Report from Dubai - Day One

As some of you know, I am in Dubai attending a conference on Global Healthcare Expansion as a business development effort. There is a tremendous amount of growth in the hospital and primary care markets here in the MENA region (Middle East-North Africa) and I am using this congress as a test to determine if there is a place for the services my team provides.

What is more interesting, however, is the trip itself and as some requested, I hope to blog about it here.

I left New York yesterday on the morning flight to Paris, connecting there to Dubai. I must say that business class on Air France doesn’t suck. The food was quite good, the seating comfortable, and although I was working and did not take advantage of it there is a very good selection of on-demand films.

As much as I tried – took melatonin, used ear plugs and an eye shade – I just couldn’t fall asleep for more than a few minutes at a time on the second leg which was an overnight flight from Paris. Consequently I am now going on 24 hours without sleep and with the exception of a potential brief nap later this afternoon, I don’t expect to go to sleep for another 10 hours or so.

The first “a-ha” moment I had was towards the end of the flight as I watched our progress on the moving map. We flew right between Baghdad and Tehran – two places that I have known only through news reports, none of which made either city seem that inviting. The plane was equipped with an external camera which was way cool for watching take-off and landing, but which also provided a straight down view while in flight. Flying over Iraq and Iran, the landscape looked strangely like the American southwest from 39,000 feet.

I did a lot of research for my trip here, both on the business side, as well as the cultural. I picked up an excellent book – “Understanding Arabs” by Margaret Nydell – which proved to be an invaluable resource in terms of understanding the culture based on both a historical and modern perspective. Most importantly, it helps debunk myths regarding the differences between Muslims and Islamic Fundamentalists and also provides much great information on understanding the social and etiquette standards I expect to encounter.

Prior to coming, I had planned – if asked – to indicate that I am an agnostic as I had heard that Judaism is not respected here. The book, however, corrected me. Arab issues are with Israel – not Judaism. As a matter of fact, Islam is very closely aligned with Judaism and Muslims consider their religion to be much closer to Judaism than to Christianity. The other thing I learned is that Arabs do not respect atheists or agnostics as they believe that being religious – no matter what the religion – is something to be highly respected. I believe that if asked (which I probably won’t be anyway) I will likely respond that I am Jewish, from an Eastern European background.

Reading the book, however, could not have prepared me for my arrival in Dubai. The view from the plane reminded me partly of Elizabeth, NJ (a major port with container shipping quite evident) and partly the skyline of Shanghai. Here I was hoping for a culturally significant experience yet on the drive from the airport to my hotel (Hyatt Regency in Deira on the Corniche overlooking the Arabian Gulf – known in the US as the Persian Gulf). I felt instead that I could have been in Atlanta, L.A. or Miami Beach. The cars are big (mostly Toyotas, Hondas and BMWs including many SUVs), the streets wide, the buildings modern. Everything is in both Arabic and English though I think that there was more English than Arabic. Passed a Hardees and a Chili’s. Can’t escape American fast food. The only difference so far, is that when exiting the terminal at the airport, there is a separate “Ladies Waiting Area” emphasizing the fact that a woman’s role in Arab culture is still very different than Western cultures.

My room at the hotel was ready when I arrived at 9AM and I have been on-line dealing with e-mail since I checked in. As the conference starts tomorrow morning I plan to take a shower and head out in the immediate area this afternoon to check out the Gold Souk (market), Spice Souk, and take a boat ride across Dubai Creek to the Bur Dubai section of town. I plan to grab a shwarma for lunch and dinner will probably be at the hotel tonight in the revolving roof top restaurant. The views from the 25th floor are supposed to be spectacular and the international buffet pretty decent. Will report back soon. Ma’a ssalama (Goodbye) and a-salaam alaykum (Peace be upon you)!