Currently, a major theme park project is under construction in Dubai. Dubailand is an amusement park to top of all amusement parks. It is twice the size of Disney World and is projected to be the largest tourist attraction on Earth. 200,000 visitors are expected to visit Dubailand every day.
The project was announced in 2003 and is constantly being improved and changed as construction continues. About $55 billion has been spent so far on Dubailand construction. Currently, there are 22 projects under construction.
Luxury Bus Stations
It may seem like everything in Dubai is luxurious. From police cars to shopping malls to bus stops, there is a widespread aesthetic of wealth and opulence in Dubai. While you might not pay much attention to the bus stops around you in Dubai, bus stops are not only closed off from the elements but are completely air-conditioned. While this may seem excessive, it is actually an important safety feature due to the intensely high temperatures Dubai can reach.
Due to it being surrounded by a desert, Dubai reaches unbelievable temperatures. It isn’t that uncommon for highs to climb above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Waiting for the bus can be a very uncomfortable and even dangerous experience. At the very least, it will leave you incredibly sweaty. If you are young, elderly, or have a health condition, taking the bus and waiting in the heat could cause a serious issue for you. It’s great that Dubai has come up with a solution so that their public transportation is more accessible and more comfortable.
Camel Here, Camel There, Camel Everywhere
Camels are an important part of everyday life in Dubai. They’re used for much more than racing and are actually an integral part of the economy. At the market you can buy camel milk as well as camel meat, however, it is difficult to find camel meat at restaurants in Dubai.
Not only are there camel races and camel food items, but also just outside the city limits of Dubai you can go on amazing camel safaris. Camel safaris are a great way to expose you to life outside the city and to see how the Bedouins live their daily lives in the hot desert heat. You get to ride a camel during these excursions as well as participate in fun activities such as bread making, sheesha, and henna. And don’t forget to grab some souvenirs! You can buy camel milk chocolate during these safaris to bring home to your friends and family. Talk about exploring Camel-lot!
Tourism Causes Culture Clash
Muslim culture in the Middle East encourages women to dress modestly and cover most of their bodies in public. Dubai is ruled under Muslim law and many women do practice a modest way of dressing there. However, due to the heavy amount of tourism in Dubai, there is a certain amount of tolerance for foreign cultures and less modest ways of dressing.
If you do visit Dubai though, it is strongly recommended that you dress modestly. It is important to show respect to the places you are visiting and to try not to cause anyone to become offended or uncomfortable. Though the city tolerates foreigners who dress less conservatively than natives, it helps to be considerate. The city of Dubai is a melding of Western modalities and conservative Islamic beliefs. This melding will likely continue as Dubai builds more and more tourist attractions every year.
Being Too Handsome Can be a Problem
Omar Borkan Al Gala, a journalist from Dubai, had to leave Saudi Arabia because he was too handsome. Authorities were concerned because they believed this handsome UAE reporter had the potential to corrupt naïve and impressionable women at the annual Janadriyah Festival, a cultural festival that lasts two weeks every year in Saudi Arabia.
The handsome Al Gala had been a successful male model and as he made efforts to perform his job as a reporter at the festival, more and more girls began to recognize him. The female admirers asked for Al Gala’s autograph and photo. Things started off slowly but quickly escalated until female fans completely surrounded Al Gala. The authorities noticed and intervened, asking Al Gala not only to leave the festival but also not to return to Dubai altogether.