Now I've discovered Dubai, my book is in Dubai......so what's missing? 
Friends in Dubai! 
This is where BeingShe came into my life!

BeingShe is a women’s organization committed to empowering women, facilitating their transformation, and guiding them to channel their innate drive and passion. Founder Aparna Bajpai believes that every woman anywhere in the world has the ability to build her own castle, she just needs the support, recognition and empowerment to move forth. 

So after the Sharjah Bookfair (actually on my way to the airport), I stopped in at the BeingShe office to meet Aparna and her staff, to see if they would be a good fit for me!  I found there a supportive, safe environment where I could openly share my journey. 
YES!!  I wanted to be part of this community!

BeingShe has given me a kind of homebase in Dubai. Connection. Shared resources and support. The networking possibilities have been endless and have provided me with encouragement and guidance along the way. 

Aparna has especially inspired me to hold my head high and not give up.
"Be proud of who you are, get comfortable in your own skin, and share your true self with others"  

​And so, I was proud to be among the 40 women of excellence that received the BeingShe Excellence Award 2023.  A luxury ceremony at Dubai's Museum of the Future honored achievements in the arts, business, corporate,  philantrophy, wellness and media. This red carpet event also unveiled the "BeingShe Excellence Icons", a special collector's edition book showcasing all the winners!


 

​www.beingshe.com/

The first meeting I had with the U.A.E. was in 2022 at the Sharjah Bookfair.  I had no idea what I would find there, but it sure seemed interesting, so I signed up online and boarded a plane for Dubai.  My first time.

And the rest is history. I was completely overwhelmed!  I found myself in the middle of a dynamic, innovative and inspiring celebration of books!  I had previously connected with a couple booksellers that agreed to sell my book in their stalls, and I was SO grateful for their help. In short, I had the time of my life, and the networking would prove to be valuable in the future. Two days after I left, I came down with COVID!  I should have worn a mask.

Dubai is both a city and emirate (state) within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is a nation in the Middle East situated on the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and Dubai is its largest and most populous city. Once a small fishing village, today Dubai is one of the wealthiest and most developed cities in the world!

​Out of the 3.6 million people that live in Dubai more than 90% are expatriates, making it a truly international city.  This makes a unique blend of cultures that includes more than 200 nationalities, a rich blend of traditions and experiences.  And although Arabic is the official U.A.E. language,  English is most commonly spoken in Dubai. 

In 2023, Dubai was the third most visited city in the world, making the Dubai International Airport the world's busiest ! Tourists enjoy Dubai's gorgeous beaches, extravagant shopping, year-round sunshine, and super low crime rate.  Dubai is undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in the world.