When Masood forwarded me an email (from the Dubai Internet City people) that said “you are cordially invited to celebrate the 38th National Day of the United Arab Emirates”, I insisted that we go and see how the locals celebrated. Actually, the National Day is on December 2, but since that’s a holiday they decided to celebrate today – last working day before the long weekend.
And it was my first time to see the men in white perform – live.
Isn’t their traditional dress pretty? It’s known by several names, like thawb or thobe, or dishdasha, or kandura, or khameez, or suriyah (in Libya). A cousin of mine call it, lassi ka glass.
Anyway, I’ve also asked Masood to record a small clip of their performance. I felt shy to do it myself. Personally, I think their folk dance is too slow and repetitive.
In the picture above, Masood signed an Eid postcard. This was provided by the organizers for free. Notice the fishbowl full of cards? All of these will be delivered to the president of the UAE. They even put their thumbprints there.
I didn’t send out a card. I was busy eating chocolates.
As you can see, lunch was free. There was biryani, fried chana dal (or yellow dried split peas), and al harees. Food was good, alhumdulillah, but too bland for our desi taste buds. There were also two kinds of sweets, which we didn’t feel like trying. Two women wearing the tradition golden face veil were sitting in a tent making them.
There also was traditional coffee and tea, and lots of chocolates wrapped in papers the color of the flag.
Oh, and there was also this mandatory man with a falcon. That’s a must in every Emirati celebration. I didn’t take his picture though. He was already surrounded by photographers, and was acting like some celebrity.
Not that I’m complaining. I think I’ve seen enough green and rain to last me, well, at least 6 months *hint to the husband*
I’m so happy to be back in the U.A.E. Why? Because this is the time of the year to be here! Clouds are starting to float in the sky. I can see stars twinkling in the night. The birds have begun to migrate from neighboring countries. I can keep my windows open to cooler breeze. I can finally plan BBQ with family and friends. Masood and I can steal some time (an hour, for example) from work and go out for a walk.
It has been renamed as Khalid Bin Waleed Station after BurJuman mall’s big bosses refused to buy naming rights for it.
But since BurJuman – one of the oldest malls in Dubai with very high concentration of designer stores – is just next to it, everyone started calling it the BurJuman Station (which is also much easier to pronounce for a lot of people).
And this happens to be – to date – my favorite metro station ever.
The theme for this station is water. As you enter the station, first thing you’ll notice is the blue ambiance. Next, you’ll see a lot of pictures illustrating Dubai’s history in fishing and pearl diving.
It is the only station which has three levels and is also the deepest of the underground stations. It is 30 meters below ground level. The station has four entry and exit points, one on each corner of the intersection.
After paying for our tickets we went one floor deeper, where we were greeted by these gorgeous jelly-fish chandeliers that just took our breath away! This station gave me the feeling of being underwater.
We stood and stared and marveled!
This is more than just a metro station; it’s a museum of Dubai’s history.
The Al Jafiliya Station is right across Dubai’s Department of Naturalization and Residency, where we went a few days ago to renew Mom’s residence visa.
The stations are designed to look like sea shells.
For a moment, I thought I was inside the airport! Then I saw the “To Trains” sign.
More of the “sea shell” effect.
We traveled Gold Class on our first trip. You pay extra for two things: comfortable seats and front view (since there is no driver, you get to sit right infront)
The Silver or Standard Class, which I personally think is much more fun than the Gold Class. (Picture taken by cellphone)
View on our way to the Mall of Emirates
Mall of Emirates Station
Coming down from the train platform
The interior of the Mall of Emirates Station: this was around 2 pm on a working day, hence the peace and quiet.
Dubai Metro will make its maiden run tonight at 9 pm, making it the world’s longest automated driverless train system built in just four years. But only VIPs will get to ride it tonight, and will be opened to public starting tomorrow. The trains will offer first class ‘Gold’ section, standard ‘Silver’ class, plus a women and children only section.
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