Blackout 2005

Last Thursday saw Dubai's biggest power outage since 1988. A true revelation to this city's dependancy on the wonder that is electricity. Offices that ten years ago desperately tried to 'improve' themselves by computerising their systems were completely shut down Thursday morning. Construction sites came to a halt. Shopping malls were closed. With traffic lights no longer functioning, cars piled up on the road for miles. And the blazing summer heat reminded everyone that they were infact in the middle of a desert, an image Dubai has strived desperately to shed over the decades.

Despite the unforseen disarray the city of Dubai was thrown into, recovery was swift. Arab nationals took charge of the confusion caused by the malfunction of traffic lights, manually controlling the traffic. And the people of the city were seen to offer full co-operation. The collaboration between authority and the people is a true indicator of the heart of the city, that the people do come together in a crisis. And there was a certain pride in being part of this city that eventful day.