As events of the past few weeks unfolded, several developments led me to speculate on who would be the logical victor of the upcoming 3 November 2020 presidential election. But, first, about that year, all my life I've wanted to live at least until 2020, and I think I'll make it. Only 2 years, 4 months and 21 days to go. I've now been alive for 76 years, 11 months and 5 days.
Way back in 1972 I joined a group of faculty members from Hawaii and California on a summer public education program sponsored by NASA. I was the one who came up with the title and theme: Earth 2020--Visions for Our Children's Children, although the vision part was more from the wife of Hans Mark, then director of the Ames Research Center.
If you've ever been to Dubai you know they will do things off the charts. Already they have the tallest building, Burj Khalifa at 2717 feet, 644 feet taller than #2, Shanghai Tower. However, next year, yes, 2020, Saudi Arabia will unveil
Jeddah Tower (
left), all of 3307 feet feet, or 590 feet higher. By the end of 2020
China, however, will have 21 of the world's tallest 50 skyscrapers.
That massive structure in the middle, Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, is 1972 feet tall, was completed in 2012, and is today the third tallest building in the world.
Where will the USA, the world's greatest country ever, come in? Oh, #43, with Central Park Tower in New York, a less than gigantic 1549 feet, or 1758 shorter than Jeddah Tower. Hopefully, construction of this future NY building will be completed in 2020.
I interject, though, that
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (
right) processes more passengers (
104 million) than anyone else, with Beijing Capital International Airport at #2 and Dubai International Airport at #3. However, three years ago Dubai began construction of a $35.7 billion second airport to become the
world's largest accommodating 220 million passengers/year.
Shopping you want? China has three of four largest shopping malls today. What happened to the one in Minnesota and Ala Moana Shopping Center? Don't ask. Well, I'll tell you anyway. Mall of America is now #30 with less than half the footage of the South China Mall (
in Dongguan, about 50 miles from Hong Kong) which is #1. #2, incidentally, is Iran Mall in Teheran, which will become #1 next year, yes, 2020.
Dubai has launched
Dubai Square, which shows promise of soon becoming #1. You ask why would anyone want to fly into Dubai or shop there?
Well, there is no war, no one begs, people speak English, it is not Africa, there is little markup, carries the latest fashions, everything is high tech, eminently luxurious, and the wide variety of international cuisine is becoming legendary. Having just returned from Paris, with
some experience in Dubai, the safety factor is overwhelming.
Here is just one more crazy factor on excess. When I was there in 2016 there were 14 different Starwood hotels, with seven more Alofts soon to open. Dubai is just one city, there are no others of any size in the country. Now that Marriott has taken over all Starwood hotels, I wonder how many total properties they have there. Can you imagine the consternation of taxi drivers? There are four W hotels in New York City. I've never yet been taken to the right one. Dubai? Oh my.
Wikepedia is still trying to find how many there were in 2010. Honest,
click on this.
I tried to get the price of the
Burj al-Arab below $1000 for one night, but failed. I see rooms now go for around $1500/night. The current non-refundable cost ranges from $1438 to $1634 with no breakfast.
Not sure how I got into Dubai, but they do host the World Expo in 2020. I might go, as I've been to just about every one since 1962 in Seattle. I took a chance in 2015 and went to the previous one in
Milan. I hear Milan is more dangerous than Paris.
The word is that overall risk, transport/taxi risk, pickpockets, terrorism are only medium, but scam risk for tourists are HIGH. I survived. At least in Dubai this will not be a factor.
Okay, so about 2020:
- It will be a leap year.
- There will be too many Mars missions.
- Yucca Mountain will accept initial nuclear waste...maybe.
- The Large Hadron Collider will again be operational.
- Can you believe this? The UK will withdraw all troops from Germany. Then again, maybe not. The USA has just about 200,000 of our military on foreign ground, 34,805 in Germany, 39,345 in Japan and 23,468 in South Korea. Can you believe we have troops in 177 countries, 800 bases and spent $100 billion/year just for this privilege?
Then, of course, there is my
2020 World Cruise I've been fantasizing about for more than three years. First inspired by Tadashi Matsunaga, I mentioned to him that I would need a cabin mate. He said he'd find me one, and this led to a series of encounters you can find in this blog site. The original date was 2018, but soon was delayed until 2020.
Here is just one update.
Most 2020 world cruises start in January. They are generally four months long and cost between $20,000-$40,000. Then I stumbled across a "dazzling 180-day adventure" by Oceania, and
to quote:
There have been global circumnavigations before, but nothing quite like Insignia’s 180-day journey departing Miami on January 8, 2020. Though visiting an impressive 95 destinations in 38 countries with an indulgent 17 overnight port visits, her ambitious odyssey is much more than the sum of its celebrated ports. Transit the newly-expanded Panama Canal, round Cape Horn and, for the first time on an Oceania Cruises world voyage, explore Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Circle South America from the cloud-kissed ruins of Machu Picchu to the samba beat of Rio de Janeiro, encounter Africa’s magnificent wildlife, and explore the pagodas and tea houses of Japan. And if your sense of exploration is as boundless as our imagination, choose from curated itinerary options embarking in either Miami or San Francisco and ranging up to 200 unforgettable days.
Insignia sails across 18 shimmering seas and 27 time zones. Along the way, our gracious service will be your comfort, the Finest Cuisine at Sea™ your nectar, and the Canyon Ranch® Spa your rejuvenation. Ensconce yourself in the luxuries of Oceania Cruises and awake each day to new delights revealed just for you.
Price? Starts at $38,000, but that is only $211/day. You also get:
With
OLife Choice*, our limited-time inclusive package, enjoy
Roundtrip Airfare* & Free Internet plus choose one:
FREE - 70 Shore Excursions
FREE - Beverage Package
FREE - US$7,000 Shipboard Credit
Amenities are per stateroom
Exclusive Prestige Package*:
FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities - a value of up to US$8,280
FREE Onboard Medical Care
FREE Internet
FREE Laundry Services
FREE Exclusive Shoreside Events
FREE Visa Package
FREE Luggage Delivery
FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Stay
FREE Roundtrip Transfers
Of course, you don't want to spend six months in steerage, so the price will be higher. My problem is that I will need to pay 15 Craigside $27,000 just to be absent during that period. Perhaps they won't allow me to go.
While I might have found a cabin mate, cost remains a major hurdle. This all still remains a fantasy. Let me know if you're interested.
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