We've been in the United Arab Emirates for a couple of days now, and the difference between this location and the one in Africa is striking. This is an Air Force base, and instead of staying in tents, we have hardened facilities. The building are nicer, and there are paved roads and sidewalks everywhere.
We took a trip to Abu Dhabi, and the city was in every way different than Djibouti. The city is the cleanest city I've ever seen, with water surrounding it that rivals the Caribbean for color and clarity. There are all types of people here; East and West, old and new. The city is very wealthy, and we saw many palatial buildings that just took our breath away.
We have not performed outside of the base, but have played the pavilion/cantina twice and Christmas carolled around base and during meals. The base (Al Daphra) is almost entirely Air Force personnel, and they have been more receptive than their Camp Lemonier counterparts. We have been treated like royalty and have gotten behind the scenes tours of the base; they fly everything from refueling planes to reconnaissance aircraft, as well as house fighter planes and foreign fighter planes.
I've had quite a few new experiences, more experiences to come.
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