Helen Stratford

When you arrive in Dubai during the winter the temperature is between 20-25C. Still have not been there during the summer but I guess 50C summer is to stay at home a “the opposite of Europe! Even so there is air conditioning in most places. One thing that surprised me was the weather sandstorms. Care must be taken when the wind blows the sand up and down the streets and the sky. The most incredible is that the city is a place that is growing fast and steadily, with cranes and construction across the landscape. The Occupying its own building world’s tallest, Burj Dubai is almost finished and the Dubai Mall with over 1200 shops, aquariums, ice rinks … The Mall of Emirates with ski trail also shows the appearance of the fast growing city. For me there are two Dubais.

First a Viejo Dubai, with its souks and markets that show the traditional city. Then there is the most shining and new Dubai, shopping malls, and restaurants. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but both are genuine and Dubai real, just different. The United Arab Emirates are a new country and a lot of development has been since the discovery of oil in the ’50s and the unification of the Emirates in the early 70s. This is how both the Governor has decided to continue with development from the skyscrapers until there is something for everyone. Abu Dhabi has an incredible development plan and will build a Louvre museum (affiliated to that of Paris), a Guggenheim, and a theater … He wants to differentiate itself becoming the cultural capital of the country. The Emirates Palace Hotel deserves to be seen and non-Muslim people can visit the great mosque that has guided tours at 10 every day except Friday. The souk in Shangri-La has many restaurants and bars overlooking the water at the mosque, and Constance, of course!