Those Five Hours in Dubai

Dubai Mall

I landed in Dubai and within 5 days I had to get off my lazy ass and take a look around. I took a cab straight to Dubai Mall, and was looking for Dubai Marina Mall, although any mall was good for starters. So I strolled around for about 4 hours, marvelling at all the luxury brands I’ve only ever written about, minus the free samples I got as a journalist. I wish I could’ve done more than ramble, but I had to be home soon. Curfew. Or something like that.

Wrong Trains and Stalker-Pains

I hurried to the metro station exit and slugged my way to the wrong platform. **My absent-mindedness screws me over sometimes. There are only two trains, one to home and one from. I still confidently got on the wrong one. Luckily, it was only after one stop that I realised and got off at the next station. I look around and whom do I see? A man, who got on the train with me at the Dubai Mall station. Oh! Well, back to my zombie-walking-self I switched platforms and took the train back home.

I have taken the train every day, for the last 2 years in Bombay, India, so this metro train was a refreshing change from the local trains back home. BUT, I can say for sure, Women all around the world are catty, bitchy and will kill you with their lethal stares if they please. Well, I was, and still am new to the country, so I sucked it up and finally reached my destination. During this journey, my phone decided to die on me, and I had no idea where the hell I lived. I had a slight clue of things around, and there are taxis so that didn't worry me too much. Got out of the station and decided to walk home.

Nonchalantly, I walked in the wrong direction, but realised quick enough to turn around and spot the same guy from the wrong station. He was definitely following me, and now I was a little hyper. No phone, no address, no cop in sight. While I ran up to the metro information desk, I met a guy with the same surname as mine - immediate connection in a foreign land – he sorted me out with directions, advising I take a cab. I did just that, and confused the poor cabbie, who also figured I was new to the city, but he got me right where I was hoping to reach - home.

All through my encounters with different people from different races, countries and planets, I can say for sure, no one was in a bad mood that day.

If you’re new to Dubai:

• ·  Write your address on a sheet of paper, and keep this paper with you at all times.
• ·  Minimum cab fare is AED 10, even if the metre starts at AED 3.
• ·  Get a NOL card. You can use it at the metro stations and a few buses too. It’s about AED 20.
• ·  You cannot eat, drink water or even chew gum on the train.
• ·  Act like you know where you’re going, even if you’re lost.