Well what do you do with a day off in a foreign city… That’s right EXPLORE! I headed to Bur Dubai, this is the old part of town, located on the “creek.” This is were the first build in Dubai was built, which is now the Museum. The cab took me right into the heart of the district. I had a shopping list of electronics that according to my lonely planet if it runs on electricity you can find it on Al Fahidi street. It was a crammed full of shops selling mostly Cell Phones, watches, and cameras. Bargaining is the norm and I am sure that I was exploited, but it was all part of the fun… right? I stumbled on Bur Dubai Souq (see attached), these are open are open air markets selling cloths, nick-nacks, food, etc. As was the street this market was very busy. But it is important to point out that it was Friday, which, for whatever reason is Dubai’s Saturday. And the only day that the workers get off. The Souq was adjacent to the creek where there was a water taxi service that ran up the creek and onto the other side of the creek. I spent some time watching the comings and goings of all the people and then after enjoying a refreshing class of freshly pressed OJ, I headed back to Al Fahidi to do some shopping. I had my Cell Phone unlocked (so I could use it locally), purchased an electric toothbrush (a luxury I am not willing to part with), an outlet adapter, some local fare (fresh veggie samosas for 1 dirham or about 30 cents!), shoe polish, and foot freshiner (required as Emirates stuff), to list a few. Then, while talking a break, I struck up a conversation with Reeaz, he and his friend (see attached photo), whose name eludes me are crystal cutters from India. Nice guys with VERY think accents. They have been hear for 10 years and make 5000 Dirham ($1600cdn) a month, which is really quite good, until you factor in that they work 66 hours a week. They say they are luck and happy, if not over worked. We talked about worker conditions here. There was a large fire yesterday in one of the monster buildings and the paper claims there were 2 deaths and 47 injures. Reeaz feels that that is most likely propaganda, it is his thought that the death toll was much higher. They were adamant about me taking there number in the hope that we could hang out again sometime. The invitation to come hang out in front of this store, their local haunt, any Friday was also extended. It was pushing 7 by this time and seeing that my body is convinced that 8pm is my bedtime I excused myself and headed up to the main thoroughfare to catch a cab back to “the other side of the tracks.”
previous travel blog entry
One Fine Girl says:
Glad to see that you are well and not clinging to a large porcelain bowl. I know all too well how the first few days in a foreign country can wreak havoc on your stomach...but then there is you...a well travelled handsome devil with guts of steel. I plan to read about your new hood tonight in the National Geographic my dad gave me... so far it appears that you chose a good time to leave "the wrong side of the tracks". The article is supposed to decipher the cultural and financial rift within Dubai for the average layperson. And apparently where you chose to hang out was not their most appealing location. Should be interesting...you should pick one up and tell me if it speaks the truth or if it is a concoction to capture readers. Anyhow I miss you already and I look forward to reading more about your wild adventures in Dubai and around the world. Take care of yourself.