[singpilot]

You'll like Dubai. Kind of a gentile intro to the Middle East. The prayers are broadcast over the loudspeakers, the women are covered (mostly), but make sure to check out the shoes and ankles (as surreptitiously as possible). You'll see multi-carat tennis bracelets on the ankles and the latest fashion shoes. You won't see much of anything else. There will be a guard with a machine gun on the floors of the hotel that women stay on. The Mall is the place to hang in the daytime (more than 44C this time of year).

Make sure you buy a car raffle ticket at the airport every time you come or go. Best $100. you'll ever spend. A lot of crews have gotten lux cars there.

Have fun.