ABSTRACT
Approaching Dubai from Al-Ain highway in 1996 presented a memorable sight. In the midst of the desert a lone rising structure would signal impending arrival. This was the World Trade Center, at that time one of only a few high-rise buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road – a stark contrast to its current surroundings. The building seems to have been dwarfed, replaced fi rst by the twin Emirates Towers and now by the tallest structure on earth, the Burj Dubai. Also, in 1996 a Hard Rock Café had opened in Dubai, as I and my friends were told. Assuming that it was not far off, we drove along Sheikh Zayed Road until we reached what was then the outskirts of the city. Assured that we were lost, we continued driving until we saw in the distance the familiar sight of the crossed guitars adjacent to an Empire State like building in miniature, which was the actual restaurant. Surrounding it was a vast, empty desertscape. Today it is still there but surrounded by Dubai Internet City, the American University and an assortment of high-rises constituting Dubai Marina, a luxurious water-front development – the restaurant which was so visible in its isolated existence has all but disappeared.
