CRANES

I pass a large construction crane each time I go down I-71 these days. Its been there for months while a building is being constructed next to Kenwood Mall. Its always amazed me how these things stand and do their lifting jobs and don't fall over. They seem too small at the base with not enough counterbalance weight. My mind's eye can't see how they work.

What I think about lately when I see one is not how they work but about how many there are and where they are. I heard this story some time ago.

These things are in great demand. One of the reasons for that is what is going on in Dubai. Yes, Dubai! Yes, one of the United Arab Emirates whose largest city is Dubai City. The Emirates sit on the Arabian Peninsula bordered by Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. There is such an explosion of construction going on in Dubai that it is estimated that more than 60% of all the world's cranes are there. Sky scraper after sky scraper is going up. Hundreds of international firms are locating offices there. It has become a huge trading center. Dubai is drawing international sporting events to its new facilities. The NY Times listed Dubai as its travel choice for partying in 2008. 20 years ago, I either never heard of it or thought it was little more than an oasis. How the world changes.