Real Dubai

Bank Street in Bur Dubai

So, I've been feeling kind of elitist posting all these pictures of the luxurious area where we live (but would be unable to afford in any other major city in the world probably) but not any of the kind of 'real' Dubai, where the majority of the people (expat's from India, Pakistan, etc.) live. Bur Dubai and Deira are the older parts of town where the majority of people live. Jared lived in Bur Dubai when he lived in Dubai from '07-'08 and there is definitely something to be said for living in a more working-class area where there are small super markets and convenience stores on every corner, late-night fast food and cheap shawarma are aplenty, and everywhere you look isn't a construction site. There are definitely downsides though, like the frequent unpleasant aromas of garbage and sewage wafting through the air. Ultimately, the frequent barrage of bad smells is what made our decision in living downtown vs. old town.

Last night we decided to head back to Jared's old stomping grounds, however, because we had been wanting to go to the Spice Souq to stock up on spices so that we can start really cooking at home (now that we have measuring cups and spoons). I picked Jared up in a taxi on my way home from work and we headed to Dubai Creek and got dropped off near the Grand Mosque (biggest Mosque in Dubai) and walked down to the creek through the Textile Souq (oldest and most authentic old outdoor market in Dubai). Walking through you get heckled by shopkeepers to buy pashmina scarves and fabric, but we were on a mission to get to the Spice Souq and to a delicious Indian restaurant called Gazebo we discovered while living in the hotel.

So when we got down to the creek we hopped on one of the abra water taxis to cross the creek. The wooden abras are really the only way to get across the creek unless you are in a car and take one of the bridges at the other end of the creek, but they are usually jammed with traffic. An abra ride only costs about $0.30 and there is some level of adventure to it as it bombs into the dock, doesn't stop and tie off and you jump on while it is still moving. OSHA would have a field day with the whole system. Only in Dubai! So we took an abra across the Creek to the Deira Old Souq, which contains both the Spice and Gold Souqs. We were kind of on a tight schedule because we wanted to get to the restaurant back on the other side of the creek by 10pm (everyone eats dinner very late here like in Europe, although we weren't exactly sure what time the restaurant closed so didn't want to get there any later than 10). So we did some quick spice shopping and then hopped on an abra back across the Creek and headed to a late dinner (not without stopping for some Masala Chai Tea on the way though). We had a lovely night and it was nice to get outside again and enjoy the more comfortable weather.

The Spice Souq