DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Now on his first deployment, Navy Fireman Donald Marks joined the military to see the world in all its primitive glory, but he's been shocked to discover that countries outside the United States have roads, cars, and even running water.

“Dubai is amazing!” wrote Marks in a recent letter to his mother. “I thought the Middle East was a bunch of nomads on camels. Their roads look the same as ours, and the city has tall buildings. I didn’t think other countries knew how to build those.”

Sources confirmed Marks was also quite surprised that people in Dubai had jobs, ate normal-looking food, and had buildings over 10 feet in height.