I was part of the IT department for an international manufacturing company with its head office in America. When I first joined, our team was 32 strong. But as economic challenges hit and restructuring took its toll, we were reduced to just four. Yep, four people holding up an entire IT infrastructure. And in the midst of this chaos, I was tasked with implementing Salesforce for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. No pressure, right?
That’s how I found myself on a plane to Dubai for Salesforce Admin training – my first business trip with the company. And here’s the kicker: I got my passport in just seven days. If you’ve ever dealt with South African Government services, you’ll know that’s nothing short of a miracle. I took it as a sign that this was going to be a memorable journey. Little did I know just how memorable it would be.
The moment I stepped off the plane, the humidity slapped me right in the face. I felt like I was trying to breathe through a wet blanket. But the discomfort was quickly replaced by awe. I arrived at night, and the drive to my friend Ahmed’s apartment was like something out of a movie. Skyscrapers glittered against the dark sky, their lights dancing like stars. And then, we reached Torch Towers. His apartment was on the 69th floor. The view was simply breathtaking.
The next morning, I thought it had rained during the night. The windows were fogged up, and droplets ran down the glass. Then it hit me – 30 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. paired with full-blast air conditioning. No rain. Just Dubai’s weather playing tricks on me. Ahmed, being the incredible friend he is, had convinced me to come a little earlier so he could show me around and celebrate my belated birthday in style. And boy, did he deliver. That night, we went clubbing. But not just any clubbing. We hit the Ice Lounge where I had my first J germeister in an ice shooter glass, inside a freezer. Then we danced the night away, only returning to the apartment as the first light of dawn brushed the skyline.
The adventure didn’t stop there. Later that morning, we hopped on a speedboat and cruised around Palm Island. I stood in awe at the base of the Burj Al Arab, marvelling at the architectural genius before we zoomed past the emir’s yacht and got a glimpse of Atlantis from the ocean’s side.
That afternoon, a Humvee pulled up to take us on a desert safari. I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong. The driver was a madman – or at least it felt that way as we plunged down dunes at breakneck speeds. I gripped the seat so hard I left fingernail marks. I can honestly say I’ve never been so scared in my life. But once my heart stopped racing, I began to take in the vastness of the desert, golden sand stretching as far as the eye could see.
We arrived at a Bedouin camp where the evening unfolded like a scene from Arabian Nights. Belly dancers swayed to mesmerizing rhythms, platters of authentic Arabian food appeared before us, and I tried my hand at smoking Hookah while lounging on Persian carpets. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I couldn’t help but feel like I was living in a postcard.
The next day, we decided to explore the traditional side of Dubai. We took the train to the souks, where I got lost in a maze of spices, fabrics, and gold. I bought oudh – the most exquisite perfume I’ve ever encountered. The scent was rich, woody, and oh-so-addictive. We crossed Dubai Creek on an abra (a traditional wooden boat), and the city’s history seemed to whisper from every corner.
And then, there it was. The Burj Khalifa. Towering above the city like a giant from another world. I craned my neck, trying to see the top, but it just kept going. And going. It was impossible to fit it into my camera’s frame. A true marvel of human engineering.
In just one weekend, I managed to experience almost every form of transport Dubai has to offer – except for a camel. One look at those teeth, and I decided I was better off on foot.
I couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Ahmed. He showed me the glittering modernity of Dubai while also giving me a glimpse of its rich traditions. His hospitality and generosity left me speechless. “Thank you” doesn’t even come close to expressing my gratitude. But for now, it will have to do.
Dubai wasn’t just a business trip. It was an adventure, a cultural immersion, and an unforgettable birthday celebration all wrapped into one. And it all started with a passport miracle.
There is so much to tell, that next week’s blog, will continue with the training in Dubai.