Impression of Dubai

Taken near the hotel where we stayed, unaware of the coming sandstorm (grey sky at the background).

Inspite of media report that Dubai is in trouble financially, as an ordinary tourist, I didn't see any sign of difficulty. Construction still goes on actively and foreign workers still pouring in to get jobs there. Everything looked normal.
February was still winter and the weather was pleasant except if there was a sandstorm, quite often when I was there,. I can feel the fine sand got stuck in my hair, clothes, mouth and nose. On the whole I am in awe with the development in Dubai and the modern facilities provided, including clean toilets. I notice the foreign workers there are committed in their jobs. The toilet cleaners made sure their toilets are cleaned regularly, almost every time after use. Unlike foreign workers in Malaysia, they curi tulang, and spent time chatting and loitering around and clean the toilets once or twice only. Sometimes our public toilets are in disgraceful condition made worse by selfish Malaysians attitude who are in dire need of toilet training. Going to public toilets is a nightmare. This is the result of lack of supervision and commitment from the management and the workers.



At dusk, groups of Indians gather at the wide pavement at Baniyas Street to drink coffee and to chichat.











Shopping at Baniyas Street. Glittering and glamorous top.











There are times in Dubai I was confused. I have to pull myself back reminding me that this is Dubai. When Maz and I went to see the shops at and around Baniyas Road in Dubai City, I thought I was still in India since it was only a week ago I visited India. There were so many Indians - on the road, in the shops, hotels and everywhere. It's like kampung India. But they were so different from the Indians I saw in India - more polite, friendly and clean. Many are Pakistanis and Afghanistans. We didn't feel intimidated and felt safe even when it was dark.
In the malls, another confusion for me. Was I in Manila? Every shop I went in to shop was being manned by Philippino sales persons, including at the Big Bus Tour, the Metro, Atlantis on the Palm - just everywhere. Wow, I didn't meet the locals except at the immigration. It was quite a pleasant surprise to meet Mohammad, our local Al Ain tour guide.The other Pak Arab I met are from Egypt, Syria, Lebnon, Morocco, Libya and other middle east countries. So Dubai is a country of foreigners. Did I meet Malaysians there? There are not many Malaysians working in Dubai compared to other nationalities. Many worked in Emirates airline as pilots and cabin staff, as mangement consultants with Metro, Electricity board and other construction companies as engineers. Maz met a Malay guy at Dubai Mall who made fantastic cup cakes but unfortunately when we we went there that night, the shop was closed.




One of the souks in the city.













Trying a water resisitence jacket made in China at a cheap price at a souk. I bought a Pierre Cardin sweater at a mall, made in China, which cost me 5 times more.

















The front part of spice souk.









Spice souk.









I just had one unpleasant experience in Dubai. That was the first time I felt insulted for being old.





At Dieara City Centre Metro.












The very pretty Souk in Wafi Mall.















A pretty and cosy garden at Wafi Mall.










At Wafi Mall, I waited for a cab to go back to the hotel. It was around 4 pm when the taxi drivers were changing shift. So taxis were far in between. Eventually, a taxi stopped, as usual I just board the cab telling the Indian driver to go to Diera City Centre. He said he didn't know the way and asked me to get down. Obediently I opened the door to get down. Immediately he invited a young Philipino girl there to get in who told him to go to Diera City Centre. I turned around and questioned him why do I have to get down? Isn't she going to the same place as I wanted to go? Why with her, he knew the way to Diera City Centre but to me he said he didn't know? Realising his mistake he asked me to close the car door and drove me to Diera City Centre. Along the way, I told him I know vaguely where my hotel was and he turned around scolding me and said if I knew where to go I shouldn't be taking a cab. I was furious and told him it was none of his business whether I take a cab or not. He refused to drop me in front of the hotel, I insisted. The meter clocked Dirham 13.50. He didn't return my change, I demanded it. Before alighting from the cab, I told him that he is a very unfriendly and unhelpful cab driver and that he should'nt be driving a taxi. Gudgingly he said sorry. How dare he deny me the taxi ride just to take a young woman. I still remember the number of the taxi NT 339 and this happened on 28 Feb 2010. Of course I wanted to lodge a complaint with the Tourist Board but Maz told me to forget it. She is more compassionate on this. If a complaint is lodged, he might lose his job. I will remember this insult for a long time.
Come to think of it, our cab drivers are worse than that. For females, getting into a cab at night is quite risky here because you don't know who the driver is. Cases of being robbed, raped or abducted are quite scary and I don't feel safe in Kuala Lumpur, my own country. Lodging a complaint is quite pointless, no action is taken. I have called and complaint about KLIA cab drivers who smoke and the smell of smoke lingers even though they sprayed with scented air freshner. The sweet smell goes away as the car moves leaving a stale smell of smoke in the car. I felt like puking when I was in this kind of cab and I compaint but still experience this unfortunate situation unaware of the smoking driver. At least in Dubai, I was confident and felt safe exploring Dubai. I could take a cab at night and the drivers don't smoke. I was just unfortunate to meet one rude taxi driver but that will not tarnish my good impression of Dubai.
I hope I have another opportunity to visit Dubai again and go to Hatta Mountain, Abu Dhabi and Omen. Insyaallah.