Dubai

So I purposely looked for air travel that would give me a long layover in Dubai opposed to doing multiple flights (which cost more). After the initial panic about a hotel room, and the dubious thought of carting my carryons around and spending the night awake at the airport (which I have done in the past--ugh), I arrived at The Dream Palace. My taxi ride was interesting in that I rode with the Ladies Taxi service. Pleasant enough people and given my propensity for supporting the underdog (in a patriachical society), I asked them to also pick me up in the morning (which they apparently forgot about--thanks Jassmina).

Dubai is tall and interestingly shaped buildings--lots of them. There are two commerce centers; one around the city center and the other near The Palm. I have lots of pictures taken from the Metro and some from my sore footed walk around and around and around. It's hard to be safe when you're constantly looking up so I was a bit slow going. Back on the Metro to the Mall of the Emirates. It seemed poetic to visit given that I've been to the Mall of America. Prices are enormous compared to India. Although I expected it I still kept being caught at figuring the exchange wrong. So I now have some figurines that cost 13USD that are worth maybe 5. Oh well, it was all about the experience. Turns out that the airport duty free was actually cheaper than the stores at the Mall--yes I did buy more stuff--and got to wander around more---poor feeties.