Especially in Dubai. Perhaps you've heard of the Mall of the Emirates, the place with the indoor ski slope. Shopper's paradise. You should be impressed that I limited my purchases to a 219 Drh dress, a "Pictorial Souvenir of Dubai with an introduction by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum," and lunch. The mall is relatively Westernized with many of the same stores as those at home. Major differences: Men's and Women's Mosques complete with prayer calls broadcast over the PA, Ski Dubai, and the wide variety of attire (abayas that only show the eyes, the Salwar Kameez of India, Western clothes with a head covering, and comparatively skimpy Western wear).
After the MotE, I took a taxi to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It's a fairly new construction but replicates an ancient Middle Eastern marketplace. It's all indoors, yet the layout is like winding alleys. There are also a bunch of outdoor restaurants that overlook the canal, made to give the place a Venetian feel. The Madinat sells a lot of high-end souvenirs and many stores sell antique home furnishings. And I can't leave out the store that exclusively sold bongs. Not that I know what they are.
After the SMJ, I took a tragic taxi ride. I asked the driver if he knew where the Choithrams was on al Wasl road. He said nahm, yes. Though I had a map with me, I was relieved. So I relaxed in the back and wrote some things down in my journal. But when we got to Choithrams, I was no longer relaxed. It didn't look anything like I remembered. Turns out there are two Choithrams on al Wasl road. And it's a reeaally long walk in between the two. And it's hot. Even here in the house, at 8:30pm, it's 82. Blah. At least it was after the sun went down, because then it would have been more like 110. Should've been more specific and shown him the handy map Glenda drew me. I'll know for next time.
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