One of my favourite parts of travelling has now become the local paper. It gives you a real feel for the nation, the local events, culture and different perspectives.

While in Dubai, I read the Gulf News each morning. A few highlights that I kept with me:

• The letters to the editor offer a unique view:

A few nights ago, on the way back from a lovely weekend, my car broke down. My wife and I had to wait three hours before the car got towed. We were desperate and more than 100 kilometres away from home. A while later, two cars stopped and the drivers – both Emirati men – offered to drive us home, knowing quite well that they would have to drive a long way. I thank those men and more such Emiratis for making this country a safe, lovely and special place to live. Each time I recall the incident, I feel amazed.

• Dubai Modern High School is raising fees by 90%. Parents are not rejoicing.
• The cost of war in the Middle East is estimated at $12,000,000,000,000. The military expenditure versus health care is shocking (2004 numbers): Egypt: $3B on military, $2.2B on health care. Lebanon: $4.4B on military, $3.2B on health care. Oman: $12B on military, $2.4B on health care. Syria: $6.4B on military, $2.2B on health. Wars are good for the military industrial complex, bad for humanity. After watching the documentary Why We Fight, I cannot help but hear Eisenhower’s warning and how it has come true:

On January 17, 1961, Eisenhower gave his final televised Address to the Nation from the Oval Office.^[49] In his farewell speech to the nation, Eisenhower raised the issue of the Cold War and role of the U.S. armed forces. He described the Cold War saying: "We face a hostile ideology global in scope, atheistic in character, ruthless in purpose and insidious in method…" and warned about what he saw as unjustified government spending proposals and continued with a warning that "we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex… Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Heartstoppingly accurate and scary.

• Iman warns about celebrating Valentine’s Day. Of course, this was surrounded by a special insert covering 20 local Valentines love stories and ads about what you should get that special someone.
• India approves a soft drink made of cow urine.

The new drink, to be known as Gau Jal or Cow Water, is being developed in the Indian holy city of Haridwar by the RSS’ Cow Protection Department and should be ready for marketing in six months.

Fascinating stuff.