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Italiano (Italian)
Many people go to visit Dubai just to see the world’s tallest skyscraper. I got there by a very comfortable bus from Abu Dhabi. The terminus was in the non-modern Bur Dubai area, with a nice reconstruction of old buildings in Al Fahidi).
Spartan accommodation
Nearby was the building where I had booked a bed, this time in a dormitory. The one that for the umpteenth, but perhaps really last time, I catalogued as first on the list of super spartan accommodations.
Again, there were no signs or signage, however, having the full address, I identified both the building and the floor and apartment. The door was ajar, and I entered the dormitory directly. There were only crowded bunk beds still half-full despite it being 10:00 a.m.: no closet or chair to lean on. They were workers’ beds, some perhaps temporary; I was probably the only tourist.
A little boy saw me bewildered and asked if I was in need, I told him I had a reservation for the night, and he pointed to the guy sleeping in the first bed in the lobby: you have to ask him, but he’s asleep.
The reception
That bed was the reception desk. The boy tried to shake the sleeper, but quickly gave up and said he would accompany me.
He took me upstairs, where behind another ajar door was another dormitory; he pointed only to the bed. One look was enough for me to decide that I didn’t even want to know where the shower was because even though I had seen all kinds in my life as a penniless traveler, I decided that I would not wash there. He asked me for cash; I gave him the one bill I had just withdrawn from the ATM, but since he had no change, he said to wait there.
In the meantime, I sorted out my things a bit and organized myself so that coming back at night I could easily find everything and then leave the next morning at a good pace without leaving anything in that garbage dump. I also connected to the wi-fi to give a nod to those who know me, including one of my brothers to whom I solemnly declared for the umpteenth time: this is the last one in a dormitory.
After about forty minutes, however, my change had still not appeared. I was afraid that by going to look for it I might not find it, and it seemed out of place to wake up any of my roommates to say that if any money arrived, it would be mine. I made up my mind and returned to the front desk.
The situation was unchanged, with the little boy in the bed fiddling with a laptop and looking at me questioningly.
my money?
Ah, he has them, but he sleeps
I can’t stay here all day waiting for him to wake up
He got up to shake him; after a series of grumbles, the sleeper gave him the money, which was turned over to me.
Finally I could go and visit Dubai!
The Gold Suq actually starts much earlier, in fact already from the subway exit it is all a succession of shiny jewelry stores and I wonder how there can be so many people spending money like that.
I went through it quickly because if you stop, especially inside the actual market, they will assault you. I went through it all dodging groups of Italians but also a group from Andorra. I wanted to chime in and say I had been there on my last trip, but I would have risked a long stop, and instead I wanted to go to the modern part, the part with hundreds of skyscrapers and that most characterizes the city.
I chose the Dubai Frame, the frame, as the place to invest time and money to get in and see the view from above. After a long line to get to the cashier, I saw a bit hidden the sign that says that once you pay your ticket there are two more hours to go up; of course I waved to everyone.
The metro is essential for visiting Dubai; in fact it runs littoral and is uncovered, so there are only so many glimpses. I reached the famous palm leaf-shaped island; even there, however, there are lines and extra charge for the little train that runs through it. I decided to forward on foot, but I realized I had a bad idea, especially since if you don’t see it from above it is nothing but a succession of condos; they may be fancy, but they are still condos. I also wonder how there can be so many people living there. I had a snack in the mall where the famous ski slope is.
I enter the buildings
Then I moved on to the world’s largest mall (Mall of the Emirates), just to say I pooped there and where in between boutiques, I passed a bunch of Russian women with their mouths done up and wondering how there could be so many rich people all there. Of course I didn’t miss the indoor ski slope, though only from behind a glass window because of the short time and crazy prices.
While tacky, the top was the dancing fountain show (with Andrea Boccelli in the background) just below the Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest skyscraper (featured). It was getting late to go to Madinat Jumeirah; a re-creation of an Arab village with water canals; in hindsight I would have studied better and arranged differently. My visit to Dubai ended by dining as I walked with the second unattainable meal of the trip: Japanese cheese cake and chocolates.
No, I am not a usurper of other people’s beds.
I arrived in the hovel, with the lights already off but a fair amount of coming and going (which lasted a long time), and the ‘ receptionist this time awake and alert, asked who I was.
I have to sleep here tonight
But who are you? When did you arrive?
This morning, you were asleep
After peering at me puzzled: show me your bed.
Ah yes, sorry sorry, bye
Home travel It never rains in Oman anyway – travel to Oman and the Emirates
Previous stop Visiting Abu Dhabi, a raptor for seat neighbor on the bus
Next Stage Desert in Oman, tented camp and we will die Italians
Trips taken, travel stories divided by continent
Anecdotes, divided by type in travel narratives
Countries visited in my travel stories
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