Why Dubai? Why not?

I have recently been asked by several people this question: Why are you traveling to Dubai?  I find this interesting, especially since the question has been followed up by opinions about the region that are generally unflattering.  If the purpose of travel is to open our hearts and minds, and to understand the people with whom we share this amazing planet, then the question becomes....Why not?  I have never had the opportunity to visit a Muslim country and this is an amazing chance for heart/mind opening.

The short and easy answer, really, is that I did not choose this destination.  As a person who works in the tourism industry as a travel advisor, it is my job to see as much of this planet first hand as my schedule and budget will allow.  Experiencing as many destinations as possible provides me with the ability to advise my clients with a wisdom that no amount of Googling and guide reading can provide.  (And to answer another question that usually goes unasked - No, I do not get to travel for free - those days are long gone, although the travel agent/advisor is still here and serving the needs of novice and seasoned travelers alike....but I digress!)

My upcoming trip to South Africa is sponsored by the South African Tourism Board and Emirates Air. Emirates Air is based in the United Arab Emirates. The cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi provide excellent airport facilities and accommodations for a stopover to break up long haul travel.  Here is a link to the map and the greater gulf region (notice the close proximity to Iran which looms large in UAE history and culture)...UAE and the Persian Gulf. I will be flying to Dubai, stopping over for 3 days, then continuing to my main destination for two weeks. I am extremely grateful to Emirates Air and SATB for giving me the opportunity to experience both of these destinations.

So, in order to shed some light on the region, I've done some research and encourage you to follow these links.  Thank you for taking a look at these, and for following me in my upcoming travels.

• Brittanica.com...a background on the land, people, economy, history and culture....United Arab Emirates

• A history of the UAE from the Cultural Division of the UAE embassy in Washington, D.C....http://www.uaecd.org/uae-history

• A link to the newspaper, The National,  about media freedom in the UAE....The National - UAE

• A fascinating podcast from Krista Tippett of OnBeing (if you are not familiar with Krita Tippett do yourself a favor, follow the link, and spend some time with this amazing woman) in an interview with Reza Aslan about the cauldron of Islamic reformation which is not new and has actually been underway for the last 100 years, the violent results of which we are witnessing today as the process unfolds....Islam's Reformation

And, finally, an Islamic quote...yes, I choose to travel, even (or perhaps especially) to places that might be challenging.  It's good for the soul and fatal to prejudice (that last bit is from Mark Twain, who, last time I checked, was not a Muslim).