Christmas in the UAE

This is my 6th year of spending Christmas in the UAE.

I always have this vision in my head that spending Christmas back home will definitely make me feel homesick and I will eventually find it hard to bring myself back here in the UAE to work. So to avoid that feeling, I always end up deciding not to go home.

It is not so bad really.

I mean, the malls now have Christmas trees, Santa Claus (even the elves!) and the whole shebang. I guess this is a way to thank the expatriates who have made their country where it is now. A nice gesture indeed... I am not sure if they were the first Gulf country to do it but to welcome other people's beliefs and traditions (especially) can be a big step.

The government and the leaders in this country are trying to make the tourists including the expatriates feel 'at home'. Indeed, for some (like me), the UAE has become our second home - a country hopeful that big things come in small packages :)

Merry Christmas everybody!!

Burj Dubai

Image by uniquebuildings via Flickr

After suffering a hard blow from the economic crisis, Dubai is trying to revive itself by continuing projects that can boost the country's tourism and finance industry.

First, the city launched the Dubai Metro with a slogan 'My City, My Metro'. Second, they are now trying to complete another historical landmark that will definitely bring more revenue for the country - BURJ DUBAI.

According to the Arabianbusiness.com, the exterior of Burj Dubai is coming together as the contractor will now be installing the final sets of the cladding and glass panel to complete the exterior of the Burj.

Having stayed in Dubai for a long period of time, I have seen the start and (hopefully) the completion of the Burj and the development around it.

I know this will cause great pride to Sheikh Maktoum and to the Emiratis as well.

There were news reports early July 2009, that the Burj was suppose to be completed at the same time the metro was opened but as Emaar Properties said, they cannot afford to let any important detail / information slide which can cause for this great achievement to be put into waste.

I agree.

Currently, the expected completion date for the Burj is on December 2009 - all set for the celebration of the New Year.


All we can do is wait and see.