Thursday was spent cleaning up at home which consisted of cleaning two bathrooms & toilets (it's not all glamour and painted nails), vacuuming the floors then washing them. I find the tile floors difficult to keep clean and use a wide cotton mop to get the dust then wet mop. But for decent cleaning you need to vacuum.
Then it was the numerous loads of washing to get through and dry without a clothesline. What I'd give to be able to put my lovely white sheets outside in the fresh air and sun. They just don't smell or feel the same dried in the dryer or in the sun coming through the window. Today will be ironing day (don't fall over laughing, Mum) so my clothes are ready for work. The down side of wearing lots of cotton is the ironing.
Then Thursday afternoon I popped down to the Home Centre to see if they had a sale as I'm still looking for a sofa bed. I'd missed out on two secondhand ones and still looking. There I met up with another kiwi who I hadn't seen for ages so we arranged to go for coffee the next day. After I got home that night she texted and suggested a day in Dubai so at 8am Friday three kiwi gals head off for a girly day out.
As we are leaving Abu Dhabi we get caught up in a bottleneck of traffic and sit without moving. I'm thinking this is unusual for a Friday as no-one is usually out and about, especially that early. As we inch through the narrowing lane I see many trucks fill with goats. Then I see a man carrying a goat away. As the smell of animals invaded the car it finally dawned on me that we were at the sale yards. And all these men were there buying the fatted goat to slaughter for Eid. What a sight. Unfortunately I was just too slow with the camera so missed a shot of the line of animals being led, one even in a wheelbarrow, some dragged by rope, most slung over shoulders. I can't help but wonder where all these animals were taken to be slaughtered. I have visions of the roads running with blood and carcasses littering the back alleys. I do know that the head is always kept and served up, something to do with keeping it attached so they know it was slaughtered facing Mecca.
What surprised me was that most of the men buying the goats appeared to be poor. This I can tell at a glance by the clothing. Most were workers in their 'best' garb so it must be a great expense for them. I had visions of all these goats being taken back to work camps for a ritual slaughter. I am keen to find out what I can about the traditions while here so will try to find out more.
Our drive to Dubai was uneventful with little traffic. We arrived at Ibn Battuta Mall which is heralded by amazing gates.
I loved this mall which, I thought, was huge. It was a bit of a rabbit warren though with each area having a different country theme, China, Persia, etc.
We were looking for a particular cafe to have breakfast at so off we wander. Not an information counter in sight and no-one was any help. After wandering aimlessly for half an hour we ask a man driving an 8 seater golf cart train. He know and tells us it is at the other end of the mall. So I ask, can you take us? Yes, no problem. So on we three ladies hop and he slowly starts. Then stops. To tell us it'll be 5AED each. Talk about laugh. We pay up and off we go. Yella, yella (faster, faster) we go and off we fly. I wish I'd taken a photo as it was hilarious. He's tooting at all the Pakistani men tourists as they take photos, get out of our way. By the time we arrived at the other end we were very pleased we'd paid as it would have taken us hours to get their and we'd never have found the cafe. It turned out to be owned by a kiwi which the others knew, hence the reason for our visit. 'The Limetree Cafe', if you're ever in Dubai.
After a lovely breakfast of pumpkin and feta scones for me we head into some shops. I'd spied a Columbia shop with shoes on sale so returned there to buy a pair for my upcoming trip to Switzerland. I paid 220 AED which is around $75 NZ so that is a good price. They aren't the waterproof ones but they will be good for walking also.
Then it's into another shop, Wallis, which I loved. I purchased a black and white top with a short sleeve. Then we had a good look around the sporty type shops which had a NZ influence and clothes we were all familiar with. All three of us bought something there then we bumped into a Samoan couple from Auckland who Lisa had been to their wedding, her sister's best friend. Small world.
Now the trick with getting into Dubai is to park at this mall which was empty and catch the metro into town. So off we go and get our 14 AED ticket which was enough for us to travel all day. We didn't opt for the gold pass which gives you access to your own carriage but went normal. However, the women have their own carriage so don't have to squash in with the men.
Auckland metro could learn a thing or two about moving people here. Trains arrive every 6 minutes and off we go. We jump off at Mall of the Emirates and stop for a coffee while Trish goes wandering off to find her expensive glasses she left at a nearby hotel. Lucky for her she returns an hour later with them. Lisa and I browse through shops but looking, not buying.
Next stop Dubai Mall. Wow! The biggest mall in the world with the most people in it I'm sure. It was crowded when we arrived, or so I thought. First stop the spectacular aquarium full of fish. Hundreds are lined around the barriers watching feeding time.
Queues for the bathrooms are out the doors so we forgo this idea and wander around a bit. Moving is difficult as it is so busy so we head outside to view the Burg Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. As it's daytime the fountains are not going but we sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere. People from all around the world are there doing exactly the same as us.
We wander over the small bridge to the newly opened souk and find an amazing restaurant where I eat four different salads, the best I've tasted over here. We sit overlooking the water towards the Burg Khalifa.
After relaxing we head back inside the mall to find a bookshop. Which is a mission in itself. The mall is even busier so it takes us a while but eventually we reach it. I browse but could have spent a fortune and the day there.
Getting back to the metro station is difficult as the walking is hampered at every turn by parents with pushchairs and toddlers and parades. There was a whole floor dedicated to kids clothing and once again I wanted to stop to photograph their window displays. Amazing!
The clientele of the mall is changing as we leave. Emirates are now there en mass and as we head into the metro the queues of people trying to get in astounds us. Police are yelling and pushing the crowd through, holding batons aloft. Every Pakistani worker in Dubai must be trying to get into the mall. Again I want a photo to show what is happening but can't stop moving to take one plus am afraid the police would nab me. When the train pulls in it is seething with men. The doors open and they spew forth and rush to the many buses now lined up to take them around to the mall.
We are glad to get onto the metro and head away from the mall. I shudder to think what it will be like in there tonight. It's now 6pm and it's open 24 hours over the Eid weekend.
I mentioned the clothes of the men earlier. There seems to be distinct groups, identified by what they wear. You have the workers who have their best outfits for holiday weekends. It amazes me that they are so clean when they live in work camps and we see them doing their washing in buckets. This outfit consists of the long loose pants and flowing top in matching cotton. These are mostly Pakistani I think. Then there is another group who wear jeans and short sleeved checked cotton shirts. I think these are Pakistani too but am unsure of the difference in dress. Maybe they are younger? Then there is the Indian businessman who has his wife and beautifully dressed kids. He wears dress pants, long sleeved shirt (must be tucked in with a belt on his pants) and usually a tie.
So back out to the car and home we go. I had a wonderful day in Dubai and can see the attraction of going there.
Then Saturday my other kiwi friend was coming in and we had hairdresser appointments. Time to get the hair cut and coloured. I've gone copper which looks more mahogony to me! Very dark but looks fabulous in the sun. You'll be able to pick me out on the telly by my glowing hair.
After the beauty parlour, only cut, colour, eyebrows & threading today, we head around for a massage. OMG! We got this German/Russian woman who knew her stuff. Best massage I've had I think and that's saying something.
By now we're starving so head out for a drink and bite to eat. Le Meridian is calling our name so we park and head into the beer garden for a beer and some cod & chips, Abu Dhabi style.
I'm home by 10pm and ready for bed.
Today I'll do a few things and get ready for another busy weekend next week. Already the town is humming with F1 events and you can pick the men here for it. They have a look to them, much like when we stepped off the plane in Hamilton for the V8's. Except these ones have much deeper pockets and wear the polo & Ferrari shirts. Apparently they fly in Russian hookers for the week. Think we saw one or two of them last night...
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