10:37 PM
hampton
I always look forward to seeing how other countries and cultures celebrate holidays. At the outset, you may not expect an Islamic state to observe Christmas, but we must remember that mainstream Christmas has been come less about any particular religious event and more about commercial prosperity.
And nothing says commercial prosperity better than Dubai! (I mean owing* 116% of your GDP is totally prosperous, right? Right.) Arriving at Dubai's Terminal 3 really shouted "Welcome to a New Year" with its golden palm trees and three-story fountains and waterfalls. The baggage claim was tastefully decked out with the familiar, traditional Christmas tree. As I waited for my bags, I snapped this picture.
I'm telling you now: Flat screen TVs are replacing ornaments next Christmas. Dubai is always on the cutting edge.
Even the hotel in Sharjah was in the Christmas spirit. We've been Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas with blaring soundtracks in all of the public spaces. And I simply cannot get over the delightful use of garland in the dining room. Someone should get these people to write a decorating blog. (Because someone sitting in the 31548 simply does not have enough of those in her bookmarks.)
Whose money is on them keeping this up year round?
Yes, Christmas spirit abounds in the UAE -- even 12 days after Christmas. With decorations, music, and cheer like this, there's no way the Emirates won't prosper this year.
The Burj Khalifa rings in the New Year with a stunning three-minute display of fireworks. Gridlocked attendees abandoned their cars in order to get closer to the spectacle. The fireworks were also accompanied by 287 EMS calls in less than 6 hours. Apparently, people that couldn't score parking spaces couldn't handle walking from farther away.
*Morgan Stanley estimate from 2009
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