After disembarking from the ship, the next stop was a transfer to the hotel. It’s a lovely hotel and the room is enormous—a welcome change after the tiny cabin on the ship.
I’d wanted to visit a local souk, not the insanely over-the-top malls that Dubai is famous for. Google directed me to the Khan Murjan Souk. When the taxi pulled into a weird, Egyptian facsimile mall, I knew I wasn’t where I had intended. But as that’s where I was, I did a bit of exploration. The “souk” is a market, but a very upscale facsimile of the real deal. In the main hall there is a gorgeous, but totally inauthentic, stained-glass ceiling. The woodwork was magnificent, but again, not quite right for a souk.
After wandering around and taking some photos, I asked Google again. This time it directed me to the Grand Souk Bur Dubai. The minute the taxi entered the area I recognized it. This is one of the very few areas of the city that retains any history. The shops and shopkeepers didn’t seem to have changed much since my last time in Dubai. Most are from Pakistan, though I also met sellers from Tibet, India, and Afghanistan.
One particularly friendly seller didn’t even attempt to sell me anything, but with some questioning from me revealed his life story. He’s from Pakistan, has lived in Dubai for 11 years. Five years ago, while on a visit home, he married. His wife moved to Dubai three months ago. We talked about Ramadan, fasting, breaking fast, foods he likes, what it took for him to become used to living in Dubai and his hopes for the future—a family and to return to Pakistan and open a store there.
The one question shopkeepers constantly asked me, after “where are you from?,” was: “Which President do you prefer, Obama or Trump?” No mention of Biden at all. When I emphatically told them Obama, some gave me a thumbs up. Others, shook their heads and said no, “Trump is best.” I got into a few political discussions, but as usual, everyone is cemented into their position and not likely to be swayed.
Despite my saying over and again that I was interested in taking photos, not buying anything, I was given hard sell by almost everyone. “Smell this,” as a pot of something sweet or spicy or medicinal was shoved under my nose. “Feel this, so soft!” as a camel’s wool or llama or some other fabric was handed to me. “I’m really buying nothing,” I’d repeat. “Looking is free,” had to be said to me at least two dozen times.
In the end, I bought an inexpensive ring, despite the seller’s determination to have me add earrings, a necklace and bracelet to my purchase.
After resting for a while at the hotel it was time to head to Jumeriah to the Dubai Creek for a dinner cruise. As with everything else in Dubai, the whole experience was over the top. About a dozen brightly lit and highly decorated dhows (boats) take tourists through the canal. In the distance, the Dubai Ferris wheel (similar to the London Eye) put on a light show.
The cruise takes about two hours and passes through a very populated area with loads of restaurants and more fancy yachts than seem possible. At the end of the cruise, after a “show,” there was a fireworks display (that I loved). All very touristy, but nevertheless fun. It is Dubai being Dubai.
Sorry for not labeling the photos, but it is late and I’m tired. I’ll add labels tomorrow.