Dubai
June 9, 2014 • Category: Travel
I have just spent a couple of days in Dubai (my first time there) and thought I’d post some pictures and impressions on this vibrant city.
When I saw one of the malls with an aquarium housing hundreds of fishes, SHARKS, huge stingrays, all seemingly in harmony (I was told they are fed very well, so do not feel the urge to feed off each other), the wide six-lane freeways, the skyline, the thousands of restaurants of every cuisine imaginable, the cleanliness of the surroundings, the efficiency, the five+star resorts, the sparkling subway, …, I thought “this is like DisneyWorld made into a city”. Locals have adopted an American-style courtesy (and efficiency) and retained their native warmth and hospitality.
My friend took me to the Dubai museums, which showed Dubai back a mere fifty years ago, when it was a tiny fishing village surrounded by the desert; people back then used to pinch their noses and dive into the Persian Gulf to retrieve pearls from oysters, as a livelihood. Houses were built out of clay and outfitted with a tall wind tower, to get some primitive but efficient air circulation to bear the Summer heat.
More than 170 nationalities live side-by-side in Dubai; on a walk alongside the harbor, watching men load-up cargo on the traditional wooden dhows, we saw cute Korean girls dancing on the lawn; a group of Chinese folks performing tai-chi. Below, a friendly Iranian man explaining the saffron choices.
I have not had the time to ride a camel or ski in the Mall or even sample the apples dipped in gold; this will be on the next trip menu. Still, what I saw was very impressive.
An unexpected spice in the spice and perfume shop at the souks.
Check-out the traditional wind towers in a modern shopping center, a tasteful way to incorporate tradition and modernity.
Comments
13 Comments • Comments Feed
marlene says:
hello joumana !
glad that you’re having some great time in dubai . beautiful pictures as always .
just wanted to ask you if you have a recipe for siyadiyeh . i always wanted to try it and i guess i will , this week. i made your retro cake last night and everybody loved it but i used 4 eggs instead of 5 . thank you 🙂
On June 9, 2014 at 8:25 am
Joumana says:
@marlene: sure it is one of the first recipes I posted https://www.tasteofbeirut.com/2009/04/fish-and-rice-platter/
On June 9, 2014 at 10:38 am
Mahmoud Ghazayel says:
there are more things to see.. I hope you will have a second trip here 🙂
On June 9, 2014 at 8:54 am
Joumana says:
@Mahmoud Ghazayel: Hope so too! 🙂
On June 9, 2014 at 10:39 am
marlene says:
thank you ! i will make the stock tomorrow . kisses
On June 9, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Devaki@weaveflavors says:
Glad you had a good time Joumana. Dubai is such an ‘it’ town isn’t I? Did you have the afternoon tea at Al burj?
I really liked your descriptions!
ciao
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
On June 9, 2014 at 8:55 pm
Joumana says:
@Devaki: I draw the line @20floors up! 🙂 next time I go I am riding camels, I think! 🙂
On June 10, 2014 at 12:27 am
Susan says:
It is amazing the transformation that Dubai has had in 50 years! It must be a feast for the senses to visit. I loved the Disney analogy 🙂 So much to see and do in one place.
On June 11, 2014 at 3:33 pm
Royal Yachts says:
There are more things to see
I hope you will have a second trip here ;
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On January 23, 2021 at 4:57 am
Arthur says:
Makes me want to visit the Burj Al Arab!
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