No visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be
complete without a Shopping Day! So we
set out to experience several different types of shopping venues.
Madinat Jumeirah Souk combines traditional architecture and items with features of modern malls. |
Soon after we wandered inside, I found a lovely patchwork pillow cover and a beaded runner for my dining table. Purchases one and two.
Burj Al Arab is a famous landmark in Dubai. |
Many lovely items like this traditionally patterned rug were for sale in Madinat. |
Overall the mall was very clean, well lit, attractive, spacious, and relatively free of noise and hubbub—and there are no taxes. Serious shoppers might want to stay in the five-star 400-room Kempinski Hotel on premises. During the hour and a half spent there I bought a notebook at Carrefour (Dubai’s Wal-Mart equivalent) and a party dress to wear to dinner that evening. Purchases three and four.
Of course, what this mall is most famous for isn’t hanging on the racks. There’s an indoor ski area filled with real snow—quite a layout, although during our visit only a few snowboarders glided down the slope, while a couple of young children played in the only snow found in the desert.
Outside Mall of the Emirates. The large white structure is the indoor ski slope. |
Dubai is known as the city of gold, so shopping for jewelry
was a must. The gold souk (market) is filled with up to 400 small shops with
flashy electric signs attracting shoppers looking for bargains—and with plenty
of cash to spend on gleaming gold and diamonds.
Gold, which is sold by weight according to the market price
of the day, is cheaper in Dubai than in most other cities of the world (plus no
taxes). Streets around the market are hives of activity with many nationalities
crowding into the shops, especially after siesta time, when it’s cooler--around
4 p.m. or later.
Children accustomed to desert sand enjoy playing in the snow at Mall of the Emirates. |
If the market atmosphere of the gold souk, where haggling
hard is part of the game, isn’t for you, or you can’t find a unique piece, go
to the Gold and Diamond Park. That was
our choice. There we found more than 80
jewelry shops and manufacturers offering distinct collections. Take time to browse the shops for artisans
whose style appeals to you, and dine in the outdoor courtyard.
We sought out Cara Jewelry, a shop patronized by celebrities
and recommended for service and quality. Sure enough, it was crowded while most
other stores had few customers. As I window shopped outside, a clerk inside
mirrored my steps—moving from one display case to the next as I shuffled
along. I almost didn’t go in, but when I did, he was right there to help.
Find unusual gold jewelry--or have a piece custom- made at stores like Cara in the Gold and Diamond Park. |
Most jewelry pieces are yellow gold (18, 22, or 24 carats),
but white and pink gold, which are mixtures with other metals, are also
available. I fell in love with glittering dangle earrings constructed of all
three types of gold, and Larry found a ring in a unique design that also
incorporated yellow, white, and pink gold. Purchases five and six.
Textiles are a big draw in the souks or traditional markets of Dubai. |
Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier