National Day made me think about how one of the coolest things about Dubai is the way that things simply.. get done. In the U.S. it seems that if anything big is going to happen, it will only do so in a long and drawn-out process. Road construction lasts decades (I'm looking at you, Kellogg), building construction is a similar story, and even small events take months and months to plan. In Dubai, things get built. Quickly. In honor of UAE National Day, AUD had a huge celebration, and the entire campus was transformed for the occasion. Traditional boats were scattered around campus, displays commemorating the event were put up, and a Sheikh's speedboat was brought for students to admire. On the main lawn there was erected a stage, booths, strings of lights, and more. At AUD the celebration started with a skydiving demonstration on the football field, followed by a show of traditional dance and singing. It was interesting to see this display of pride for a country in which just ten percent of the population actually considers itself "Emirati."
National Day celebration at AUD
Traditional Emirati dancers
Sheikh's speedboat
Releasing red, white, and green balloons (colors of UAE flag)
Skydiving demonstration above AUD campus
Camel rides on campus
A giant mural of Shekh Mohammad and Sheikh Khalifa on the facade of a building in honor of UAE National Day
A car decorated for National Day
