The road to happiness is well marked here in Dubai – simply head to the International Financial District and you will find it.    There’s even a government official in charge of creating more happiness – the Minister of State of Happiness.  She is quoted as saying that “happiness is serious job for governments.”   Dubai’s head of government agrees, saying that “the major responsibility of governments is to bring happiness to their people by enabling them to choose the tools and means and providing their nations with hope.”  (quoted from WhatsOn website).

There is also a Minister of Tolerance.

In fact, people from all over the world are welcome here.  We feel right at home.  Although the official language is Arabic, most people seem to speak English and all signs are in Arabic and English.  We have had no trouble getting around – they even drive on the right hand side of the street, just as we do.

It is also a spiritual place – particularly evident during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from early dawn to sunset; they do not even drink water during that time.  Everyone here, Muslim or not, is expected to be respectful by not eating or drinking in public and by dressing modestly (not covering up completely, just being modest in dress).

We are forging our own personal road to happiness here – more to come in the days ahead!