Market sights in Dubai
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Camel Market
It’s dusty, noisy, pungent and chaotic, but never mind: Al-Ain’s famous camel market is a wonderful immersion in ancient Arabic culture that’s so hard to find in the UAE today. All sorts of camels are holed up in pens, from babies that might grow up to be racers to studs kept for breeding. The intense haggling is fun to watch, but you’ll also quickly realise that you’re as much an attraction to the traders as they are to you (especially if you’re a woman!). Some may try to make you pay for a tour but you’re free to walk around on your own. If you take photos of the animals or their owners (always ask first, of course) it’s nice to give a small tip. Note that the tradi…
reviewed
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A
Deira Spice Souq
Just follow your nose to the best buys at this atmospheric souq. The guttural singsong of Arabic bounces around the lanes of this small covered market as stallholders work hard on you to unload aromatic frankincense, dried lemons, chillies or exotic herbs and spices. This ain’t no Istanbul-like bazaar but it’s still worth a half-hour of your time to take in the wonderfully restored wind towers and the pungent aromas from the jute sacks. Since this is a working souq, not a tourist attraction, the tiny shops also sell groceries, plastics and other household goods to locals and sailors from the dhows. Good buys include incense burners, saffron, rose water, henna kits and …
reviewed
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B
Souq al-Arsa
Back in the 19th century, Sharjah’s ‘who’s who’ lived just inland from the Corniche, between Burj Ave and Al-Maraija Rd, today’s so-called Heritage Area. Many of the beautiful residences have been authentically restored using traditional materials such as sea rock, coral and gypsum. Just take an aimless wander through this labyrinthine quarter to come upon the atmospheric Souq al-Arsa, the oldest souq in the UAE. The traditional coffeehouse inside is a great stop for a reviving mint tea and plate of dates.
reviewed
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C
Perfume Souq
Several blocks of perfume shops near the Gold Souq hardly warrants the title 'souq', yet these bustling stores sell a staggering range of Arabic attars (spicy Arabic perfumes), oud(fragrant wood) and incense burners. More fascinating than the perfumes is the perfume-buying ritual - just watch the burqa-covered ladies waft the smoke from burning oud under their abayas(Islamic women's dress) as they sample the pungent aromas.
reviewed
