This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shanice Day, a 30-year-old stylist based in Houston, who is stuck in Dubai after traveling there to celebrate her birthday with a friend. It's been edited for length and clarity. I came to Dubai with one of my best friends. We left Texas on February 23 and arrived in Dubai early on the 24th, the day of my 30th birthday. The hotel staff gave me a cake, roses, and drinks. They even sang "Happy Birthday." It was wonderful. Every time I told