Simply days earlier than regional tensions escalated with bombings involving Iran, KayBooz was having fun with what she describes as probably the most 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 lively.
KayBooz shared private notes about her time in Dubai, describing a spot outlined not by concern, however by heat, variety, and a strong sense of group amongst folks 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 mates. 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 at the moment.
“He had us laughing the complete 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 in the course of the journey, describing the folks as type, pleasant, and pleased with the multicultural metropolis they dwell 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 protected, however this isn’t about us. My coronary heart breaks for the harmless people who find themselves residing by means of this proper now.”
Laughs, Wine, And Gorgeous Views
KayBooz traveled to Dubai with three mates, 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 the complete 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 gentle exhibits.
“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.
One in all 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 in need of lovely,” she mentioned.
The group additionally launched into a desert tour crammed with adrenaline and laughter. They drove side-by-sides by means of the sand and skilled dune bashing, which KayBooz described as one of many funniest moments of the journey.
“Our information confirmed us every kind of loopy methods,” she recalled. “I don’t assume any of us stopped laughing the complete experience.”
Additionally they traveled to Abu Dhabi, the place KayBooz’s husband Daniel participated in a driving expertise on the Formulation 1 observe, even managing to lap different drivers in the course of 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 chance to honor her late grandmother, whom she affectionately referred to as “Meme.”
Her grandmother had seen KayBooz and Daniel go away for his or her first Dubai journey in February 2020, simply months earlier than she handed away that April.
Earlier than KayBooz’s marriage ceremony later that yr, which occurred on her grandmother’s birthday, her grandfather gave her one in every of her grandmother’s Pandora attraction bracelets.
Now KayBooz brings the bracelet on each worldwide journey.
For this go to, she deliberate one thing particular: a yellow flying costume photoshoot impressed by her grandmother.
“My aunt has at all times mentioned that I ought to do a yellow costume shoot for Meme as a result of my pawpaw liked when she wore yellow,” KayBooz defined. “He even remembers she wore a yellow costume on their first date over 60 years in the past.”
KayBooz wore the attraction bracelet in the course of the shoot as a tribute.
Indicators That Felt Like Messages
All through the journey, KayBooz additionally skilled moments she felt symbolically related 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 gentle that includes two hummingbirds within the reward store on the Museum of the Future.
Then, the night time 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 crammed with emotional significance.
Now, as she watches the information unfold from afar, KayBooz says her ideas stay with the folks she met throughout her keep.
“Having skilled the kindness of the folks there firsthand makes it even tougher to look at from afar,” she mentioned. “I’m hoping for defense, security, and peace for everybody caught within the center.”
