The Ultimate Potemkin Village

As much as I used to complain about the frustrations of living in Istanbul, at least Istanbul is real. From the cobbled together shanty towns, to the remnants of the past that creep up around every corner, to the shiny new skyscrapers, Istanbul is a living being - always evolving into new forms, but whose heartbeat remains constant and strong.

Dubai is like a schizophrenic Legoland - a mishmash of discordant shiny facades with nothing but emptiness between their plastic walls.

I never thought I'd say it, but I think I miss Istanbul.