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It was October 2006 when I first decided to give myself a break and go to an exotic Arab country in December. Dubai, which I heard was another bustling city similar to what I come from, was certainly not one place I intended to spend more than three shopping days in. By a twist of fate, the three days extended to six.

I was getting restless, having been at the same workplace for over twenty years. I had promised myself while training to be a teacher that once I was over forty, I would move on to a new phase in my life and do something that was me, mine and only for me.

That same year in May, I had news that a student teacher from the United Arab Emirates would be attached to me. When I was first informed about him, I realized that he would be my greatest challenge. However, I was never one who would raise my white flag to any challenge even if it would cost me my life, so I gave it every ounce of my energy.

Our relationship grew from a mentor-mentee relationship to a brotherly-sisterly one. Even up to today, we would still send each other the occasional email. I am proud to say that he was the first in his batch to pass all his papers among those who came to Singapore and that was the greatest challenge - to get him to comprehend enough of the English Language to be able to teach it confidently.

What touched me was not so much his hardworking and religious nature - our discussions would be punctuated by the call to prayer and I soon got used to reading the Prayer Times and abiding by its schedule. I had never met such a gentle giant and I decided that I would go to his country to see if it was indeed a put on - I was told that students in his boat would have been briefed on the differences between my country and his - but even during his attachment of six weeks, there did not seem to be anything that was pretense. His gentleness and superb personal grooming were an innate part of him and not something borne out of diplomacy.

I found the cheapest air ticket I could get online and then proceeded to select and book my hotels online as well, trying to cover as many of the seven emirates in twelve short days. I had no choice but to land and depart from Dubai but other than that, at least nine days were spent in other emirates.

Once I landed, I went in search for the taxi queue to head to Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain a few days later. I did not like the seemingly small airport or the heat there. It would be another seven days before I headed back to Dubai. After the fresh air

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