A Semester in Dubai: 2014

So, this is probably the most exciting thing I have done so far. RIT takes all of the freshmen and study abroad students on this safari. At first, I was not quite sure what to expect; but, I ended up having an absolutely amazing and fun time!

DUNE BASHING

Dune Bashing is basically like what we call drifting, mudding, or jeeping in the U.S. except in the middle of the desert!

Crossing from Sharjah into Dubai

Most palaces are surrounded by trees and the amount of land that the palaces take up is a huge amount. The palaces are for the locals (Emiratees).

A gigantic group of camels that belong to the president of Dubai.

A fancy looking camel

THE CAMP

What was so amazing about this "camp" is that it is how the people of Dubai used to live. Now, it is an extremely modern place with beautiful architecture and luxurious hotels, restaurants, and stores.

The camp is literally in the middle of the desert.

There were 4-wheelers that you could ride as well as camel rides! There was also free henna! We were offered 2 kinds of wrap type foods for snacks and free beverages. I got this really yummy tea that is popular here. I cannot spell what kind of tea it is but it was really good. It sounds like Kurak tea.

Henna!

A traditional head wrap

Sand boarding :)

Our group :)

Later on, there was a little show put on. We all sat on pillows on the sand at short tables like the Japanese do when they eat. We had a buffet with TONS of great food. The first show was a man who spun in circles doing some cool tricks. You would think he would have been super dizzy but he seemed okay! After him was a belly dancer. She was super fun and talented. She brought people up on stage and taught them how to dance. I was one of those people! If any of you know me, you know I have terrible stage fright and would never do that; but, I figured I might as well since I am abroad in a different country. (Mom, I know you are laughing really hard at me trying to belly dance right now).