foster is building an eco-suburb that is absolutely fascinating. All I can say is that I'll be glad when our attention to international expansion is not UAE and Shanghai. " So Lee, spill the beans about Disney UAE. We know they are seeking approval in Shanghai, but UAE? Also, it smells more like Disney Abu Dahbi than Disney Dubai. We promise to keep it secret.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ No comment. And you are wrong about Shanghai. I wouldn't believe everything that some low-level civil servant releases to the Chinese media.
Originally Posted By dshyates OK, no Shanghai. But (wink, wink) mums the word on the new Disney Abu Dahbi.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< They don't like my kind. >>> <<< What is your kind jon? >>> I think he means the Jewish kind. Interestingly, the UAE is perhaps the most progressive of the Muslim nations in the region in this regard. In many nations, Jews are prohibited, and even non-Jews whose passports show travel to Isreal are denied entry. In fact the US State Department will issue US citizens a second passport for this reason: one for travel to Israel, and the regular one for everywhere else so that the regular one won't show Israeli entry/exit stamps. Also, many nations in the region have almost Soviet-style visa requirements, requiring that you have a sponsor or organized tour group of some sort in order to get a visa. But the UAE reformed and got rid of all that nonsense. Citizens of many countries, including the US, can just show up and be admitted upon arrival without any advance visa, sponsor, or other paperwork, and stay for up to 60 days. And, they don't care if you're Jewish, and they don't care if you've been to Israel. The only people they don't allow are actual citizens of Israel traveling on an Israeli passport.
