“Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.”
Bo Derek
Lose Some, Gain Some at Dubai Souks
And all those who know, head to THE shopping destination of the world – Dubai! A city that boasts of the oldest markets or souks in the history of trade and commerce, and also the largest mall in the world. Shopping is culture here, with 45 days of a shopping festival hosted by the Emirate every year. Shoppers across geographies travel here with empty suitcases and bags to fill them up with every luxury item ever imagined by humans.
What sets Dubai apart is not just the swank modern malls. The souks co-exist with them, and a journey into time by themselves. Bur Dubai is where the heritage districts of Al Shindagha, Al Fahidi, Al Bastakiya are. Across the creek, at Al Ras, Dubai’s oldest souks make everyone lose some, gain some. I’m sure by now you’d know what you’ll lose – Dollars and Dirhams! What you gain isn’t just material things, it’s experience.
Souks of Dubai
As you get off at the Al Ras metro station, the first souk you’ll encounter is the Spice Souk. The traditional spice market is a perfect cornucopia of smells and sights. Raw spices, spice mixes (Masala), a variety of teas, and dates-the desert fruit we all love, line the streets and the insides of the shops. (see Featured Image above)
The next of the interesting souks is the Gold Souk. Dazzling displays of gold and diamond jewellery flash from hundreds of windows. From the small hole-in-the-wall to large showrooms, every jeweller worth his name has a presence here. The interior of the souk has many elaborate wooden arches and they all congregate at a fabulous courtyard.
One of these exits goes to the Perfume Souk, where locals sell traditional perfumes, Itr. Each shop prepares its own specific itr whose recipe is known only to them. Another exit leads to a market with a lot of traditional items such as ceramics, leatherwork, embroidered cushions, clothes.
The Culture Experience
Staying in downtown Dubai, one feels like a citizen of the world, with people of many nationalities milling around, the cosmopolitan milieu all adding to the glamour. But to experience Arab culture, and the beginnings of this city, the best place is the souk. Spice and pearls were the earliest traded commodities here, and they contributed to the city’s prosperity. In these lanes, engaging with the traders, one gets to relive the ‘lose some, gain some’ experience. You are there in the era of those traders. Almost like time-travel! And that is the true meaning of being a world traveller.
