When Vacation Turns to War

I love Dubai. As someone who has worked and traveled globally, I had long anticipated travel to Dubai. Why Dubai? The Emirate has risen to become one of the world's top tourism and banking centers.

And so, like many travelers, I saved points and miles to make the journey to the United Arab Emirates. To say my visit exceeded my expectations is an understatement. Awaiting my journey were visits to white-sand beaches, ancient souks, and towering creative architecture, including the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, at 163 floors. My hotel room on the 64th floor of another of the tallest of its kind structures provided a special vista of its own. Not to be missed is the Museum of the Future with displays of innovative technologies and Miracle Garden, acres of floral displays and structures, including a full-sized commercial plane covered in growing flowers.

The saying is you can do just about anything you want to in Dubai, except engaging in public displays of affection.

“Anything” includes the adventures the famous Dubai Mall has to offer. Don’t like to shop? No problem, as the deceptively named Galleria includes an Olympic Ice-Skating rink, indoor snow skiing, a giant waterfall, a breathtaking walk-through Aquarium, the Emirate’s Chinatown, and 1,700 shops and restaurants.

Want hot-air ballooning, dune surfing, camel riding? It’s all in Dubai.

Most of all to be treasured are the people: kind, helpful, friendly, and from all over the world. If you’ve gone a day without speaking to people from at least five or 10 countries, then likely you’re not in Dubai. Eighty-five percent of the population is from outside the UAE and who’ve come to work there and likely also help support family members in their home country. They work long hours, often six days a week, and always with a smile.

I reluctantly prepared to depart Dubai at the planned end of my visit.

Then the war started.

While waiting in the lobby of the hotel for a scheduled ride to the airport, word came that the embassy had been bombed and the airport was closed. Crowds of people, guests checking in or departing, airline crews who had been staying at the hotel, and hotel staff all rushed around, trying to determine appropriate action.

Even as the airport reopened and closed again as the days went by, it became apparent that flights going via Doha would not be departing. Contacting the airline impossible. Those holding previously purchased tickets on the Emirates’ own airline had opportunities to depart as safety allowed. Meanwhile, the sound of exploding drones and warning sirens became regular.

More buildings were hit, including the airport. Fear came from whether my presence was known to my home government and whether I might be rescued. But it became evident via global news that information disseminated in the U.S. was either false or misleading about what help was available. I had registered with the sites recommended for global travelers and then asked friends in the U.S. to contact my congresswoman on my behalf.

As any information came about a potential flight out, it was at a very high cost. Days of effort brought a response from my congresswoman’s staff. The opportunity was to go last-minute, to an unknown destination, and then find my own way back to the U.S. I later learned that could mean travel to several countries, with me bearing all the cost and all the risk.

I decided to continue my search and was able to purchase a ticket directly to the U.S. My original airline has sent its long-haul planes to storage in Spain without resuming flights from Dubai to the U.S.

Eleven days beyond my original scheduled departure, I awaited my ride to the airport at 4:30 a.m. one morning after a night of listening to the sound of exploding drones all around us.

Arrival at the airport brought hope. Then, just before boarding, more alarms, and we sheltered mid-terminal. At last, boarding was allowed. As we backed away from the gate, I took one last photo through my window to add to memories to last a lifetime.

Once home, I reflected on my journey. In Dubai, I experienced the world in a way I’d never known. I understood the country’s slogan: “We are all Emirati.”

Marilyn Repinski writes from Wauna, her home sweet home for over 20 years.