It’s still winter season, and this is the best time to explore the UAE. As I was told, there are only two types of weather in this country: extreme cold or extreme heat. Coming from a tropical country, I can already imagine how hot it must get, because if it’s this cold now, I can only expect how scorching it will be once the season changes. It’s also only during this season that the Sheikh Zayed Festival is celebrated in Al Wathbah, halfway between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
During our visit, we were lucky to get tickets at a lower price, which significantly increased by New Year's Eve-- probably due to the one-hour-long fireworks display. Although we missed this spectacular event, I’d still say our visit was perfectly timed. We went as a family, and the 70 dirhams admission fee was much more affordable compared to the 350 dirhams it became after the price hike. We also had more time to enjoy the place than we expected.
Right at the entrance, I was already overwhelmed by the effort put into the event, it was like they were telling me to prepare for a feast for the eyes. Once inside, it was clear that no expense had been spared, everything was designed to give an unforgettable experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new and amazing to see. I also had the chance to witness a performance by Emiratis performing the Al Ayyala (I’m not entirely sure if that's the correct name, but after doing some research, I believe it’s one of its many variations). Although I didn’t understand a single word, knowing that it’s their preserved tradition made me appreciate it even more.
The place was so vast that I never felt bored, even though we were just walking around. However, we were in a bit of a rush, and I didn’t get to fully absorb the mesmerizing moments whenever something caught my interest. We were in a hurry because someone was waiting for us in Abu Dhabi. They say it's like Dubai's Global Village, although I’ve never been there, I imagine the concept must be similar. There were different areas representing different countries, showcasing their cultures, arts, and products. I even got to watch an Indian dance performance right before my eyes, it was so upbeat that I almost wanted to join in! While there were some things that seemed unusual to me, I understood that it’s part of their culture, and it wouldn’t be right for me to judge or laugh at it. They might find things from my culture just as strange. What made me a little sad was that I didn’t get the chance to try any of their delicacies. As I mentioned earlier, we were pressed for time. We only had about 30 minutes to stay there, so instead of strolling and enjoying the food and the view, we were rushing from one spot to another to snap family pictures.
The lighting, the atmosphere, the structures, the exhibits, and the shows, it was like there was no end to the things to see! I’d only ever seen those things on television, and just that was enough to excite me. So you can imagine how thrilling it was to finally experience it all in person! It was truly amazing!
In less than an hour, we departed from the Festival and continued our outing to Abu Dhabi, where we had dinner at a luxurious hotel, all thanks to my cousin, Genevieve, who treated us. We had pizza and a sushi boat with, if I remember correctly, five different kinds of sushi. Afterward, we went sightseeing around Abu Dhabi. I’ve always had a fear of heights, but seeing the gigantic buildings there only intensified it. I developed an even stronger fear-- fear of heights just from looking at those towering structures. We didn’t stay long and traveled back to Al Ain, where we currently reside. It was almost a two-hour trip, but I slept throughout the ride and woke up when we arrived at around three in the morning.
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