Notes from Dubai

As much as we wanted today to go quickly, we are now wishing someone could just bring Addis to us here.  This place is incredible. 

No stone went unturned when building this city.  We spent a good part of the afternoon relaxing by the pool.  Then we made our way over to the Dubai Mall, which was very impressive.  I am not typically a mall walker, but today I was.  What was our first stop when we finally figured out how to get into the mall?  You would be right if you said the Gap.  We flew 8,000 miles to shop at the Gap. 

We strolled through the mall before heading to the top of the Burj Khalifa.  I am glad to report that I was able to navigate the outdoor viewing area on my own two feet.  I am not a big fan of heights, but I conquered the world's tallest building. 

You might get two different answers if you ask Sara and I what the coolest part of the mall was. 

I would say the huge fish tank in the middle of the mall.

Sara would say the huge candy store across the way from the huge fish tank in the middle of the mall. 

Can you see the shear joy on her face as she is attempting to shift my attention from the fish to the candy?

Before I saw the sign saying that you couldn't take pictures in the store, I snapped a quick shot of a little slice of heaven.

Our only strategic error of the day was our choice for dinner.  TGI Fridays.  Why did we eat at TGIF when there were 30 other options?  I am wondering the same thing.  But if that is the only error we made all day, I can live with that.  Speaking of Fridays, one of the servers asked us where we were from and we said the United States.  He then asked where so we told him we lived in Kentucky.  He thought for a minute and said, "Oh, KFC!"  The Colonel is well known even in the middle east.

After our trip to the mall and to the top of the Burj we took in the fountain show right outside of both buidlings.  I caught it on video but my battery is running too low to upload it right now.  Hopefully later.  Picture the fountains at the Bellagio in Vegas, only better.

Here is the building that we scaled today.

Our alarm is set for 4:30am tomorrow, we arrive at the airport around 6:00 and hope that we don't get charged for having too much luggage.  The issue on the way here was that in New York, the airline told Sara her carryone was too big, so we are going to do our best to get it on the plane without paying the stiff fee.  Cross your fingers.

Addis, here we come.