Highlights of the Day
Our first day in Dubai was full of surprises—from seeing a sleeveless model on an airport billboard during Ramadan, to spotting a liquor section in a Muslim country, to being driven between terminals by a kind rental agent. The contradictions were striking, but so was the hospitality. Dubai immediately showed us that it’s a city of modernity, contrasts, and unexpected warmth.
Logistics
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf Dubai
Transportation: Rental Car
✈️ Arriving in the Middle East During Ramadan
The Middle East had always been a place of mystery in my mind. Before our trip, I immersed myself in research—Islam, the life of Prophet Muhammad, local dress codes, customs…
But I forgot one important thing: Ramadan.
As luck would have it, our visit coincided exactly with this sacred month. At first, we were a bit nervous, but in the end, it turned out to be one of the most unique cultural experiences we’ve had while traveling.
🛬 Welcome to Dubai International Airport
We flew non-stop from Newark to Dubai, a 13-hour flight.
From the moment we stepped off the plane, Dubai’s airport wowed us. The design was sleek and spacious, the floors polished to a mirror-like shine, and the elevators? Enormous—double the size of a typical lift. For a moment, I thought we were getting into a shuttle bus!
🛂 A Modern Yet Manual Border Entry
Dubai’s immigration area was lined with futuristic-looking self-service kiosks. Just scan your passport, take a photo, and you’re good to go.
Or so we thought.
Since it was our first time entering the UAE, both my husband and I were sent to manual counters. The lines were longer, and after getting my photo taken and passport stamped, I was sent to an office for “additional verification.” There, I had to hand over my passport again, get another photo and another stamp—and then return to the first counter to confirm. A bit tedious, but organized.
🌆 Our First Glimpse of the Dubai Skyline
As we exited the customs area, we were greeted by a massive billboard of Dubai’s skyline glowing at dusk.
It was stunning—like a dreamscape rendered in golden light. For the first time, it hit us:
We were really in Dubai.
🔺 Culture Shock, Just Minutes In
But it didn’t take long for our expectations to be challenged.
We had read that women should dress modestly—no bare shoulders, nothing too tight. Yet one of the first airport ads we saw featured a model in a sleeveless dress.
Then, there was the large duty-free section selling alcohol in plain view, which felt odd in a country where Islamic tradition forbids drinking.
☕ A Luxurious Starbucks? Only in Dubai.
Even the airport’s Starbucks made a statement.
Polished wood decor, ambient lighting, elegant finishes—it looked more like a boutique café in a five-star hotel than an airport coffee chain. It was our first taste of how luxury is the norm here.
🚗 A Rental Car, A Cross-Border Surprise
The car rental process was smooth—no pressure sales, no hidden tricks. But since we planned to return the car in Oman, the agent informed us there would be a cross-border drop-off fee of over $300. Ouch.
They also emphasized that we must enter Oman through a specific border crossing or face complications.
🚘 A Ride Between Terminals, the Dubai Way
We needed to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to pick someone up. Google Maps estimated a 20+ minute drive. We asked a staff member if there was a quicker route.
Without hesitation, he said:
“Let me get someone to drive you there.”
Just like that. Friendly, efficient, and unexpectedly warm. It was a small gesture—but one that set the tone for our entire experience in Dubai.
🌍 What’s Next?
Stay tuned for Day 1 where we wake up to a view of Burj Khalifa, enjoy an Arabian breakfast, and explore Dragon Mart—the most fascinating Chinese market in the Middle East.
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