I've got a ticket to ride ... and I feel fine

Jen Gerson Before I knew it, the train carrying Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, a horde of reporters and the Dubai Metro's official first riders was away.

DUBAI // To the sound of applause and with a slight jolt, the Metro train pulled away from the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station for the second time last night. It was standing room only in the carriage, which was filled with people ranging from government dignitaries and media professionals to lucky contest winners like me. Yesterday I was one of the hundreds who won Dubai Metro's Golden Ticket contest. The Roads and Transport Authority sent me an e-mail entreating me to arrive at its main headquarters to pick up the coveted prize.

By midday, Twitter was abuzz. The micro-blogging site was listing #dubaimetro as a top trending topic in other words, it was one of the most discussed issues on the popular site, which has users all over the world. Among the local Twitterati, tweets devolved into joyful silliness. It was the first time the Twitter-world had paid so much attention to an event in this country. When I picked up my ticket, it was not gold. Rather, it was a thick paper ticket with a golden sheen telling me I had "been selected to be one of the first riders of the Dubai Metro on 09.09.09."

After the sun set, I arrived at the station to find a crush of people in the lobby. After queuing for about half an hour, we were let in to register and receive golden certificates and white wristbands. According to mine, I was passenger 338. This number would not see me on to the historic first train. Alas, I was herded into a group that was distracted by mini cakes, canapes and sandwiches. Before I knew it, the train carrying Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, a horde of reporters and the Dubai Metro's official first riders was away.

My moment in history was lost. I did make it to the second train. Its clean, smooth blue plastic was reminiscent of the London Tube, except newer. It was equipped with working du Wi-Fi. As the train pulled from the station, the passengers broke into applause. As we hurtled toward the Mall of the Emirates, several standing passengers pitched backwards, surprised by the speed. As we moved toward the our final destination, the train slowed and then stopped. Next to Burj al Arab, where dozens of red and white fireworks exploded into the sky.