Dubai – Dividing Opinion

The city of Dubai has become one of the world’s favourite topics of conversation, in a way that no-one could possibly have foreseen a decade or two ago. This remarkable part of the world has surely caught the attention of us all at one time or another, for reasons that may be considered good or bad, but which nonetheless provoke debate. It has to be asked – is Dubai the world’s most dividing city in terms of opinion?

To begin with, it is worth looking at a reason why people love Dubai. There are many reasons, and among them is the blatant ostentation of the city. Although liable to turn off as many people as it attracts, the immediacy of Dubai as an attention-grabbing city cannot be denied. Huge towers like the Burj al-Arab and the soon to be completed Burj Dubai are not, to put a fine point on it, necessary. But then, the same could be said of a lot of smaller, less opulent buildings. These towers astound, and captivate, a great number of people. They make us talk about Dubai, so they serve a hugely important purpose.

However, there are many who complain about the processes that get buildings like these built. Dubai was not a busy, glittering metropolis in the middle of the 20^th century. This has happened at very short notice, and the way it has been done is always going to raise a question or two. A lot of people who visit Dubai for a holiday come back and say “well, the room was comfortable, the food was great and the entertainment was marvellous – but that construction noise spoiled the whole thing!”. Dubai is still building – and that is not without its problems for those who enjoy the quiet life. Murmurs about the working conditions on these sites also abound.

However, if working practices in a construction industry are now reason enough to hate a city, you might say that London, New York and other major destinations should be boycotted. There are very few places in the world that were built using altruistic processes by benevolent construction companies. That there are questions about Dubai even today is not encouraging, without question, but there is also justification in the claims of the people of Dubai who consider much of the criticism to be due to envy.

At the heels of the hunt, you are either going to love Dubai or hate it. There are clear reasons for both conclusions, including the fact that ostentation is something that draws strong reactions. If you like glitter, a buzz and an experience that will astound you, Dubai is a place to go. If you want peace and quiet in a centre of cultured gentility, then it may be best avoided. Either way, people are not going to stop talking about this fascinating city any time soon. Any city, after all, which makes it snow inside when the temperatures outdoors are shooting to uncomfortable levels, as seen at Ski Dubai, is worth taking notice of.

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Swine Flu And International Travel

There are some stories that cause you to immediately recalibrate the way you look at things, that change your realities in a quite profound way. In the midst of the current global financial crisis, it was always going to take a big story to drag attention away from the turmoil in the markets. The great misfortune is that the story which has done this has turned out to be another bad news story – and one with more very real human casualties. The outbreak of swine flu which arose in Mexico has become a global issue very quickly. It is still far more pronounced in Mexico than anywhere else, but it is something that nations are having to take account of, wherever they are in the world.

The fact that the virus originated in Mexico is, for a start, a hammer blow to the people of Mexico. Most importantly it has had a genuine human cost, for its victims and for the bereaved and concerned families. From the point of view of travel it has already had a major effect, as the popular Spring Break tradition of heading South from the US to the beaches of Cancun and further afield has been given a miss by many students this year. However big or small the actual risk is, there is a perception of risk, and that is enough to make a significant number of people change their plans. Meanwhile, travel the other way can lead to difficulties depending on where your destination is. Depending on the government response to the epidemic, you may face a period of quarantine in the country where you land.

As of now, there are very few prescribed steps being demanded by governments as to whether you should go to Mexico. The decision lies with the individual, although some governments have warned their national citizens against non-essential travel to destinations in Mexico. The World Health Organization has responded that it does not see a need to place any restrictions, and the facts as they stand are that at the moment, deaths from the syndrome are in the double figures worldwide. Any deaths count as too many, of course. But if you have plans to go to Mexico, there is little reason to cancel forthwith. Steps are constantly being taken to prevent its spread and treat its symptoms.

This is a rare case, and in its relative infancy compared to any similar cases. On balance, we still have a bit to find out – but there is little to be gained from closing ranks in our home countries. Mexico is currently experiencing a difficult time as a result of an outbreak that could not be foreseen and there is no reason why this should be exacerbated. By all means check several news sources for specific information on the state of play in the region where you are planning to visit. But do not let it get out of hand – hysteria helps no-one.

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Unites States, Canada, Morocco, or Tunisia?

It is getting towards that time, as the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, that people begin to think about taking a snap summer holiday. People who book in advance will of course have made their decision by now and be saving their spending money, but those of us who are never sure we will get the time off work will be working off a bit more of an instinctive reaction, to go somewhere that sounds good. Whatever your budget – and whatever your tastes – there are great summer holidays to be had even at such short notice. 

It all depends on your starting point, to some extent. Naturally if you are starting in Canada, a summer holiday in the United States will not break the bank, but it might lack a little bit in terms of originality. Mexico is currently in the grip of something of a bio-hazard crisis and will probably be dealing with that throughout the summer, so the best tip is to head further south. Many people have spoken of the beauty of Andean Perú, and with good reason. It is a country that carries some of the most spectacular scenery in all of South America, and of course it is absolutely soaked in history. Macchu Picchu is one spot that has a worldwide reputation, but on the way there you will have the opportunity to see many others. The price for a basic hotel for one night averages out at close to thirty Canadian dollars. 

If you are a bit more adventurous – or based on the other side of the Atlantic, then there are many delights to be had on the North Coast of Africa. Among them are Morocco – a real magnet for sun worshippers – and Tunisia. While these countries may suffer from the prevailing but deeply inaccurate reputation of being hotbeds of religious extremism, the reality is far from that. In actual fact both are highly modern, secular societies and are well equipped to serve the international traveler’s needs. Hotel rooms here are even more affordable than in Perú, and the scenery is pretty amazing in both countries. For the gastronome in you, the taste of the regional cuisine is something to experience time and again – whether you are a meat-eater or an avowed vegetarian. 

Tunisia is the less expensive of the two – as Morocco has gained a reputation for being a real estate haven prices have climbed a little. But if you are feeling adventurous, splitting your holiday between the two could be the best idea of all. Both countries have plenty to offer, and it would be a shame to miss out on any of it – so by making Tunisia your base but planning a short hop to Morocco you can spend a little bit less while not depriving yourself of any of the fun. And yes, there are beaches galore in both countries, if you really cannot bear to do any more sight-seeing. It’s your loss, that’s all.

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