Don’t walk in Dubai

We could see the huge Mall of the Emirates, from our window, just across the way.

There is a flat open, sandy space between it and our hotel, cleared in readiness for yet another building. The hotel restaurant doesn’t open for dinner for another hour and we are tired and hungry so we decide to head out to find something to eat.

Again the heat literally hits us as soon as we step outside.

I’m reluctant to take the direct route diagonally across the sandy building site so we walk along the footpath beside the busy road, intending to turn right further along. The traffic is heavy and fast and they drive on the opposite side of the road. The footpath peters out and I find myself walking in the sand anyway as we approach the intersection.

I’m exhausted and we’ve walk only 100 metres. I seriously consider turning back. We carefully, cross the road at traffic lights and we’re now walking alongside the parking garage of the mall. The footpath is narrow and clearly, few people walk anywhere in Dubai.

There is no respite from the heat in the shade of the parking garage. We negotiate it carefully because the cars a big, fast and scary but the mall entrance is in sight. We make it and are rewarded with a blast of cold air as we pass through a double set of doors.

A beautiful fountain, with life size horses, splashes happily in this cool oasis. There are half a dozen restaurants within sight on a broad three story avenue of bright shops we’re told are open all night.

After dinner, we are again at the mercy if the heat when we leave. Even after dark it’s 40 degrees and though its only five minutes or so, it’s a struggle back to the hotel.

I’ve now been awake for about 24 hours and, though local time is only about 7pm, it’s bed for me.

Ann Rolfe #10