God bless the inventor of gaffer tape!

Dubai was tiring and jam-packed with work. not surprisingly, i got little sleep there, and even in the 2 days after, sleeping the day away (it was Ramadan so we turned nocturnal) didn't seem enough for the exhausted body/mind. nonetheless it was good experience and i have become more tech-savvy than before (shocking, really!) because i ended up doing a lot of the set-up of computers/printers and testing with 2 other guys (i blame it on a variety of factors - but it was quite fun overall).

the view from our apartment - we stayed at one of Dubai World Trade Centre's service apartment buildings so that we would only be a short walk away from the venue (to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams - and also to facilitate the crazy hours).
Dubai seems to be under permanent construction...

only managed to find time on the last day to take photos of the exhibition. was busy running around troubleshooting (GEEK GEEK!) and solving various logistical problems.
the biggest registration counter at Exhibition Gate:
the concourse area outside Halls 5 to 8 (this is only one side of the huge Centre - there are 3 sections, each almost the same size)
i was supposed to oversee the Media area but ended up with Conference. which became my sanctuary area because it wasnt crowded so whenever i needed a break i'd pop in and check on my temp staff (and chat with them), even getting free coffee! it even looks chilled out!
i should also mention that my NEW shoes broke on the first day of the show because someone stepped on the back when i was walking away and the heel bit tore off. thankfully we had gaffer tape which helped keep the shoe in one piece for 5 days (and also fortunately my shoes were black!)
one of our offices that was turned into storage for equipment and boxes.
the main office which also gradually became a dump with boxes of lanyards and forms crammed in. on the right is Number 1 (boss) and on the left, Number 2 ("technologist").
me and my roomie Zach on the bridge area outside the Media Centre. ahh the fun times...
the night before the last day of the show, the Organiser Boss took us for Egyptian food! mmmmm...
me and Vic, whom i bullied quite a lot (we were the 2 doing the stupidest things!)
a plate of raw vegetables, olives and a chopped salad with crackers on top.
more salad and pickled eggplant (very delicious!)
a raita-like dip, hummous and picklesabove, seafood soup and below, lentil soup
grilled lamb (a variety of cuts!) with grilled tomatoes and peppers mmmmmmmm.....
a lasagne with bechamel sauce
flavoured rice wrapped in fig and cabbage leaves, and stuffed into marrow
the green stuff was some gooey dip made from some vegetable (our host didn't know the English name for it)a refreshing platter of fruit...

hotels in Dubai are really posh and breathtakingly decorated. we walked through Kempinski Hotel (located at the Mall of Emirates) after dinner the evening after the event ended and couldn't resist being tourists! the stones are actually submerged in water - the surface looked so much like glass!
(part of) the team! me, Leonard, Zach, Vic and Chee Tseng
on our last night we ventured to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel for drinks. from there we were able to view the stunning Burj Al Arab.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel by night - we headed to Uptown on the 24th floor for some fancy cocktails and drinks.
they served really tasty olives pickled with sundried tomatoes. i highly recommend their Pina Colada and Tolberone. heavenly... the Gin Tonic was pretty good too.
the not-so-clear view of the beach and 360 Restaurant/Bar from Uptown but nonetheless pretty.

postscript: should i be concerned that i looked absolutely fine (and felt normal) after 5 1/2 drinks when the others (all guys) had turned red after 2-3?