Bob and Judy from Dubai

My friend Flocons recently returned from a trip to China full of stories of exoticism and mystery. I find myself reacting with skepticism. How exotic can China be when just about everyone from Toronto to Moscow has access to a local Chinatown, or at least, a Chinese takeout?

As a country playing catch-up with the United States in fast forward mode, China is becoming increasingly familiar to me. McDonalds, European designer knockoffs, and Hollywood blockbusters are all readily available in major Chinese cities. A booming economy has helped create a Wal-Mart hungry middle class. And even the growing taste for fast food has brought about obese Chinese children that could easily be mistaken for fat little North Americans.

I would argue that exoticism and mystery in 2006 are exemplified by places that do not embrace the West wholeheartedly. Contrast China with a place like the Arabian Penninsula. Within the countries of the Arabian Penninsula are all the modern luxuries that money can buy, but implemented under the watchful gaze of Islamic law.

The Arabian Penninsula is like a black hole that never ceases to fascinate and scare me:

• In Saudi Aradia, public theatres and cinemas are forbidden. Saudi courts impose capital and corporal punishment including floggings and amputations. In 2002, the Mutaween, or the religious police, prevented schoolgirls from escaping their burning school in Mecca because the girls were not wearing headscarves. Women still cannot drive in Saudi Arabia. Westerners in Saudi Arabia live in armed compounds, under a constant state of vigilance for kidnappers.
• The Kingdom of Bahrain granted women the right to vote for the first time in 2002. However, women are still expected to cover themselves from head to foot. Michael Jackson now lives in Bahrain.
• The United Arab Emirates includes the relatively westernized Dubai, which features the Burj al-Arab, a luxury hotel that is reputedly the only 6 star hotel in the world. The helipad at the top of the Burj al-Arab was converted briefly into a tennis court for Andre Agassi and Roger Federer (seen above).

Cat meat openly sold at market and large scale DVD piracy just pale in comparison.