OT. Dubai or not Dubai?

[CMcNeil]

The company I work for is building a chrome plating line for a company in the United Arab Emerites. We would have to go to Dubai for about 10-14 days to install,start up,and show the crew how the system works.I'm not a big fan of being an american in a middle eastern country.I know that the UAE is pretty friendly towards tourists and americans in general but I'm still concerned about my safety considering all the overall instability of that region of the world.I would love to see the Burj Khalifa,mall of the emerites, the indoor skiing facility at the mall,the palm islands,world islands,and any other things they have to offer.does anyone know if they have reefs in the gulf and diving.if you had the opportunity to go,would you?have any of you ever been to the UAE?if you have been there did you feel welcome and safe?this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to go to that part of the world and it would be my first international trip.thoughts?opinions? Am I just being paranoid?

 

[Tinpanva]

For me, no way in hell I'd pass up another trip to Dubai. Place is awesome, Qatar ain't bad either. Enjoy! Just do basic common sense stuff like using the buddy system, stay with groups if at all possible and don't wear stuff that screams USA like a big bright yankees teeshirt. Try not to stand out. I typically travel with a group of 4, we always stay together, where one goes, we all go.

 

[Mrs Postal]

Chris-GO!!! I went last year for 9 day and it was incredible! I felt totally safe(even walking the streets by myself and at night) and the people are just amazing. The UAE is the most tourist friendly of any the ME countries. Every American restaurant you can think of is there and the hotels are just amazing. I stayed at the Al Manzil in the Financial District. The Burj Khalifa was outside my hotel room and I was across from the Mall of Dubai. It was my first overseas trip(I don't count Canada and Mexico) too. The flight is long(14 hours from Dulles) but the international flights have bigger seats, more bathrooms and lots of movies. I took a Benedryl and put on my Pj's for the flight over. Slept for about 8 of those hours so all was good. It's an overnight flight so that helps and honestly, I never feared for my safety at all. You will be surprised at how welcome you feel there(after you get thru the airport because they can't crack a smile there at all). They are a late night partying kind of people. You can also drink in the hotels and the food was fantastic too. You aren't being paranoid but you really need to go! I have pics if you want to see them.

 

[CMcNeil]

For me, no way in hell I'd pass up another trip to Dubai. Place is awesome, Qatar ain't bad either. Enjoy! Just do basic common sense stuff like using the buddy system, stay with groups if at all possible and don't wear stuff that screams USA like a big bright yankees teeshirt. Try not to stand out. I typically travel with a group of 4, we always stay together, where one goes, we all go.

If I go it would only be two of us doing the install/operating process.

 

[rogergolf66]

I'll go in your place hack yes don't pass this up free trip to one of the coolest places on earth right now.

 

[sirrealism]

there is no way i would pass up a trip like that. To many never leave the country and dont know how the rest of the world really is other then TV. I have been to south america and would go again.

 

[CMcNeil]

Chris-GO!!! I went last year for 9 day and it was incredible! I felt totally safe(even walking the streets by myself and at night) and the people are just amazing. The UAE is the most tourist friendly of any the ME countries. Every American restaurant you can think of is there and the hotels are just amazing. I stayed at the Al Manzil in the Financial District. The Burj Khalifa was outside my hotel room and I was across from the Mall of Dubai. It was my first overseas trip(I don't count Canada and Mexico) too. The flight is long(14 hours from Dulles) but the international flights have bigger seats, more bathrooms and lots of movies. I took a Benedryl and put on my Pj's for the flight over. Slept for about 8 of those hours so all was good. It's an overnight flight so that helps and honestly, I never feared for my safety at all. You will be surprised at how welcome you feel there(after you get thru the airport because they can't crack a smile there at all). They are a late night partying kind of people. You can also drink in the hotels and the food was fantastic too. You aren't being paranoid but you really need to go! I have pics if you want to see them.

I have done international if you consider Jamaica (which I don't).I really think it would be a great opportunity for me since I don't ever see me having this chance again. I would definitely sleep since I have to take xanax to fly(I hate flying in general since I have no control).from what I've seen the flight times are anywhere from 18-23 hours depending on stops and layovers.it would be all expenses paid except for personal stuff like partying or souvenirs. I'm not sure but I think we would also get a special pay rate since we would be so far away.I really wish that if I go that I could find a way to bring my lady with me.she has already stated that she would love to go since for her it would also be a once in a lifetime chance.for her to go I would have to pay for her ticket myself and I don't think I could afford the ticket since I don't have $1200-1500 laying around right now.maybe by time we are ready to go I could swing the ticket.I suppose I could ask the boss to pay for it and let me pay him back.he has frequent flyer miles racked up so I'm sure he gets better deals on tickets.I know he just flew his family of 5 to Europe round trip for free because of his miles.

 

[CMcNeil]

I'll go in your place hack yes don't pass this up free trip to one of the coolest places on earth right now.

I really think I will end up going,its the initial fear of being so far from home in a foreign land that has me doubting going.how many times do people get an opportunity like this presented to them,most people would say never!most of my fears are based purely on it being a middle eastern country amd e being an american.if it was Saudi Arabia I would have already said no but UAE is different than Saudi and I know they are a very westernized country.

 

[Tinpanva]

Dude really, it's not bad at all and you would regret it for life if you didn't. I've done numerous international flights to several countries over there. Been in and out of Afghanistan so many times it's not even funny. This is what I do for a living, teaching security and safety to our staff, esp in this arena. You can always visit the Department of State website on international travel, they tell you the current warnings and give pointers. Don't hesitate, get those bags packed.

 

[Breadman03]

The company my Dad works for has had crews in Dubai for several years now, with some breaks. They send a group of people over for 3-6 months at a time, then send the next group with a couple days of overlap. I'm not aware of any incidents and my Dad loves it.

 

[Mrs Postal]

You can get a direct flight from Dulles. Don't do the layover..go Tampa to DC then Dubai. It is United.

 

[Ted_C]

I've travelled a lot for many companies - from Toronto to Budapest to Modena Italy (the company used to make frames for Ferrari's).

Absolutely go - it will definitely broaden your horizons. Remember too - if the place is really dangerous - US Companies are barred from doing business within that country.

 

[Milfordguy]

My general rule of thumb is to never pass up a chance to travel. The exception being if it is a paid trip, then you should NEVER pass up the chance.

Dubai seems to be a safe place to travel. If I were you I wouldn't hesitate twice to go on the trip.

As for bringing your female friend, all I would say is that regardless of your experience there, I wouldn't let that deter you from traveling in a different county. I would imagine traveling in the UAE for a female would be much different that traveling in other non Islamic countries.

Like I said I would imagine, I have never been to the UAE however, so I could be wrong.

 

[romeo1234_00]

I was there for a year while in the military. I was allowed to have a drivers license and drive about. I never felt threatened at all. I went scuba diving and drep sea fishing. Dubai was great.

 

[anbosu]

I am a relatively cautious traveler but I can't think of any reason to not go on the trip, especially since it's work related - they aren't going to put you up somewhere that isn't nice.

 

[snake1]

That's pretty cool I have seen some cool documentaries on Dubai especially the making of this man made island and the indoor ski park.....

 

[CMcNeil]

I told the boss today I'll go if he wants me too.so as of now I'm on the top of the list to go for the company.

 

[Coelli]

I have a friend from Germany who moved to Dubai a few years ago. She posts a lot of photos on Facebook and the difference in culture is pretty amazing. It makes me want to go, especially since she's kind of high rolling there so she's posting some really great stuff. I'd definitely go. I will say though that she wears a burka now and it's weird to me, because she had some pretty serious body modification going on with tattoos and piercings but now they're all covered up! You'd never know under the burka!

 

[supra400hptt]

Lived there for 7 months. Hot, but lots of cool things to see. I walked the streets at night by myself. Laws are really strict, never saw any crime.

 

[CMcNeil]

Lived there for 7 months. Hot, but lots of cool things to see. I walked the streets at night by myself. Laws are really strict, never saw any crime.

Good to know.I really am excited at the chance of being able to go now that I've heard stories from the people on this thread. I now just hope I am the one who gets to go and can find a way to bring my lady with me since I doubt I will ever get this opportunity again.