The United Arab Emirates consists of seven independent city-states including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. It’s a country about the size of the state of Maine, 80% desert, but also filled with fertile stretches on it’s coastal plains and rich palm-filled oases.
I was invited into the UAE Embassy to celebrate the Zayed Foundation Energy Grant program and hear from some of the past winners. The Zayed Foundation gives a number of prizes to encourage the creation of alternative energy solutions.
The embassy was breathtaking: towering white marble with a dome that looked like it came from some fairy tale. Inside the soaring lobby, the dome had a stained glass insert that bathed the space in magical light. The combination of modern elegance and classical touches, such as the inlaid marble floor, worked beautifully. Each room was filled with magnificent art pieces.
After hearing the speakers, hors d’oeuvres were passed — salmon, crab cakes, and rolled pita sandwiches, followed by trays of delicious desserts.
-
- Exterior of the UAE Embassy
-
- The UAE Flag flies over the Embassy
-
- Signpost at Gate
-
- Emblem of the UAE
-
- Massive doors lead into the UAE Embassy like a palace in a fairy tale
-
- Palm trees line the lobby
-
- The main hall soars above you
-
- Inside the central dome floats this magnificent stained glass window
-
- The Lobby
-
- Diana Belchase next to UAE Art
-
- Information about Art
-
- Zayed Foundation grant winner Mindy Lubber describes how vital the energy prize was to her company. In the background, along with many others are Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany (on far left), director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, Eric Pooley , author and senior VP at the Environmental Defense Fund, and Donn Tice, CEO of d.light design who were also speakers.
-
- Garden Detail
-
- Gate Detail
-
- Roses in UAE Embassy Garden
-
- Dessert Reception
-
- Dessert Reception 2
What an exotic and interesting country. Lucky you to have gotten a ‘taste’ of the Emirates!
Yes, I was very lucky, Ann. Wish you could have come, too!