The UAE caught me by surprise for many reasons. My first impression was that it had the glitz of Las Vegas on the scale of New York City.
The metro stations are as elegant as 5 star hotel lobbies. The trains are driverless allowing for you to sit in the front and watch out the windshield. There are separate sections for women, and the trains are spotless. Not a sign a graffiti or scratched glass. There are helpful signs reminding you of good etiquette like not standing in front of the door when people are getting off. Eating food, smoking cigarettes, and chewing gum are not allowed. All of the stations and bus shelters in town are air conditioned. All stops are called out in Arabic and English. I was astounded that a country whose economy was founded on oil had invested in an all electric metro system.
To be fair, it’s necessary. In this city of 2 million, the traffic is pretty bad. Like Las Vegas, there are large boulevards crammed with cars using the one main thoroughfare through town. Unlike Vegas, however, the streets are clean, and I didn’t see a single homeless person.
The UAE has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in the world, and I was impressed by the inspirational quotes that were written on their more impressive buildings. Clearly this is a country that believes in investing in people. And not just its people. Some quotes talked of the importance of bringing in foreign ideas. And this shows in the religious and cultural tolerance of the UAE. The UAE doesn’t discourage immigrants. In facts it encourages immigration in order to grow both in resources and talent.
Social life seems to revolve around the shopping malls. This is a country that measures its malls in millions of square feet; its largest an impressive 12 million square feet. Every American chain seems to be represented, including a Tim Hortons from Canada. I find it ironic that there are so many places to shop as most of the Emirates dress in traditional clothing. I could only picture them walking around in the privacy of their homes wearing Levis cutoffs, H&M shirt, and Converse low tops.
Many Americans are hesitant about telling people in the middle east where they are from, but I found every time I told people I was from America, their faces would light up, and they would tell me they would love to visit America. I didn’t have the heart to tell them they’ve already recreated it exactly, if not better. The only thing they’re lacking is mountains, but they’ve managed to recreate that in their indoor ski slope at the Mall of the Emirates. I actually visited this thing and it’s a pretty good facsimile of a ski resort including chair lifts, a bobsled track and inner tubes. And it gets more snow than Colorado!
I learned that the UAE has always worked on preserving its resources. They have desalination plants to provide them with water. They even have a green city that is completely off the grid producing its own power through wind and solar. It is a pedestrian only city with shops, office space, and residential units all integrated into a walkable distance. If you do need to travel further, there are automated personal electric cars to take you to other parts of the city. You just step in, select your destination on a touch screen, and the vehicle automatically takes you there on the most efficient route possible. Here’s a nation that is preparing for a future without oil.
The most enjoyable thing I did while there was to visit a wildlife preserve they were developing. The government was aware of a migratory flyway between Russia and Asia in the skies above them, so they re-channeled one of the local waterways to provide a resting place for the traveling birds. Now it is filled with all kinds of exotic species, including two varieties of flamingo.
For me, the UAE was a little too much like America at this point in my travels, but I think it would make a great substitute if you are in this part of the world and looking to get a little feel for home. And honestly, I think they’ve out Americaned us.