Soapbox Post

First Impression

From the plane, smog clouded the view of the city.  I was disappointed though I knew beforehand how much pollution this city generates.  I didn't expect so much smog cover but still the tall skyscrapers greeted us from below.  Upon arrival, the Arabic language greeted us as well with instructions on the plane.  After that, English and Arabic were like partners, always appearing together.  The English language, luckily for us, is quite common, as expected. 

Second First Impression

I quickly forgot my disappointment about the smog.  Thinking back to the first day we arrived, driving to the Emirates Academy where we are staying, my first impression of the city itself was that of any metropolitan city in the US.  That is until I began to see the buildings in detail up close.  Every tall building has its own personality and it is portrayed by the exciting architecture.  There is not one building boring to look at when you look to the sky.  Everything here is "larger than life."  At night, everything is mesmerizing!  Can you say GLAMOUR?  I am amazed each day and I know this is not my last stay in this city, inshallah. 

Beginnings

Not long after our arrival at the academy, we were lucky enough to be introduced to some very nice people who are local to Dubai, studying at the academy and we were shown the area near our temporary home.  We're directly in from of the Burj Al Arab, which sits on the ocean.  Along the coast are beautiful hotels and touristic developments that are just very pleasant to explore (as much as allowed).  Our first night here we experienced a nearby hotel.  Outside were restaurants and bars surrounding a small creek, I guess you could call it, across which you can take a boat ride.  The place reminded me of a mini-Venice.  It was very lovely.

Shock?

The expected culture shock passed me by.  It hits me once in a while that I am in the Middle East but most of the time I feel as if I'm somewhere close to home.  There is plenty of green grass out here which lessens the feel of the desert.  It makes me think of the golf courses back home.  I'm not sure how sustainable this can be but that is my environmentalist view surfacing.  The weather!  Can't forget the weather.  It's perfect, a little chilly at night, but over all oh so pleasant.  The breeze is soothing.  However, I keep being reminded that we are here at a very good time because in just a few months, temperatures shoot up to scorching!  Nevertheless, I am falling in love with the “City of Gold” more each day.