WALKING TOUR - OLD DUBAI

Dubai is known for chic places, luxury spas and restaurants, beautiful beaches and camping sites and of course, skyscrapers. But before civilization, what's Dubai?

Old Dubai, mostly the area of Deira and Bur Dubai is not on everyone's list when visiting Dubai. Even I as a resident wasn't able to visit this part until the Walking Tour was organized. And I am very happy to Couchsurfing as the medium where I found this event.

Couchsurfing Members / Residents of Dubai and Travelers in Dubai

Shall we take a little tour? To begin with, we started with the Fish Market in Deira side since it is the closest one from the place of assembly. It looks as a normal local market with fruit stands and dry goods. We came to the wet side of the market and found a lot of unusual kinds of fish (well for my eyes maybe) which is pretty interesting. This makes me realize that fishing has been once the main industry of Dubai. 

I really don't know what they are called and no one is looking after them so I was not able to ask what is it

The next destination is the Gold Souk where the biggest gold ring (with Guiness' Record can be found). However, I was not able to get a picture of it since everyone wants a picture of the gold ring. But, I was held up by these little cute camels. You can find these in every souvenir shops especially in big malls but you can always find a better price. In the shop where I found them, the big one costs 20 AED and the small one ranges from 10-15 AED (it depends if you will buy more).

Camel stuffed toys

Our third destination is the Al Ahmadiya School which is the most prestigious ancient institution and the first semi-private school in Dubai. It was now turned into a museum. It was an interesting place because it's an interactive museum where you can find mannequins and a small computer where you can read facts about the place.

Intricate and detailed art after the renovation

We go straight to the Heritage House which is the typical house (and lifestyle) of an Emirati way back. From the style of the house, up to the utensils and their source of entertainment, everything can be found in the house. 

"G" giving us a brief introduction of our destination

Spice Souk is the next itinerary on our list. Nuts, dried shrimps, and up to spices being used in cooking are in here. The place is so colorful but of course, it comes with their strong smell as well. There are lots of sales people who aren't fussy to teach you a thing or two about these spices. However, some of them might expect that you will buy at least.

After our short stop in the Spice Souk, we crossed the creek with the famous ride, Abra for 1 dirham. This ride is very popular to regular residents who need to cross the creek and with tourists as well. The creek itself have different stations and you can choose which route to take. The longest route (I believe) is from the stop in Al Ghubaiba to the station near the Deira Twin Towers for 2 dirhams. Sorry I failed to get the names of these stations.

Riding an Abra

Creek

Upon crossing the creek, we are now in the Bur Dubai side of the Old Part of Dubai. We went to a Hindu temple and since it's a sacred place, I didn't took any pictures of it because it might look disrespectful. We head straight to the Bastakiya Quarter where you can find the restaurant who serves Camel Meat and Camel Milk. You can also enjoy the maze-like structure of the place where a lot of tourists take pictures as 'lost in the maze'.

Cliche caption: Lost in the Maze

The final itinerary of the Walking Tour is the Dubai Museum. I cannot remember how much is the entrance fee if it's 2 dirhams or 5 dirhams. I like the museum because the main part of it was underground. The whole history of Dubai was shown in a creative yet artistic way. Lights and sounds were supported as well and it looks very modern from my standards. One of the part of the museum that I really liked is how they set aside one big part of it to showcase the fishing industry of the city before.

Fishing Industry as shown in Dubai Museum

At the last part of the museum, typical souvenirs and free books and pamphlets can be found as well. Everyone agreed that the museum is the best place to end the Walking Tour. It was educational, interesting and fun. Hence, the Old Dubai itself shouldn't be missed by residents and tourists alike.

I am grateful for Ghaith, for organizing the Walking Tour. And as planned, everyone who joined the tour went to dinner at a Lebanese Restaurant before we parted ways. It was a good cool down time to chat with fellow CouchSurfing members. I am not as active as before but this event reminded me of what is the essence of traveling.

Dinner at Heritage Village

For us, traveling isn't to see places alone. It isn't to met locals alone. It's the whole journey and the friends you've met that counts. And true enough, this walking tour counts for me. Happy Traveling!

AT THE TOP: BURJ KHALIFA

Dubai holds a lot of the 'est' when it comes to infrastructures. Biggest, largest, tallest. And sure, the tallest building of the world is here. And that's Burj Khalifa.

Photo source

Burj Khalifa, tallest artificial structure in the world, stands at 2,722 ft. When I heard that, I was like, 'Oh, it's just another building.' And even when I see it every day, it looks like an ordinary building to me.

Until... I've experience the 'At the Top' last Saturday with a CS friend, Lukas, from CZ.

Tickets can be bought at the counter but like what we do, we booked it online thru the site itself. The cheapest tickets (for Level 124) costs 125 AED. Availability depends on your preferred time of visit. We prefer to be there by 4:30 pm so we could watch sunset as well.

Overlooking Sheikh Zayed Road and Old Dubai
(Copyright photo by Lukas Winter)

Level 124 has a 360-degree view of Dubai. You can see the old part of Dubai (Old Dubai) and the Sheikh Zayed Road and of course the rest of the new part of Dubai (New Dubai). The World (artificial islands), Burj Al Arab, and the Dubai Marina can be seen as well but of course, from the distance.

Everyone seems to wait for the magic hour but I cannot say that Dubai nor At The Top is the best spot to watch sunset. No one can tell if the sun really set already because you cannot see it clearly. But as far as I know, magic hour is still the magic hour.

Business Bay view / Burj Al Arab - Marina is on this side
(Copyright photo by Lukas Winter)

They are selling souvenirs as well from ref magnets, planners, mugs, and of course the miniature figures of the Burj Khalifa. But since I am a sucker for ref magnets, that's the thing I bought.

Ref magnet for 15 AED

It was a wonderful day for me. Not only the building nor the view amazed me but I cannot hide the fact that I was so inspired by the passion of those people behind the iconic tower. They are wearing the pride of success in their sleeves. It was not built by the locals/Emiratis alone, but it was built by a lot of nations, who worked as one for one goal. And that is what you call TEAMWORK.

I admire the building itself. But most of all, it made me love Dubai.

LATERS, BABY

I went to office today, log in into my system and whatever accounts I am using, then I saw this one post from Candy Magazine entitled "To My Ex-Someone - Mikay". I forced myself not to open it but I can't help it so I read it. Phrases goes like these and I quote:

"Because one day, everything just disappeared. No more "Hi." No more calls and messages. No more you. I tried to make contact, but all efforts were futile. Hundreds of messages were sent but no reply even to a single one. Bombarding your phone with calls just because I wanted to reach you became my new hobby. I just wanted to talk to you, I just wanted to ask why. I just wanted a goodbye."

"I know I shouldn't feel this way. Because from the start I knew what we were and what were not. I was happy with you, and now I'm incomplete. I got used to having you. And the sad truth is I should get used to you not being around anymore. Having no closure hurts a lot, but having regrets hurt even more."

 The letter felt sad. But it's true. This happens every day and it can happen to every people for whatever reason they have. And I think I am doing the same thing as well. Maybe we both decided to stop sending texts. Or maybe he was the first one to stop sending text and I gave up of waiting for his text as well? Or maybe I just decided I will not respond to any of his text (in case he send one) for now? I don't know. That's the perks of no closure or misunderstanding right?

I would like to apologize to the person whom I really admire the most. To the person I really liked to be with. To the person whom I felt connected to. To the person who inspire me in small things and through your view of the world. To the person who made me feel that ghost hugs matter (and that it is sweet). To the person I like from a different time zone, Mr. Lad from the Land Down Under.

I am sorry because I can't handle my personal issues right now. I am sorry that there are lots of days and nights where instead of talking about normal stuff, it would turn out (me) ranting of all my crap. I am sorry that I vent all my insecurities and worries and fears to you. I am sorry that my version of being crazy became a negative crazy me just because I can't get a grip of myself out of my own despair. I'm sorry that I need to leave.

Just in case that you are reading this, I hope that one day, we'll meet again. I hope that you'll miss me like I will miss you. I want you to know that I will get a hard time of trying to stop liking you. And I want you to know, if only you can be by my side while trying to help myself, I might be the happiest girl on earth alive.

I will just wander, roam around and let you enjoy life. We might cross one's path may it be as friends or may it be more, I will be happy to see you when that time arrive. 

So for now, not a goodbye, just "Laters, Baby."

BOOTY CALL FROM MR. FLIGHT ATTENDANT

I heard a lot of negative feedback from other members of Couchsurfing based on their experiences. It was all about someone taking advantage of the other person. Or harassment physically and sexually. Or being plainly abusive I can empathize with them and I always think it must feel really bad if I am on their shoes.

Until last night, I had a small talk with Mr. Flight Attendant from airline-that-he-didn't-mentioned. He sent me a message saying that he is in Dubai and on a layover. And that if I am free we can have some coffee out or hang out. I said we can do that and I can meet him for a few minutes and that I live in point X and that I have work until 10pm. He said that's so late and we can just grab something and drink something in HIS room and that I can stay there if I want to.

I said no and if he want to meet, we need to meet outside. All of a sudden, he went defensive. He said why can't you meet me at my room? Do you think I would like to have sex with you? (Sex or murder yes! It's a possibility duh!) I am still being kind to him and said, it's for safety and that I don't know him and I don't go into a guy's room especially when it's the first time to meet and to answer his question, no, it's not all about sex.

He said, maybe I should protect myself from you because I don't know you??!

WTF. He started it first. So I said, then why are you inviting girls inside your room? He's weird!

Anyway, I just said that I think I am not the perfect company which he's looking for (and I am still kind) and in case he want to meet, just let me know.

Can you imagine what he said in return?

"I found other one she's coming at 9pm"

It's not the end of the conversation, he said good luck for me in Couchsurfing and that he hope I find trustable (yeah he said that word, sorry for being a grammar/spelling nazi) person and that it's not his fault that other guys do something bad to girls. He said I can also check out his references from a lot of girls which he hosted in his house.

That moment I had enough. Let's talk about the way he handle bragging rights! I don't want to shame a person especially online but I posted this picture to show that I just want you to see how many friends and references that he had here but his account is not verified.

After my encounter with Mr. Flight Attendant, I realized that I should not depend on references and friends anymore. I am already disappointed of the stories of my friends let alone knowing a person who uses the site to satisfy his booty needs. Or I must say his dick. Clearly it is a booty call to me. If you think it is not a booty call then please elaborate it to me.

Couchsurfing is for people who's looking for fellow travelers and hosts or vice versa. It is not the same as Tinder (I believe the common purpose of Tinder is for booty call - or that's what I heard).

I haven't hosted yet but I am a proud member of Couchsurfing and that I am grateful to all the wonderful people I've met thru this. I will meet some more and will surf at others' couches and go to events. As a wishful thinking, I hope the negative/bad stories like these will soon come to an end. Happy traveling everyone!

MEETING YOU IS AN ACCIDENT AND YOU BECAME MY CHOICE

I think this week was a weird week like a roller coaster ride. And why is that if you may ask? I met Mr. Lad from the Land Down Under! Dubai is the final leg of his vacation and on Thursday morning, he went back to his home country.

He arrived last Monday morning which is the first day of the week that I didn't had enough sleep. I was so focused or worried about our plan to go to Oman Musandam. If I will not be able to borrow my passport, we cannot go.

After getting through the day of worrying, they let me borrow my passport for a day. But I think the universe would like to make a scene that's why the tour got cancelled because of the bad weather (waves of the sea, etc.) as per the tour operator. This pissed me off literally...big time! But of course, I cannot do anything about it. So I have to shrug it off. We had dinner and we had interesting conversation about everything.

We started my day off seizing the day by sleeping. Well I think he did, but I had these clients who doesn't understand the word 'DAY OFF'. Like it's the only day in a week that I got! I am already working six days a week times 11 hours in a day. I am begging! But they didn't understand it anyway. Instead of throwing tantrums, I took naps and naps and naps as much as I can get.

We had lunch in Max's (a Filipino Restaurant) and we talked about the stocks and investments all throughout. This is a surprise to me and to him (I guess).

A good time in the pool in the rooftop was the thing we did after some walking. The view from the rooftop was really relaxing, let alone the dip in the pool. I got the chance to hear some stories that I know he can never tell to just any girl. I felt fortunate, and felt sad at the same time to hear the biscuit story. I will never look at biscuits the same way again.

Since it is Tuesday, we went to the weekly meet-up in Crowne Plaza then to the after party which is in The Rodeo Drive. The night didn't end up as a great party since I had a breakdown due to personal issues, but I am so thankful that he's there. I felt sorry that I wasn't able to tell him the issue that I saw coming but his care was enough.

At The Rodeo Drive with friends

Wednesday. The last full day of his trip which is the final leg of his vacation. I got mixed emotions since I have to work 'til late at night but I am happy for him because he was able to do his one must-accomplished thing to do in Dubai, snowboarding in Ski Dubai.

The last dinner. The highlight of his trip for me. This is the night that I told him to look for the note that I wrote for him. So when I asked him to look for it, he already knew where it was and he just pulled it out. I found out that he went for a visit during the day to look for it. I asked him to write a note for me. And that's him, so focused and serious. He told me to come and read it when he left. *dug dug dug dug* 

At KimChikin

The last night of his stay in Dubai includes him taking pictures of me. I want him to delete it because I look so wasted and silly but he said he doesn't want to because he liked it. And because he know I can sing a little, he asked me to sing, for him. The favorite song that I do know very well is I'd Rather - Jasmine Trias. Good thing he doesn't know the song. But I think the message of the song is okay and suits the moment. 

We watched and talked about some movie clips with movie soundtracks then we reached the point of playing 'Falling Slowly' from the movie 'Once'. I was so surprised that he know this movie. We both love the song! I was singing the song like whispering it to his ear while my feet is on his feet (like when you dance slowly). I felt that was one of the sweetest moment of his stay. It was so simple yet very memorable to me. 

Last Morning in Dubai 

He checked out the next morning and he asked me to go to airport (I think he did?). Good thing is that I am wearing jeans (or at least casual) because I was planning to wear shorts only for me to go home directly.

At the airport, he checked-in his luggage already and the tension is there for me. He didn't went in first and he decided to stay for a few more minutes. I cannot picture out what is he thinking at that moment. I regret that I wasn't able to say all the stuff that I want to tell him personally, like telling him directly in his face that I like him. As to what written in my note, I will confess my feelings before he leave Dubai.

And this is it. It is now or never. But... it is his time to go in. Damn!
I cannot remember if he said he's going in or I pushed him to go in. I didn't care anymore if we're in a Muslim country. I let him kiss me on the cheeks and hug him tight that I don't want him to let go. But I know that if I stay for another minute, I know I will not be able to let go. So I think I pushed him away.

I hate saying goodbye, as well as dropping someone off especially in airports. He's walking towards the counter and I am wishing (I have to use this word) that he will not look back. I think it will be easier if he will not look back. But he did. Oh no. He kept looking back at me til' he passed that counter for him to cross the immigration.

He stood there, waving his hands as a formal goodbye. I don't want to stare long cos' I'm afraid that sadness might crawl into my skin. I think it was me who turn my back first. And when I did, I realized one thing. It is not that I am not confident about myself. It is that I am afraid that you will just be a 'too good to be true' guy for me. That the happiness you brought is just until here. No part 2, part 3, part 4. Like a holiday romance.

And I don't want that to happen. I am too scared.

CONFESSION PART: (Since I am too afraid to tell it in your face...)
I like you as I like my cup of instant coffee everyday, sweet and always there for me. It keeps me awake and you awakened the mushy part of me. I know I say it often that I don't like it much but knowing you makes me think of mushy things with you.

I like how you open yourself to me.
I like how you accept my silliness... and how you accept me for saying I am crazy.
I like how you find my silly pictures good.
I like the sound of your voice. It's like a lullaby from my noisy and chaotic world.

I like you because it feels like you're the other crazy half of me.
I like you because you are YOU.
The warmth, the connection, the sweetness, the real you.

I like everything about you that it makes me realized that you're not just 'some guy'. You're the guy.

I once read in a book (Anna and the French Kiss) that:
"For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home."

And you felt home to me....

I like you and I want to be there for your side as your friend. Or more than that, if you will chose me.

MR. LAD FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER

One Friday night last month, I am planning to stay in since I already went to party on Thursday night with my CS friends and our guest/friend, Felix from Germany. However, Felix, will be leaving on Saturday afternoon, heading to Philippines, and he insisted that I should go out and party. He told me we should ‘finish what we started’.

I am not in a good mood that day. I was so jealous of the other group who went to the Yacht Party. But there's no point of my tantrums, so I decided to go. We went to Pacha first but they didn’t let us in because some of us wore casual attire ONLY. It’s our bad we didn’t checked the dress code before coming. So we end up in Barasti… again. 

Our friend from Couchsurfing, Alfredo, came to Barasti with a friend. I didn’t noticed him when he was introduced, because my mind is out of nowhere. After quite some time, 3 hours (or less), I had a chance to meet and talk to this guy. He sounds so interesting. Or I found him interesting. At that moment, I knew I had to do something, I have to get in touch with him. So I asked how can I reach him? Facebook. Of course (because I am too shy to ask for his number/WhatsApp!). I told him my phone died (which is true) and he's happy to send me a friend request. 

The next day, I did the first move. Send a message: a thank you note with this and that. It took me so long to hit the send button because I was pondering if my grammar was correct or do I sound so clingy already or something. After sending the message, I literally waited for his reply. As far as I can remember, he didn't respond back SOONER. But he did! Thank goodness! Because if he didn't, I must have been long dead with embarrassment. Hahaha!

We talked a few times after that night. And it just became more often. And a habit for me *winks*.
We probably talked about all things. From our personal information, career background, origin of families, culture of our (two different) countries, passion, hobbies, relationships, travel preferences, couchsurfing experiences, friends, etc.

There's something with Mr. Lad from the land down under. I thought he's just another guy who will be a guy friend from another hometown. But it seems to me that when we talk, we are more likely one person separated into two. There are no dull moments. No dead air.. (YET - I hope this doesn't end!)..

We both agree that we just clicked. We both believe that sometimes talking to other person seems to be a struggle, but between us, it's effortless.

It's funny that I get too giddy whenever he will send me pictures and his selfies. I get too giddy and happy whenever I received any messages from him. When I have bad days, he asks me if (him) sending a picture to me will cheer me up? And of course, it will.

I feel like I am being a teenager again. The giddiness and simple happiness he can bring. The flow. I liked it. I am contented. But, I feel scared sometimes. Maybe it's just me who can feel this thing. Or maybe I am just giddy because this (chatting) is the only thing that we have? Like we don't get to know about one another personally?

Since we are both living in a different land, I don't know.

I'll find out TOMORROW. He's in London right now and he'll be arriving in Dubai tomorrow morning.

I will be meeting him tomorrow night. I feel nervous. Tensed. Nervous. Tensed.
I am excited of course. I want to know if this giddiness out of me is real. And let's see how it goes.

DISCLAIMER: I am happy being friends with him. But I think I like him in some ways he can't understand. I hope he's not reading this!

I'll keep you posted!