Who?

From growing up in Pittsburgh (great museums, bridges, and sandwiches) to entering adulthood in Philadelphia (love the history, dining scene, and long nights on the dance floor), I now have over a decade under my belt as an American expat in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (come for the endless summer, stay for the cheese manakish, ever-changing urban landscape and proximity to just about everywhere else in the world). Next stop? Ideally, a Slim Aarons photograph brought to life.

I’ve come a long way—literally and figuratively—from obtaining my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (major: hand-drawn animation, minor: art history). From production and graphics work at a screen-printing press and then Philadelphia and Boston magazines, to managing an art gallery in Dubai, I finally ending up working with one of the things I love most: luxury travel and hospitality (rubbing shoulders closely with snowboarding and horse-riding). Working on the media end of things, I’ve spent the last several years waxing lyrical on some of the most beautiful and fascinating places in the world as a writer and PR.

I am currently writing about travel, hospitality and culture on a freelance basis. Formerly Deputy Editor at Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, I have also been published in other Condé Nast Traveller/Traveler editions including the US, UK and India. My writing has been featured in Destinations of the World News, Citizen K Arabia, visitsaudi.com, Forbes Travel Guide, The Ritz-Carlton Magazine, CEO Middle East and arabianbusiness.com. To see some of my published work, click here.

If you would like to discuss any freelance writing or editing opportunities, please get in touch via the email below.

– Laurel Munshower

Instagram & Twitter: @travelaurel
Email: hello (at) travelaurel (dot) com

22 thoughts on “Who?”

  1. Hi Laurel!
    I was blogwalking and found your blog. I’ve always wanted to travel across the globe since I was little and the real travels have just started a few years back. Right now I’m searching for travel inspirations out there and your blog is definitely one of them.
    Cheers,
    Bama

    Reply

  2. Hey Laurel!

    I just moved to Dubai a few weeks ago from Adelaide, Australia to meet up with my husband who’s been working here for a couple of months. I’m a writer, but I really love visual art, too.
    Stumbled across your blog today and absolutely fell in love with it! I look forward to following it! : )

    Cheers,
    Margot

    Reply

    1. Heyla!

      Glad you enjoy my blog & I hope you continue to enjoy Dubai as well! ❤
      Checked out your Tumblr, and regarding the moon the other night – I too remember thinking it looked exceptionally lovely! Plus, it was absolutely HUGE as the sun was setting in the evening! Loved it.

      -L

      Reply

  5. Thanks Laurel – enjoy your posts – especially about the traffic planning! Are there many Pittsburghers in Dubai? We usually tend to seek each other out although I’m not quite sure about Dubai –

    Recent arrival in Al Ain (and bored to death) –
    I’ll check on your blog now and then!

    Becky
    (Upper St. Clair)

    Reply

    1. I think there are a few – I feel like I’ve seen them post on forums as mention as much, but I don’t know any other Pittsburghers here personally. If you’ve only recently arrived, I imagine you haven’t yet experienced the UAE in good weather; even Dubai is a total bore in the summer. Things should definitely start picking up all over in the coming weeks! Good luck!

      Reply

  6. Hi Laurel,

    I would really like to use one of your Dubai pictures in a new Turkish magazine that is launching. If you could please get in touch with me as soon as possible (going to print today!) at ashleylumb@yahoo.co.uk that would be great. Thank you, Ashley

    Reply

  8. Hey Laurel,
    I just stumbled onto your blog and am amazed at our similar paths. I’m an American in Abu Dhabi, also writing a blog and recently went to Istanbul (very briefly) and India, among other places. I’ll be looking at your published stories and following your blog wanted to say hello.
    Anne
    PS Have you been to RAW coffee in Dubai? We went there yesterday. It’s definitely blogworthy, I’ll be writing a story about it.

    Reply

    1. Hi Anne!
      Thanks for writing and I’ll definitely be checking out your blog to compare experiences!

      Nope note been to RAW coffee – I’m actually one of those weird people who don’t drink coffee!

      Reply

  9. Dear lmunshower,

    My name is Joyce and I work for ExpatFinder.com.
    ExpatFinder.com is a free one stop website for people preparing to move or working and living overseas. We provide a myriad of services for expatriates and we have over 2,000 articles to help and support the people moving around the world and we are now creating an interview section to help the expats with real life experiences!
    We quite enjoy your blog about living in Dubai, it is very interesting and informative. Would it be possible to interview you to further share some of your tips and feature some of your first hand experience as an Expat and your interview will be published on our Expat Interview section as a guide for our expat readers. The questions are mainly about the day to day lifestyle of an expat. If it would be possible, could you also send some photographs that we can use?
    Of course, if you accept, we can add a link to your blog or some of your website.
    The questions are enclosed, feel free to respond freely. You can return the doc with your answers if you accept this invitation.
    Thanks in advance and do let me know if you prefer other means to conduct this interview and we would be happy to accommodate your terms.

    Best regards,
    Joyce

    Reply

    1. Hi Joyce – I don’t see the questions, so you can email them to via the connect menu at the top of the page and once I review them I’ll let you know. Thanks, Laurel

      Reply

  11. So glad I stumbled upon your blog. Really love your blog.
    Cheers,
    Michelle
    Michellefranclee.com

    Reply

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