The first

This was my first solo international trip. It started impromptu, with a sudden urge to go to GITEX. Been hearing about it for a while, but had to explore it this time. It felt like the right time. I lost all interest after booking tickets. My friends were more excited than me. I was lost in pending work logs, meetings, and something else (will reveal soon).

Travel was scheduled for the 11th of October, one day past my birthday. Excitement kicked in while I was in the cab for the airport. I was dreaming and suddenly got an email notification that my accommodation had cancelled my stay. Didn’t affect me much, to be honest. I know not everything can be seamless. These adventures make the trip fun. Plus, I had nothing to worry about. I was solo. I’ve already done trips like this, where it starts with some sort of adventure, maybe a little chaos, but overall I loved it. This little brain likes challenges.

I smirked, switched off the mobile screen while a song was being played in a loop, Something New by Axwell and Ingrosso. I reached the airport, took my passport with a smirk. It was my first visa, the first passport stamp. I was prepared with an invitation letter, bank balance, accommodation (how would they know anyway that it’s cancelled), and return flight booking.But they asked none. It hurts when you’re overprepared for no reason at all.

I boarded the flight, slept for a good 4 hours. I hadn’t slept in the last 48 hours, celebrated my birthday. And all of a sudden, I was “Habibi, in Abu Dhabi.” From here, I had a bus to Dubai. On the way, rang some numbers, searched some apps, and booked a really nice hostel at JBR Beach. I reached there, experienced diversity. A Pakistani and a Chinese were cooking biryani together, trolling each other. The hostel was owned by a 25-year-old Indian guy named Paras, dressed weirdly, takes entry at the hostel with his girlfriend and two playful axes. I won’t comment further. Good folks.

I made myself comfortable. Abdullah from Hyderabad ordered food for me from one of the decent restaurants to help me out while I was enjoying the most beautiful view of my life with a few other friends.

I tried to sleep early for GITEX in the morning, had a comfortable bed and a super tired body.

I visited GITEX North Star the first day, followed by GITEX Main for the next two days, and then North Star for a change.I loved conversations with founders and teams at North Star. However, GITEX Main was underwhelming, probably the only exciting thing for me was the F1 simulator, which I tried every day and crashed every single time.

Early mornings and late nights were dedicated to walks and runs at the beachside, which was 50m away from my stay. Every passing day, the depth of conversations surrounding Dubai being tax-free, property costs, grew. I was amused that some people were living there for months.

There were moments I was frustrated as well with the crowd, but it was too much logistics for an already tired mind after the conference to find and shift to a new stay. So I decided to focus on the good parts, conversations, views, and long-lost love for guitar.

A lot of people were amused that I am just 26 and running this company with an amazing team. I could see it in their eyes when I mentioned what I do, and then the age when asked.One fine evening, just after GITEX, I decided to get off at the Dubai Mall metro station and explore the mall. Spent hours just exploring the showrooms and suddenly reached the balcony of Dubai Mall with the view of the well-known Burj Khalifa with the fountain show.

I was amazed, with goosebumps all over my body. I just wanted to share the moment with a few close ones. I recorded the video parallel to watching the show with bare eyes, later immediately shared the video with my family and a few friends whom I wished to share the moment with.

I loved every moment in Dubai, the sea, the challenges, the walks, the people, the design, the attention to detail, the explorations, and the architecture of course.

I’ve made some friends globally in these last seven days and hope it lasts long.

Writing this with a nostalgic heart, boarding the flight from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad after travelling to the wrong airport for two hours and then paying extra for a cab to take me to the right one, which was two hours away. Life is good.

Cheers, P.