Dubai

This entry will be void of photos as I recount our few hours in Dubai.  I usually do not use my IPad for anything other than reading....I know 'over kill'.  When I travel (and I had to travel very light with personl items this trip) I have to IPad it.  This long trip is going to force me into using more of tools that this was designed for.

Dubai...the last place I ever wanted to visit.  However, I rarely turn down an offer for a new experience.  One never knows the 'why of an invitation' or the 'why God might direct you to a place or activity' or the 'what might I miss out on if I decline'.  In this case the air fare to Zambia required that we choose Emerits via Dubai.  The journey to this place was decided for me.

One very important  thing I often forget is that ones perception is not always reality.  At this ripe old age of 65 I still am in awe of how much I must learn and process to be honest in my dealings of life.

Some observations of this adventure so far:
1. Dubai has become the center of the world.
2. Dubai is a very long, long way from the United States of America. 13 + hours from Chicago.
3. Emerits airlines is amazing!  Even coach (back of the bus, for class is noted in this world, even for us Americans who think otherwise) was incredible.  The flight attendants are all beautiful and groomed to their standards.  The male attendants (few) are equally well groomed.
    a. Sub point, the restrooms are maintained through out the flight!!!!!  Bonus!
    b. Jet Blue partner...lots of goodies and satellite viewing of just about everything!
4. If you have been in Texas you know 'Big' is the by-word.  If you have been in Los Vegas, you know over the top is the norm.  If you have been on any Disney property you know amazing is the norm.  This pretty much sums up Dubai for me.   Our taxi driver who shuttled Don and I from the hotel to the heart of the city commented to our amazement, "it is all fake".  It was built from the desert and with out money it will go back to being just that.
5.  As far as airports go and that I have experienced, Dubai's is massive, opulent and down right jaw dropping. It is a city within the city.
6. The Dubai Mall is a shoppers, entertainment seekers and foodies dream.  From an American perspective, there is not an upscale store missing.  Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Sushi, Texas Roadhouse, 5 Guys, Gino's Pizza to name a few restaurants you might know abound.  Of course Starbucks (no free wifi :( ), etc.  Ice Rink (in the desert), theaters, waterfalls, fountains abound.
Stores that I need to move the decimal point 6 places to the left before I could consider purchasing anything also abound.
7. For the moment all religion is tolerated but Islam is dominant

So, to sum up a million of my thoughts: From a worlds perspective and observing mans efforts Dubai is impressive.  To sum up God's thoughts on mans work:

"What does it profit a man/women if he/she should gain the whole world but lose his/her soul" Mathew 16:26 Bible  Mark  8:36 Bible    Luke 9:25 Bible

Do not lay up for yourselves treasure here on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Mathew 6:19-21 Bible