From arriving at 20 with a grieving heart to spending nearly a decade in a country I once feared, here's why the United Arab Emirates will always be one of my favorite places in the world.
Some countries you visit. Some countries you remember. And then there are countries that become part of your story, no matter how many years have passed or how far away you are.
For me, that country is the United Arab Emirates.
And no, it's not just because of the Burj Khalifa, the luxurious shopping malls, the spectacular hotels, or the futuristic skyline that the world has come to associate with the UAE.
I fell in love with this country long before much of that became its identity.
I fell in love with its people, its fascinating mix of cultures, the food (oh, the food!), the comfort of everyday living, and the feeling that somehow, a country thousands of miles away from home could become a place where I genuinely belonged.
My relationship with the UAE spans two chapters of my life, from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2015 to 2017.
That's approximately nine years of my life spent in a country I never imagined I would love so much.
And the funny thing?
I was terrified of going there in the first place.
November 2003: I Was 20, Grieving, and Scared of Everything
I first arrived in the UAE in November 2003.
I was only 20 years old.
And I had just buried my father.
Imagine being that young, still trying to understand what it means to lose a parent, and suddenly finding yourself in a foreign country because you needed to work and make a living.
I wasn't traveling to discover myself. I wasn't chasing adventure, collecting passport stamps, or looking for some glamorous life abroad.
I needed a job. I needed to earn money. Life wasn't exactly giving me the luxury of sitting around figuring out my feelings.
I was grieving, frightened, and alone in a place I barely knew.
And to make matters worse, much of what I thought I knew about the Middle East came from news coverage that made the region seem intimidating.
I had no idea what to expect.
The language was unfamiliar. The culture was different. Everything around me felt like a reminder that I was very far from home.
At the time, I probably would have described it as one of the worst periods of my life.
Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.
But my father had just died, I was 20, and I had to figure out how to survive in a foreign country. I think I was entitled to be a little dramatic.
What I didn't know was that this frightening new chapter would eventually turn into one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
Before the Dubai We Know Today, There Was the UAE I Fell in Love With
If you visited the UAE in the early 2000s, you'll understand what I mean when I say it was a completely different place.
Dubai wasn't yet the global spectacle it is today.
There was no Dubai Metro when I arrived. That didn't open until September 2009.
The country was growing, developing, and transforming, but much of what tourists recognize today was still years away.
I worked in retail, and one place that will always bring back memories is Lulu Village.
Shoutout to Lulu Village!
Lulu Village remains part of my memories of working in retail in the UAE. I was part of a retail environment that was growing alongside the country itself.
Eventually, work took me to Karama, then Sharjah, and later Al Ain.
Every move introduced me to a different side of the UAE.
And that's something people don't always realize when they think about visiting the Emirates.
Each place has its own personality.
Dubai has its energy. Sharjah has its rich cultural atmosphere. Abu Dhabi brings together tradition, modern living, and beautiful family destinations.
And Al Ain?
Oh, Al Ain.
That city deserves its own love letter.
Al Ain: The UAE I Wish More People Would Experience
If you're planning a trip to the UAE, please don't spend your entire vacation in Dubai.
I understand the attraction. Dubai is extraordinary.
But if you want to discover a quieter, more relaxed side of the country, visit Al Ain.
Located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain is often called the Garden City of the UAE.
And it really is a different kind of experience.
Al Ain has a laid back charm that makes you appreciate the simple pleasures of living.
It's the kind of place where you can imagine raising a family, enjoying peaceful evenings, spending weekends outdoors, or simply having a comfortable routine without the constant rush of a major city.
I spent my final years of that first chapter in Al Ain, before returning home in 2010.
And that's where I experienced a side of the UAE that went far beyond work.
I began to appreciate the lifestyle, the people, the customs, and the everyday comforts that made living there feel so natural.
But don't confuse peaceful with boring.
Because let me tell you, we knew how to have fun.
Hilton. Rotana. Al Ain.
Those names probably bring back memories for anyone who enjoyed the nightlife there during those years.
We would go out dancing, sometimes almost every night, and return home at ridiculous hours.
Three in the morning?
Absolutely.
And sometimes we'd encounter the shurta, the Arabic word for police, patrolling the streets.
They might ask for our pataka, the identification card we carried back then.
Imagine coming home after a night of dancing and suddenly having to make sure your documents were in order.
Those were the days!
The UAE was stricter in many ways during those years, and as an expatriate, you learned to respect the local customs and regulations.
But looking back, what I remember most isn't the strictness.
It's how much life happened there.
The friendships. The laughter. The routines. The little adventures.
And the feeling of being able to enjoy life while working hard to build something for yourself.
The People and the Culture Changed the Way I Saw the Middle East
One of the biggest reasons I love the UAE has nothing to do with its buildings or tourist attractions.
It's the people.
The UAE is home to an incredible mix of nationalities and cultures. Living there means encountering people from different parts of the world, often in the same workplace, neighborhood, or restaurant.
And while this diversity is wonderful, I also developed a deep appreciation for Emirati culture itself.
The importance of family. The hospitality. The respect for traditions. The pride in cultural identity.
There's something beautiful about a country that has embraced extraordinary modernization while continuing to celebrate its heritage.
Of course, no place is perfect, and everyone's experience is different. I'm speaking from my own years of living there.
But the country I experienced was nothing like the frightening place I had imagined before arriving.
I even learned conversational Arabic.
Not the kind that would qualify me to give a formal speech, but enough to communicate, understand everyday conversations, and feel more connected to the people around me.
And when you start understanding the language of a place, something changes.
It stops feeling quite so foreign.
You begin to understand the humor, the expressions, the little cultural details that tourists might never notice.
That's one reason I always encourage people to travel with an open mind.
Because sometimes the place you were taught to fear turns out to be the place that teaches you how limited your understanding of the world really was.
Let's Talk About the Food, Because This Is Where I Get Emotional
Now, I could probably write an entirely separate article about the food in the UAE.
Actually, make that several articles.
Because if there's one thing I will never stop talking about, it's how ridiculously good the food was.
First, the shawarma.
I don't know what it is about the shawarma I remember eating in the UAE, but nothing quite compares.
The warm bread. The perfectly seasoned meat. The garlic sauce. That first bite when everything comes together.
Lebanese shawarma, Egyptian food, all those little restaurants serving meals that could make you forget whatever terrible day you were having.
Then there's the cheese manakeesh.
Oh, that beautiful, warm, cheesy flatbread.
And the fajita sandwiches!
But we need to discuss something else.
INDIAN FOOD.
Because whoever decided that butter chicken, butter naan, and biryani should exist deserves a standing ovation.
Butter chicken with that rich, creamy, perfectly spiced sauce?
Are you kidding me?
And you tear off a piece of warm, soft butter naan, dip it into the sauce, and suddenly life isn't so terrible anymore.
Then there's chicken masala, with all those wonderful spices and flavors.
And Chicken 65!
That delicious, fiery, crispy chicken that somehow makes you keep reaching for another piece even when your mouth is telling you to slow down.
But my greatest weakness?
BIRYANI.
OMG. BIRYANI.
Not just an occasional treat.
Biryani was practically my everyday staple.
I could eat it today, tomorrow, the day after, and probably still wonder what we're having for dinner.
The fragrant basmati rice. The spices. The tender meat. The aroma before you even take your first bite.
How can something so simple in appearance have so much flavor?
And don't even get me started on paratha.
Flaky, warm, buttery paratha.
Sometimes I think about all the food I used to eat in the UAE and wonder how I managed to get anything else done.
And that's one of the things I love most about the country.
Its food culture reflects the people who live there.
You can enjoy Lebanese, Egyptian, Indian, Pakistani, Emirati, and countless other cuisines without having to travel across the world.
The cultural diversity isn't just something you observe.
You taste it.
If you're visiting the UAE, please don't limit yourself to fancy restaurants in five star hotels.
Explore the neighborhood cafeterias, Indian restaurants, Lebanese bakeries, and little food spots that locals and longtime residents love.
And try traditional Emirati dishes such as machboos, harees, and luqaimat.
Some of the best food memories you'll make won't involve an expensive reservation.
They'll involve sitting somewhere ordinary, eating something extraordinary, and wondering why you didn't order a second serving.
Or, in my case, another biryani.
Why You Should Visit the UAE, Even If You're Not Into Luxury Travel
When people think about traveling to the UAE, they often picture expensive hotels, designer stores, supercars, and extravagant experiences.
And yes, you can absolutely find all of that.
But please don't assume that's all the country has to offer.
The UAE has magnificent landscapes, historical sites, beautiful cultural landmarks, incredible food, family attractions, and experiences that don't require you to spend a fortune.
If I were recommending places to someone visiting for the first time, here's where I'd encourage them to explore.
Al Ain: Discover the Garden City
Visit Jebel Hafeet, the spectacular mountain overlooking the surrounding landscape. Take in the winding mountain road and enjoy the incredible views.
Spend time at Al Ain Zoo, especially if you're traveling with children.
Explore Al Ain Oasis, where thousands of date palms and traditional irrigation channels reveal another side of the region's history.
And don't rush.
The beauty of Al Ain is that you can slow down and enjoy it.
Abu Dhabi: Experience Culture and Modern Attractions
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most breathtaking architectural landmarks in the country.
Explore the cultural attractions, beaches, and waterfront areas.
If you're traveling with family or simply love a bit of excitement, Yas Island offers attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Dubai: Enjoy the Spectacular, Then Explore Beyond It
Of course, visit the Burj Khalifa, explore the malls, and enjoy the extraordinary skyline.
But take time to see Old Dubai too.
Walk around Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, explore the souks, and discover parts of the city that tell the story of what came before the skyscrapers.
Sharjah: For the Love of Heritage and Culture
Sharjah offers beautiful cultural attractions, museums, traditional architecture, and places where you can learn more about the region's history.
Each emirate has something worth discovering.
And that's what makes visiting the UAE so interesting.
You're not limited to one type of experience.
You can admire futuristic architecture, explore traditional markets, visit historic sites, spend time in the mountains, and enjoy an incredible meal, all within the same trip.
I Left in 2010. Then I Came Back in 2015.
In 2010, after seven years, I returned home.
Seven years is a long time.
Long enough to create routines, develop friendships, become familiar with a culture, and accumulate memories that don't simply disappear when you pack your suitcase.
But my story with the UAE wasn't finished.
In 2015, I returned.
And I stayed until 2017.
Another two years.
That brought my time living in the UAE to roughly nine years altogether.
By then, the country had changed enormously from the one I first encountered in 2003.
Dubai had its Metro. The skyline had transformed. The UAE had become an even bigger international destination.
The country was moving forward, and the difference between the UAE I had first known and the one I returned to was remarkable.
But what I appreciated most hadn't changed.
I still loved the mixture of cultures, the food, the lifestyle, and the everyday comforts of living there.
And perhaps that's what made returning so meaningful.
I wasn't discovering the UAE for the first time anymore.
I was returning to a place that already held years of my memories.
There's a different kind of affection you develop for somewhere you've experienced during several stages of your life.
You don't just remember how the place looked.
You remember who you were when you lived there.
The Comfort of Living in the UAE Is Something I Still Appreciate
When people ask why I love the UAE, it's tempting to talk about all the beautiful places and amazing food.
But the truth is, much of my affection comes from the ordinary experience of living there.
The convenience of everyday life.
The familiar neighborhoods.
The places you visit after work.
The ease of finding different cuisines, meeting people from different backgrounds, and enjoying activities with friends or family.
The comfort of developing a routine in a country that once seemed completely unfamiliar.
Of course, being an expat isn't always easy.
There's homesickness. There are sacrifices. There are difficult days when you're exhausted and wonder what you're doing so far away from everything you know.
And it's important to recognize that different people have very different experiences of working and living abroad.
But for me, the UAE gave me much more than employment.
It gave me memories, friendships, independence, and experiences that helped shape the person I became.
I arrived at 20, carrying grief and uncertainty.
I left in 2010 with years of memories.
And when I returned in 2015, I already knew there was something special about the country that had become such a significant part of my life.
Why I Would Choose the UAE Over and Over Again
It's been years since I last lived in the UAE, but my affection for the country hasn't faded.
I still think about the food.
I still remember the places.
I still smile at memories of those late nights in Al Ain, the people I met, the Arabic I learned, and the different cities I once called home.
And I still find myself admiring how much the country has grown.
But the thing that stays with me most is how unexpectedly it all began.
In November 2003, I arrived in the UAE at one of the lowest points of my life.
I had just lost my father.
I was young, frightened, and trying to figure out how to make a living.
I had no idea that I was about to spend nearly a decade of my life in a country that would become so important to me.
The UAE didn't take away my grief, and it certainly didn't make every difficult part of life disappear.
But it gave me room to grow, to discover new experiences, to build friendships, and to find happiness during a chapter that had begun with so much sadness.
I went to the UAE because I needed to make a living. Somewhere along the way, I made a life.
And I think that's why I love it so much.
So if you're considering visiting the United Arab Emirates, I hope you do.
Go beyond the skyscrapers.
Visit the cultural landmarks, explore the quieter cities, admire the mountains, experience Emirati hospitality, and appreciate the beautiful diversity of people who call the country home.
Eat the shawarma. Try the manakeesh. Order the butter chicken with naan.
And for heaven's sake, don't leave without trying a proper biryani.
Most importantly, give yourself the opportunity to discover the UAE beyond what you've seen in the news or on social media.
You might arrive expecting to be impressed by the buildings.
But you may leave remembering the people, the culture, the food, and the way the place made you feel.
That's what happened to me.
I went there scared.
I stayed long enough to fall in love.
I left, came back, and loved it all over again.
And if life gave me the opportunity to choose the UAE again, I would. Without hesitation.
Although, if we're being completely serious, somebody needs to tell me where I can find biryani that tastes exactly like the one I used to eat there. Because that craving has lasted longer than some relationships.