Monday, January 23, 2012

[ dubai: a visit to the souks ]

IF YOU want to experience a bit of traditional shopping in Dubai, the souks in Deira are the place to go. Souk is the Arab word for market and here you can find anything from spices to utensils, pashminas, shoes, perfume, textiles and most of all, gold.



We wandered around the narrow streets and laneways in this old part of town on Saturday.


Need a big pot?






...or restock your spices?










Delivery workers are ready to load up...

But the most impressive souk of all is the gold souk...


Dubai sells a lot of gold, most of it 24 carat, out of this souk. Some estimates say that there are 10 tons of gold here at any given time. Gold by the inch, elaborate Arabic and Indian designs or diamond jewelry, you can find it here and haggle for a good price.






After wandering and haggling in Deira, you can take a stroll along the wharf and watch the old boats from neighbouring countries unloading their goods...






Then take an Abra across the creek to the textile souk in Bur Dubai...






It was so interesting to experience this more traditional side of Dubai. It feels like an entirely different world from the glitzy shopping malls Dubai is now known for.

lisa

10 comments:

flowers on my table said...

Totally fascinating Lisa. You can always get a feel for a place by it's markets.Have a lovely day, love Linda x

Leanne said...

I'm guessing that you didn't come home empty handed...xo
Snow day here...above zero, but the roads are a mess.

Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect! said...

What a fun experience!! The gold area looks amazing!! I think I'd lose all purchasing self control :)

Jalon Burton said...

Lisa, Totally beautiful! What an experience... thank you SO much for sharing - I love to travel and take the 'shopping' route in far away places. Isn't it just fascinating?
Have a great Monday.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I'd rather spend the day wandering these places than a mall any time! Was trying to imagine what all those spices smelled like. Must have been wonderful. Thanks for taking us along.

Jo @ In Corners of My Mind said...

Such a joy to live vicariously through you :0)
Thanks for sharing your adventures! It is always my little respite from the dull days of winter here(even though it is currently raining).
Happy Monday!

Carol@TheDesignPages said...

WOWA!!! What a fun day you must have had. I am so happy to be seeing Dubai through your eyes but I'm seriously getting the travel bug in the meantime!

Formerly known as Frau said...

How fun getting to see both sides of Dubai...what did you buy? Pictures are beautiful! Have a wonderful Monday!

emily said...

Such beautiful pictures! What a fun day.

Robynne's Nest said...

The souks look really interesting Lisa, I would like a pair of slippers, a rug (or two), and a metre or two of gold! Do you buy the spices...are you delving into local cooking classes??? I think that would be wonderful...to learn how to cook the local cuisine. Thanks for the tour. Robx

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