Should I stay or should I go --- to Dubai?

[intent]

A buddy of mine from undergrad is getting married. It'll be in Dubai, and a week long from late March to early April. Says he'll cover hotel and events.

It'll cost me around $1200 rt for the flight (IMO cheap), and incidentals, so probably $2000 or so total. I'm in law school, and while I'd love to miss class, I also have work, and additionally tutor a weekly writing group that I'm already missing 2 other sessions for another reason. I don't really have $2000 set aside, but I can probably afford it.

This will probably be the only chance I'll get to visit Dubai on this side of $2000.

Decisions, decisions. Please help me, Internet strangers.

 

[melwoesblvd]

depends how close of a friend he is. dubai isn't going anywhere, you can always visit later

 

[MrG]

If you're not in the wedding party it doesn't really sound worth it. I suppose it might be worth it if he's one of your best friends and not having any attendants, but it seems like a lot for just a "buddy." If you don't get paid vacation at work, you have to consider the opportunity cost that is created by missing work on top of the money you'll have to shell out for the trip. Plus, if missing classes in law school is anything like missing classes grad school, I know what a pain it is to make that time up.

It's certainly nice to travel at a discount, but it seems that you might be better off paying more to visit when the timing is better.

 

[BrianVarick]

I would have to agree with the others, seems like alot of money, for something your hesitant about.

 

[thomazzz]

I'd pass and spend the cash on clove cigarettes and scratch off lottery tickets.

 

[Svenn]

Wait, you're in law school? Do you have federal loans? I went to Laos, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, and Korea all on separate respective trips through law school, with study abroad or with the leftovers from the federal loans... and I still have excesses left over. Don't give me this excuse that you don't want to go an extra $2000 in debt... $100,000 or $102,000 isn't a lick of difference over 20 years of repayment... and you shouldn't ruin your last few years of youth just for financial conservatism's sake. Don't get started on the ethics of using fed student loans for vacations either- with the 8% interest rate going they're practically stealing the money from you, every dime of which you will pay back in due course. Go! Have lots of fun

 

[Montrachet]

I'm boycotting Dubai. That place runs on slavery.

 

[scarphe]

Originally Posted by Montrachet

I'm boycotting Dubai. That place runs on slavery.
the ablity to hold people accountable for their debt, shown in the article is actually a positive thing.
but do you check the business practicses of every company, before you buy a product of the company?

 

[dtmt]

Usually I think that travel is one of the best experiences in life, but everyone I know that has been to Dubai thought it was pretty much just a big shopping mall in the middle of the desert.

 

[Flambeur]

a. college (grad or undergrad) is definitely a place to **** around and be irresponsible, well with everything but your actually schoolwork...

b. which brings me back to my next point - which T4 law school do you go to that you can afford to miss three classes?

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by dtmt

Usually I think that travel is one of the best experiences in life, but everyone I know that has been to Dubai thought it was pretty much just a big shopping mall in the middle of the desert.

yeah, dubia has a few sort of cool things, but its something like dallas/vegas in the dessert. big malls, wild buildings, lots of whores, not a lot aside from that.

 

[JayJay]

If it's a close friend and you can manage being away, then go and have fun.

 

[JustinW]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

yeah, dubia has a few sort of cool things, but its something like dallas/vegas in the dessert. big malls, wild buildings, lots of whores, not a lot aside from that.

+ 1

Not a good introduction to Arab or Mid East culture.

It's a nice enough place to stop for a day to break-up a long flight, but not great as an end destination.

 

[FLMountainMan]

Originally Posted by Flambeur

a. college (grad or undergrad) is definitely a place to **** around and be irresponsible, well with everything but your actually schoolwork...

b. which brings me back to my next point - which T4 law school do you go to that you can afford to miss three classes?

I went T1 and missed the maximum number of classes every semester (although my GPA showed it). Did not went to spend any more of twenties listening to boring old people than I had to.

Some people have different priorities.

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by intent

A buddy of mine from undergrad is getting married. It'll be in Dubai, and a week long from late March to early April. Says he'll cover hotel and events.

It'll cost me around $1200 rt for the flight (IMO cheap), and incidentals, so probably $2000 or so total. I'm in law school, and while I'd love to miss class, I also have work, and additionally tutor a weekly writing group that I'm already missing 2 other sessions for another reason. I don't really have $2000 set aside, but I can probably afford it.

This will probably be the only chance I'll get to visit Dubai on this side of $2000.

Decisions, decisions. Please help me, Internet strangers.

If you can afford it definitely go. I was in Dubai last October, it's a very interesting place - don't expect to pick up [normal] girls though.