Camel milk and belly dancing – part of the curriculum?

The lighter side of the Dubai/Abu Dhabi trip, 3 to 8 May 2007

The fresh camel milk tasted warm and sweet, but many decided to turn their noses up at the chance to sample such a delectable delight. Perhaps it was the wildly exciting roller-coaster ride in four-wheel-drives across the sand dunes at breakneck speeds, perhaps the 45°C heat of the desert and the dry wind blowing the pungent smell of the camel herd in our direction.  Or perhaps it was the thought of the more sumptuous delicacies that awaited us at the desert camp. Whatever the reason, those that declined the experience missed out on something special.

We were somewhere in the desert, somewhere not far from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, but somewhere far from the comfort of the classrooms and kitchens of Brig and Le Bouveret.  The five-day trip to the UAE was organized to provide students with the opportunity to meet human resources representatives from the main hotels and to discuss training and career possibilities. What’s more, it offered a chance for our students to gain a better understanding of the local culture and for those in the industry to showcase the UAE as a tourist destination. The trip also clearly reflected the active interest taken by the College in stimulating and encouraging personal development and leadership skills beyond the confines of the classroom.

And so, apart from visiting stunning, luxurious hotels, having interviews with potential employers, discussing the increasing demands of the region’s hospitality industry with an array of alumni, and celebrating the 25th anniversary of “César Ritz” Colleges Switzerland, what did we do and see?

Well, there was our desert safari at the start of our trip (who will ever forget careering over the top of those mighty dunes); camels rides into the sunset; savouring the subtle, fruity flavours of the shisha; dances with our drivers underneath a starry desert sky; a visit to the date market to taste the subtle differences between the varieties; the sight of the seemingly ancient dhows bobbing lazily in the fishing port, while fisherman mended nets and rested in the heat, against the almost anachronistic backdrop of the modern city skyline; the character-building hour-long wait in our buses while our drivers hesitated and debated the endless possibilities of turning left or right; the evening games of swimming-pool volleyball and water polo with staff and students giving, as well as taking, with good-humoured vigour; belly dancing with a beguiling beauty; and trips to the malls for some energetic bargaining with canny merchants.

Yes, it was a great trip!