I don’t know exactly why, but I’ve always wanted to travel to Dubai. I’ve heard so many amazing things about it and seen so many of the amazing things they’ve done that I’ve always wanted to see it with mine own eyes. I think I’ve probably also been heavily influenced by Amazing Race which has been there over and over throughout the years.

A few months ago I was offered the opportunity to teach a 3 day workshop on Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Dubai. I was absolutely torn on the idea. First, 3 days is a long time for any training of any kind. Did I really want to teach an EHR course that lasted 3 days? Second, it’s a long way to go to Dubai. The long way would be great if I was taking Crash Wife with me. Then, I’d have my best friend with me to share in the experience. Logistically, I just knew there was no way she was going to be able to go with me (at least this time).

I finally decided that if they’d pay me the right amount, I had to take the opportunity and go to Dubai. I also checked out the outline of the program and I realized that I really did have enough things to talk about for 3 days. I guess I should since I’ve been blogging about EHR for 10 years and published about 8000 articles on the subject. I think that fits Dubner (Freakonomics) description of an expert is someone whose spent 10,000 hours on a subject.

I’m literally waiting in the international terminal at LAX. In 30 minutes I’ll be boarding an Emirates flight to Dubai. It’s a 15 hour and 50 minute flight for those keeping track at home. This morning I took the short hour-ish flight from Las Vegas to LAX on the beautiful Virgin America airlines. The big downside is I’ve been spending all day at LAX waiting for the connecting flight. At least I had internet to keep me entertained so I could work.

Waiting at the LAX international terminal was a lot of fun. Every few minutes you get a group of flight attendants from around the world passing by. For example, the Emirates flight attendants (pictured below) just walked by:

Don’t you love the uniqueness of the world? I’m really interested to see how my flight is on Emirates. I’m told they could be the best (or at least one of the best) airlines in the world. Even my aviation loving Crash Brother said so. Although, can you ever define a 16 hour flight as good? We’ll see.

I asked how much it would cost to upgrade to business class or first class. They said that business class was usually $3-5k more and that first class was more than it. I think I might have to include that upgrade in my next trip (and yes, they already want me to do it again in August). A lay down bed on a 16 hour flight would be really nice.

I’ll be in Dubai for 5 days (1 day of traveling on each side). 1 day for rest and to adjust to the time change. 3 days doing my workshop. 1 day to check out Dubai. I have a feeling that’s not going to be enough time. We’ll see if it gives me a taste and makes me want to come back over and over or if I get the taste and feel like it’s enough.

I’ll do what I can to document the adventure. Sometimes dreams come true. I guess that’s the case for me today. Although, for some reason my dream didn’t include the 24 hour trip there and 20 hour trip back. I guess that’s the problem with dreams.