Merging

“I set out alone … Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me and a desire long-cherished in my bosom to visit these sanctuaries. So I … quit all my dear ones, female and male … and forsook my home as birds forsake their nests.”  - Ibn Batuta

Ibn Batuta was a Moroccan explorer who traveled through countless corners of the Eastern world and documented his travels in a book called “Rihla,” (ain't got nothing on this blog though) which is translated to mean “journey.” It seemed appropriate to include an epigraph of his sayings considering the sights I've seen the past few days.  

One of the most evident qualities of the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, is the collection of cultures and attractions from all over the world into one place. The Ibn Batuta Shopping Center in Dubai has woven this quality into the foundation of the building. Each court of the building is designed to resemble a different part of the world that was visited by Ibn Batuta, and therefore combines different elements of each culture, including art, food, and architecture. The Egyptian Court is embellished with hieroglyphics and leads into the Andalusia Court with tall palm trees and a ceiling that depicts a cloudy sky, making it seem as if one is standing outside. The Andalusia Court then opens up into the Persian Court with towering archways, lantern shaped chandeliers, and blue tiles. Passed the Persian Court is the Indian Court with a towering elephantine statue and lanterns dashed with gold and red patterns. The final court was the Chinese Court where red lanterns hung from every corner and a giant ship stood in the center mounted upon make-shift boulders and a large fountain. The center was designed so that walking through each court of the building was like walking through a passage into the Oriental past.

After just a short time of being in the country, it became clear that the Emirates pride itself in breaking records.  Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and twinkles with bright silver lights that shimmer up and down the building. The tower faces a manmade waterfront supplied with natural water from the gulf wherein is placed the Dubai Fountain. As you can probably guess, the Dubai Fountain is the largest fountain in the world and shoots as high up as a 50 story building and dances to the sound of Arabian music. After waiting 30 minutes, we finally had the pleasure of watching the Fountain’s show and even caught a wave of mist despite the distance we were standing away from the platform facing the waterfront. And if the tallest building in the world and the largest fountain in the world aren't elaborate enough, a two story aquarium resides within the Dubai Mall which connects to the waterfront of the Dubai Fountain. An assortment of fish and sea life are housed within the Aquarium which domes and twists around so that a walkthrough allows one to feel as if they’re literally standing in the middle of the Ocean. The whole experience is incredible!

The last two sights explored during my time in Dubai were the Gold Souk and the Global Village. The Gold Souk was unlike any other place visited in Dubai. Tall skyscrapers were replaced with rusted shops and the paved streets lined with deliberate foliage merged into dirt roads and crammed sidewalks. The only thing that brought light to the dusty village was the shimmer of display cases featuring gold and diamonds of Indian, Palestinian, and traditional Arab design. Every corner of the market was filled with a sparkling item and a bargain. The Global Village was a completely different experience. Merchants from countries all over the world set up tents and displayed the hundreds of items they had imported to Dubai. The streets of the village were filled with trinkets from India, Kenya, Iran, Egypt, Brazil, Yemen, and countless other places. The pride of each nation was on display. Ivory elephant tusks were molded into household items and featured in the Kenyan market. Piles and piles of dates sat in baskets all around the Saudi carts and brightly patterned Belgium rugs covered the ground. And again it amazed me how people, food and goods from villages all over the world crammed into one village.

“Of all nations, of all tribes, of all people, of all tongues- before the throne stand myriads-of myriad coming from everywhere”

And to God be the Glory

Collisions

 The fourteen hour flight from New York to Germany to Dubai was tiring to say the least. After four meals of stale airplane meals and horrible films, landing was bliss, despite the fact that it was near 1 AM.Nonetheless, it was a smooth journey overall, with little challenges other than attempting to flush a German toilet.

My first day in Dubai began the same way as any other Arabday; it began with teas, fruits, and baked goods. The globe was presented to us in porcelain dishes, as the Green Tea was imported organically from China, crisp apples were imported over from Iran, and the baked goods had some French influence. The day progressed naturally with the same Arab tendency of gorging visitors with food; breakfast (or what I know as brunch) was served at around noon and included an assortment of domestic and international cheese selections, pastrami, omelets,and stuffed grape leaves. After drinking coffee in the veranda with the beautiful marina in view, we took a drive over to the Emirates Mall.

 
The Emirates Mall is among the largest and most lavish malls in the United Arab Emirates, and it is a place where cultures quite literally collide.UAE citizens are easy to spot in their white disdash (for men) and black abeya (for women), and foreignersare just as easy to identify with their casual shorts, T-shirts, and summerdresses.  Colliding cultures was not just a happening among people either; a walk through Carfourre, a supermarket of French origin, yielded rows and rows of produce from all over the world.  Spanish mandarins sat next to French chestnuts, which were housed near the Australian carrots, right alongside theEgyptian pomegranates and the South African avocados. It was amazing to see a piece of each country brought together in one place.

A walk along the second floor of the mall presented more traditional Arab and Eastern culture. A Persian carpet shop was adorned with elaborately printed rugs and ornate lamps and crystals hung from the ceilings. Right next door was the Jabber Gallery, where Arab and Oriental drawings and art were framed and proudly displayed. Meanwhile, people from all walks of life weaved in and out of each store. Arabs upon Asians upon Europeans flooded the halls of the mall.

After a quick cappuccino and pastry break (delicious caramel cheesecake and apple crumble), we went off to the Marina Walk, located in the New Dubai area where wealth and luxury are clearly imminent. Yachts freckled the Marina which stretches beyond 10 km and empties into the Ocean. The fruity aroma of shisha (Hookah) clouded the air as youth, men and women alike sat atlittle cafes, taking in the scenery and the water pipes. Tall residentialskyscrapers towered over the Marina, and stood as proud emblems of the creativearchitecture that dominates the Emirates. Each tower, more commonly known as a “borg”was brightly lit with different colors and beautifully designed. Some towers sported a traditional Arab dome at the very top, while others had uniquely different structures all together. One such tower, still under construction, is designed to spiral upwards. The entire building curves and twists and also towers over the Marina. 


All of these sites have been breathtaking to behold. The clash of people, the culinary experience, and the ornate architecture only scratch the surface of the country’s beauty. Its beauty also lies in the people’s endeavors towards safety and innovation and development. The country seems to constantly be growing and thousands upon millions of people are collectively working and striving to prosper the nation. The unity of the country, despite its many differences is beautiful in and of itself.

 






 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:24-25). And to God be the Glory.

Countdown

Every year, we approach the eve of the New Year withsentiments of thanksgiving, of joy, of celebration and hope. We ponder the happeningsof the fleeting year we leave behind (often through griping Facebook statusupdates) and eagerly await a new one, one we hope will be filled with grace andgood things. So much so, we literally count down the minutes and the secondsand exclaim our happiness with shouts of joy, and express it with warm embracesamong our loved ones.

For me, another countdown begins. The countdown to my departureto a new place, filled with new people, new experiences, and new lessons to belearned. I count down until the days that will be spent basking in culture, andreveling in the wonders outside of the bustling city that knows no rest.  And I also count down the last few days andmoments spent with family and close friends.

So I say goodbye to 2012, truly thankful for everything itembodied, and I look forward to the events of 2013, firmly believing that theyare all in the hands of the One who fashioned my experiences before I livedthem. I wish everyone a truly blessed year, and as always, to God be the glory.