An Unexpected Visitor (!)

Today my school, the American School of Dubai, had a most unexpected surprise visitor.... drum roll please.... His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai (!!!). Also known as Sheikh Mo, he is the guy who was the visionary behind turning Dubai into an international business and tourism hub. In other words, quite a very very big deal. His visit was just announced at around 4pm yesterday, and the whole day was completely consumed with the excitement of the visit.

And my class had the special privilege of getting to greet Sheikh Mohammed when he arrived at the front gate. We were told to choose one of our most "American looking" students to greet the Sheikh and that our whole class would get to be waiting when he came onto the campus (quite a big honor!).

Our class on the left getting to take part in the dedication of the school to Sheikh Mohammed (who granted the school the land for the new campus, and also apparently pulled all kinds of strings for us during the construction and opening of the school). Can you see me on the left side in the green sweater??! I got to stand literally two feet from the Sheikh. Completely awesome. It's like getting to meet President Obama or Queen Elizabeth.

Jaden (our most "all American" looking student) getting to welcome Sheikh Mohammed onto the campus. Originally she was supposed to present him with a giant bouquet, but about five minutes before he arrived they found out that His Highness was allergic to one of the flowers in the bouquet, so the flowers were out. So Jaden just got to welcome him... and he kissed her on the forehead. It was adorable because she was really nonchalant about the whole thing.

Sheikh Mohammed greeting the school administration.

And two of the boys in our class, Logan on the far side and Ahmed were chosen to get to uncover the rock plaque that dedicates the school to Sheikh Mohammed for his "generous support and continuous commitment to providing not for profit American educational opportunities in Dubai." Another big honor for our class.

Sheikh Mohammed applauding as the plague was unveiled.

Sheikh Mohammed reading the plaque, with our little Logan on the far side.

The plaque.

Then after getting to greet Sheikh Mohammed, he took a tour of the campus and so everyone lined the halls of the school like a parade as he passed.

Sheikh Mo's entourage approaching during the parade. Two of his sons, including the Crown Prince Sheikh Hamden, also visited the campus with His Highness.

Probably my favorite picture that I took all day, since you can see Sheikh Mo interacting with my class as he walked by. And the really amazing part to me was that when he came to Jaden he remembered her from when he arrived on campus an hour earlier and touched her head again.

Hands-down, Sheikh Mohammed's visit to campus has to be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences I have had living in Dubai, and maybe ever. What a day!

Oh, and even cooler is the fact that his visit (and the photo of our class!) made it onto Sheikh Mohammed's website and into the video of his visit on the site. Check it out! Sheikh Mohammed's Visit to ASD