a week in aRaBiA
Dubai simply has that WOW effect - but definately not that "I feel inspired by its natural beauty" effect. I see Dubai as one of those scaled models that architectural designers use to impress a board room full of investors, except this model became a reality. The capital of Dubai oozes money from its sewers. Arabian people drive fine cars, cars that sparkle like the chrome buildings and expensive jewellery. Hospitality is a huge part of the Dubai way even to the point where I checked to make sure there wasn't someone sitting beside the toilet waiting with a roll of twin-ply.
It seemed that every new construction in Dubai aims to be bigger, higher and more decorated than other lany buildings; even if it means building an appendix to the building that is curiosly attractive but provides no practical value. Such is the hotel where I stayed, the Jumeirah Towers Hotel. This place is over-the-top posh. My room was the size of the 1st floor of the house I live in, with every extra you can think of. It made me wonder what the difference was between what the average human WANTS to help him feel comfortable AND what the average human actually NEEDS to help him feel comfortable? Frivellous extras seem a waste of time and energy but shit, it was SPECIAL to turn on the T.V and have the box display a personal "Good afternoon Mr Smith". Business went well and after 3 nights in Dubai I was off to the fascinating Arabian country of Oman.
Muscat in its most basic form; it seems like you might be driving through P.E. in South Africa. Low-rise buildings starting from the edge of the ocean expand up until the definite edge of the Muscat mountain range. The contrast between crystal clear water and the serated dusty mountains is very effective. In the town of Muscat everything is built on flat, dry desert but I felt like I was in one big oasis. All towns are like isolated pockets in and around the mountains and the buildings are mini palaces of cream and white squares, decorated intricately by artistic hands. Inside the rooms are cool, sometimes gold-plated and always serviced by friendly faces. I visited a local market place, a historians dream. Stalls have things that surely belonged to Arabian kings centuries ago. Every shop and most streets will fill your smell with frankinscence or some exotic burning fragrance. The people are happy people. The men group together, drink tea, smoke sheesha pipes and talk about daily issues, football, life in general and of course girls (of course only amongst friends though). The woman are quite and drift around scanning the markets for new shauls, jewellery or crystal scents. Most of my meals were in coffee shops, eating a selection of olives, gherkins, humus, lamb, mutton and other meditteranean foods. Arabian people have a major sweet-tooth and the best treat I had was a pint of freshly blended strawberry juice. I cant explain how good a glass full of pure strawberry juice tastes when you are in the middle of a desert. Dates and nuts are also a local treat but easy on the dates or your stomach will dance.
At night the Arab people of all ages settle into their favourite coffee shops - mostly outside - and order a sheesha pipe aka hubbly bubbly. Now the guys and I have smoked hubbly before but the Arabians have turned it into an artform. I tagged along with Majid, my new buddy from Oman. We went down to the local beach to meet some of his mates. The backdrop was impressive! A full moon-lit sky, palm trees waving in the wind and all you can see down the beach is tables of Omani people talking, laughing and tugging away at a 4ft hubbly bubbly.
I was entranced with this place. I definately prefered Muscat to Dubai and with its interesting culture, friendly community and awesome landscape; a place I would consider living.
Lata
It seemed that every new construction in Dubai aims to be bigger, higher and more decorated than other lany buildings; even if it means building an appendix to the building that is curiosly attractive but provides no practical value. Such is the hotel where I stayed, the Jumeirah Towers Hotel. This place is over-the-top posh. My room was the size of the 1st floor of the house I live in, with every extra you can think of. It made me wonder what the difference was between what the average human WANTS to help him feel comfortable AND what the average human actually NEEDS to help him feel comfortable? Frivellous extras seem a waste of time and energy but shit, it was SPECIAL to turn on the T.V and have the box display a personal "Good afternoon Mr Smith". Business went well and after 3 nights in Dubai I was off to the fascinating Arabian country of Oman.
Muscat in its most basic form; it seems like you might be driving through P.E. in South Africa. Low-rise buildings starting from the edge of the ocean expand up until the definite edge of the Muscat mountain range. The contrast between crystal clear water and the serated dusty mountains is very effective. In the town of Muscat everything is built on flat, dry desert but I felt like I was in one big oasis. All towns are like isolated pockets in and around the mountains and the buildings are mini palaces of cream and white squares, decorated intricately by artistic hands. Inside the rooms are cool, sometimes gold-plated and always serviced by friendly faces. I visited a local market place, a historians dream. Stalls have things that surely belonged to Arabian kings centuries ago. Every shop and most streets will fill your smell with frankinscence or some exotic burning fragrance. The people are happy people. The men group together, drink tea, smoke sheesha pipes and talk about daily issues, football, life in general and of course girls (of course only amongst friends though). The woman are quite and drift around scanning the markets for new shauls, jewellery or crystal scents. Most of my meals were in coffee shops, eating a selection of olives, gherkins, humus, lamb, mutton and other meditteranean foods. Arabian people have a major sweet-tooth and the best treat I had was a pint of freshly blended strawberry juice. I cant explain how good a glass full of pure strawberry juice tastes when you are in the middle of a desert. Dates and nuts are also a local treat but easy on the dates or your stomach will dance.
At night the Arab people of all ages settle into their favourite coffee shops - mostly outside - and order a sheesha pipe aka hubbly bubbly. Now the guys and I have smoked hubbly before but the Arabians have turned it into an artform. I tagged along with Majid, my new buddy from Oman. We went down to the local beach to meet some of his mates. The backdrop was impressive! A full moon-lit sky, palm trees waving in the wind and all you can see down the beach is tables of Omani people talking, laughing and tugging away at a 4ft hubbly bubbly.
I was entranced with this place. I definately prefered Muscat to Dubai and with its interesting culture, friendly community and awesome landscape; a place I would consider living.
Lata
P
posted by Petyr & Katie @ 7:23 PM
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