In Dubai I was able to do A LOT in 24 hours. Writing them all down now in the blog per activity really surprises me. Blogging per activity is ideal for me since I recall what I did, where I have been, what I ate, how, when, etcetera based on the pictures I took, therefore I blog accordingly. But wow, I managed indeed to do and see A LOT in just 24 hours! Thanks to having an OCD talent when it comes to planning and getting things done, haha.
Now I have been to the Gold Souk and the Spices & Herbs Souk in Deira, afterwhich I took the Abra boat crossing in Dubai Creek from Deira to Bur Dubai. Both areas comprise Old Dubai, which I cannot stress enough to first time visitors who want to see the remnants of the real Dubai—VISIT.
The Textile Souk
Upon alighting the Abra boat in Bur Dubai and walking a few metres away from the Abra station, this is what I saw (see picture below): the entrance to the Textile Souk. My plan is actually to go to the Bastakiya Quarter, the historic oldest residential district, but I cannot seem to locate it on the map. It is a very scorching hot day, not really a good idea to be walking on the streets so might as well seek shelter in the Textile Souk first.
The souk here specialises in textile, ready-to-wear clothing and all kinds of fashion items, especially for women. I was really tempted to buy. Those flowy colourful patterned dresses are great for summer and the scarves are beautiful! However, I hate pushy sales people (I am a sales person myself so I know what I am talking about) so in the end I did not get to buy anything. Moreover, they require a minimum sale to pay with a credit card.
This is the third souk as well that I have seen in just a few hours so I was starting to feel a little bit souk-ed out.
40+ Degrees Celsius
I still could not find the Bastakiya Quarter on the map and after having walked around the nooks and crannies of the Textile Souk, there are no more places left for me to go. I need to make a decision but the streets of Dubai are burning hot like hell and I am not even exaggerating. 40°C, maybe 42°C, who knows it could have been 45°C? So what now? Where should I go? It is Ramadan as well which means I cannot drink my bottle of water hiding inside my bag publicly. I badly need to find a safe place away from the prying eyes of the locals to hydrate myself. Most importantly, I cannot be walking for another 5 minutes under these circumstances otherwise I will collapse on the street.
This is my first time ever to experience extreme heat like this. The sun pricks right through your skin and the warmth is akin to sitting in the sauna, you perspire in seconds.
I also now see and understand the logic behind wearing a head scarf or turban in sweltering hot dessert countries like UAE. The head scarf or turban acts as insulation from the sun, as well as providing ventilation/cooling to the head. See, I am a convert already!
Nevertheless, Bastakiya Quarter is out of the game now so I need to switch to plan B. I need to find a shade quickly! I need a fan! No, I need airconditioning! And I need to drink my darn water!
Far ahead I saw vaguely these big letters on a building door: DUBAI MUSEUM
Alhamdulillah! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I am so going there! To visit of course, but first and foremost, to take refuge.
Travel Period: July 2013
Destination: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)