EMD was the first 777 I ever saw in the flesh- it was the first RR powered 777 and it was in Alice Springs, still owned by Boeing, doing Hot-High testing when I rocked up in a 737.
The Boeing guys showed us over it (My FO that day is now ALSO an EK 777 Captain!!) and I went home brimming with how much I'd like to fly a triple.
It's a nice touch that I didn't just get to fly 777s, I actually flew THAT one!