Kaede Ajanta Dances at the Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi

From the stretch of highway that runs between Al Ain to downtown Abu Dhabi the Grand Mosque simply glows as it rises into the air dreamlike.

Locating the entrance to the mosque, which was still under construction, proved a challenge. We passed through a gate just downhill from the mosque and stopped the car. Lines of newly-planted palm trees stood in rows leading up the rough dirt hill; their leaves tied to their trunks. Above us, the mosque towered; the sun glared from behind a minaret. Though we noticed a winding, bumpy dirt road leading towards the structure, a cheerful construction worker informed us that we could not enter from where we were, that we had to park on the other side. We turned the car around and found another parking lot. There, we were directed yet again to another lot. Finally, we located the mosque's public parking and proceeded on foot toward the entrance, passing the odd tourist wearing only a bikini and flip-flops who would soon, to their confusion, be turned away...

In the darkening blue of the of the late afternoon sky the great white domes were stunning. Beneath these, we entered, stepping onto the walkway between the rows of intricately decorated column clusters. Somehow, everyone else seemed to disappear and we were alone with this breathtaking wonder.

We were transported.

Kaede ran in circles...




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http://www.youtube.com/user/cassiuskenzaburo