Last year, er I mean in the summer of 2013, I flew with Emirates to Singapore and had a whole day layover in Dubai. The Dubai government is promoting its city and Duty Free, they want more business, so they are offering these layovers as options for travellers. Why not?
I arrived midnight in Dubai. It was the height of summer and Ramadan. I booked myself a hotel as I need to get a good night’s sleep and rest in order to enjoy the whole day visit the next day in the city. Well, I managed to do a lot of stuff in a day. I was extremely amazed! The Dubai quick trip was a proof of my obsessive travel planning skills and precision in time management =)
What I did in Dubai in 24 hours:
Dubai Museum, Textile Souk, Abra Boat Crossover, Spice & Herbs Souk, Gold Souk, Hotel Views, Chauffeur, Burj Khalifa & Fountain, Dubai Mall & Iftar Dinner, Dubai Underwater Zoo, Dubai Aquarium, Burj Al Arab, Skyview Bar Afternoon Tea at Burj Al Arab, Sheikh Zayed Road
On my going back trip, because I booked a retour ticket with the same airline, I had another layover in Dubai. I didn’t fancy going out as I only have a few hours, so I killed time in the airport. I freshened up. I had some snack and went online (free WIFI at the restaurants). I shopped a bit at the Duty Free and before I know it my boarding gate has opened its doors.
My first impressions of Dubai Airport is that it looks like one of those soul-less 5-star hotels. Big, huge, massive, gigantic. Lots of space. Everything is colossal. There’s a big wall of water fountain decorating the view of the glass lifts and everything in the airport glimmers.
As we also know, the UAE is a country of expats and overseas foreign workers. There were many Asians working in the airport and in this trip I got queried a few times by Indian workers. Most of them were very friendly which was very nice. They did not know what to make of me. They were not sure if I am Asian or what, although one guy was quick to point out—‘I think you are a Filipina.’
Anyway, these Indian men were too inquisitive for comfort. They asked me where I am from and where I am going. Is it for holiday or for work? Am I married because they are not seeing any ring? A boyfriend perhaps? What do I do for a living? The questions were endless. I just went along with the chat as it is refreshing to have some tête-à -tête with a stranger in a soul-less airport. But when they found out that I am from the Philippines who moved to the Netherlands more than a decade ago, the discussions usually went south. Now they all want me to help them get a job in the Netherlands? WTF.
So after a few encounters with these men, I became less friendly. If you know what I mean.
Travel Period: July 2013
Destination: Dubai, UAE
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)