<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd">
<channel>
<title>Gadling</title>
<link>http://www.gadling.com</link>
<description>Gadling</description>
<image>
<url>http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif</url>
<title>Gadling</title>
<link>http://www.gadling.com</link>
</image>
<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.</copyright>
<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Serial public art around the world]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/serial-public-art-around-the-world/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/serial-public-art-around-the-world/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/serial-public-art-around-the-world/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/activism/" rel="tag">Activism</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/cultures/" rel="tag">Arts and Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/photos/" rel="tag">Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/europe/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/turkey/" rel="tag">Turkey</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/germany/" rel="tag">Germany</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/switzerland/" rel="tag">Switzerland</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-kingdom/" rel="tag">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/canada/" rel="tag">Canada</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-states/" rel="tag">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a></p><img border="1" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/10/public-art-camel-caravan-2.jpg" vspace="4" /><br />
<br />
Public art exhibitions featuring a common sculpture that is multiplied and then embellished by various artists have been popping up in cities worldwide since 1998. Artistic director Walter Knapp first came up with the idea and convinced artists to dot Zurich, Switzerland with a collection of artfully-decorated lions. Within a year, Chicago businessman Peter Hanig had taken the idea and ran with it, using life-sized cows for an exhibition titled <em>CowParade</em> that is still circling the world today.<br />
<br />
This idea of serial public art spread like wildfire into over 70 cities across the United States and many other locations worldwide. Tourism administrations seem to think the installations draw a crowd, while the exhibitions typically end in pieces being auctioned off to charity. It's a win-win for all--unless, of course, you think the artworks are an eyesore.<br />
<br />
From mermaids to gorillas, click through the gallery below to see a sampling of serial public art from around the world.<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/chicago-illinois-and-other-cities-worldwide/">Serial Public Art Around the World</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/chicago-illinois-and-other-cities-worldwide/#4530484"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/10/public-art-cowparade_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Chicago, Illinois (and other cities worldwide)" title="Chicago, Illinois (and other cities worldwide)" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/chicago-illinois-and-other-cities-worldwide/#4530478"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/10/public-art-buddy-bears_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Berlin, Germany (and other cities worldwide)" title="Berlin, Germany (and other cities worldwide)" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/chicago-illinois-and-other-cities-worldwide/#4530480"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/10/public-art-moose-in-the-city_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Toronto, Ontario, Canada" title="Toronto, Ontario, Canada" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/chicago-illinois-and-other-cities-worldwide/#4530481"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/10/public-art-mermaids-on-parade_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Norfolk, Virgnia" title="Norfolk, Virgnia" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/chicago-illinois-and-other-cities-worldwide/#4530477"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2011/10/public-art-baltimore-crabtown_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Baltimore, Maryland" title="Baltimore, Maryland" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/serial-public-art-around-the-world/">Serial public art around the world</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/serial-public-art-around-the-world/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/20082797/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/17/serial-public-art-around-the-world/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>art</category><category>berlin</category><category>california</category><category>canada</category><category>chicago</category><category>cowparade</category><category>florida</category><category>germany</category><category>illinois</category><category>istanbul</category><category>norfolk</category><category>ontario</category><category>pensacola</category><category>public art</category><category>public art displays</category><category>public art projct</category><category>public art sculpture</category><category>PublicArt</category><category>PublicArtDisplays</category><category>PublicArtProjct</category><category>PublicArtSculpture</category><category>san francisco</category><category>SanFrancisco</category><category>santa rosa</category><category>SantaRosa</category><category>sculpture</category><category>switzerland</category><category>toronto</category><category>turkey</category><category>united states</category><category>UnitedStates</category><category>usa</category><category>virginia</category><category>zurich</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Libby Zay]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trade Mocked]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/africa/" rel="tag">Africa</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/asia/" rel="tag">Asia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/europe/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/oceania/" rel="tag">Oceania</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/south-america/" rel="tag">South America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/algeria/" rel="tag">Algeria</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/congo/" rel="tag">Congo</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/ethiopia/" rel="tag">Ethiopia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/gambia/" rel="tag">Gambia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/morocco/" rel="tag">Morocco</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/south-africa/" rel="tag">South Africa</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/zambia/" rel="tag">Zambia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/bangladesh/" rel="tag">Bangladesh</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/iran/" rel="tag">Iran</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/israel/" rel="tag">Israel</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/malaysia/" rel="tag">Malaysia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/maldives/" rel="tag">Maldives</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/pakistan/" rel="tag">Pakistan</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/russian-federation/" rel="tag">Russian Federation</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/turkey/" rel="tag">Turkey</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-arab/" rel="tag">United Arab</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/vietnam/" rel="tag">Vietnam</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/albania/" rel="tag">Albania</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/andorra/" rel="tag">Andorra</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/austria/" rel="tag">Austria</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/bosnia-herzegovina/" rel="tag">Bosnia-Herzegovina</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/croatia/" rel="tag">Croatia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/czech-republic/" rel="tag">Czech Republic</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/denmark/" rel="tag">Denmark</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/estonia/" rel="tag">Estonia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/hungary/" rel="tag">Hungary</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/iceland/" rel="tag">Iceland</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/italy/" rel="tag">Italy</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/lithuania/" rel="tag">Lithuania</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/monaco/" rel="tag">Monaco</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/poland/" rel="tag">Poland</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/romania/" rel="tag">Romania</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/serbia-montenegro/" rel="tag">Serbia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/slovakia/" rel="tag">Slovakia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/slovenia/" rel="tag">Slovenia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/spain/" rel="tag">Spain</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/switzerland/" rel="tag">Switzerland</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-kingdom/" rel="tag">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/bahamas/" rel="tag">Bahamas</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/belize/" rel="tag">Belize</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/canada/" rel="tag">Canada</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/costa-rica/" rel="tag">Costa Rica</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/dominica/" rel="tag">Dominica</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/el-salvador/" rel="tag">El Salvador</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/jamaica/" rel="tag">Jamaica</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-states/" rel="tag">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/new-zealand/" rel="tag">New Zealand</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/papua-new-guinea/" rel="tag">Papua New Guinea</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/argentina/" rel="tag">Argentina</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/brazil/" rel="tag">Brazil</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/chile/" rel="tag">Chile</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/colombia/" rel="tag">Colombia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/ecuador/" rel="tag">Ecuador</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/peru/" rel="tag">Peru</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/internet-tools/" rel="tag">Internet Tools</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/central-america/" rel="tag">Central America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/caribbean/" rel="tag">Caribbean</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/french-polynesia/" rel="tag">French Polynesia</a></p><img hspace="4" height="286" border="1" width="200" vspace="4" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2010/04/cheerleader.jpg" />You were a cheerleader, you dated a cheerleader, or you hated the cheerleaders. As I recall, that's how high school worked. <br />
<br />
Thanks to travel PR, that same primeval paradigm lives on long after graduation. That miniskirts-shouting-slogans thing still works, whether you're a used car salesman, Miley Cyrus on VH1 or the tourist board of a small Balkan nation. When it comes to selling your destination in today's busy world of busy people, a country's name just isn't enough--just like school spirit, you need colors, a pep band, a mascot, a brand and most important--a cheer.<br />
<br />
It's tragic but true: tourist boards don't trust their country's name to inspire appropriate thoughts in your brain. Toponyms are too open-ended and too untrustworthy--also, way too obvious. For example, what's the first thing that pops into your head when I say . . . Monte Carlo? How about Australia? The Bahamas? Kuwait? The Gambia?<br />
<br />
Whatever you're thinking, it's not enough. Tourist boards want you to choose their destination over all others, then allocate all of your vacation days to them and then come spend your money on very specific things--like miniature golf by the sea or hot air balloon rides across the prairie. In short, they want your school spirit so much they're churning out cheers to fill up all the Swiss cheese holes in your mental map of the world.<br />
<br />
Like a good cheer, a good destination slogan is simple and so memorable it sticks in your head like two-sided tape. Sex sells, but then so does love: "Virginia is for Lovers", Hungary offers visitors "A Love for Life", Albania promises "A New Mediterranean Love", while the highlighted "I feel Slovenia" spells out sweetly "I Feel Love". Meanwhile, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina call themselves "the Heart Shaped Land" and Denmark's logo is a red heart with a white cross. Colombia and Dubai have red hearts in their logo. Everybody else uses sunshine.<p><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Trade Mocked</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/">Trade Mocked</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/19434469/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/10/trade-mocked/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>advertising</category><category>countries</category><category>PR</category><category>public relations</category><category>PublicRelations</category><category>tourism</category><category>trademarks</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Evans]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dubai no longer owns the top floor of their tallest building]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/01/dubai-no-longer-owns-the-top-floor-of-their-tallest-building/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/01/dubai-no-longer-owns-the-top-floor-of-their-tallest-building/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/01/dubai-no-longer-owns-the-top-floor-of-their-tallest-building/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-arab/" rel="tag">United Arab</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2010/04/burj.jpg"  alt="The Burj Khalifa" />Due to the new vertical regulations passed last week, it has been determined that Dubai's <a href="http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/">Burj Khalifa</a>, the tallest building in the world, has at least one floor higher than the country's vertical boundaries.<br />
<br />
The building stands at approximately 2,625 feet. Last week's international conference determined that vertical boundaries for any given nation should end at 790 meters, or about 2,592 feet. The new regulation was intended to allow duty free shopping on all flights -- including smaller, private planes -- but it looks as though the Burj Khalifa may have been an oversight.<br />
<br />
Representatives from Dubai have yet to make an official comment or to disclose whether this regulation will affect just one or two levels of the Burj Khalifa. There is a rumor that they have begun talks to open a duty free shop right in their top-floor observation deck.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/01/dubai-no-longer-owns-the-top-floor-of-their-tallest-building/">Dubai no longer owns the top floor of their tallest building</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/01/dubai-no-longer-owns-the-top-floor-of-their-tallest-building/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/19423417/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/01/dubai-no-longer-owns-the-top-floor-of-their-tallest-building/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>aprilfools2010</category><category>burj khalifa</category><category>BurjKhalifa</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Annie Scott]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Galley Gossip: Flight attendant is sent to prison for sexy texting]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/airlines/" rel="tag">Airlines</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/galley-gossip/" rel="tag">Galley Gossip</a></p><p><img border="1" hspace="4" alt="" vspace="4" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2010/03/2734782126ed629d1ed5m.jpg" />Recently someone said to me, "I travel on international flights all the time to visit family and I've noticed that the <a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/09/galley-gossip-a-question-about-why-flight-attendants-are-fat/">women who work for the airlines are getting older</a>. Is this okay?"<br />
<br />
Is this okay? Is this okay! I couldn't decide whether to laugh or throw whatever was in my hand at the time. Instead I took a deep breath and replied, "Of course it's okay! Women age. So do passengers."<br />
<br />
I mean really! <br />
<br />
After it hit me that the man was probably a foreigner and not used to the ways of airlines in the U.S., I added, "I plan on being one of those flight attendants who use the beverage cart as a walker. Because in the United States flight attendants are allowed to age. We're also allowed to gain weight, get married, and have children."<br />
<br />
Crazy, I know!<br />
<br />
Wanna know what else flight attendants are allowed to do? Send sexy text messages. It's true! Not that I'm a sexy text-er or anything, but if I wanted to send a sexy text I could, and I could do so without worrying about getting sent to prison for three months. Ya see here in the good ole US of A life is pretty darn nice. Especially if you're a flight attendant. <br />
<br />
What in the world am I talking about? In case you haven't heard, an Emirates flight attendant and supervisor were recently sent to prison for three months for sending sexy text messages to each other. <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35910602/ns/travel-news/">MSNBC reported </a>that "the pair were convicted of 'coercion to commit sin' over messages and were initially sentenced to six months in jail" <br />
<br />
Gulp. <br />
<br />
 </p><p><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Galley Gossip: Flight attendant is sent to prison for sexy texting</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/">Galley Gossip: Flight attendant is sent to prison for sexy texting</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/19403903/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-is-sent-to-prison-for-sexy-texti/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Airline</category><category>airline workers</category><category>AirlineWorkers</category><category>Cabin crew</category><category>CabinCrew</category><category>Dubai</category><category>Emirates</category><category>flight attendant</category><category>FlightAttendant</category><category>jail</category><category>prison</category><category>Sexy text message</category><category>SexyTextMessage</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Poole]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[British couple in Dubai faces jail time for kissing]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/british-couple-in-dubai-faces-jail-time-for-kissing/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/british-couple-in-dubai-faces-jail-time-for-kissing/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/british-couple-in-dubai-faces-jail-time-for-kissing/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a></p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lori_greig/2969856177/"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" align="right" alt="Dubai Creek at night" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2010/03/dubai.jpg" /></a>PDAs (Public Displays of Affection) can make some people a little uncomfortable, but in Dubai, they'll send you to jail.<br />
<br />
Until recently, Dubai was booming. Tourism and business travel were growing at at an exponential rate, and Dubai became a household name-destination seemingly overnight. One of the dangers of a boom like this is that some new visitors think every place has the same rules, and that what's okay in their own country will be okay in any country. Not so -- and if you're the offender they decide to make an example of, you're screwed.<br />
<br />
The incident in question actually took place last November; a British expat and a female friend were arrested for kissing and "intimate touching," as well as consuming alcohol, in public. According to Reuters, "the case is the third time in under two years in which Britons have hit the headlines by falling foul of decency laws in Dubai." Dubai attempted to send the couple to jail for a month and subsequently deport them.<br />
<br />
This Sunday, a lawyer for the pair appealed by going whole-hog and saying there wasn't any kissing. "There was no lip kissing. It was just a normal greeting that is not considered offensive," lawyer Khalaf al-Hosani told the court, adding that the two in question are "just friends."<br />
<br />
The couple is currently free on bail and have paid their $272 fine for illegal alcohol consumption. The verdict deciding whether or not they'll go to jail is expected April 4. <br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/the-10-most-common-foreign-cities-in-which-americans-are-arrested/">The 10 most common foreign cities in which Americans are arrested</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/the-10-most-common-foreign-cities-in-which-americans-are-arrested/#576052"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2008/01/tijuanamap01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Tijuana, Mexico" title="Tijuana, Mexico" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/the-10-most-common-foreign-cities-in-which-americans-are-arrested/#576051"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2008/01/guadmap01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Guadalajara, Mexico" title="Guadalajara, Mexico" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/the-10-most-common-foreign-cities-in-which-americans-are-arrested/#576071"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2008/01/d3q3fcqewruwfnjwa_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Nuevo Laredo, Mexico" title="Nuevo Laredo, Mexico" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/the-10-most-common-foreign-cities-in-which-americans-are-arrested/#576055"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2008/01/04london01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="London, UK" title="London, UK" /></a><a href="http://www.gadling.com/photos/the-10-most-common-foreign-cities-in-which-americans-are-arrested/#576057"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2008/01/05mexicocity01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="Mexico City, Mexico" title="Mexico City, Mexico" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/british-couple-in-dubai-faces-jail-time-for-kissing/">British couple in Dubai faces jail time for kissing</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62E3NL20100315>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/british-couple-in-dubai-faces-jail-time-for-kissing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/19401451/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/british-couple-in-dubai-faces-jail-time-for-kissing/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>alcohol</category><category>dubai</category><category>kissing</category><category>laws</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Annie Scott]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Burj Dubai is now open!]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/the-burj-dubai-is-now-open/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/the-burj-dubai-is-now-open/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/the-burj-dubai-is-now-open/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-arab/" rel="tag">United Arab</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/middle-east/" rel="tag">Middle East</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2010/01/burj_dubai_by_emaar_properties.jpg" alt="" />Looking for new ways to get high? Skip the local street dealer, and book your flight to <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Dubai/">Dubai</a>. Today, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/02/the-burj-dubai-opens-on-monday-tallest-building-in-the-world/">the Burj Dubai is open to the public</a>, and the views from its 124th floor observation deck can't be beat. Now the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai captures the spirit of its hometown - you know, trying to make <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/LasVegas/">Las Vegas</a> look small and humble. Also, in true Dubai style, money gets you to the front of the line: pay a little more than twice the normal ticket price to get up to the observation deck faster.<br />
<br />
If you want to stay in the tower, you'll have to wait a little loner, though. <a href="http://www.armanihotels.com" target="_blank">The Armani Hotel Dubai</a> - a <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/tag/luxury/">luxury</a> property which represents the collaboration between <a target="_blank" href="http://www.emaar.com">Giorgio Armani</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.emaar.com">Emaar Properties</a> - won't open until March 18, 2010. This will be the first in a series of Armani properties that will include hotels, resorts and residences around the world. Expect demand for these rooms to be palpable, so if you want to be among the first to stay in these rooms, book your stay in late January, when reservations will start to be taken.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VrGsS2IQqAg&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VrGsS2IQqAg&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> </center><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/the-burj-dubai-is-now-open/">The Burj Dubai is now open!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/the-burj-dubai-is-now-open/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/19301535/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/the-burj-dubai-is-now-open/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>armani</category><category>burj dubai</category><category>BurjDubai</category><category>dubai</category><category>Giorgio Armani</category><category>GiorgioArmani</category><category>luxury</category><category>luxury hotel</category><category>luxury hotel suites</category><category>luxury hotels</category><category>luxury travel</category><category>LuxuryHotel</category><category>LuxuryHotels</category><category>LuxuryHotelSuites</category><category>LuxuryTravel</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom Johansmeyer]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Galley Gossip:  Airline uniforms (plus a chance to win free tickets on Olympic Airlines)]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/europe/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/france/" rel="tag">France</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/greece/" rel="tag">Greece</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-states/" rel="tag">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/airlines/" rel="tag">Airlines</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/galley-gossip/" rel="tag">Galley Gossip</a></p><p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2009/05/3424024961_c274752fdf_m.jpg" alt="" id="img1" /></p>
<p>Just like Cliff Muskiet, <a href="http://www.uniformfreak.com/">the uniform freak</a>, I have a thing for airline uniforms. I think most flight attendants do. In fact, inside my guestroom closet hangs three different uniform styles from two different airlines. I've saved it all - the pants, the skirts, the dresses, the jackets, the vests, the blouses, the wings, and even the blue tie I snapped around my neck and the epaulets I wore on both shoulders with the pleated Bermuda shorts and high heels at Sun Jet International Airlines. Talk about embarrassing. I still own everything except for the silky red and blue scarf I wore thirteen years ago when I first got hired to fly for the airline I currently work for. Oh how I wish I still had that scarf. I wore it off to the side, tied in a knot around my neck. That simple scarf made the conservative navy blue polyester uniform appear sexy and feminine.</p>
<p>"I loved that navy blue coat dress we wore years ago," said Cady, an ex flight attendant who is also my very best friend. </p>
<p>Personally, I prefer the look of the white starched blouse paired with the navy blue knee length skirt and fitted blazer, even though I always end up wearing the uniform dress. As <a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/12/galley-gossip-a-question-about-why-im-based-in-new-york-when/">a commuter</a>, I have to pack what's easy.</p>
<p>Now my all time favorite airline uniform is worn by the flight attendants of <a href="http://www.uniformfreak.com/index2a.html">Air France</a>. Though they look great, I'm not quite sure how <em>I</em> would actually feel about serving drinks while wearing the big red bow at 35,000 feet. <a href="http://www.uniformfreak.com/index2a.html">Delta</a> looks fantastic in navy blue with just a hint of red. However the white bell sleeves, while stylish, seem like they could easily get dirty. That could be a problem for me. I'm a bit of a mess when I get stuck working in the galley, and a dirty uniform is an ugly uniform. <a href="http://www.uniformfreak.com/index2a.html">Emirates</a>' uniform is pretty nice - that is if you look good in Khaki and don't mind wearing a head scarf. The worst airline uniform has to be <a href="http://www.uniformfreak.com/1firstchoice.html">First Choice Airways</a>. I mean seriously, pink? </p>
<p>As I began writing this post, I wondered what others thought about all the different airline uniforms, so I posed the question, which airlines have the best uniforms, on <a href="http://twitter.com/Heather_Poole">twitter.com</a> and here's what a few people had to say...</p><p><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Galley Gossip:  Airline uniforms (plus a chance to win free tickets on Olympic Airlines)</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/">Galley Gossip:  Airline uniforms (plus a chance to win free tickets on Olympic Airlines)</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.grreporter.info/statiaen.php?mysid=2102&amp;t=28&amp;SESID=mmu8r9sbamgrbu3ik757p7ok40>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/19051725/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/06/01/galley-gossip-airline-uniforms-plus-a-chance-to-win-free-tick/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Air France</category><category>AirFrance</category><category>airlines</category><category>Delta Airlines</category><category>DeltaAirlines</category><category>Emirates</category><category>Olympic Airlines</category><category>OlympicAirlines</category><category>Uniform</category><category>Uniform Freak</category><category>UniformFreak</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Poole]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Irishman Runs Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, in Six Days]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/08/irishman-runs-seven-marathons-on-seven-continents-in-six-days/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/08/irishman-runs-seven-marathons-on-seven-continents-in-six-days/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/08/irishman-runs-seven-marathons-on-seven-continents-in-six-days/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/activism/" rel="tag">Activism</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/antarctica/" rel="tag">Antarctica</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/south-africa/" rel="tag">South Africa</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/ireland/" rel="tag">Ireland</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-kingdom/" rel="tag">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/canada/" rel="tag">Canada</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/chile/" rel="tag">Chile</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2009/02/marathon.jpg"  alt="" />Irish endurance runner Richard Donovan completed an impressive series of runs a few days back when he completed his seventh marathon in just six days. Even more impressive than that however, is that each of those marathons was run on a different continent.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/live/6.html" target="_blank">World Marathon Challenge</a> got underway on January 31st when Donvan ran a marathon in Antarctica, covering the 26.2 miles n 4 hours, 39 minutes, 29 seconds in temperatures hovering around 0&ordm; Fahrenheit. Upon completing that race, he immediately hopped on a plane and flew to Cape Town, for his second run on the same day. From there, it was on to Dubai, where the temperatures soared dramatically, but Richard completed his third marathon in two days on the 1st of February.<br /><br />The next destination was London, where the city was experiencing its worst snowfall in years, but Donvan pushed through, and logged his 26.2 miles, at three in the morning no less, before jetting off to Toronto, for yet another marathon. He completed the South American leg of his challenge by running a marathon in Santiago, Chile. The last of his runs took place in Sydney, Australia on Thursday, February 5th.<br /><br />All told, Richard completed his journey in just 5 days, 10 hours, and 8 minutes, collecting 26,719 frequent flyer miles in the process. According to <a href="http://www.independent.ie/national-news/irishman-runs-rings-around-marathon-records-1630137.html" target="_blank">this story</a> from the<a href="http://www.independent.ie/"> Independent</a>, his only opportunities to eat and rest were aboard the airplanes he was flyng on, which caused him to battle sleep deprivation and jet lag the entire was as well. <br /><br />What were Richard's motivations for undertaking the World Marathon Challenge? To raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Darfur, and to raise funds for the Irish charity <a href="http://www.goal.ie/" target="_blank">GOAL</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/08/irishman-runs-seven-marathons-on-seven-continents-in-six-days/">Irishman Runs Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, in Six Days</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/08/irishman-runs-seven-marathons-on-seven-continents-in-six-days/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/1453374/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/02/08/irishman-runs-seven-marathons-on-seven-continents-in-six-days/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>antarctica</category><category>australia</category><category>canada</category><category>chile</category><category>darfur</category><category>dubai</category><category>ireland</category><category>london</category><category>marathon</category><category>running</category><category>santiago</category><category>south africa</category><category>SouthAfrica</category><category>toronto</category><category>united kingdom</category><category>UnitedKingdom</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kraig Becker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Airbus wins bet, makes president less of a loser]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/airbus-wins-bet-makes-president-less-of-a-loser/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/airbus-wins-bet-makes-president-less-of-a-loser/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/airbus-wins-bet-makes-president-less-of-a-loser/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/asia/" rel="tag">Asia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/airlines/" rel="tag">Airlines</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2009/01/airbusa380.jpg" alt="" />When your reputation is so bad that you have to make a bet that you'll meet production targets, as <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/Airbus/">Airbus</a> President Tom Enders did, you need to realize that your victory would be break-even for anyone else. The man with the poor track record <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-12-31-airbus-a380-bet_N.htm">scored a bottle of champagne</a> by delivering the fourth of four planes to <a href="http://www.emirates.com/" target="_blank">Emirates Airline</a> on time. The total order is for 58, which means Airbus has plenty of work ahead of it.<br /><br />Hell, he even had two days of wiggle room. If the champagne is as good as his reputation, Enders will endure an incredibly sweet victory. <br /><br />Before we give Airbus too much respect, his announcement of champagne success was accompanied with a warning that the fifth plane, due by the end of March, will not be ready until mid-April. Of course, this will occur despite the fact that the on-time delivery "gives us a good basis to further ramp-up our production in 2009." Emirates president Tim Clark leaked this tidbit to <a href="http://www.reuters.com" target="_blank">Reuters</a>. <br /><br />Enders made the bet with the media at a press conference in September because he's missed his deadlines four times in three years. And, we all know that reporters are perpetually broke ... they only make bets they're likely to win. This says so much about Airbus and its leader.<br /><br />Already, he's screwed up 2009. Airbus parent <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/EADS/">EADS</a> confessed that it will miss its objective of 21 <a href="http://www.gadling.com/tag/A380/">A380</a>s this year. This, apparently, is how one treats its largest customer.<br /><br />[Via Reuters via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-12-31-airbus-a380-bet_N.htm">USA Today</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/airbus-wins-bet-makes-president-less-of-a-loser/">Airbus wins bet, makes president less of a loser</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/airbus-wins-bet-makes-president-less-of-a-loser/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/1416456/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/airbus-wins-bet-makes-president-less-of-a-loser/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>a380</category><category>airbus</category><category>airline</category><category>airline industry</category><category>airline sector</category><category>AirlineIndustry</category><category>airlines</category><category>AirlineSector</category><category>eads</category><category>emirates</category><category>emiratesairlines</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom Johansmeyer]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Burj Dubai: why does it have to go so high!?]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/30/burj-dubai-why-does-it-have-to-go-so-high/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/30/burj-dubai-why-does-it-have-to-go-so-high/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/30/burj-dubai-why-does-it-have-to-go-so-high/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a></p><a href="http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/03/dubai/image/1burj-dubai.jpg"><img width="189" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="260" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2007/10/burj-dubai.jpg" /></a>Dubai is all about being the best, biggest, richest, poshest, greatest, hottest and having the longest, widest, highest, gaudiest, craziest...the list is endless. <br /><br />When I lived there, when we read the news on these new and upcoming 'superlative' projects, we would joke about how Dubai really is an architectural representation of the male ego -- constantly trying to prove who has got the biggest you-know-what. No offense intended. <br /><br />Anyway, home to the world's first and only 7-star hotel, man-made islands in the shape of a palm and the world -- that can be seen from the moon (that's how they marketed the New Year's Eve bash in 2006: "be at the party that can be seen from the moon!" What a disaster it was!) -- Dubai is also battling to be home to the worlds tallest building with the construction of the <a href="http://www.burjdubai.com/">Burj Dubai</a>.<br /><br />Construction began in 2004, and <a href="http://traveler.fivestaralliance.com/index.php/2007/10/29/burj-dubai-the-worlds-tallest-building-keeps-getting-taller/">today</a> the building stands at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Dubai">585.7 meters</a>. They haven't confirmed how high it's going to be, because they want to win the race. If they declare the height, they are afraid someone else may beat them to it.<br /><br />I have a friend who works on the architectural team of the Burj. He tells me how scared he is about the construction of this monstrosity. See, the structure works on paper, but since it's aiming to be the tallest, its infrastructure has never been tested before.<br /><br />What does that mean? They cannot foresee all consequences, so anything can happen; I see a danger flag. My friend says he will make sure he's on the first flight out once he finishes his job; he's not thrilled to be part of something so potentially dangerous. <br /><br />Some of Dubai's kicks are just beyond me. I enjoyed living there, but I'm glad to be out.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/30/burj-dubai-why-does-it-have-to-go-so-high/">Burj Dubai: why does it have to go so high!?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/30/burj-dubai-why-does-it-have-to-go-so-high/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/1025702/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/30/burj-dubai-why-does-it-have-to-go-so-high/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>building</category><category>dubai</category><category>Middle East</category><category>MiddleEast</category><category>tallest</category><category>UAE</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Abha Malpani]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[GADLING'S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 24]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/29/gadlings-take-five-week-of-december-24/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/29/gadlings-take-five-week-of-december-24/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/29/gadlings-take-five-week-of-december-24/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/cultures/" rel="tag">Arts and Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/learning/" rel="tag">Learning</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/events/" rel="tag">Festivals and Events</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-states/" rel="tag">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/airlines/" rel="tag">Airlines</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="Gadling" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2006/12/gadlinglogo.gif" />Before you start rattling off with excuses about how the family was visiting from Buffalo or how you got tied up under the mistletoe, please do me one small favor. Spare the sob story. I don't care why you couldn't get here or what could have been more important than getting your travel fix, but you're lucky that I'm nice and feeling the holiday spirit for I'm giving you the gift of checking out what you missed!<br /><a href="http://surfing.gadling.com/2006/12/24/would-you-like-polonium-with-that/"><br />5. Would You Like Polonium With That?:</a><br />Folks following the case of the Russian spy that was poisoned might be interested in filling their mouths with the very same cuisine the spy was noshing on when things went awry and sour in his stomach. Iva informs us that the Itsu in London isn't doing so well at the moment and one can understand why, but the newest location in NYC is thriving. Someone daring enough to try the hamachi?<br /><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/hes-baaaaack-michael-jackson-in-vegas/"><br />4. He's BaaaaaacK! Michael Jackson in Vegas:</a><br />I'm not going to say a whole lot here. Erik already did a fine job of that, but in short the King of Pop shall be performing in Vegas. C'mon you know and I know you're dying to see Mike!<br /><br /><a href="http://paddling.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/">3. Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights:</a><br />Starting in January 2007, Emirates Airlines will be the first to allow cell phones use during flights. If you're not a fan of cell phones in general or someone babbling in your ear it may be time to invest in some ear plugs.<br /><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/24/expense-reports-the-bane-of-travel-writers/"><br />2. Expense Reports: The Bane of Travel Writers:</a><br />Okay, this is funny because if you've ever needed a receipt for any job, not just travel writing you can relate. Expense reports are just not fun, but such is what must be done when traveling on the company's dollar.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/not-taking-vacation-shame-on-you/">1. Not Taking Vacation! Shame on You!:</a><br />This is too hard to believe. There are people (American people) who actually don't take their vacation days off. It is just jaw-dropping. We're not saying take the one or two weeks and go to Tonga, but geez, give yourself the opportunity to kick back at home and watch the Discovery Channel for crying out loud. Take a break!<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/29/gadlings-take-five-week-of-december-24/">GADLING'S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 24</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:49:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/29/gadlings-take-five-week-of-december-24/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/724059/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/29/gadlings-take-five-week-of-december-24/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>celebrity</category><category>expense reports</category><category>ExpenseReports</category><category>expenses</category><category>itsu</category><category>las vegas</category><category>LasVegas</category><category>michael jackson</category><category>MichaelJackson</category><category>ne wyork</category><category>nevada</category><category>new york city</category><category>NeWyork</category><category>NewYorkCity</category><category>nyc</category><category>russian spy</category><category>RussianSpy</category><category>vacation</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Adrienne Wilson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:49:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/asia/" rel="tag">Asia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/europe/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-states/" rel="tag">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/australia/" rel="tag">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/airlines/" rel="tag">Airlines</a></p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/12/21/wired.airlines/index.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="Emirates"  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2006/12/emirates-airlines.jpg" /></a>Here is a story that leaves me middle of the road. As much as I enjoy my own cell phone bicker-babble to my home girl Becky about last night's victory in Taboo over cheese and wine I can honestly say if some stranger on the street were having a similar chat with their loved ones for an extended period of time in my presence I'd probably get a little annoyed. Since cell phones have become an extension of man's ear time, place, and usage etiquette have been of large discussion.<br /><br />Starting January 2007 <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/12/21/wired.airlines/index.html">Emirates Airlines will be the first carrier to allow  cell phone chatter</a> while 35,000 ft. in flight. Calls made in-flight with Emirates will fall right in line with international roaming rates which vary by mobile carrier. Australian airline, Quantas, hopes to have the technology to allow in-flight cell phone talk by early next year, but it looks like it will be a while before the U.S. follows suit. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/12/21/wired.airlines/index.html">CNN also notes that 61 percent of business travelers</a> oppose the idea of being able to use their cell phones while flying. I can certainly OVERstand that. As if jetting to and fro for your big corporate American hot-shot boss isn't enough now they'll have the opportunity to ring your ears out while coping with turbulence and the nasty recycled air blowing from above your head. If you're traveling for leisure and wish to have a quick word with your friend of family member about your flight time or groceries to pick up from the store that could be just fine and dandy so long as it doesn't last the full length of the flight. There isn't enough cabin space if you ask me, but who am I to make up the rules?<br /><br />How do you feel about in-flight cell-phone use? Should the U.S. get with it or keep away?<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/">Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:49:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/12/21/wired.airlines/index.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/724694/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/26/emirates-airlines-to-allow-cell-phone-talk-on-flights/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>cell phones</category><category>CellPhones</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Adrienne Wilson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:49:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Link Traveling to Dubai]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/15/link-traveling-to-dubai/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/15/link-traveling-to-dubai/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/15/link-traveling-to-dubai/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/events/" rel="tag">Festivals and Events</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-arab/" rel="tag">United Arab</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a></p><a href="http://www.dubaitourism.ae/default.asp"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="Dubai" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2006/12/dubai.jpg" /></a>Everywhere I click on the web it seems I keep seeing Dubai, Dubai, and Dubai. Is now the time to go or what? I feel as though I'm missing out on something BIG here and the chances of me jetting over in the near future are very slim. Yes, pity me, please. Anyhow I thought I might as well offer an opportunity to explore some of what I've been hearing or reading about Dubai lately through some of the links found below just in case someone setting out to do some hardcore <a href="http://www.dubaitourism.ae/default.asp">Dubai travel planning</a> soon. <br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.mydsf.com/dsf/eng/index.asp">Dubai Shopping Festival</a> - Looks as though the DSF for 2006 is taking place right now, but if you plan well and save tons of money attending the 2007 event should be a breeze.</li>
    <li>Feel like running in the desert oasis anytime soon? Registration for the <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/12/14/215820/05/travel/Run+Into+the+New+Year+in+Dubai">Dubai Marathon</a> on January 12, 2007 doesn't close until New Year's Eve. Get out there and run!</li>
    <li>Gridskipper points out an excellent spot to mix, mingle and sing a song or three during karaoke. <a href="http://www.gridskipper.com/travel/nightlife/go-on-then-just-sing-220768.php">Karaoke in Dubai?</a> Yes, they sing and make a fool of themselves here too.</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/">Dubai International Film Festival</a> - Sadly this event ends on the 17th of December and don't say I didn't tell you it was approaching. I did my part.<br /></li>
    <li>Perhaps you're trying to find a nice last minute destination for the Christmas holiday. Why not consider Dubai? From this Go World Travel story I found not too long ago, the writer shares her dazzling surreal  <a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/christmas-in-dubai/">X-Mas experience in the UAE</a>.</li>
</ul><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/15/link-traveling-to-dubai/">Link Traveling to Dubai</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:16:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/15/link-traveling-to-dubai/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/719330/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/15/link-traveling-to-dubai/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>christmas</category><category>dubai</category><category>film festivals</category><category>FilmFestivals</category><category>marathons</category><category>shopping festival</category><category>ShoppingFestival</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Adrienne Wilson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:16:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dubai International Film Festival]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/events/" rel="tag">Festivals and Events</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-arab/" rel="tag">United Arab</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a></p><a href="http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" alt="DIFF" id="vimage_1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2006/11/dubai-international-film-festival.gif" /></a>While I'm in Persian Gulf I thougt I might as well mention the <a href="http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/">Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF)</a> taking place December 10-17, 2006. According to their news ticker the red carpet promises some of Hollywood, Bollywood, and the Arab worlds (Arab-wood?) hottest stars from the silver screen right in the flesh. If your interest rests only in the films, trust me when I say the selection is also rather sizzling. Spanning from Africa, Asia, Europe and the local talents there isn't a corner on the planet missed. If stroke of luck can get you to Dubai in such short notice, a trip to the festival might not be such a bad idea. Volver, Fast Food Nation and Babel are only a sampling of the 115 films from 47 countries on the lineup. Check out <a href="http://www.gridskipper.com/travel/abha-malpani/dubai-international-film-festival-218906.php">Gridskipper</a> or <a href="http://dubaifilmfest.com/en/category/2006-films/">the official site</a> for additional details.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/">Dubai International Film Festival</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:44:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://dubaifilmfest.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/707497/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/05/dubai-international-film-festival/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>bollywood</category><category>dubai</category><category>film festivals</category><category>FilmFestivals</category><category>hollywood</category><category>middle east</category><category>MiddleEast</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Adrienne Wilson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:44:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Marathon Tours]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2006/10/12/marathon-tours/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2006/10/12/marathon-tours/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2006/10/12/marathon-tours/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/events/" rel="tag">Festivals and Events</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/africa/" rel="tag">Africa</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/asia/" rel="tag">Asia</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/europe/" rel="tag">Europe</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/south-america/" rel="tag">South America</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/antarctica/" rel="tag">Antarctica</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/kenya/" rel="tag">Kenya</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/iceland/" rel="tag">Iceland</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/united-states/" rel="tag">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/ecuador/" rel="tag">Ecuador</a></p><a href="http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.gadling.com/media/2006/10/ambassador-bridge.jpg" id="vimage_1" alt="Ambassador Bridge" /></a>Only 17 days remain between now and the moment in which I'll run my first 26.2 mile full <a href="http://www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com/index.cfm">marathon in Detroit</a>. Am I excited? Heck yeah, you bet I am. And you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you this, but I despise running. I hate the high impact and grueling feeling it has on my knees. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the sense of community and spirit amongst runners, the feeling of achievement and most certainly the opportunity to go places, but it's so hard for me to remain mentally positive when my body is wondering why I'm pushing it the way I am. Anyhow, what I'm trying to say is if you're in Detroit or Windsor on October 29, come out and cheer me on! I'll need the support. <br /><br />Moving right along now that I've managed to squeeze my own shameless promotion into the plug, I suppose I should point running loving individuals or people who may want to get into the sport to this <a href="http://marathontours.com/index.shtml">Marathon Tours site</a>. First off, if you're truly a marathon fanatic you're probably already aware of this site, but even then I encourage you to check it out and start planning some serious marathon trips. Perhaps you've exhausted some of your options, favorite races, scenic routes or whatever. Why not run <a href="http://marathontours.com/antarctica/index.shtml">Antarctica</a> or Dubai? To be quite honest it's destinations like these and doing some so crazy that may keep into all this running jazz. Seriously, how cool would that be? Marathon Tours makes it easier if you're looking to <a href="http://marathontours.com/calendar.shtml">head abroad and check out the local scene</a> in places like Iceland, Jamaica, Stockholm, Kenya and Australia. With all the other prep going into the race I'd imagine their services to be a huge load off one's plate.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/10/12/marathon-tours/">Marathon Tours</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 11:51:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://marathontours.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/10/12/marathon-tours/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/683773/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2006/10/12/marathon-tours/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>detroit free press marathon</category><category>DetroitFreePressMarathon</category><category>dubai</category><category>fitness</category><category>health</category><category>marathon tours</category><category>marathons</category><category>MarathonTours</category><category>racing</category><category>running</category><category>sports</category><category>sports travel</category><category>SportsTravel</category><category>stockholm</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Adrienne Wilson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Oct 2006 11:51:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Ski Resort Rises from the Sands]]></title><link>http://www.gadling.com/2005/05/03/a-ski-resort-rises-from-the-sands/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.gadling.com/2005/05/03/a-ski-resort-rises-from-the-sands/</guid><comments>http://www.gadling.com/2005/05/03/a-ski-resort-rises-from-the-sands/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/skiing/" rel="tag">Skiing</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a>, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/category/emirates/" rel="tag">Emirates</a></p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&amp;u=/afp/20050427/ts_afp/uaedubaiski_050427064548"><img width="200" vspace="4" hspace="4" height="130" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/3082212677710755.JPG.47991778956800496" alt="Ski Dubai" /></a>
<p>Here's something which will make your either shake your head or pack your skis. There's a place in the Dubai desert where you will soon be able to seek indoor skiing. Called <a href="http://www.skidubai.ae/">Ski Dubai</a>, this 25-story mountain-themed resort is set to open this September, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&amp;u=/afp/20050427/ts_afp/uaedubaiski_050427064548">according to Yahoo/AFP</a>. It will boast a slope with an overall length of 400 metres, five trails of different grades and full time falling snowflakes. It is being built as part of the Mall of the Emirates, which the AFP says will be the world's third largest shopping center when completed.</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2005/05/03/a-ski-resort-rises-from-the-sands/">A Ski Resort Rises from the Sands</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.gadling.com">Gadling</a> on Tue, 03 May 2005 17:07:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.gadling.com/2005/05/03/a-ski-resort-rises-from-the-sands/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/forward/54267/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gadling.com/2005/05/03/a-ski-resort-rises-from-the-sands/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave (Blogsmith, old)]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2005 17:07:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
