Bugsmirror’s Dubai Chronicles: From Code to Culture

Life at Bugsmirror | 4 min read

“Habibi, we are in Dubai!” That’s the first thing I remember saying, as our car sped down the Sharjah to Dubai highway at 110 km/h, all six lanes gleaming under the night sky at 2:00 AM. The skyline ahead was nothing short of spectacular—skyscrapers stretching toward the heavens, with the Burj Khalifa reigning supreme.

As we reached our hotel, despite being exhausted and wanting to rush straight to the bed, we took a long minute to admire the hotel and the Museum of the Future, just across from our hotel. Exhausted but too excited to care, I couldn’t wait for the adventure that lay ahead.

Walking into our rooms- the first thing we did was roll up the window curtains- to take in the view- get a glimpse before we could explore the next day. And view we saw! Too many skyscrapers, amongst them the mightiest of all the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai World Trade Centre, the buzzling EMAAR Square, and one of the most happening streets of downtown Dubai right below our window! We were overjoyed, giggling like the college kids we once were before we became colleagues.

The next day, after a busy morning of prepping for the event, we were at the AL Hudaiba Awards Building for a quick business meeting, followed by another meeting at Silicon Oasis marking the perfect start to ticking off our to-do list for Dubai. As the sun started to set, overwhelmed by the extreme heat on the roads and the heavenly AC air inside every single building- our call to explore the city in the evening was quick and unanimous.

Our first stop was the infamous Dubai Mall. We wandered through its vast corridors, too exhausted to fully explore, but the sheer size and vibrancy of the place were overwhelming. We were too tired to hunt down the famous aquarium, but the more we stayed around the luxurious stores- the bigger threat it posed to our wallets- especially as the long list of demands from the ladies in our lives started ringing louder in our heads with every passing second.

So we rushed through the corridors towards the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, we were instantly transported to the world beneath the waves. Towering tanks filled with diverse marine life surrounded us, from sleek sharks gliding past to colorful schools of fish swimming above and around us. It felt like walking through an aquatic wonderland.

Not wanting to leave this wonderland- we continued towards the Burj Khalifa water fountain. It was more than a view- a complete experience. Next, we strolled through the Sheikh Zayed Road, and finally the Museum of the future. Mesmerized by the futuristic marvel- we felt like we truly stepped in the year 2070- with so many futuristic technologies and ideas that were straight out of a sci-fi movie. From space exploration and the existence of life beyond Earth to AI companions like the robot dog and robot Anika, every exhibit sparked our imagination. We were mesmerized by the concept of genetic species, futuristic cars that don’t need fuel, and even the art of meditation for peak focus.

Finally, the day we have been long prepared for- the Cyber AI Summit & Awards 2024. We couldn’t risk being late so instead of walking we booked ourselves a taxi– and as soon as the taxi pulled up our faces were brimming with joy. I mean, It’s not everyday that you get picked up by a Tesla– all our nervousness and little doubts vanished right in that moment.

The Address Sky View Hotel set the stage, and it was as grand as you’d expect. The energy was palpable, the conversations meaningful, and the networking intense. The cherry on top? Meeting business leaders and C-level executives who really got what we’re all about and shared our vision for the industry’s future. The energy in the room was contagious, and the feedback on not only our work but the fridge magnets we carried along was more than we could’ve asked for. Every interaction reemphasized our belief that Dubai is serious about cybersecurity. By the end of it, we left feeling fulfilled, knowing we had made a solid impact—and the numerous hours of planning, preparing the marketing material, and investing so much energy & money was completely worth it!

As we wrapped up the event, I couldn’t help but think how far we’d come, not just in miles but in achievements. From long highways to grand hotels, to a summit that reaffirmed the importance of our work—Dubai had delivered on all fronts.

What truly struck me was how welcoming and friendly everyone was. Dubai has this incredible way of making you feel right at home, even when you're a thousand miles away. The locals make sure you experience everything that Dubai has to offer– from its iconic landmarks to its rich culture and hospitality. Whether it was a quick chat with a shopkeeper, a warm greeting from a hotel staff member, or helpful directions from a passerby, every encounter was a reminder of the city's welcoming spirit- and we loved it!

Until next time, Dubai. Bugsmirror is signing off, but we’ll be back, stronger and more innovative than ever.

- Uday Shankar Bhagavatula

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