Christmas in DXB

It's fun being in a Muslim country for the Christmas season. In true Dubai-fashion, the lead up to the holiday is executed extremely well. There aren't any of the usual excesses one becomes accustomed to in the West. Rather, Christmas themes are weaved into the fabric of things. There are the occasional blinking lights on buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road. The singer at the 44 Bar at the Grosvenor House humming "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas." I am not a huge fan of the holiday myself but obviously this time period makes me miss my friends and loved ones. At the same time, the Dubai-style Christmas creates a nice mood, reminding Christians here of this day without all the consumer excess to deal with.