Love.
Love life.
Create a life you love.
And let that life be beautiful.
⭐️
Not sure if you've ever been to the UAE, but what do you think when someone mentions the United Arab Emirates?
Maybe you think of the Burj Khalifa, huge malls, man-made islands, business paradise, excess luxury, strict rules and fines, really hot summers, no nature but desert, rich people driving Ferraris and Lamborghinis...
I used to see that, and feel it was a very superficial place to live. Frankly, my first two months living in the UAE, I didn't really like it that much.
However, the easily perceived "superficial shell" of the city breaks if you dig a little deeper. Though, admittedly, it took me a little while to crack it.
After living in Dubai for about 4 months in the end of 2024 and then for over 2 months early 2025 (spending over 6 months total within one year), I realized it is indeed a place I can call home.
If you know where to go, the superficial front of Dubai that many people see (and that some people seek out) is ultimately breached.
As was the case for me: once I became integrated in a few communities and discovered some spots with undeniable authenticity, I saw an entirely different side of Dubai. One that fostered contemplation, comfort, family values, strong community, and sincerity from the heart.
Throughout exploring Dubai and the UAE more, it started to become a place I loved. I have met some of my closest friends in Dubai, and had some of the most pivotal experiences of my young adult life there.
However, my love for the UAE would not have grown the way it did without the fact that I had a car and went just about EVERYWHERE I could go around Dubai and the neighboring Emirates.
and this trip was the catalyst to it all.
The reason behind having a car? Being able to freely indulge in the urge to explore.
And it was the urge to explore that made me dive deeper and uncover so much more of Dubai and the UAE that lead to me truly falling in love with the country.
Wherever I went, the seeds of curiosity or adventure that I planted ended up blooming into flowers that gave off the feeling of home.
Dubai and the UAE was the first place where I went to a foreign country andd built a life for myself - made my own friends, found my own community, curated my vibe spots, got closer to my faith, cultivated meaningful relationships and with them, a feeling of home.
This was the trip that made me start to fall in love with the United Arab Emirates. My true first adventure here... and also,
my first solo adventure car-camping.
Funny how you can go from not liking a place that much to literally wanting to live there...
Home truly ends up being tied to a feeling, not just a place.
Now before we get to me, alone, at sunrise, on the top of UAE's second-tallest peak... let's set the scene for how this sequence of adventures all began.
It was the end of September 2024, and I was in Dubai for my first semester studying at a brand-new university. The previous months of 2024 for me was all pretty intense traveling, so settling back down into one place and starting school again felt kind of weird.
Dubai is not exactly a walkable metropolis. At the time, I lived in a student accommodation in Dubai's outskirts in a place called Academic City. To get anywhere... it was either spend my weekly budget on taxis, take the school bus somewhere central, or just roll around on my skateboard around Academic City.
There was nothing that makes me feel more restless than being inconsentually stuck in place.
Needless to say, that wasn't doing any wonders for my free spirit.
I would fantasize about going to the desert. Feeling the hot wind in my face as I stared at sand dunes taking the form of ocean waves frozen in time. The desert felt like a place that reminds me of what it feels like to be alive... a place where resources are scarce, you're faced with barren landscapes, and you have to confront the notion of death and fend for your own survival.
the desert dream.
What my mind imagined felt like a dream.
Ultimate presence... just me, the dunes, and the sound of the shifting sands.
The desert fantasy held a strong grasp on me, especially when I felt the need to escape the "superficial" side to Dubai, as well as the restrictions I felt on my adventurous nature from subscribing back into the university system.
Sometimes, it felt like I was holding back every single impulse in my body from just finding my way out into the middle of nowhere, getting away from the image of a city with a new format of life that didn't quite speak to me yet.
the desert fantasy almost came true.
It was one of my classmate's birthdays, and a whole bunch of my classmates where all going to the desert together apparently.
I wasn't invited.
So here I was, sitting outside of my student accom, frustrated that I couldn't just turn myself into a camel or something and walk away from this society to go wander the endless dunes.
the restless feeling ate at me.
Another classmate found me sitting there.
The restless feeling? He kinda got it too.
"Nat, why don't you just rent a car? And just go to the desert yourself?"
Well... that was one way to think about it.
But I've never done something like that before.
The thing I love about travels and interacting with many perspectives is that it just makes you realize... you can just do things. I never rented a car, and sure I was scared of any logistical chaos I was conditioned to believe would come with it... but I did have a driver's license. And I was willing to scrap my funds together to go eat sand.
It was not out of the realm of possibility.
we created a plan in 30 minutes.
There was a place called Al Ain close to the UAE and Oman border. It had desert close by, and it had one of the most scenic roads in the UAE.
We then looked online for car rentals near us, adn realized it was A LOT cheaper to rent a car than we initially thought.
My friend was pushing my sense of spontaneity, and I'm glad he did.
I was literally sitting there imagining what it would be like to go to the desert and well... why not just create the opportunity for myself instead of waiting for the perfect moment for it to happen?
So we decided if not now... when? .
We found a car, split the cost of a 3 day rental, and decided to go for it.
The car rental was under my name.
i rented the dang car.
The first car I ever rented.
Me and my friend agreed to rent the car for 3 days... enough for a comfortable weekend trip and to run a few errands before/after.
day 1
My classmate and I successfully spontaneously rented this vehicle.
We scooped another classmate, ran back to our dorms to get some things for the road, and decided to just drive 2.5 hours away to Al Ain with NO PLAN.
We left when the sun was going down, all excited about plunging into the unknown and debating what we would do when we got there and how we'd figure it out.
One hour into the drive, we got a message on our school group chat that spontaneously, 3 spots opened up to have dinner with the founder of our school.
(this was kind of a big deal).
There was three of us in the car. Within a minute, we responded saying we'll take it.
Almost immediately, our school faculty confirmed.
We pulled off the highway on the next exit, made a U-Turn, and headed straight back to Dubai.
45 minute ETA.
After dinner with the founder, the faculty there took us and the remaining classmates at dinner went to another spot to hang out (karaoke, ironically). Since I had a car, I drove some of us all home.
It was pretty late now. Al Ain was out of the question, we all needed sleep.
My other two classmates told me the Al Ain plan was on in the morning. We agreed we would leave around 10am.
We all seemed excited for tomorrow. They went back inside to the dorms, but I stayed out a bit.
What a day.
I felt kind of restless though. Needing to calm down from the excitement and intense spontaneity of the night, I decided to seek a place to quickly go clear my head before I ultimately hit my pillow.
I remembered seeing this desert spot off this highway exit near where we lived, thinking it would be a good place to go check out (especially since it was more easily accessible by vehicle... 3 minute drive vs 28 minute walk is a significant difference).
People barbecued there at night, stargazed, gathered with their families...
The desert spot was still urban, but a little slice of desert that helped calm me down and mentally de-compress from the overstimulation of the day.
I sat in my car, just processing everything for a moment. The quiet was much appreciated, especially before I would re-enter the zoo that was my university dorms.
Little did I know, sitting there in my first ever rental car, that this desert spot would become a ritual for me in the future, and a place where many serendipities happen.
I drove back, and went to sleep.
day 2
I was ready to go to Al Ain from the morning.
Anxiously waiting for 10 am.
Soon, 10am passed. Then 11. But my other two classmates who where literally in the car halfway there last night where nowhere to be found. I thought maybe they just slept in.
I waited a while, and around noon, they told me they wanted to cancel the plan on their end.
They both got caught up, and bailed on the plan. It was kind of funny to see how they went from being halfway to Al Ain on a 30-minute whim of a notice the day prior to suddenly not seeming so keen on it anymore.
The one who I split the car with said he didn't want the car for himself at all anymore, but wouldn't go back on his word regarding paying his share for the car.
Good fella.
but now, it would be just me alone.
It was a new day, and I had a vehicle, and (it felt like) all the freedom in the world with what I could possibly do and go.
During the day, I took my roommate and we ran a few errands together. Imagine paying a fortune for a taxi to go to one place when you could just rent a car for a fraction of the cost and go drive wherever you want.
We spent the day together, going for acai in the morning, then going to the abaya mall (which is something we've been wanting to do since we got to Dubai a month and a half prior).
We where overwhelmed by the sheer amount of abayas in the abaya mall, and decided that we would get something nice to wear, especially since we would be in the UAE for another 3 months.
Both my roommate and I tried on a few options :)
I finally found myself a wonderful, green full set abaya.
As my present-day self, I can say that even after living in Dubai longer and getting a few more abayas, this first green abaya I got is still my favorite abaya to this day.
I personally love wearing abaya, it makes you feel regal but also... in more local towns or places that are more tailored to the Emiratis, I can more easily respect local customs and blend in.
I also thought it would be a good idea to take my new abaya with me if I end up going on a UAE road trip.
But would I go on a road trip this time around, even if I had to go all alone...?
should i stay or should i go?
I thought about it throughout the day, and decided that deep down, I can't let this opportunity pass up.
In my heart of hearts, I knew that no matter what or with who, I wanted to go to Al Ain after all.
For the past 24 hours I got myself all hype to drive up this amazing mountain I heard about, and I was ready to do it. No more idea just living in my head, it was time to create the moment for myself and live it.
I set my resolve.
This was happening.
and it was in that moment, i realized.
I really just rented the car. For the next few days, this car was MINE.
And boy oh boy did it feel like FREEDOM.
It's like you took this caged bird and set it to fly free.
I missed driving. I missed the road. I missed going fast and seeing my surroundings change. My zest for life was back, and I stopped feeling stagnant.
I was walking around in this park with my roommate, in my new abaya, watching a sunset by a lake... all because I now had the autonomy to just GO WHEREVER and move when I felt called to.
The freedom of having your own vehicle and going wherever you want? For us uni students, in that moment, we truly felt like we WON at life.
Me and my roomie returned from our day full of side quests sometime past 9 pm.
We hit our beds for an hour.
It has been a day.
Like good students do, we then made our rounds and did our due diligence to finish some stuff from school.
keep the promises you make to yourself.
It was already way past nightfall. I could easily bail on my own plan, or just go to Al Ain tomorrow.
But something deep in me itched towards freedom.
I wanted to experience it.
Drive to an unknown place.
Go up a mountain.
Camp out of my car.
And I had the feeling that if I only did it for one night and went to school the next day that I would not truly maximize and immerse myself in the journey.
It had to be tonight.
Tonight was the night.
Around 11pm, I started to pack myself up to spend a weekend living in my car.
Of course I invited my roomie to come with me, on the off chance she would be spontaneous enough to say yes to this crazy adventure.
My roomie wished me well, but said I was a different level of crazy for deciding to just throw myself into the unknown like this.
But my soul needed it, I knew that, and she knew too.
She gave me a hug, and helped me carry my stuff down. Also promised to cover for me just in case it would be needed.
Shoutout my term one roomie, she's a real one.
it's happening.
I set my maps. I set my playlist.
I had my stuffed cow (who I named passenger princess), my blankie, a few changes of clothes, toiletries, fruits, other snacks, a lotta water, and the calling for an adventure. What more do I need honestly.
Shifted the car into gear, waved goodbye, and watched my dear roomie and my student accommodation disappear.
I drove into the night, back onto the same highway that would take me towards Al Ain.
the road trip begins.
I left a half hour before midnight. It was about a two hour drive to Al Ain.
I have driven quite a lot in my life, but since I've never had my own car before, I've never actually driven much alone.
I'm no stranger to my own company, I did spend most of 2024 solo traveling after all. But for some reason, driving alone was a whole different feeling.
Maybe it's because my dad and I have taken more road trips together than I can count.
Maybe it's because I've always been the co-pilot.
Maybe it's because I know the dangers of the road very well, since my dad and grandpa made sure to drill that into my head since I was a little girl.
It was a new, strange feeling, to do it all alone. But here I was, inching forward on the map towards my destination, getting ready to welcome any adventure life threw at me.
But being completely alone felt kind of daunting.
The feeling settled in.
Driving past Al Ain felt like a fever dream.
Finally, after what felt like ages, the lit-up snaking mountain road came into view. Excitement filled my body when I saw it.
jebel hafeet.
The majestic mountain loomed in the distance, shrouded by the dark veil of night.
The lights ahead of me where the mountain serpentines that would take me all the way up to the second highest peak in the United Arab Emirates. From the top, I would also be able to see Oman.
In the daylight, it was said to be one of the most scenic roads in the UAE. However, in the darkness of the night, I couldn't make out much of ANYTHING. It was so exciting... to see this road leading me up high into the mountain, knowing that when I wake up, I will have one heck of a view to behold.
I finally drove up the mountain.
Up one of the "Ten Great Mountain Roads of the World".
I couldn't find any easy car camping spots that weren't open, well-lit parking lots, and since it was my first time doing this (and I wasn't too sure of if I was allowed to just sleep in my car there at night...) I didn't know if I would be able to find a spot up the mountain where I could settle down.
Since I was too anxious to just leave my car parked in an empty, well-lit lot where everyone can see and sleep, I decided to stargaze and go on a side quest instead. I overhead some people on the mountain that where talking earlier say that there was a hotel nearby, so I thought that would be my best bet if I wanted to ask more about the mountain (and perhaps find a toilet that wasn't closed).
Before going in, I put on my nice green abaya so I would look more put together, and decided to walk in with full confidence, ready to learn everything and anything about the mountain, the best spots for stargazing on it, and where I could perhaps loiter around safely until sunrise.
The people there where super kind and helpful, and actually invited me to walk around the hotel grounds and the hotel gardens to get a better view of the stars with less light pollution. They also had one of the only view points of the other side of the mountain near the top, so I got in for a rare treat, overlooking the sprawled out city below.
The hotel grounds themselves where beautiful, and given that it was around 3am, I had the whole very aesthetic place to just explore all by myself.
Getting to use the hotel bathroom was also a huge plus - I did read that there where no restrooms open on Jebel Hafeet at night... so happy I didn't have to drive all the way back down for a toilet :)
Another peaceful and unexpected side quest complete.
I felt fulfilled, but tired.
Tired, but happy. Happy and free, that's for sure.
i guess i registered that it's day 3.
After leaving the hotel, I decided I really needed to sleep.
So much for pulling an all-nighter.
We love a good adventure, but we gotta take care of ourselves to make sure we're not tired and delirious... especially if we're the only ones that are for sure there to have our backs.
I drove around, and found a few parking lots that seemed more off of the main road where it would seem more okay to just... post up for a few hours without bothering anyone or being bothered.
A bit delirious at this point, I remembered this one parking lot that had a little staircase to a nice view point on the mountain side, and parked there. It would be a great sunrise viewpoint too, since it was facing the east.
Khalas.
After scouting out the area and making sure that I was ready to stand by my decision, I decided to do my best to take a little nap until sunrise.
I pulled my hoodie over my head, laid the seat back, tried to use my blankie to block out some of the lights (all of the mountain roads where very well-lit), hugged Passenger Princess a little extra, and shut my eyes.
I was nodding off occasionally, but honestly didn't get much sleep at all. But hey, I did the best I could to at least try.
Despite the fatigue that was creeping in, I was so happy to be doing this trip, not just because I've always wanted to... but also, to prove it to myself that I can just do things. You can just do things. Taking them out of the realm of possibility and just doing the things you've been wanting to do... it's a great feeling.
Tired, and occasionally anxious at myself all alone handling the novelty of these experiences, I was still all smiles.
sunrise.
Eventually, the darkness of night started to turn into light, and I got to truly see the views in front of me unfold for the first time.
The sunrise on the majestic mountain was a magical sight to behold.
Seeing the world from these incredible angles makes me wonder how many years of erosion cared those river-like creases into the earth below me. How these sprawling cities got built atop desert dunes and shifting sands. How an incredible, majestic mountain like Jebel Hafeet just protrudes up from a land that is mostly flat.
As the heavens opened up for day to begin, the morning sun became visible, it's light slowly bathing the world into beautiful orange hues.
As the sun came up, I sat in my little mountain seat on top of the little slice of mountain I had by this parking lot.
I was in awe of the world, appreciating every sensation that got me here. The impulse for adventure, the tiredness, the adrenaline, the fatigue, the memories of the stars glimmering overhead, the little dreams I had manifesting right before my eyes.
Boundless. That's how i'd describe it.
I took out my little journal that I brought with me, and decided to pour my heart out on it's pages for a little while.
Feeling gratitude in my heart, I couldn't help but smile.
In that moment, it was all worth it.
It's moments like these where I feel at most awe with the world around me.
It's moments like these that remind me of how small I really am in the grand scheme of things, and how lucky I am to be experiencing every little human thing I experience.
It's moments like this that I feel closest to God.
Being on the top of a mountain with a little vehicle that was right now my own was such a surreal feeling to me. And with that feeling....
i was free.
morning on the mountain.
Can you believe that less than 48 hours ago, this idea was not even a properly formed fantasy?
Here I was, with my own little car, free to be and explore to my heart's content.
Well.. at least until I had to go back to school on Monday at least.
So much gratitude for everything and how it played out. It was a bit of a crazy sequence of events that got me to be in this moment, but right now, it was just me, my first ever rental car, and the majestic mountain with it's beautiful scenic roads.
Basking in the morning sun.
Leaving my little parking lot somewhere off the mountain side, I drove to the very tip top of the mountain again so I can see the view (me chasing a good view is a common theme in many of my adventures)
I learned that the red on the horizon is Oman. It was so cool to see... what felt like a whole window into the beginning of another country.
From the massive parking at the top, I walked around and saw the view I saw as little lights in the dark of the night unfolded in front of me:
down the mountain.
I started to make my way down Jebel Hafeet, stopping wherever the view was good.
Yes reader, if it hasn't already been established, this girl is an absolute sucker for a good view.
It felt wonderful to drive down one of the most scenic roads in the entire UAE.
I couldn't wait to tell my dad (who took me on so many road trips in my youth, and frankly was the one that instilled the love of driving places within me) about this adventure.
Only after I had safely returned though, as to not stress him out (I was still his little girl after all).
in the shade of the morning sun.
I reached this smaller parking lot somewhere about halfway down the mountain while it was still covered in shade from the morning sun. Since it was daylight, I felt like I was less likely to stick out, so I took a nap in my car to get some much needed shut-eye after that all-nighter.
Feeling more refreshed, I decided it was time to make the most of the views and see the rest of the drive down.
I drove with the windows down and with the still fresh morning breeze blowing through my car. Leaving the beautiful, scenic Jebel Hafeet road behind with tired eyes, my soul, once again, felt so full of life.
the adventure is just beginning.
Despite my weariness, I felt recharged from the draining feeling of being "trapped" in my surroundings. I broke away, I did something I really wanted to do, even if I had to go do it alone. I made a way to do it, and nothing could stop me now. Feeling this type of a new-found liberation in my youth is a feeling I know I'll talk about for a long time.
The time where you make a idea in your head a reality for the first time - even if it seems scary or some type of "rational people" might tell you not to.
I ended up at a nearby gas station to re-fuel, take a meeting for a school project off of that gas station wifi, and also to plan my next move.
Having gone there and tried it, I knew Jebel Hafeet wasn't the ideal car-camping spot, since it was less "wild" of a mountain with no actual designated campgrounds... just parking spaces.
Since I didn't get much sleep at all that night on the mountain, I decided I needed to find a more undisturbed spot in nature where car camping was going to be more friction-less.
I did some research, and had a few spots in mind. I wanted to vibe check them first though.
I ended up making friends with the people who worked at the gas station, and they told me about their friends going to Al Qudra, saying it was a great place for camping.
They where shocked to see a young lady traveling alone, but also told me they felt kind of inspired by whatever vibe I was on to be doing this.
They gave me some advice, helped me pick out some snacks to buy for the road (and electrolyte drinks - remember desert dehydrates and you gotta replenish on your salts and electrolytes).
We had a merry time chatting, and since it was afternoon now, it was time I said goodbye to my new friends, and started driving so that I would reach Al Qudra before nightfall.
heading onwards.
Before embarking on the long drive to Al Qudra, I got to behold Jebel Hafeet from a side view.
Seeing the massive mountain sticking up from the pretty flat surroundings around it made me marvel in wonder.
As I soaked up the tremendous beauty that was the mountain in front of me, I decided to call my mom for a little bit inform her where I was...
She thought I might have lost it, but then again, that's nothing new.
Sorry for stressing you out mom. It's becoming perpetual... but at least after some tension, it opens new doors to new perspectives and adventures for you too.
I'd love to write an article of the trips I was able to take my dear mama on since the days I started traveling in 2023. Being the daughter that decided to go travel and leave what was familiar behind has had it's challenges, but after time ran it's course... I got to experience so many beautiful memories with my mom and got to show her parts of the world she never thought she'd get to experience.
Showing my mom just why I loved to travel so much through creating experiences where she got to experience it herself... and in the WAY that I loved to travel... has played a tremendous role in the way our relationship has evolved.
Growing up and being able to give back to your parents and teach something new and open doors for the ones that have taught you how to live and opened doors for your your whole life is an incredible blessing.
the middle of nowhere.
It was really time for me to hit the road again, so I said my goodbyes to the majestic mountain that hosted me overnight, and embarked on the next leg of my adventure, grateful for what has happened and ready to experience what will happen next.
The grey clouds continued to gather, and it started to briefly rain for a little bit.
I had a rainy send off as I left the Al Ain area behind and drove my way to the highway that would take me to my next destination - Love Lakes, Al Qudra.
Off the highway, I started to see a bunch of reddish orange dunes materialize in the distance.
Soon, it seemed like I was just driving through a MASSIVE patch of desert.
Do you guys remember how badly I wanted to go to the middle of nowhere in the desert? That original itch came back, and though it wasn't in my plan, seeing a wild highway exit that lead to the sand dunes, I decided to take it.
I spent my sunset time driving this funny mostly unpaved road in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Some locals in big 4x4 wheel drive vehicles where driving on some dunes, and having a weekend camp or evening tea. It was still so spacious, everyone kept to themselves.
I decided to run around the red dunes for a while, soaking up the fact that finally, my weird little fantasy of plopping myself in the middle of nowhere and immersing myself into the sandy landscape came true.
Joy is simple.
Me see massive amounts of sand.
Me feel free.
Me happy.
:)
The sense of adventure was SO REAL though.
I ran around the dunes, and when I got back to my car, it was already night fall.
Did I eat sand? Yes.
Did I have fun? Absolutely.
Did I tell myself I'd get to Al Qudra before dark?
...whoopsie.
we reached al qudra... but where is it?
I took the turn off the main road into Love Lake - Al Qudra camp ground.
Very quickly, the road went from paved to gravel to... sand.
The guys at the gas station where right, it was absolutely in the middle of nowhere.
I was not exactly prepared to take a turn into a packed sand road in the middle of the desert in the total darkness (literally only my headlights and the stars where guiding me) for seven whole kilometers.
Given that this was my first time doing this and I had no clue what to actually expect when I reached, I was laughing a bit manically to myself during this leg of the drive hoping I didn't run into a serial killer. Thankfully, the UAE is a very safe country, so I knew realistically, the odds of that where low (and also that these where just sleep deprived thoughts).
it's just me, the dark, and bismillah insurance.
The first time taking yourself on a brand new adventure though... you gotta learn how to curb your unhinged thoughts especially when you had only yourself to bounce them off of.
I said Bismillah and kept bumbling my way down the desert road.
But regardless, driving along this dark deserted desert road into the middle of nowhere where I've never been before, I WAS HAVING SO MUCH FUN.
the love lakes.
After the 7km stretch of road ended the Love Lake area began, it was like a small little civilization had materialized right out of the desert void.
It really was this cute built-out oasis area in the middle of nowhere!
When I arrived, the little cafe by the Love Lakes was still open.
There where even facilities like bathrooms open all through the night, which was lovely.
I parked my car, and eagerly went out to explore.
I decided to take a walk by Love Lake, and once again soak up the views that where under the shroud of night.
It felt blissful to wander around the tranquil lakes at night.
I bit back a sense of excitement.
This place was about to look EPIC when I woke up.
Given that this place had little to no light pollution, the view of the stars was INCREDIBLE.
Also, there really wasn't that many people around, the Love Lakes area seemed kind of deserted.
I was mostly alone. It was kind of nice to have it all to myself.
I came back a few months later in December - and the place was so packed I could barely found a place to park my car and camp.
I made my way to a different part of the lakes, near the Al Qudra campground, to find a place to park my car.
My goal?
Find a great sunrise spot, and a spot that no one would really drive by at night and scare me.
I had to get some sleep after all.
I drove onto this little "island" in the middle of one of the lakes, knowing that this view was about to turn into a BEAUTIFUL sunrise when morning came.
I felt so immersed in the middle of nature, and was truly enjoying myself in the middle of nowhere, allowing myself to be enveloped by the silence of the night.
The silence of the night scared me actually. This was the first time that I went here, and it was practically empty. I was basically alone, in nature, no paved roads for 7 km, in the middle of the desert in front of some man-made lakes.
Once my adrenaline died down and the silence felt a little too tranquil, I realized it really was just me out here.
Me, the entire world, the night concealing what could be out there...
Me, my view, and the night.
No presence of another person in sight.
Me, all alone.
Oh at least Passenger Princess was with me.
my second night car camping... for real this time.
I tried to get comfy with my blanket and Passenger Princess, turning the car off, locking it, and leaving the windows open a crack.
However, despite how tired I was, sleep still didn't come so easy.
I guess I was still on edge for some reason, which I knew was natural since I have never experienced this situation before and was kind of confronted with how scary reality would be if things went south.
Reality is, I had no clue what could be lurking in the night. And when faced with deafening silence of the void around you, our little human brains like to play games.
But hey, what a good mental exercise of what I later learned was tawwakul.
Despite my body being so tired, sleep really wasn't coming.
Every noise scared me, and when there was no noise, it was like my body was on high alert, keeping watch, listening for something it didn't even know would be there.
It felt weird being the only tangible presence I could sense, because the presence of the world around me was too vast for my mind to bear.
I decided to call my friend Myles - who has lived out of his car traveling across the entire USA before to at least virtually invite a friendly presence into my vicinity and fill the void of the night.
This was a weird feeling I didn't have much experience dealing with, and if anyone was a car-camping expert, it was him.
Myles gave me a lot of tips... regarding regulating the temperature in the car (it was getting pretty hot in there) and also just being able to take the measures necessary to make sure that I'm safe.
I thought about people that camp in the wilderness, or about how humans used to live nomadically, subjecting themselves to be at the mercy of the forces of nature. I also realized how in these moments, community really is what keeps us sane. Being that I was alone, maybe my instincts felt like I had to keep watch to keep my little tribe (me, my car, and Passenger Princes) safe throughout the night.
This was one of the challenges of solo travel, but I was experiencing it in a whole new way than I ever did before.
The presence of my friend on the phone made me feel reassured. I did my best, and now it was up to me to trust God to do the rest.
And of course, even if I go disappear into the middle of nowhere, my mama and the homies can at least find me using Find My Friends.
day 4
morning sunrise...
I welcomed the morning when it came shining in my face.
My windshield faced the east, so the rising sun nudged me from my slumber directly.
I didn't exactly sleep through the night, but I slept significantly more than before. A substantial difference, and I felt somewhat rested and refreshed (though I knew I would have to complete my sleep debt later).
The day rolled in slowly, waking me up, and reminded me I was safe again from the darkness that envelops the shroud of the night.
sometimes I remind myself that according to physics, darkness is just an absence of photons. science facts still don't always stop me from getting the heebie jeebies.
three little birds.
I drove back to Love Lakes. Given that I had quite a long drive back, I had to get myself going fast. However, I saw a lot of cool birds, wildlife, and other animals waking up to start their day too. Turns out, there is a nature reserve here!
I quickly ran back to the Love Lakes themselves, soaked in the few for a few minutes, and vowed to come back to Al Qudra (it wasn't as far of a trek out from where I was staying like Al Ain) and actually explore this place properly during the day.
Right after freshening up in the campsite bathrooms, I was sitting in my car, planning the drive back and what would be the best route to take to school to avoid the traffic in Central Dubai.
The sounds of all the morning birds chirping filled the ambiance around me.
There was also chirping coming out of the bushes in front of me, and before I even knew it, I had a few little birds pop out and start flying around, eventually perching on my car.
In a way, the simple moments like this make traveling such a spiritual experience for me. There is a saying:
...When you think about how you place your trust in the sustenance of God, think of the birds. They leave their nests every morning with their bellies empty, and they return in the evening with their bellies full. And who provides for them but God.
Contemplating on the lives and the nature of other creations, including these little birds, makes me think of how I approach my relationship with the Creator.
It was actually such a wonder to see these happy little creatures so up close. I just observed then, talking to them sweetly through the windshield... being careful not to scare them off.
They stayed with me for a while I didn't rush, and then, on their own, flew away.
I had about an hour's drive to school, and even though I was leaving pretty early with time to spare, Dubai traffic can be unpredictable so I decided to book it outta here before the traffic got bad.
I changed back into my nice green abaya so I looked put together. Apart from my roomie and my other two classmates that where going to originally come to Al Ain with me, I don't think anyone but a few people knew that I was gone.
But hey, I deduced that if I look decently good and show up at school, no one would even know. When they looked at me, by looking at me no one would have the faintest clue that I just lived in my car for two nights, experiencing what felt like a wild adventure full of serendipitous moments.
Surely, serendipity would strike again.
the way back (to reality).
Traffic did hit in the last leg of the trip. At first things where looking promising, but arriving in Central Dubai, I was counting down minutes, praying that I would find parking.
My uni classes where held near the Offices ONE World Trade Center... and from what I've heard, the meter parking is always a gamble there. Parking privately or on a lot in that area would cost me a fortune I did not have.
I got there. The meter parking was full.
There was an event happening nearby in the conference centers, so all the parking was taken up and even the overpriced lots where EVEN MORE overpriced and also where at capacity.
Class started soon. Finding parking could take hours. Reality is, I might be cooked.
...or is it?
Alright.
I got myself into this, and basically unlocked a new scene in this quest where I had to find a way to figure this out...
...and fast.
I double parked on the road like many people, waiting inside my car for someone to leave the RTA parking. However, I knew this wasn't gonna cut it.
Scared I was going to miss my classes (my uni was pretty strict on that) - I got out of my car and started asking basically every passerby if they perhaps knew somewhere to park, or if they where going to leave and I could have their spot.
I almost got lucky, but another person snatched the spot before me.
The clock was ticking.
If I just waited on other people, my chances where purely luck-based and realistically low.
Trying to find alternative solutions and asking the passerby seemed like my best bet right now.
One older guy I asked told me that he lived in the apartments, and he could try to tell the guard that I was a guest and they would let me park inside the lot for free.
I thanked him profusely, and we exchanged any details in case there was any trouble for me to leave at the end of the day.
Thanks to that kind guy, I ended up parking my car in the world trade center apartments.
I recalled a lesson I learned from my sailing captain, who would literally say all you have to do is show up, ask for what you need, commit to getting it and you'll find the right people to help you figure it out. Trust that you'll be able to figure it out, or at least find the right people to help you get there.
The memory made me smile. Thank you kind stranger!
After parking the vehicle, I literally flew to class, making it with not a moment to spare.
Me in the green abaya, in my school bathroom, with that surreal feeling somewhere between delirious and I cant believe I just did that:
the show must go on.
Officially, I had to give the car back after school today.
However, deep within me I knew this wasn't the end of this chapter... or more like, I wouldn't allow this chapter to be over when it felt like it just began.
After just unlocking this newfound boundlessness, I wasn't yet ready to give up my key to freedom just yet. And of course, if I kept the car, I was just inviting more opportunities for serendipity to strike again.
Reality check first, though. After checking my finances and moving a few things around, I decided to extend the car for just another couple of days. I talked with the rental, they actually gave me a better rate since the total amount of days I had the car was longer, we said Khalas, and the deal was done.
Once again, baby rented her first ever car. Adult things.
Now that the car was settled, I knew serendipity would send some more opportunities my way for new stories to write themselves. Naturally, having the vehicle in my vicinity will inevitably invite some more side quests.
new adventures... continued in part 2.
reflection:
I'm always amazed at what happens when I let the urge of exploration take over me freely.
Having the car for only such a limited time definitely forced me into a sporadic dance of motion I didn't even know I could muster out of myself. I am happy to say, I made the absolute MOST of my time having the vehicle.
Looking back, this road trip became the catalyst moment to a lot of themes I would continue to learn in this chapter of my youth:
Independence. Being able to figure it out in the moment. Leaving it up to God after doing your due diligence. Not taking things personally, and just letting life flow.
Self-Sufficiency. Accounting for "adult world" things. That I can just do it and take an idea from my head into reality.
That I am capable of more.
The car, the first car I ever rented, will always have a special place in my heart.
Even though my time with this car would come to an end, I was certain more adventures will come. This trip felt like the dam breaking... like the floodgates of enabling myself to discover a brand new world bursting open.
Amidst the uncertainty, there is one thing that is certain for a long time to come.
i will never forget this feeling.
fin.
Dear Reader,
It's been a journey - and I'm happy you made it this far!
When I sat down to write this story... it came out VERY LONG. Though I was happy to have the writing still in me, like my good friends 
I'm a firm believer that it's our stories that unite us, and recently, I've made up my mind to document and share more stories from my life. Expect more stories (of varying lengths) to be published on here for you to enjoy. This one was cathartic and long, but I am happy to have shared it.
This is a part of a little blog series I'll be writing about my adventures. One day, I hope to show these stories to my grandkids :)
Thank you so much for reading this story - I'm beyond grateful to you, Hive and Worldmappin community!
Make more art, create more, write more, and I hope this can inspire and invite your too, dear Reader, to consider sharing your stories in a way that feels authentic to you.
"The world needs your unique gifts, don't leave with them still inside of you."
Adventure and exploration - especially novel experience where you're forced to figure out a lot - teach you so much about yourself. Often, through getting your perspective on life blown open again and again... you'll realize you're capable of more than you ever thought of.
I hope everyone experiences being a traveler.
Get out there and explore.
<3
This was Natalia's Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet, Al Qudra Love Lake adventure (part 1). part 2 will include all the spontaneous side quests that came with the freedom of having access to her own vehicle for the first time...
...a time she'll surely never forget, immortalized on the Hive Chain.
...circa final days of September 2024.
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my only official social accounts.
world map pin : //:# (!worldmappin 24.06259 lat 55.77727 long Sunrise on the Mountain - A New Dawn of Adventure. d3scr)