Abu Dhabi
Alix Hembery
Dental Hygienist, Traveler, and a Strong Woman
Take your pick of any well known travel quote and you’ll find the tie that binds.
“Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” by Ibn Battuta or “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page” by Saint Augustine or (my personal favorite) “Travel brings power and love back into your life” by Rumi.
Clearly there is something in leaving one’s comfort zone to see the world that not only teaches you about what’s “out there” but also enlightens you about what’s within.
My name is Alix and I live by this quote, “I haven’t gone everywhere, but it’s on my list” by Susan Sontag. Why you may ask? I ask, why not? I’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit in my lifetime and there’s never been a destination that’s disappointed me. True, all destinations are different and you may even look back and think “never again” to some but at the end of it all, you’re happy to have at least experienced it. 
Last November, I was packing for a trip to the United Arab Emirates with mixed emotions. It is, afterall, the Middle East and with everything going on in the political arena I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived. This is where travel educates you in a way that no school lecture can. You realize the world, more specifically the media, often hypes things when there is no need for the hype at all. During this visit, we stayed in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and to say it was amazing is an understatement. The hotels were fabulous, the food was…well, my mouth just watered thinking of a particular Indian restaurant we visited, and the people were beyond kind. While there I visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and took a tour to learn more about the building and Islam in general. The architecture, the materials used, the way the sun sets over the crescents of the domes is breathtaking. In fact, the mosque took eleven years to complete! The tour guide was also fantastic, showing us key features, describing the history of the building, while educating the crowd on Islam’s key beliefs. I think given what’s happening in the world today, he spent a great deal of time speaking on how Islam is a peaceful religion. Even the words “Salaam alaikum” is a greeting that literally states “may peace be upon you”. While I was standing in the grand prayer room, taking in the magnificent rug and the glorious chandeliers, the call to prayer started. I don’t practice Islam and have no idea what was being said but I got goosebumps nonetheless. Knowing that sound brings masses together to pray for peace is a beautiful thought. For more information about the mosque, you can visit http://www.szgmc.ae/en/vision-mission-values
Last November, I was packing for a trip to the United Arab Emirates with mixed emotions. It is, afterall, the Middle East and with everything going on in the political arena I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived. This is where travel educates you in a way that no school lecture can. You realize the world, more specifically the media, often hypes things when there is no need for the hype at all. During this visit, we stayed in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and to say it was amazing is an understatement. The hotels were fabulous, the food was…well, my mouth just watered thinking of a particular Indian restaurant we visited, and the people were beyond kind. While there I visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and took a tour to learn more about the building and Islam in general. The architecture, the materials used, the way the sun sets over the crescents of the domes is breathtaking. In fact, the mosque took eleven years to complete! The tour guide was also fantastic, showing us key features, describing the history of the building, while educating the crowd on Islam’s key beliefs. I think given what’s happening in the world today, he spent a great deal of time speaking on how Islam is a peaceful religion. Even the words “Salaam alaikum” is a greeting that literally states “may peace be upon you”. While I was standing in the grand prayer room, taking in the magnificent rug and the glorious chandeliers, the call to prayer started. I don’t practice Islam and have no idea what was being said but I got goosebumps nonetheless. Knowing that sound brings masses together to pray for peace is a beautiful thought. For more information about the mosque, you can visit http://www.szgmc.ae/en/vision-mission-values
The next day I saw a completely different side of Abu Dhabi, visiting the Yas Marina for the final race of the Formula One. I smile thinking how the love of cars and racing brings together so many people from around the world. That day I met folks from Canada, Mexico, Turkey, France, Australia, you name it…. all having gathered in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Formula One and their favorite team and/or driver. Personally I think Formula One gives people the perfect reason to get together and celebrate life. Everyone was there to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. And with champagne flowing, the sound of the cars, and fireworks to top it all off - we did just that. For the latest Formula One race information, you can visit https://www.formula1.com
I hope life takes me back to Abu Dhabi one day, it really felt like finding a small slice of heaven amidst the vast desert.
