On the evening of September 8, 2014, Lady Gaga arrived at Dubai International Airport to a boisterous welcome. Her arrival was supposed to be a secret, precisely so that fans wouldn’t swarm the terminal.
But Gaga didn’t get the memo. The Poker Face singer posted photos on her Instagram ahead of her flight from London Heathrow Airport and it was just enough for fans to begin their sleuth work, scouring flight timetables to pinpoint when Gaga would be arriving in Dubai.
By the time Gaga's plane landed, a crowd had formed behind police cordons, merrily chanting her songs. The singer, clad in a sequinned sheer jalabiya, spoke to the press at the airport’s VIP lounge before going outside to greet her fans. The star had come to the emirate as part of her fourth world tour, ArtRave: The Artpop Ball Tour, performing at Meydan Racecourse on September 10.
“I am here for four days,” Gaga said. “I’d like to see as much of Dubai as possible. I have heard amazing things about it and I am really looking forward to seeing my fans. I have had a strong heartache about not being able to be near them.”
The singer also spoke about how she had curated her wardrobe to respect local traditions. “I respect the culture here,” she said. “The show will be appropriate for all the fans here in Dubai. I was told there were some restrictions. I know some artists are very strict about their policies, that they cannot adhere to their art by compromising, but I actually believe it is important to respect other cultures and not force them to adhere to the beliefs of your own country. In fact, it is a better way to connect with the people.
“Most importantly, while I’m here, I would like to leave a message of light, happiness, creativity and freedom with the fans and that is more important than my clothes.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize