UAE National Day

On December 2, 2008 the United Arab Emirates celebrated its 37th national day with gusto... In an exuberant display of patriotism, all the trees lining the roads were illuminated, and Emiratis took to the streets in big manly cars (SUVs and land cruisers) adorned with black, green and red heart stickers, and plastered with photos of the Sheikhs (Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan (late), Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan and Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum).

Young girls dressed in national attire, complete with the gold headdress and lots of make-up poked their heads through the sun-roofs and threw confetti into the street while the "men" touted water guns and honked horns :P Later in the evening, there was a magnificent display of fireworks near the Corniche which quite literally lit up the sky.

Here's a picture from Abu Dhabi Daily Photo:



It was heart-warming to see everyone enjoying the festivities but at the same time, I felt a little sad knowing that my own country (Pakistan) has had precious little to celebrate in the past few years. Few can afford to cast off their burdens and be truly happy in the prevailing atmosphere of despair and apathy.