From previous posts you’ve learned that guest workers make up 75% of the population of Dubai. Our hotel was in a multi-ethnic neighborhood, and at the Grand Hotel two blocks away the employees at the main desk, gift shop, and restaurants reflected this fascinating diversity. We checked out a lovely Indian restaurant on the main floor, then chose an Indian buffet on the mezzanine. Our personal attendant once we were seated was a Filipino. “Magandang hapoon” (good afternoon in Tagalog). “We lived in your country for three years, in Barrio Baesa, Caloocan City, and in Silang, Cavite…” He told us he was from Cebu City–and we shared that Dale had travelled there by ship with students from our university. We had a wonderful conversation and very good service!
Next we explored some of the shops nearby specializing in shoe repair, auto repair, and shops creating specialized steering wheels, beaded comfort pads and slip covers for car seats. There was a dress store, a shoe store, and the only business which was operated by folk who seemed native to Dubai was the tailor.
At each intersection we decided which direction looked most interesting and headed to a new adventure. At one corner there was a familiar sign: two circles, pink and brown, with the letters “B” and “R”. We looked at each other: “No, it can’t be!!!” But it was: A Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Parlor! We’d just eaten, but, no matter–we needed an ice cream cone. Inside we met the most delightful young woman–a Filipina! Well, of course. Now we have learnedthat 21% of the population of Dubai are OFWs–Overseas Filipino Workers. Again, we shared our story of living in the RP; she told us that she had recently arrived in Dubai to begin a two-year contract. There are 50 Baskin-Robbins outlets in Dubai. Ah, yes, I saw that Merle Norman cosmetic stores are there, too. Likely there are many brands we know in the Dubai Mall’s 1000 shops.
After that delightful interlude, we continued our neighborhood walk, and my husband shared an idea that had been percolating in his mind: he wanted to explore a public library. We looked for someone who could tell us where one might be and went into the Abeer Al Noor Polyclinic. Interesting: many ethicities in the medical staff, too–physicians with the name of Moidu, Geetha, Kumar, Pallavi, Aravind, Bhaskar, Ayesha, Bindu, John, Thasnim and Fasna. The kind receptionist Googled the library and printed a map for us–it was just a few blocks away. And we said, “Shukran.”
The signage outside the Dubai Public Library included a photograph of the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We were welcomed by the receptionist and went in to explore the stacks, looking especially for books on the history of the region and on religion. As we left we saw that there were books available for the taking, we did took three–one on art and architecture in the UAE, one on Sheikh Maktoum, and a graphic health booklet for children. Delightful!
My next blog post on Dubai will include reflections on it’s history, the current focus on tourism, and our experiences.
Cultural Adventures 