Simply days earlier than regional tensions escalated with bombings involving Iran, KayBooz was having fun with what she describes as one of the crucial memorable and significant journeys she has ever taken to Dubai. Now safely again dwelling, she is reflecting on the expertise, and the emotional weight of studying concerning the violence shortly after leaving a metropolis she remembers as vibrant, welcoming, and vigorous.
KayBooz shared private notes about her time in Dubai, describing a spot outlined not by worry, however by heat, range, and a strong sense of neighborhood amongst individuals from all over the world.
A Metropolis That Felt Protected And Welcoming
Throughout her go to, KayBooz mentioned the ambiance in Dubai left a long-lasting impression on her and her buddies. She was struck by what number of cultures peacefully coexist within the metropolis and the way welcoming everybody they encountered appeared to be.
One of many highlights of the journey was their tour information, who shared tales about transferring to Dubai earlier than it grew into the worldwide hub it’s in the present day.
“He had us laughing your entire time,” KayBooz recalled. “Listening to how proud he was of the place he calls dwelling actually confirmed us what Dubai is all about.”
She additionally spoke warmly about her photographer and others she met throughout the journey, describing the individuals as type, pleasant, and pleased with the multicultural metropolis they reside in.
That optimistic expertise has made the information of the bombings even tougher for her to course of.
“It’s actually scary to consider how we have been there just a bit over per week earlier than the bombings,” she mentioned. “I’m grateful we’re dwelling and secure, however this isn’t about us. My coronary heart breaks for the harmless people who find themselves residing by way of this proper now.”
Laughs, Wine, And Beautiful Views
KayBooz traveled to Dubai with three buddies, and from the second their journey started, the group embraced each second of the journey.
The enjoyable began even earlier than they arrived.
“We drank manner an excessive amount of wine and laughed nearly your entire flight,” she mentioned of their journey, which included a layover in London.
The group stayed in an Airbnb with a balcony view of the Burj Khalifa, the place they spent evenings watching the tower’s LED mild reveals.
“The primary time we noticed the lasers and lights throughout the tower, we have been all so excited,” she shared.
A phrase from one buddy’s mother shortly grew to become the group’s working joke every time the town impressed them.
“In our buddy’s mother’s phrases, ‘Go head on, Dubai!’ and that shortly grew to become our saying anytime the town amazed us.”
Adventures Throughout The Desert
The journey additionally included some unforgettable adventures throughout the UAE.
Considered one of KayBooz’s favourite spots was the Miracle Backyard, the place she was captivated by elaborate floral shows.
“I completely love flowers, and seeing them displayed in such a spectacular manner was nothing wanting lovely,” she mentioned.
The group additionally launched into a desert tour full of adrenaline and laughter. They drove side-by-sides by way of the sand and skilled dune bashing, which KayBooz described as one of many funniest moments of the journey.
“Our information confirmed us all types of loopy methods,” she recalled. “I don’t assume any of us stopped laughing your entire experience.”
In addition they traveled to Abu Dhabi, the place KayBooz’s husband Daniel participated in a driving expertise on the Method 1 observe, even managing to lap different drivers throughout the session.
Honoring Her Grandmother In A Particular Approach
Past the sightseeing and pleasure, the journey held a deeply private which means for KayBooz.
She used the journey as a possibility to honor her late grandmother, whom she affectionately referred to as “Meme.”
Her grandmother had seen KayBooz and Daniel depart for his or her first Dubai journey in February 2020, simply months earlier than she handed away that April.
Earlier than KayBooz’s wedding ceremony later that yr, which came about on her grandmother’s birthday, her grandfather gave her one in every of her grandmother’s Pandora appeal bracelets.
Now KayBooz brings the bracelet on each worldwide journey.
For this go to, she deliberate one thing particular: a yellow flying gown photoshoot impressed by her grandmother.
“My aunt has all the time mentioned that I ought to do a yellow gown shoot for Meme as a result of my pawpaw liked when she wore yellow,” KayBooz defined. “He even remembers she wore a yellow gown on their first date over 60 years in the past.”
KayBooz wore the appeal bracelet throughout the shoot as a tribute.
Indicators That Felt Like Messages
All through the journey, KayBooz additionally skilled moments she felt symbolically linked to her grandmother.
She usually says her grandmother seems as a hummingbird, and through this journey, the image appeared greater than as soon as.
Three days earlier than her photoshoot, she discovered a crystal mild that includes two hummingbirds within the reward store on the Museum of the Future.
Then, the evening earlier than her shoot, the Burj Khalifa displayed an LED present themed round nature.
“Hummingbirds appeared flying round flowers,” KayBooz mentioned.
For her, it felt like a significant signal throughout a visit already full of emotional significance.
Now, as she watches the information unfold from afar, KayBooz says her ideas stay with the individuals she met throughout her keep.
“Having skilled the kindness of the individuals there firsthand makes it even tougher to observe from afar,” she mentioned. “I’m hoping for cover, security, and peace for everybody caught within the center.”
