Dubai.. "The New Arabia"

Dubai is the world renown capital of the "New Arabia," for it's glitz, glamour, and constant strive to be the biggest, fastest and strongest. Being the first stop on my Arabian tour however, I was left with a great sense of disappointment. At no point in Dubai did I feel like I was in Arabia at all, but rather in an over the top westernized urban shopping center.

Even with an obviously increased presence of Islamic men wearing long white throbe's and women in burqa's among other uniquely Islamic dress, the majority of the population of Dubai is foreign. Hindi's make up the majority of the population with the rest of the majority being from Asia and Europe.

The increased presence of Mosque's is the only other major change. They even appear to far out number the seemingly endless churches in Latin American nations. There is never a point where minarets (mosque towers) and their associated domed prayer halls are not in sight. Even at gas stations there are minature ones for your on the go the Muslim to visit during call to prayer.

However, like any major city the architecture alone is something to be uniquly admired. With the Burj Khalifa standing at a world record 828 meters, it is the center point of modern Islamic and world architecture. It shadows over a large reflection pool which hosts a fountain and light show that makes Las Vegas' Bellagio fountain show appear timid. Connected to the Burj Kalif is the Dubai Mall, fully equipped with cinemas, an ice skating rink, aquarium, not 1 but 2 waterfalls with life size statues of men jumping off, the largest food court I've ever seen and nearly any store you could want.

The city is filled with smaller but equally unique in design skyscrapers, including the famed luxury hotel, the Burj Al Arab. The major problem like any city however, does appear to be money. Next to every already complete skyscaper seems to be 2 more incomplete construction project. At what point does a city say enough is enough?