Layover

I managed to sleep for about five of the thirteen hours during the flight to Dubai. I spent the rest of my time trying to stretch my legs and attempting to concentrate on an in-flight movie that I still can’t remember. During the flight, a woman whom I ascribed to be middle-eastern was seated to my left. To my right, was a man I guessed to be an American contractor. As luck would have it, I was between the yin and yang of air travelers. She seemed to be in some sort of physical discomfort throughout the flight, and was therefore constantly moving in her seat; while the contractor was somehow able to sleep during the whole trip (he must have been medicated). Then there was me, stuck in the middle. Often when I tried to sleep, the woman would bump my arm as she tossed and turned, seeking relief from her ailment. Since I was trying to remain hydrated in preparation for our arrival in Afghanistan, I drank as much water as I could. Of course, my increased intake of water required me to awaken the man to my right so I could use the rest room. This occurred too many times for me to count. I must say however, that the guy couldn’t have been more accommodating. I was amazed of course, at how he never had to take a leak in thirteen hours!

It was evening when we arrived in Dubai. The airport was incredible! It was more like an airy, upscale mall offering every type of store imaginable. It was very modern and spotlessly clean. Men and women were impeccably dressed in the style of the region.

While the above picture of Dubai International Airport was obtained from the internet (sorry, camera was dead), it was just as it is portrayed.

It was only after we stepped to our waiting van that we got a hint of the heat and humidity outside. After a short ride, we were checking our green duffel bags at our lodging for the night. Once we checked in, a few of us stepped out into the stifling night air. There was quite a bit of hustle and bustle outside the hotel with cabs and late model expensive cars going to and fro. Due to jet lag, my body wasn’t really sure of what time it was “supposed” to be, so I decided to head up to the room to retire for the night.

We were assigned two to a suite, with separate bedrooms and bathrooms. My roommate was Larry Conway, a quiet, cigar-smoking retired Army colonel. After a thirteen hour flight between “sleepy” and “restless”, I was happy to be stretched out between thick sheets and comforters, with the room’s temperature set ridiculously low. Just before I fell asleep I tried to decide which of the overstuffed pillows my head preferred. Maybe it was the plane ride; but it seemed like I was laying in one of the most comfortable beds in which I had ever been. It was a nice welcome to Dubai.


I awoke the next morning anxious to get a quick glimpse of the surrounding area before leaving for our flight to Kabul. As I walked outside, much of the city was still quiet. The hotel was a good distance from the airport, close to a mall and some eateries, but rather than explore, I returned to my room to begin packing what little I had unpacked the night before. As I did the obligatory check to ensure that I didn’t leave anything behind, I was caught off guard upon opening one of the drawers to find, not a bible (as one might expect in the states), but a prayer rug. This was after all, the United Arab Emirates.

A prayer rug upon which Muslims pray.

After packing all but a few essentials, I headed down to the restaurant to grab a bite to eat, and joined a few other colleagues who were already seated.

Breakfast in Dubai.  (L. to R.) Colleagues Rick Harvey,  Alan Hartfield and Sam McCoy.  My plate is in front of the empty seat in the foreground – Note:  See?  I have been known to eat healthy every now and then.

Afterwards, we huddled in the lobby to await our shuttle to the airport. While we waited, I noticed a sign indicating different sites to which the hotel provided transportation. In smaller print, more detail was provided about the attractions. One particular entry mentioned “…Women’s Day in Jumeirah Beach Park”. Thinking that the event may have been similar to “Ladies Night” back home where gals get in free, I asked the woman at the front desk what “Women’s Day” entailed. Somewhat puzzled, she looked at me and said, “That’s the day for women to go to the beach.” “What about on other days?” I inquired. She looked at me as if to excuse my naivete and simply said, “No. Women are not allowed any other time.” Initially, I thought that Dubai might have been a bit more progressive regarding the rights of women, but after speaking with some in our group who had been on previous missions to this part of the world, I learned that by some standards, they were “progressive”. I was sure that my sisters and other female friends and acquaintances would have taken issue with such regulations. I myself, was somewhat taken aback. However, there may have been one benefit to invoking such harsh rules upon women - they’d probably be limited to how often they might have to endure Snookie!

Shortly after take-off from Dubai I tried to take in one last look at the body of water over which we were banking. Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, lies south of the Persian Gulf, and to the west of the Gulf of Oman, which in turn, leads to the Arabian Sea. With Afghanistan being land-locked, I knew that it might be some time until I would look upon a body of water that led to a sea. Looking out the window I could see outlines of man-made shorelines below the wing.

Dubai is known for the construction of resorts which cater to those whose resources match their extravagant tastes.  As our climb provided a better view of what lay below, I could see the design of artificial lagoons and waterways upon which more resorts would be built.  The small country of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was certainly a dichotomy – still stuck in the past of limited women’s rights, but way ahead of many countries in terms of providing modern day luxuries that cater to the rich and famous.  As we continued to climb, I took one last glimpse through the hazy window at the body of water below and wondered what the water temperature was. I’m really going to miss the beach!