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21,000 miles, 16 days, 4 airlines, 7 cities, a rental car and the world's tallest building

I had never been across the pond. Ever. Lots of time in Mexico, a venture or two into British Columbia, but never across the pond.

International travel is its own beast. And I've fallen for the beast. Head over heels, heart stopping absolutely gotta do it again ASAP fallen.

This probably comes as no surprise to those of you who've traveled abroad. There is an allure that cannot be overstated.

Paris? Really? That city has more character in one of its potholes than our entire country does so far! The richness of history, the soul deep beauty, the architecture, what's NOT to absolutely love? (and yes, LG, even the gargoyles and abundance of random statuary and cherubim!)

The Middle East..was new as well. Seeing a city up close that hadn't existed 40 years earlier that now resembles a Hollywood movie set with a dramatic, skyscraper-filled skyline and a veneer of slick and modern? Enlightening. In many ways.

Seeing another city up close (Dubai this time), the proud home of the world's tallest building (beautiful beautiful thing that belongs in Lord of the Rings), the world's largest shopping mall, and other superlative features? Again, like happening across a most amazing movie set in the middle of the desert.

But Dubai is broke. And Abu Dhabi is rich. Very very. Which means they're the boss of Dubai in terms of big decisions for the moment. And they got Dubai to change the name of the world's tallest building from the Burj Dubai to the Burj Calipha.  Apparently a former sheikh of Abu Dhabi was Calipha, and is considered a saint among men. So naming a building after him would be the absolute right thing to do.

'Cuz apparently when you write a $1 billion check? You have some clout when it comes to naming monuments.

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