Insight Dubai Conference Third day

Tuesday 29th of March 2011 was the third day of Insight Dubai Conference. It has been two days already and the beginning of third day, everything was going so well that our group were like friends forever. We all got used to each other so fast and we were all excited for this day since the beginning of the conference. Everyone was eager about this busy day that included going to Abu Dhabi in the morning and Burj Khalifa at night.

Early in the morning and about 8:15 the bus left from Dubai Women's College to Abu Dhabi. During the bus trip I sat next to one of the Emirati students "Ashley" and we couldnt stop chatting as we discovered we had many similarties in our personalities. Even though she was from DWC I have never seen her in college but this conference brought us together. During our bus journey every Emirati student got her buddy an abaya and sheila as a surprise for them to wear it at Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The international students were so happy and started wearing them just like us, they even asked us to make their hair and make up the "local girls way". This is my buddy Pamela wearing abaya and sheila <3

Before we even knew it we got to the sign that said "Welcome to Abu Dhabi" and as soon as we reached we saw Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from a long distance because it was so huge. As soon as the bus parked everybody jumped out to discover the place. When I got out I was amazed, it was my first time to visit this mosque and it was literally beautiful. I couldn't wait to get in.

Once we got in our guide Mohammed welcomed us and starting talking about the mosque, and I had to listen carefully because I had to write a press release about it as a project.  He began the guide by telling us that the people who built Taj Mahal were the same artchitectures who designed Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The mosque's interior design was amazing and full of beautiful details and each had a meaning.

Can you believe that the floor that's built by marbles is constructed in a way that it doesn't absorb the sun's heat? Only the colored marbles are hot. It's built that way so that on Friday prayers the people can pray in peace. Before we got inside and into the men's and women's prayer halls we were asked to remove our shoes. Once we got it in the mosque looked even more lovely.

Once we got in the men's prayer room our cultural guide Mohammed started explaining about the importance of prayers in Islam and why do men have to pray in the mosque. He even explained the wadu process before the prayers. In addition, he explained some of the designs in the hall. The carpet beneath us was decorated by flowers and leaves in a very detailed way. Mohammed asked us to step onto any flower we'd like and loot up. The surprise was that the carpet matched the ceiling exactly. This was brilliant.

As we got to the main hall, we saw the biggest chandelier in the world, yes it is located in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The tour ended by Mohammed explaining the place of the "Emam" and the words that are designed on the wall which are the names of God. Mohammed was a very proffesional and a wise man, we learned a lot from him.

Next we took the bus to visit the Federal National Council in Abu Dhabi. We arrived and had a quick tour around that included us seeing the pictures of ministers, sheikhs, and the library. Then, we went in the main hall where the ministers and sheikhs usually gather to debate or make new decisions for the UAE. We had a session that was about questions and answers from the audience that were mainly about Emirati women in the council.

Afterwards, we all had lunch there and then went back on the bus to go back to Dubai. Everyone was so tired and decided to take a relaxing nap in the bus so I decided to take pictures of my group members sleeping!. Sanaam what a weird way to sleep ?!

After I finished my photography I had a long nap too to be ready for Burj Khalifa!. We arrived there and everyone went quickly to the tower's entry to get their tickets. Again we were so luck to get there during the sunset.

When our tickets were valid we were guied to get in a dark alley on a flat esclator that went slowly for us to see long screens that played some of UAE's traditions and heritage along with cultural music.

When we got out we had to ride a couple of esclators and we got very nervous and excited at the same time. It was so close for us to be literally at the top of the world!.

Then we had to get in the lift which was the scariest part which will take us from earth to sky. The elevator was very fast but we didn't feel the rush yet we felt the ear pressure. We managed to get videos and pictures of ourselves in the elevator.

Finally were up in the sky! It was the most amazing feeling and experience ever. Once we got up there we forgot everything and started to enjoy the view. Everything looked so small from this high level and everything looked lovely during the sunset. We never wanted to leave.

After Burj Khalifa everyone was free to discover Dubai Mall and have dinner. Our group members to their buddies for a tour in the mall which was hard to to in a short time and in such a huge mall. However, we went to the most important places like the dancing fountains.

This was one of the best days of my life. I experienced a lot of different and fabulous stuff. Simply a day to remember.

This was a summary of only te third day of Insight Dubai Conference. Stay tuned, only two more days to go!