Photo credit: Gulf News
Yesterday was a historic day for the UAE, especially for Dubai. The world’s tallest building Burj Dubai* was officially opened with an inauguration ceremony that could surpass all inauguration ceremonies for a long time. Thousands of fireworks lit up the cool desert night, witnessed by thousands of people from the UAE and abroad.
It was not a special holiday yesterday although it would have been great if it was. In my opinion, every Dubai resident would have loved to get out there and witness that piece of history in the making. I had work until 6 pm and by the time I got out of the office, all roads leading to The Dubai Mall (the huge mall beside Burj Dubai*) already looked like a huge parking space. A part of the main arterial road Sheikh Zayed Road was closed. Crowds have gathered near the promenade as early as 2 or 3 pm!
Image Credit: Oliver Clarke/Gulf News
We always watch the beautiful Dubai Fountain show from this side but yesterday, there was no way we could get near: the parking areas were full and there could never be a foot space for us who come late (damn work!!). One of us would eventually carry Pristine (she’s 20 kgs heavy) so she could see.
M appeased me by trying to find a place where the tower can be seen, a little bit far but still a good view. We ended up watching it from Ras Al Khor. So many people parked their cars on the side of the road, even police cars! We couldn’t see the special fountain show from where we were or but the firework display was grandiose.
Pristine was so excited that she kept shouting “Happy New Year!! Happy New Year!!” and jumping up and down. Oh well, even if it wasn’t New Year’s Eve, it’s still the 4th of January and the new year just rolled in. In a sense, I feel that 2010 will be a new year for the UAE and for Dubai, after the much talked about credit crisis last year that paved way for Dubai bashers to celebrate, with more bashing than ever before.
I didn’t take photos because it would not look good from where I stood but I took a video. I’m still uploading it and while we wait for that, here’s some awesome photos of the big event courtesy of Gulf News:
I am not from this country but I feel proud. I love the UAE – I’ve never been to a place where people of more than 200 nationalities live and work together in harmony. People of different religions and sect who respect each other and love their adoptive country like their own. I love Dubai, the city with all possibilities of growth no matter how others view or criticize it.
*****
* I logged in to Twitter as soon as I came home and surprised to know that the newly opened tallest tower in the world, known as Burj Dubai had been RENAMED to “BURJ KHALIFA”, in honor of the UAE’s president and Abu Dhabi Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
WHAT!?
Burj Dubai —–>>> Burj Khalifa.
It just doesn’t sound right! JUST. DOESN’T.
It should be as is, “Burj Dubai” because it IS located in Dubai. When hearing the words “Burj Khalifa”, I bet people will go like, “Burj what? Where is that!?”
Is this what Dubai has to pay for Richie Rich Abu Dhabi’s redemption of Dubai’s massive debt last year (and in the coming years)? And just the start of Abu Dhabi showing control over the Emirate?
UPDATE: Here’s a video I took that won’t give even a fraction of judgment to the real thing. If there’s going to be another inauguration of any Dubai feat in the future, I’ll skip work and be there early.
Finding Backroads 
My mom, sister and I watched the opening from a distance as well; we took the Al Khail road. But the fireworks were spectacular! And all us at that time felt so much love for this city and respect for its ruler and all the people who worked so hard on this project. We learned about the name being changed when we got home, and it definitely came as a shock!
.-= nadia´s last blog ..Burj Khalifa: Launch of the Tallest Skyscraper in the World =-.
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What a very grand opening!
The new name doesn’t seem to sound so right.
.-= rose´s last blog ..graceful exit granted =-.
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What a vast building it is! I have seen this kind of tower first time in pics.
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Amazing. One must wonder when it will stop. These towers are so grand, but since 9/11 I have a terrible fear of them.
Your video was super. You did a wonderful job. What did Pristine think of the building and the fireworks?
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Chocolate & Carbs, Oh My! =-.
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Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos from the media by you. It truly is an amazing building, but if truth be told it does not look real.
.-= TheAngelForever´s last blog ..Potty time and preschool preparations =-.
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So how far up the tower are tourists allowed for the scenic view?
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WOW that thing is huge. The leaders of Dubai know the oil is going to run out. this is just another way for them to invest in the future. Dubai has some of the best arcitecture in the world. This tower is a good example of that. thanks for the post
.-= jared premo´s last blog ..iPhone Converter, Now Easier To Convert Video Clips For iPhone. =-.
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I read about the name change in the news. It’s just like all the sports stadiums in the US now being named after major corporations just so they can get more money… although in this case that’s kind of backwards! I suppose it makes sense to appease the other emirate, but it’s still kind of sad as you say.
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Wow, how amazing it looks. Your vid looks great. I wish I was there to see it.
.-= Anna @ pathtofatloss´s last blog ..Your Fat Loss Plan for the New Year =-.
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I’ve been seeing this on all the local news today and yesterday. It was an amazing opening!
.-= kailani´s last blog ..Blogger of the Week ? Our Seven Qtpies =-.
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Wow, it looks like something from the movies or from the future. How amazing that you got to see it and be that close (even though you don’t think you were close lol)
.-= Becca´s last blog ..2010 Technology Problems =-.
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That is so incredible that you actually got to witness the grand opening of the building!! Even if you weren’t able to get up close and personal, you still got to witness a piece of history in the making 🙂
I was able to watch a little of it on the world news that night and I was so floored! That is seriously THE grand opening ceremony to put all other grand opening ceremonies to shame. Lol
I’m glad you all were able to go!!
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While I think the name change is just a bit odd, I think the celebration looked really exciting! I wish you could have gotten closer so you could have been a more a part of the celebration, I’m sure Pristine would have loved to have seen it close up! I hope you get to go to see the inside very soon and post some photos.
Thanks for letting us see your wonderful adoptive country’s celebration.
.-= Lorie Shewbridge´s last blog ..Maria’s Space: Dove Self Esteem Fund =-.
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Only days after this amazing opening ceremony a couple of thrill seekers decided to jump off it. http://www.viddler.com/explore/shoppertastic/videos/3/
.-= last blog ..high jumpers in Dubia =-.
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We was there! it was madd! can’t believe it was actually finished! i thuink they will add more though lol
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was there aswell, its look great, couldnt get inside though! can’t wait to see the inside.
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The video looks great !
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Burj Khalifa….that night was amazing and especially the fireworks …….. incredible…….
the inside is always good …..c’mon a sky scraper like that ( and now the world’s tallest)…….the interiors will be considered important as well …….
We have the Armani restaurnat inside as well …… so this can give u a hint of how the interiors maybe…….
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