The Gold Souq at Dubai Mall

So the largest mall in the world is house to the world’s largest indoor gold market.  Inside, it felt like King Midas had been there touching everything.  Designed by Northpoint architects of South Africa, the Gold Souq at Dubai Mall “recreates the traditional charm of an Arabian souq reflecting the rich regional heritage of the gold trade.”

The Gold Souk is designed to reveal the journey of the traveling merchants crossing the desert expanse to trade gold and other commodities.

Oh, I love these young girls!  They were behind me when I was trying take a picture, and when their mom continued walking, the older girl said, “Wait mom, the lady’s taking a picture!”  The mom still continued walking, hence the reason why they are in that picture.  But her girls are sweet!

With 220 retailers – spread out on an area of 850,000 sq ft – this is the world’s largest indoor gold market in the world’s largest mall.

Accentuated with decorative gold and marble detailing, the Gold Souq’s traditional theme is a key attraction to The Dubai Mall.

Directions.  Because believe me, one needs them.  It’s like a huge maze in there!

Starry, starry night.

The main south entrance begins with this  life-size bronze Arabian stallion, who seems ready to attack someone.

Tree with gold coins as leaves.  Artificial ones, of course.

A throne, where I’ve seen people sit and have their pictures taken.

Well, that’s the Gold Souq at the Dubai Mall!  Yes, we didn’t buy anything;  gold’s way too expensive these days.  Besides, I’d rather buy new lens for my Nikon.  In the meantime, click on the link below and visit places around the world.

Sweet Temptation

“Just think of all those women on the Titanic who said, ‘No, thank you.’ to dessert that night. And for what!”

~ Erma Bombeck

UAE Celebrates 38th National Day

I had so many plans for today, but ended up staying in bed with a horrible headache, the kind that makes you want to rush to the hospital to have an MRI taken and insist on intravenous analgesics narcotic for relief.  Fortunately, it subsided in the evening, alhumdulillah, and we were able to go out for a family dinner at a Persian restaurant.

However, the rest of the U.A.E. celebrated today.  There was a colorful parade at Downtown Burj Dubai.  The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi had planned for the world’s largest fireworks, which will reach up to 2,000 metre into the air, will feature 100,000 devices to be set off from 12 barges situated offshore.

There is news about a solar-powered flag.

In Sharjah, the 2009 Etisalat–Sharjah Water Festival kicked off at Al Majaz Park and will run till December 12,  The line-up this year has a daily Sesame Street Performance, acrobatics, children’s entertainment shows at Mouj Land, carnival parades featuring clowns and stilt-walkers, circus shows and concerts.

Yet the country’s widely circulated paper decides to make a mistake today …

What People in Dubai Wore to the Park

Carelessness in dressing is moral suicide. ~Honoré de Balzac

Off we went to Mamzar Park (with a lovely beach) last Saturday for BBQ with some friends.  It was the second day of Eid, and since the weather has cooled down, the people of Dubai deserted the malls and headed to the park.  The ladies  – that would be us – sat on the concrete pavement near the gate, shaded by huge trees, while the men went in to look for a place where we they could grill.

After we (the ladies who sat on the pavement because the benches were all occupied, and those that weren’t didn’t have shade, and we so didn’t want the sun’s rays to penetrate the layer of Fair and Lovely over our skin) ran out of gossips, we directed our attention to what the people wore to the park that day.

With thousands of people of all ages, from every corner of the world, this wasn’t an easy task.  But here’s a list of what I saw people wear at the park (with the lovely beach) to do BBQ:

1.  killer high-heeled footwear (used for walking on the grass and beach)

2.  cotton shorts with neon floral patterns (and no shirt on)

3.  denim skirts (short ones) with fishnet stockings

4.  track pants and sneakers

5.  underwear

6.  business suit, complete with tie

7.  flowing abayas with heavy embroidery (with an open front that flaps with the wind, so the clothes inside can be seen)

8.  saris (the kind I would wear on my sister’s wedding)

9.  spaghetti-strap dress on top of a long-sleeved shirt.

10.  silk sherwanis that sparkled under the sun.

 

Eid ul Adha Mubarak!

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus we have made them (sacrificial animals) subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you.” Qur’an 22:37

Oh, and come over for lunch at our place.  There’s Hyderabadi chicken biryani and shahi tukrey, known as double ka meetha in Hyderabad.  No henna on my hands today because, well, who else will prepare lunch for the guests?  BUT I got a gorgeous sari to wear today, with matching glass bangles!  Joining us for lunch today:  parents and sisters, an uncle and Masood’s friends.  Tomorrow, it’s BBQ at the park.  Can’t wait.

Hope everyone’s having a grand time!