The Middle East Part 2: Today was a Foxfields Fairytale

My masterful escapism landed my first in Dubai, the land of the nouveau riche. In hindsight, touching down in Dubai was probably my subconscious way to ease myself into Arab culture, and in reality, I can’t say I really experienced anything Arab. This constitutional monarchy, currently under the purview of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is enamored of superlatives. And as such, Valerie, Christine, and I spent a few days making sure we saw everything, such as the world’s tallest building (The Burj, uniquely shaped like stacks of money) to the world’s largest mall (Mall Dubai, with more than 1,200 shops) and less spectacular triumphs, but superlatives nonetheless, like the world’s largest single piece of aquarium glass.

With 71% of the emirate’s total population being expatriates, this mixing bowl surprisingly had some unifying qualities; including a propensity for shopping and appreciation for the nothing in moderation.

Nothing summarizes this excess quite like the Dubai World Cup. With more than 50,000 racegoers in attendance, this elite horserace is the social event of the year. Wearing nothing but designer suits, custom made dresses and feather headdresses, it is essentially the red carpet event of the year, disguised behind the front of a horserace. Since Valerie and I were spontaneous spectators, we donned our nicest clothing; for me, a rough pair of khakis five sizes too large from my college years, which I am officially retiring, and a Lacoste polo shirt , the green crocodile being the only indication of my brand conscientiousness and the only visual keeping me branded above the strata of peasantry and serfdom.

I’ve concluded that there’s no translation for moderation in Arabic. Our cheap Apron tickets ($100USD) permitted access to the Bubble Lounge where we were able to purchase bottles of Dom Perignon ($100USD) and watched the masses crowd the bar much like a college freshman chases the Natural Light at a fraternity house but with a greater degree of finesse. The entertainment after the horse races concluded, and unfortunately after much of the crowd cleared out for the evening, was a Santana and Elton John concert. And the crowd sings along: I don’t have much money (liars) but boy if I did, I’d buy a big house where we both could live. And some Ferragamo shoes, and a new BMW.