This I found out within the first couple days in town, and dealt with for the duration of our three weeks. The first time I tried to find the beach, which I could see from our hotel room, I asked the lady at the front desk. She politely said, "straight and straight and right." (Still trying to figure out the best way to describe her accent when saying this, because thats half the fun...) I go straight, and dead end into another hotel close by. So I ask the attendant outside, "where is the beach within walking distance?" To which he responds, "left and straight and straight and left." What?!?
So, I gave up. From then on, Hubs was in charge of asking for directions, because I'm not sure he completely believed me when I was complaining about the bad direction giving. And his attempts at getting good directions despite the fact that it is impossible was very entertaining. We really do know how to have a good time.
I don't blame them entirely. The city is constantly changing. The skyline is littered with skyscrapers, most of which are in various levels of completion. Roads change on a regular basis to make room for another iconic building to rival that last one. It's no wonder people are so horrible at giving directions. Who knows what road is still open? On top of that, I was given a statistic from a cultural presentation that about 80% of Dubai residents are from other countries, so I guess they're not too familiar with the place yet. But still. Something needs to happen, it is way to hot outside to get lost from lack of good direction givers.
The worst case of bad direction blues I had while in Dubai was my first trip to the Gold Souk. There's lots of Souks in Dubai, most of the famous ones in the same area north of town and directly on the creek. It's where all the local, inexpensive cafeterias are and it was, by far, my favorite area to be in. Our hotel was in the Marina, a man-made extension of the creek filled with high rise buildings, Starbucks, fancy restaurants and yachts like you wouldn't believe. A lovely area, but not the same character and storytelling that can be found in the Souk district.
I had to spend quite a bit of time figuring out how to get to the Metro station from our hotel and it was a good 500 meters. (about a quarter of a mile) Having finally figured out how to get there and unable to get a straight answer about how easy maneuvering the Metro is, I went in completely blind. Thankfully, Dubai is also filled with very helpful people, so not only did the ticket agent help me figure out which stops to make, but the security guard noticed my confused expression and directed me to the right pick-up location without any prompting! Blew my mind.
So I walked. Well, I sweat and moved my feet. That might be a better description. And I was getting nervous. I had no idea where I was and I knew I would get a lost look on my face if I didn't take action soon. I hate that look. So I turned down a street corner. Naturally. Cause I believe that when life gives you side streets, there's probably something really cool down it. Or something scary, but if I gripped my bag a certain way, it makes a great weapon.
It really was for the best I was lost the entire time I was shopping. It made me unafraid to explore some of the side alleys full of sweet shops. (I don't know if anyone has every described shops selling belly dancer clothes as sweet, but they were...) And I had some great conversations along the way. I had learned from a friend that you tell store owners that you live in Dubai and they will work with you a little more on haggling a good price. (usually more than half of the originally quoted price.) So, posing as a newly transplanted American from Texas to Dubai via Moscow, I was able to experience the epitomy of the city's hospitality.
But lets not get away from the fact that I was now hopelessly lost. And hungry. I thought for sure there would be food stands or something. Thats what every outdoor market should have, right? But no such luck. So I scowered the area for anything that said food and eventually found a gyro cafeteria that was absolutely delicious. I don't know if they would call it a gyro. But it looked like one, and for the sake of time, we'll leave it at that. It was served with pickled stuff. I don't usually use the word "stuff" in this blog, but, I had no idea what all everything was. But I tried everything and it was all definitely pickled. Not bad, either. Except, of course, the carrot. You can't pickle carrots enough for me to ever like them.
Now, with renewed strength, a full belly and a the largest bottle of water in all the land, I set off confident that I would find my way home.
A half hour later, I was back where I started. I asked for directions, but it never made sense. I was starting to feel hopeless. How would Hubs even find me? What would become of me? I could always sell all the scarves that I had bought and continue searching for home, which is how most of the sellers probably got their start, I'm convinced of that now.
And it was so hot. So, I stopped in the only commercial store I had seen all day, a Baskin Robbins. I sat down with my ice cream and decided to not even think about being lost. To relax and instead get lost in my "java chip". It worked. Because I walked outside, right and straight and right and there was a Metro station. Granted, it was not the one I had gotten off on earlier in the day, but I made it.
And I had a great day! I got lost, I saw more than I would have and that was enough to not ever want to go back. I definitely had my fill. Although, two weeks later, after countless more trips to different souks in the area, I turned a corner and found the Gold Souk. 150 meters from an even closer Metro stop.
Cheers to our lost travels and the people that get us there.
No comments:
Post a Comment