Bur Dubai (in Arabic: بر دبي ) is a busy older part of Dubai with lots of apartment buildings and souks. The shops and markets have all sorts of goods and the neighborhood is located on the west side of the Creek. It is less plastic than the new shiny Dubai where we live. The name translates to Mainland Dubai, a reference to the separation of the Bur Dubai area from Deira across the Creek. Mosque domes and minarets amongst the new building projects on the twisting streets.
"Excuse me, where can I find some excellent watches?"
So
gold in Dubai (like Saudi Arabia when we lived there) is simply sold by the weight adjusting to the price of gold on the market that day. You do not pay for any of the craftsmanship or labor behind the design. It is a simple math equation: weight in grams times price of gold per gram equals cost. As Mr. Sean and I found out, gold was up. Although we made no purchases, it led us to wondering about the 'free' labor. Why? Was it the cheap labor or the fact that gold is merely a weight based market in this part of the world? Either way, we could not get straight answers about that.
With the price of gold seeming too high to buy a reasonable amount of grams, the only conclusion we could draw was that no gold was making its way under our tree this year.
The sights, smells and sounds were very reminiscent of the Saudi days. However, the population was much more multi-cultural and dressed in more western clothing than Khobar in the Kingdom.
Dhow dinner cruises sailed down the Creek with Deira across the way.
Best price?
Where can I find some glittery, pointy shoes?
We entered the labyrinth of souks. Soon after we heard from the vendors that there were the best deals in every shop on every item. Just come look and see. Best price for you, my friend!
Dark allies are easily traversed in one of the safest cities in the world.
Wind towers and an old style camp are set up to highlight the Dubai culture and heritage of the past.
The UAE flags hang from a fancy restaurant in the refurbished buildings.
Mosque minarets behind the wind towers that cool these old, refurbished buildings.
These
wind towers were designed to allow the hot air to rise out of the buildings while the cool air sank and circulated. It was the early architectural air conditioning. I am guessing that these buildings were still hot in the desert summer despite this ingenious feature.
The huge wooden, carved doors adorn most doorways.
Dubai Culture Center had an art exhibit in the ground and hanging from the tree.
Looking up from the alley way at the cooling towers and the moon.
My friend Joel used his eye to spot this sweet shot of an alley. The angles and the balcony flowers make for an amazing picture. We went into this hotel, built in the old architectural way with the ancient cooling method. They had a great bathroom.
Fish market right before closing.
Bur Dubai textile souks.
Eric and I dressed local style with my gutra in the Omani wrap and Erik sporting the Saudi style.
