What a day we’ve had attempting to squeeze in everything humanly possible before flying to Islamabad tomorrow morning. Of course, with only a few hours of sleep last night made today exceptionally difficult; however, I persevered.
We invited LeDesa to join us as our day began at the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Adam who works here got us on the Stock Exchange. Since the market isn’t very good right now there weren’t many traders on the floor, but it was interesting to see CNBC on the TVs above the ticker tape. In days of a booming market it would be quite an entirely different story.
Leaving the DFM, we hailed a taxi to the Mall of the Emirates and had lunch at the base of the indoor ski slope – inside naturally and at a table at the window. What a production! Children snowboarding and skiing, some taking lessons, others knowing exactly what to do, we wanted to experience it too. We did, by paying our 60 dirham, the equivalent of around $20.USD which entitled us to a parka, boots, pants, socks and entry fee. The young lady advised us to purchase gloves and a hat and who whips out his own, none other than Garry. Being the nice guy that he is (cough), he offered to share his gloves with us.
With all our rental clothing on and personal belongings stashed in a locker we headed into the snow area. The temperature change was dramatic, but the ice cravings, one of a huge dragon greeted us. After walking around we grabbed a rubber toboggan and headed to the top (it wasn’t that high) of the twin bobsled run. Lying down on our backs, we shoved off and twisted and turned down the run scraping a few knuckles on the way. A few runs were enough and climbing to a vantage point to view the ski slope was next with a few photo opportunities. After a small snowball fight I might add, we headed out, changed and off to the next adventure.
Thinking the CHILLOUT Ice Lounge was in the Mall of the Emirates was incorrect. A young lady overheard our conversation and called her husband who told us that it was located in Times Square, a new shopping mall. So, into another taxi we go and found the Ice Lounge. Again, we paid 60 dirham, put on a parka, boots, gloves and walked through, I swear, a door that looked like a door to a meat locker. And, it was even colder than a meat locker. Since Dubai is basically nonalcoholic, except in hotels, our choice of drink was either mango juice or lemon juice. Not bad and sheepskins covered the blocks of ice we sat on. The décor, glasses, tables, seats were made out of ice and no, one’s lips did not stick to the glass. One of the ice carvings was huge depicting the different buildings in Dubai including the Burj. Another was a camel under a palm tree.
After giving up our warm clothing we hailed another taxi for the Gold Souk. At the Gold Souk, it’s one store after another for blocks and blocks. Some guy hawking knockoff purses told us to follow him and we did for quite a distance through alleys and into a building, up three flights of stairs. He knocked on the door and we entered. What a riot, but no purses or watches to our liking.
Not only did the four of us do that one time, we repeated it again a few minutes later – this time through garbage strewn alleys assaulting the senses. Just imagine that with 104 degree weather with maximum humidity. Still no luck.
I wanted to purchase some pashminas, but the quality wasn’t what I expected. This vendor squeezed us into his TINY shop to aggressively show us his inventory. Garry took pity and bought one to help the guy out and so we could get out of his shop.
We had enough, enough of the heat, and headed back to freshen up and make reservations for dinner. An early dinner beckons since tomorrow is travel day and we leave for the Abu Dhabi airport at 5 AM. Packing is another issue that I’m not anxious to address.
Wish us safe passage,
Tamara, Garry and Rich
Captions::1) Mall of the Emirates Indoor Ski Slope 2) Dubai Financial Market (DFM)
3) All the cranes in Dubai 4) CHILLOUT Ice Lounge ice sculpture 5) Twin Bobsled Run
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