I have always fantasized about traveling to a completely new place. I love to travel, and I have been to many countries near Korea, but I have never traveled to a place as far away as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The trip to the UAE was very meaningful to me because it was full of new experiences: it was my first time in the Middle East, my first long-distance trip, my first visit to a desert, and more.

Since it is not the most common travel destination for Koreans, a lot of people have been interested in my trip to the UAE. I also was not sure what to expect before I went there. In other words, it was a perfect opportunity to finally make my fantasy of traveling to a place so different than what I am used to.

After landing in the UAE, I first visited Dubai, a city that was successfully built in a desert, but it did not feel that way. It was more cosmopolitan than any city I have been to, living up to its reputation as a wealthy city. Skyscrapers and malls filled with people highlighted the cityscape charm of Dubai. Various designer shops filled the Dubai Mall, one of the biggest shopping malls in the world, and luxurious hotels, restaurants, and exotic vehicles lined the streets.

One of the discoveries that surprised me was how multicultural Dubai is. A lot of its residents are foreigners, and a significant part of the communication, even among its residents, is done in English. Most of the store signs and notices were written both in Arabic and English as well. Tourists visit from around the world, and a lot of global companies and franchises thrive.

However, this is only half of the charm the UAE has to offer. I was fortunate enough to experience another aspect of its beauty in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country. After spending some luxurious time in Dubai, I headed to Abu Dhabi to finally visit the desert. My first impression was that, compared to Dubai, it felt more peaceful and quiet, where local communities thrive in harmony with nature. Although it was located right next to Dubai, here the desert landscape was everywhere. I had heard of and pictured what a desert must look like, but when I finally saw it with my own eyes, it was more beautiful than anything I had ever imagined. The geometric patterns of the sand were like a wave in the sea, perhaps formed by the same rules of nature. I watched in awe as the pattern disappeared in the wind and formed again, and when I finally stepped barefoot on the sand, a new dimension opened in front of me: the sand was softer than anything I have ever touched, and I felt comforted and relaxed in a way that no nature has made me feel before.

Although spending a day in the desert seemed so pleasant and peaceful, surviving in such an environment is an enormous challenge. During my stay at a “desert hotel,” I was surprised to see what mankind was brave enough to do: building a hotel in a desert, where water, food, and electricity are scarce. It made me realize how broad the extent of human capability is, and their boldness truly shocked me. In fact, both cities I visited in the UAE showed how wisely people adapted in such an environment: sometimes they use technology to overcome the desert, and at other times live in harmony with it. Then, at times, they utilize it at their most with boldness. How they face such an environment made me realize that no matter what holds me back, I should never give up—where there is a will, there is a way.