 |
 |
 |
 |
| A camelicious morning. This was taken on an early morning in mid August, 2001. We get to see the camels a lot during the summer months (April to August). The stretch of desert surrounding the staff accommodation normally metamorphose during this time--it is fenced and turned into a camel farm. Anyway, I went out and saw the camels grazing while the sky was slowly changing color. The air was cool and the sun was slowly rising in the background. It was one of the most peaceful mornings I've woken up to. |
| View from a window. From my former bedroom window, actually (B1, room D10). This view was depressing at first. On my first morning in Dubai, I pulled the curtains back, and there it was. Just a sea of sand outside. I was right smack in the middle of nowhere! I wanted to cry. Now, I'm used to it. I actually love it. It's like a sight for sore eyes when the looming skyscrapers of downtown Dubai tend to overpower your senses. |
| The Dubai Creek. Taken from the top floor of a certain five star hotel. The docks are normally this packed every day, with traders unloading cargo by the minute. This creek runs through Dubai, dividing the city into two: Bur Dubai side, and the Deira side (where this was taken). Bur Dubai is the old commercial area. Most of the electronic shops are there. Deira is the more modern commercial area where the five star hotels, malls, the newer apartments and skyscrapers, and the Gold Souk (market place for gold) are found. Small water taxis (abra) dot the creek to shuffle people from one side to the other. |
| �2003 Writer's Block. All rights reserved. |
 |
| [ home . first dive . feature writing . poyen's write ups . advertorials . recycle bin . links ] |
 |
| < THE URBAN SETTING. To your right is the city of Dubai, one of the cities of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Visitors, DON'T buy a map! (unless you want to get lost) The landscape keeps changing with new buildings almost every month. |
 |
| < CAMEL HAPPY. Taken at Hatta (sorta this Sahara-like setting--with endless dunes and all--but only in Dubai) with one humped camels. I think I read somewhere that it means they can last longer out on the desert without consuming too much water, compared to their two-humped counterparts . |
| AS'SALAM ALAIKOM! > Typical example of the effects of brain freeze (never trust yourself alone with an Arabian wardrobe when you are in the middle of the desert on a cold night. Strange things can happen!). I''ve been told that the white costume for the men is called the "doshdasha", and the headress is called "gutra" (the color depends on which area you are from). The black dress for women is called an "abbaya". It covers the arms and the ankles. |
 |
| < RIDE THAT DUNE. Going on a desert safari is like taking a roller coaster ride (only rougher). Word of caution: if you want to get to the site in one piece, strap on your seatbelt, stay away from killer armpits, and tell your driver to switch the car radio to some other channel (can't stand that high pitched shrieking!) |
| HENNA TATTOO. It tickles! > |
 |
 |
| DUBAI |
| delights |
| HERE, NICE CAMEL... > |