The Side Of Dubai They Don’t Show 🇦🇪

The Journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai [00:55]

• The traveler starts in Abu Dhabi's main bus terminal, facing initial uncertainty about ticket purchase and bus frequency.
• A mandatory "nol" card is required for bus travel, costing 40 dirhams, with an additional 30 dirhams for the bus ticket, totaling 70 dirhams. This card can also be used for the Dubai metro and taxis.
• Confusion arises regarding bus routes, with E101 stopping before the city center and E1000 going directly to the city center, chosen for its convenience to Al Buba bus station.
• The bus journey is unexpectedly full, contradicting a taxi driver's assertion that it wouldn't be busy.
• Upon entering Dubai, the high-rise skyscrapers of Dubai Marina are immediately visible.
• The bus makes three stops in Dubai; the traveler disembarks at the first to take the metro.
• The total journey time is approximately 2 hours, deemed a good option despite some discomforts due to its low cost and frequent service.

"To be honest, I was not expecting that because my taxi driver even told me that the bus is not that busy at this time of the day."

Dubai Metro Experience [05:50]

• From the bus drop-off point, the traveler proceeds to a metro station to reach their final destination.
• A single journey ticket for the metro costs 8 dirhams for regular class and 14 dirhams for gold class for four stations.
• The upgrade to gold class is considered not entirely worth the extra 6 dirhams, especially during rush hour when both classes are crowded.
• The metro stations are described as clean, nice, and modern.

"The regular metro ticket for the regular class would have been 8 dham and for only 6 dham extra you get a ticket for the gold the first class was six deham extra."

Exploring Deira: Dubai's Old Town [08:09]

• Deira is introduced as the historical heart of Dubai, where the city began as a small fishing village in the early 1800s.
• This area is a stark contrast to the modern, glamorous parts of Dubai, characterized by its residential buildings and a significant presence of foreign workers.
• It is noted that 90% of Dubai's residents are foreign expatriates, making locals rare in many areas.
• The prevalence of Filipino food establishments, like "Lechon House," indicates a large Filipino community.
• The area is considered very safe, even after sunset, with low crime rates.

"This is the area where the whole city started in the early 1800s. The area around here back then used to be just a small fishing village and then the whole city of Dubai basically evolved around that."

Cababayan Night Market Experience [10:44]

• A lively night market in Deira is discovered, offering a mix of clothing, items, and diverse food stalls, particularly Filipino cuisine such as "inasal," "harisa," "iha," and "kabayan grills."
• The market is described as feeling very much like being in the Philippines.
• A kind gesture from a shop owner, Nancy, who gifted the traveler a bottle of water, is highlighted.
• The market is a hub for Filipino culture, evidenced by the presence of billiard tables and conversations with Filipino vendors.

"All these dishes I know from the Philippines. Wow. Maybe this is like the the Filipino night market of Dera Dubai."

Sampling Filipino Cuisine and Karak Tea [12:09]

• The traveler tries "Chicken Inasal" and "Binka" (a Filipino coconut cake), noting the unique addition of cheese on the binka, which is unfamiliar to them.
• Karak tea, a popular milky tea with an Arabic flavor, is also sampled and described as comparable to Southeast Asian milk teas but with a distinct local twist.
• The food is described as delicious and reminiscent of the Philippines, highlighting Dubai's international food scene.

"So, chicken in asal. Actually, one of my favorite dishes in the Philippines."

Exploring Residential Areas in Deira [19:02]

• The next day, the traveler explores the residential neighborhoods of Deira, emphasizing that this is not a typical tourist area.
• The areas are noted for their cleanliness, well-maintained apartment buildings with balconies, and lack of visible homeless people or drug addicts, a contrast to some cities in Germany.
• A high level of multiculturalism is observed, with various languages heard and restaurants from around the world (African, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani, Thai, American) found within a small vicinity.
• Despite the diverse population, a sense of peaceful coexistence is apparent.

"This is the side of Dubai that you never see on social media. Not as fancy and posh as the other side of Dubai, but I can say I'm actually quite impressed how it looks around here."

A Local Barber Shop Experience [21:22]

• The traveler seeks a haircut and shave in a regular, simple barber shop within the Deira neighborhood, noting the high competition among such establishments.
• The barber, originally from Pakistan, has been cutting hair for 15 years, and the shop itself has been operating for 35 years, a significant duration for Dubai.
• The pricing is 15 dirhams for a haircut and 5 dirhams for washing, with a full shave costing an additional 10 dirhams, totaling 30 dirhams, later rounded up to 50 dirhams.
• The barber uses a combination of gel and foam for shaving, which the traveler finds effective.
• The barber shop displays a picture of a Pakistani cricketer and politician, Imran Khan, rather than the Sheikh, which is unusual for Dubai shops.
• The barber confirms that while many nationalities live in the area, they generally get along well.

"Fifteen years. Always at the same shop here. This shop maybe 35 years. This shop is 35 years old."

Supermarket Visit and Pricing [33:28]

• A visit to a "New W Supermarket" reveals prices for various items: toothpaste (3 for 14 dirhams), Egyptian rice (7.50 dirhams), Pakistani basmati rice (6 dirhams), Kellogg's Corn Flakes (15 dirhams), and German Goldbears (16 dirhams).
• Chicken breast is priced at approximately 10 dirhams per 340g.
• A dedicated section for non-Muslims offers pork products, reflecting Dubai's international nature.
• Indian and Pakistani beef are priced similarly at around 28 dirhams per kilo.
• Instant noodles (Indomie) are available for 11.50 dirhams for five packs.
• Water is noted as being expensive at 7.60 dirhams for a large bottle.
• Christmas decorations are available, indicating that the holiday is celebrated by some residents.

"For example, Egyptian rice for 7 deham 50, Italy. Pakistani bismati rice for about 6 deham. Or the very popular Kellox corn flakes. One box for 15 dearham."

Al Mamza Beach Exploration [36:46]

• The traveler visits Al Mamza beach, a less touristy and quieter alternative to famous Dubai beaches.
• Taxis are observed to be highly regulated and use meters, generally being cheaper than Uber (14 dirhams for a 10-minute ride compared to Uber's 38 dirhams).
• The beach area features a modern skyline in the background and activities like jet skiing.
• While many establishments were closed in the early afternoon, they are expected to open around 6:00 PM.
• Jet ski rentals are available, with prices ranging from 150 to 200 dirhams per hour, and a "jet car" experience costing 400 dirhams for 30 minutes.
• The beach is primarily for jet ski activities, with another beach nearby designated for swimming.
• The traveler reflects positively on Dubai as a livable, modern, clean, safe, and international city, contrasting perceptions from Western media with the experiences of residents.

"So, yeah, Dubai does not really have the best reputation in Western media, but then you come here for yourself, you speak with the people who actually live here, you get impressions of the city, and yeah, it's actually for me, I believe this is a very livable city."