I’m siting in the lobby of the conference center at the Jumeriah Beach Hotel. That’s the one shaped like a wave. The conference center itself is a separate building in front of the hotel, shaped to look like a big boat. Kind of like Noah’s arc beached on the sands of the Arabian Sea instead of Mount Ararat.

The lobby is bright and airy, with a two story glass front (and free wi-fi!). If I crane my neck upwards, I can see the Burj Al Arab rising up behind the hotel. You may not know the name, but chances are you know the building. This building, which rises up out of the ocean and shaped like a huge ship’s sail in full wind has become a symbol of Dubai. It even appears on the license plates. It’s also billed as the world’s only seven star hotel and costs thousands of dollars a night. Of course, for all that money you reportedly get gold fittings and a butler, not to mention the two story aquarium in the lobby.

I’m not staying at either hotel, by the way. Even the special conference rate at the Jumeriah Beach is a lot more than my expense budget can stand. I’m staying in the much cheaper, but far away, Le Meridien. Not that the hotel is begging for guests. Even at $300+++ a night it looks like they’re full.