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UAE
Textile Souk
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| Textiles and materials are prevalent / Poufs and camel souvenirs |
For today's post, I'd like to share more about Dubai. The Textile Souk. Though Naif Souk in Deira also carry fabric, the original textile souk is on Bur Dubai along Al Fahidi Street. Deira and Bur Dubai are separated by Deira Creek in between. The easiest way to access and navigate the souks would be to ride these wooden boats "Abra boat" at designated Abra stations.
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| Abra Boat on Bur Dubai Side of the Creek |
How to get there?
By water: Take an abra boat if you're coming from Deira Side. It costs AED 1.00 one way per person. You'll enjoy scenic views of the creek from the boat.
By land: You might consider taking a cab. Parking is a nightmare around this maze-like area.
{For tourists in rental cars who may not be aware: Please note that you will need paid parking tickets. They are available from orange parking machines. The parking spots are free from 13:00- 16:00 daily and Fridays. Place these tickets on your car dashboard. A parking ticket per hour is AED 2.00}.
In case you're lucky and you've found a parking spot around Dubai Museum, walk towards the creek and you'll find small streets with lots of textile and that's it.
If you didn't find a parking space, continue driving until you reach the tip of Bur Dubai around Heritage Village next to Carrefour and Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, there are large parking spaces there.
What can you find in Textile Souk?
- Colorful pashminas, quality vibrant and colorful fabrics
- Embellishments
- Silks, brocades, cottons etc.
- Tailors / Custom Make Clothes
- Ready to Wear Traditional outfits
- Trinkets, belly dancing coin hip belts and costumes
Tip: Haggle and negotiate prices
Arabic word: "Shukran" - Thank You
Textile souk will always be dear to us because Yohann and I used to take the abra when we were new in Dubai. We used to live many blocks away across the creek. On weekends, we'd walk for kilometers and ride the boat to eat at an Indian Cafeteria called India House. Food was cheap with very big serving and unlimited rice. We often ordered a plate of Thali. Entering Bur Dubai Souk streets is like being in India.
I've never really bought anything from here. I usually go to Satwa, another area in Dubai for embellishments, curtain making and the like. Satwa is much easier to access from where I live and parking is not as big of a problem as it is here. However, Textile souk for tourism is more ideal. Its close proximity to Dubai Museum, Bastakiya, and Heritage Village will make your visit here worthwhile.
Have a great Friday everyone!
XOXO,
Arni
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To be honest, I've never given it much thought, until now.
- Talks about religion. I have the utmost respect for all beliefs. I do try to avoid religious debates trying to prove which one is better, because it never ends.
- Flying cockroach. Have you ever seen one? A shriek is guaranteed. I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable when something like that keeps flying around.
- Silence during a long drive, with someone I'm not comfortable being with.
- Street / Stray dogs. I can't walk straight when they start coming towards me. I was bitten twice and had anti-rabies shots
- Immigration cubicle - There was just this one time, my first visit to one particular foreign country. I was asked to step aside by the officer at the counter. Feeling embarrassed and surprised when everyone turned to look at me, two uniformed guards with large dogs escorted me away from there to another room without explanation. My husband trailed behind, perplexed. That was scary. It turned out my fingerprints were just blurry and I had to get it redone. Even when I come home for vacation, the serious faces of officers at the airport make me feel uncomfortable so I usually greet them with a big smile each time, just to break the ice.
- Creepy crawlies like slugs, worms and snakes
That's about it. What makes you feel uncomfortable?
8 comments
I think I could easily lose hours of my day in that textile market (I already spotted a few shoes on display that I would nab in a nano-second). About things that make me uncomfortable, it doesn’t get any worse than being stuck in a car with someone you don’t know (or want to know for that matter). Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely traditional area of Dubai and your photos certainly do it justice with the vibrant colours. Long car jorneys and silences - yes that would be uncomfortable!
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Beautiful colors and textures of the market. I hate uncomfortable silences.
ReplyDeleteGood readers usually have blurred fingertips from the many pages they have passed or at least I was told so the last time I had to renew my ID card because I had the same problem :)
ReplyDeleteThe souk looks like a really wonderful place.I have been looking for a beautiful hip scarf for ages, because here you can just get the average nylon ones in bright or fluo colours with three rows of coins and I'd like to have sth more special. Maybe I should plan a visit to Dubai ... or somewhere cheaper but stocked with quality scarves!
Have a wonderful weekend, Arni!
xo Irene
Looks like a nice place to roam around - except I wouldn't like it if I ran into a flying cockroach!
ReplyDeleteomg flying cockroaches would make me faint. literally! happy weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! All the colours are just so incredible at Textile souk.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to Vancouver Canada? They have these giant banana slugs. They make me uncomfortable.
I've never been to Vancouver..oh dear..I already freaked out when I found slugs in the lettuce we harvested in the garden. So I can't imagine how that would be like if I find a giant version.
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