Travel for Pennies

World travelers looking for the perfect five-star hotel in Dubai will probably not come to an agreement, since there are so many to choose from, but the discussion will certainly be interesting. Whether the preference is for top-class room service, glorious accommodations, new world design that is sleek and elegant, old world hospitality that can’t be beat, or an ambience that is charming and can’t be described with any justice, there are many considerations, and all of them can be met here.

Because Dubai has become such a hot location for world travelers, with celebrities flocking here for the beaches, the shopping, and the vibrant cultural scene, there are many ways to find helpful hints and inside scoops on what to see and do here. Sometimes the basic flow of life gets overlooked, but it’s necessary to know how to do certain things, such as mail a letter. The most important thing to keep in mind is that Dubai post offices typically close on Fridays and holidays. There are some exceptions to this, with the airport being one place that is always open. Aside from this consideration, the post offices are plentiful, and should be easy to find.

The Emirates Post, the official agency in charge of mail, is a rather fascinating organization. They issue new stamps to commemorate important anniversaries in the UAE, and also sponsor a letter-writing competition. The letter-writing competition is open to young people here, where they can write on a pre-determined topic, and then the entries are evaluated and judged, This past year’s topic concerned decent working conditions for human laborers. This year’s Arabic school winner was Naha Al Nuaimi, with Shamsa Al Shaghal, Nada Ali, Mohammed Khalid, Amal Mohammed, Ras Al Khaimah, Asra Al Hamli, Aknan Osama, Yaman Sameer, Fatma Al Shahumi and Maitha Al Nuaimi, who also placed highly in the competition.

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Dubai’s fabulous reputation as a travelers’ treasure chest is not only based on its mix of lively urban city life along with old-world charm, but also for the opulence and splendor of  a luxury hotel.  Dubai has many things to see and do in this city in paradise, and the local attractions are plentiful. Whether your taste is for exquisite food, world-class shopping, or adventure parks and live entertainment, your hunger will be satisfied.

When vacationing in Dubai, the savvy traveler might arrange their itinerary to correspond with the annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). First initiated in 2004, the Dubai Film Festival features almost 200 films from 50 countries from around the world, recognizing and also nurturing some of the most talented filmmakers working in today’s entertainment industry. The festival shows shorts, documentaries, as well as feature films, to impress and enlighten film goers from all walks of life. Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters, as well as critically-acclaimed independent films are on the bill.

The festival attendance is increasing every year, demonstrating its success in appealing to local and international audiences. As for any festival participating on an international level, it also brings its share of celebrities. At the 2008 festival, the guest list included Salma Hayek, Nicholas Cage, Abdulhussein Abdulredha, Danny Glover, and Terry Gilliam.

Lifetime achievement awards are given to film greats who have made outstanding contributions to world cinema, demonstrating the festival’s investment in honoring long-term commitment. The next generation of filmmakers are also given a place of honor here, where there are structures in place for young filmmakers to take master classes, meet with film professionals, and practice their craft in hopes of becoming next year’s celebrity guests. The week-long event is always an electrifying phenomenon, and is something that is the subject of local gossip as well as international film news for the months that follow. For nurturing local talent, as well as highlighting the best of the best world cinema, the Dubai International Film Festival is on the cultural map.

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