My Route

This is my daily route.

From my place to office.

1 hour and 30 mins travel - one way.

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This is my pick up point.

It's along Al Khan.

This is where my journey begins, every morning...

This is the last pick up point...

After that, continuous 1 hour and 20 mins.

This is Sharjah.

It is composed of buildings (mostly residential) and cars (all types).

That is why it is known to have the worst traffic condition in the UAE.

Because most of the people working in Dubai lives here...

This is street is going to Emirates road, along the Industrial Area.  

Along this road is where I'm starting to pray.

Its because by that time, most of the people in the van are already sleeping. And I join them after I pray :)

Approximately 1 hour to go...  

That exit leads us to Al Qusais -- and its already Dubai.

Everyday, I listen to praise and worship through the entire travel.

My Ipod is playing the whole time, while I pray in between... that is when I am awake.

After Al Qusais, is Rashidiya.

This is the Dubai Metro Depot.  

From here is about 40 mins more... 

When I'm awake, my heart is singing by this time. Giving thanks for another beautiful day.

Though its still a long way through... I never get bored.

I really love traveling; and though it was my daily route, I still enjoy the view.

From Rashidiya to Business bay...

Approx: 40 mins more before office.

This is my favorite spot.  

As if we are going up to the castle...

This is Garhoud Bridge.

One of the best spots for me. 

As you go down from the bridge, the Dubai Sheik Zayed Road Skyline will welcome you... 

Everyday, I am still mesmerized by this site.

Constructions are still on going everywhere...  

From this area, its about 15 mins more before we reach the office.  

And if I am awake, by this time, I was able to pray for the people in our office... for the friends whom I haven't seen for quite some time... for the people who are sick... and for the people who are in need...

and whoever and whatever that comes to my mind, I pray for them.

Yes. The travel time might be that long... but the time should not be wasted.

If we are stucked in traffic... look around you. Look at the people who need prayers. Think about other's situation, and pray for them. 

This is the Business Bay road.

From here, you can see how tall is the tallest building in the world.

The back of the famous Sheik Zayed Road.  

Behind those buildings are still desert.

View of Burj Khalifa, from Business Bay 

Approx. 10 mins before the office

This is one of the new roads -- Dubai Interchange 4 (skyway)

Photo above is the view from left and below is the right view.

This is behind the buildings along Shk. Zayed road and Dubai International Financial Center.

The original Dubai structures... not the high rise buildings but VILLAS. 

Another beautiful structure: The Al Mooroj Rotana

View from Interchange 4 (skyway)

After Al Mooroj Rotana is the Dusit Thani.

This area is the most special part of Dubai for me.

The place where I first stepped. Our first home away from home.

This is my friend's place... and that's where we all started.

On the photos, they are those (small) buildings after Dusit.  

Sheik Zayed Road 

Approx. 5 mins before the office.

View of Burj Khalifa from the other side of the road.

Getting closer to my workplace...

This is the other (back) side of Sheik Zayed road.

The Mazaya Center.

This is another memorable area for me since we used to walk here from home.

During the time when we are still staying in the nearby area - Jumeirah.

And finally...

Welcome to Emarat Atrium Building.

This is our window view from the office...  

 Not far from those villas is our former place where we stayed for 2 years...

4 blocks away from our office... only walking distance.

And most of our colleagues, especially in the van asked us many times why we chose to move from there...and what's worst is to go to Sharjah and travel 1 1/2 hours a day to work.

There are many reasons. Yes there are pros and cons.

Maybe, I woke up 1 1/2 hrs earlier because of the travel time.. but its not wasted at all... 

I also have invested most of the 1 1/2 hours a day in praying or listening to praise and worship.

I have seen how Dubai changes, day by day.

And along the way, I was able to enjoy the beautiful things around me.

The vast desert. The tall buildings. The wide roads and bridges. The beautiful sunlight and the lovely skies.

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Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

Lamentations 3:22-23