My Lux Life In Dubai
Eden Washington is a 6th grade FNN reporter at Friendship Public Charter School Online. Photos by Google.
April 12, 2021. Dubai is one of seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has an area of 1588 square miles, and is the second largest emirate in the UAE after Abu Dhabi. It is situated on the Persian Gulf, southwest of Sharjah, and northeast of Abu Dhabi. Collectively, the UAE is considered a country in Western Asia located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula.
Perhaps you’ve done some research while considering traveling to this hot spot and discovered a laundry list of what not to do, such as DO NOT: post anything against UAE in social media, disrespect the culture and religion, consume alcohol in a non-licensed place or a public place, engage in public displays of affection, photograph anyone or anything without consent, harass women, protest in public, swear or use profanity, eat in public during Ramdan, engage in public dancing and singing, and wear skimpy clothing (bikinis) except for at the beach. I respect that Dubai has laid out boundaries for which people are to follow while in their country. The US should incorporate and or enforce some of these laws as well, but what I mostly appreciate about their public code is that they are serious about enforcing it, thereby letting anyone who dares challenge their mandates know that they mean what they say. With all the things you can not do in Dubai, you may be wondering what you can do. That being said, “Some tourists are adventure freaks, some are thrill lovers, and some are going for an absolute retreat. Dubai City has attractions serving all kinds of visitors. There are a lot more things to explore in Dubai than not, so enjoy your visit to the fullest while respecting the Emarati culture.”
Besides oil reserves, the main market in Dubai is luxury, and I am going all in and sparing NO EXPENSE to experience the opulence. Dubai is the type of place where I need to start at the top and work my way down, so as soon as my plane lands, I will promptly hop on a chopper to get the layout of the land. My pilot will deliver me to the helipad at the Burj al Arab, as that is where I’ll be staying for a couple of nights. Then I’ll stay another couple of nights at the Burj Khalifa. I am here for the thrill. Of course that is relative, but for me that is the swanky real estate which sits on a handful of man-made luxurious islands, an artistic archipelago.
I am not in heaven, but I’m pretty darn close at the Burj al Arab,(the Arabian Tower) the world’s only seven star hotel. As I exit my chopper, I’m feeling like royalty, channeling my inner Boss Baby so I can get a picture of me sacheting through the lobby of warm colors, patterns and textures with gold trim. I feel as if I just walked into the Aladdin movie with all the royal effects of a princess. There is a massive stone cascade fountain behind the reception desk that uses water, mist and fiber optic lights to give a choreographed show of water leaking down and across the steps. The floors are made of statorian marble, which is the most expensive marble on earth. Upon entrance to the hotel I was greeted by an attendant who whisked me away to a side room to be checked in. While I wait, I am handed a cold towel and rose water to perfume my hands, qahwa (the Arabian coffee—I like mine cold, decaffeinated with almond milk, caramel and a little agave), and snacks to munch on. I then follow my attendant up the escalator to the atrium, bypassing a massive aquarium. At the top of the escalator, there I stand in the largest atrium in the world at 590ft. tall with a fountain in the middle which shoots water 130ft. in the air. As I head up to my room I am escorted through gold elevator doors. On my floor, the butler will help me settle into my room. Yes, that’s what I said, a butler, who is willing, able and capable of attaining anything my heart desires. And right now, I desire to fly on a magic carpet. Pardon me while I ask my butler to get a magic carpet ride. With a 6:1 guest ratio, I want for nothing. The butler brings fresh fruit, unpacks and hangs my clothes, and gives me a full tour of the suite. The least expensive room is a two story suite which can take a considerable amount of time to explore. The first floor includes the dining room, living room, and a mini bar, which I am not much concerned about unless I can make a Shirley Temple. On the dining room table are delectable chocolate confections and fresh macaroons, (yum, my fave). Everything in the suite is remote controlled. Leading up to the bedrooms I walk up a marble staircase, lined with rose petals. The bed is $15,000 and you can select the quality and comfort of your pillows from a pillow menu offering 17 various types of pillow of your choice. The bathroom has a rainshower with four different heads, a jacuzzi bathtub and gold columns. Each room comes with a Hermes toiletry bag with his and her perfumes. There are nine restaurants to choose from in case I don’t want room service—the most intriguing to me was the Al Mahara, which is the flagship restaurant of the Burj al Arab. A 260,000 gallon aquarium surrounds the tables with beautiful coral fish and high ceilings with gold trim. Ahhhh, I am so enjoying the lavish life!
The Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa is a modern day tower that has 163 stories and is the perfect place to view the famous Palm Jumeirah. The SKY experience grants you access to not only the 124th and 125th floors, but also the 148th (the highest floor with an observation deck). After seeing the breathtaking sites, you can find me dining at At.Mosphere, on the 123rd floor on the Burj Khalifa. I am headed to the mall after dinner. Care to do some shopping with me? It’s below us on the ground level near the fountain.
Good thing I am researching this now, so I know how much it may set me back when I do treat myself to the opulence of Dubai. This place is uber expensive but so worth the investment. As the saying goes, “you only live once”. I don’t want to leave, and I can’t wait to get back!
Long after I’ve been here and forgotten what I bought, and who I met, I will remember how I felt being Princess Eden in the Arabian Desert.
Eden Washington is a 6th grade scholar at Friendship Public Charter School Online.