Christmas In Dubai?

 

So I went off the deep end and decided to take a teaching job in Dubai.  In the Middle East where there are very few Christians and most people are Islamic.

 

Since this is an Arab country and Islamic is practiced here by the native people, Christmas should not have been a big deal.  In fact, Christmas should not have been celebrated or recognized by the State in any big way.  I thought Christmas would be low key even here in Dubai. 

 

How wrong I was!!!

 

I learned a couple of things this Christmas season in Dubai.  Here is what I learned:

 

1.  Christmas is big in Dubai.  It is huge.  Every place is decked out in holly.  The malls, hotels, and stores are all decorated for Christmas.  This seemed a little hypocritical to me.  Until #2 was really cemented for me.

 

2.  Dubai is about appearances and money.  Anything that makes a great appearance is used to advantage.  After all many expats live in Dubai and they celebrate Christmas so Dubai puts on a big show for them. 

 

3. Anything that will generate money is used to generate money.  Christmas generates money due to the large international population that exists in the city.  So, Christmas it is.

 

4.  Christmas is huge in Dubai.  Huge trees, huge ornaments, huge productions, huge advertising.

 

5.  You can buy real Christmas trees and wreathes in Dubai.  I have no idea where they come from but you can get; along with turkeys and hams.  (Of course if you want a ham you have to go into the Pork:  non-Muslim section of the store to order and buy your ham, but you can get them.)

 

6.  Christmas music is even played in Dubai on the English speaking radio channels. 

 

7.  Christmas lights are not called Christmas lights - they are called Fairy Lights here.  Really Christmas lights are Christmas lights.  If you're going to have Christmas trees for sale; then you have Christmas lights for sale.

 

8.  Christmas time is another time for parties.  Hey, any excuse is a good excuse for getting together and having some snacks and drinks.

 

9.  Christmas is Christmas where ever you go in the world. 

 

10.  Again, Dubai is about appearances and money; however even those 2 items cannot take away from the true meaning of Christmas.

 

11.  Christmas is Christmas, and it is about the life and sacrifice of Christ; and giving to others.  No money and bling can not take away the true meaning of Christmas.

 

12.  Muslim country or not, Christmas, even though it was nice to see the trimmings, is still Christmas and yes,  it should be celebrated in the correct way.

 

Christmas in Dubai was like Christmas in Colorado.  I was able to reflect on the true meaning, and share with others. 

 

 





Run, Run, Run Away

Run, Run, Run Away

 

 

"Choose wisely,"  state the ancient knight standing at the entry.

 

I think I did make a wise choice. 

 

At the end of November we received great news at work.  Our 3 day weekend was suddenly expanded to a 4 day weekend, and I decide to run away from Dubai on the spur of the moment.

 

One of the reasons that I made this International move was to get some traveling under my belt.  So, when I had the chance I decided to take it.  But where to go. . . . Somewhere close:  Egypt, Morocco (which is actually 9 hrs. away), or Jordan.  Uhm.  After some quick deep contemplating I decided on Jordan.

 

Why Jordan?  It is only 2 1/2 hours away, easy to get to, and Petra is there.  Made my decision and went to the travel agency and set up preliminary plans.  I paid for the flight, transfers from and to the airport, and for 3 nights at the Movenpic in Petra.  All I had to do was to pack on go.

 

I was a little apprehensive about this trip.  It would truly be the first solo trip that I would make for years.  I have traveled by myself before, but I have always met up with others at the other end.  The first solo trip in many, many years.  I was a little nervous about this solo trip, but I moved forward.

 

I caught a late flight out of Dubai to Amman, Jordan.  Arrived in Jordan in the early morning and then faced a 3 hour transfer to Petra.  While I was being driven to Petra by the driver I thought this guy could try and rape me or kill me and dump my body in the desert never to be found again.  I kept telling myself I'm a 2nd degree black belt and can protect myself.  No worries; my faith in the goodness of people won out.  In fact the driver who took me to Petra became my personal driver/guide for the rest of my trip.

 

The Movenpic at Petra.  What a fantastic hotel.  I fell in love with place.  Maybe I just fell in love with Petra.  The entire place was magical.

 

After getting a couple hours of sleep.  I ate breakfast and walked to Petra for the day.  Yes, walked.  The entrance to Petra was right outside the hotel entrance. 

 

I decide to pay for a guide to show me around for the first  3 hours of my visit.   I received a personal tour and history of Petra to myself.  I did the whole horse ride and walk through the Sig.  Walking through the Sig is the only way to enter Petra. 

 

How to describe Petra - magical, amazing, interesting, mind boggling?  I don't think words can describe the feeling of the place.  It was incredible.  Very place I turned there was something to see; everywhere I hiked there was a vista of awe.  O.K. O.K.  so you get the picture.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

 

For 2 days I hiked my butt off.  Up this mountain of stairs and then another mountain of stairs. Over this ruin and that ruin.  My treat for the day eating the dried dates and nuts I took from the breakfast buffet and drinking freshly squeezed orange juice inside the ancient city of Petra.  My legs were sore and I was covered with dust every night.  I was exhausted, but a good physical exhausted due to all of the walking and hiking.  I would go back and do it all again. 

 

On my last at Petra I went up the lounge at the top.  I sat and watched the sun set while I drank some wine.  It was a great way to end my Petra experience.

 

The 3rd day of my trip found me in Rum Wadi exploring the desert, visiting Lawrence of Arabia's Cave (I'm sure one of many caves that have that claim), and riding a camel.  It was an eventful day running up and down sand dunes which is harder than it looks.

 

My last day I toured Jersha, an ancient Roman city, a castle, and then found myself back on a plane to Dubai with an early morning arrival and work waiting for me.

 

Did I choose wisely?  Yes, without a doubt I chose wisely.  Some of the pictures can be seen on Facebook.  Enjoy. 

 

More to adventures to come.