Dubai is characterized by skyscrapers and construction. It is one of the strangest places I've ever been. The culture is a mashup of Arab, Indian and European. Everything is being done on an outrageous scale. Pictures really don't do it justice.

The futuristic building in the background of this picture is the 6 star Burj Al Arab hotel. The foreground is, guess what, part of a shopping mall and hotel complex.

This is Sky Dubai. The indoor sky slope. It's attached to large shopping mall as are most things in Dubai.

In Dubai, I stated at the ETA-Ascon guest house. ETA-Ascon  provides financial backing for the MAHE-Manipal Dubai campus. ETA-Ascon appears to have deep-pockets as is evidenced by this collection of new Mercedes that are kept in the guest house parking area.

I was surprised to discover these three chickens living in the courtyard outside my window at the guest house.

The food in Dubai was great. I bought these stuffed dates at the local grocery store.