Souks, Souks, Miles of Souks

On Sunday morning (a regular weekday here), we decided to take the metro to the airport to visit the Emirates baggage service counter, even though we know that in situations like this, the baggage is delivered to your hotel. The 1-800 #, website tracking, (WestJet) etc., etc. was contradictory and it appeared suitcase was in limbo. We just figured if we went to the source, we could bring suitcase back on the metro, thereby lessening the wait time. Can't remember if I mentioned in previous emails about the brand-spanking-new, state-of-the-art metro station/system. We really enjoyed the ride and the scenery and we got off right at the departures area. Well, this was an exercise in futility. The airport is so massive that we actually spent all morning there, first going to the appropriate place at Terminal 1 (to no avail) and then be told we needed to go to Terminal 3, for which we had to get on a bus to take us there. At the appropriate place there, we were told we needed to go to Terminal 1, so back on the bus, blah, blah, blah. In the end, we threw our hands in the air and said to hell with it, so had breakfast there about 11:00, went to an etisalat kiosk to charge up the cell phone as we needed to phone our Visa card company and we also needed to phone Westjet.

Upon returning to the hotel to freshen up, we then headed to the Al Ghuragig mall where I needed to pick up a pair of pants that were being shortened. From there got on metro and went to the Deira City Centre mall so that I could find a few more tee shirts, underwear, etc. There, we had a mid-afternoon lunch and I was not having any success so back we go to the first mall which is more familiar and I picked up my tees, etc. (unfortunately, they do not cater to shapes such as mine in this city - ha). Back to the hotel about 7:00 to freshen up again as we were going to be "souking" tonight.

We walked to the souk district. Souks are markets (usually night markets) that are jam packed with small street vendors and shops selling items from all over the world at discount prices (you barter). Well, we thought the markets in Hong Kong where big and awsome, well I tell you the souks here just blow away Hong Kong's markets. They are hugh and go on for miles and miles and are just packed with an awesome selection of items. After several hours, we stopped on the waterfront and had s light supper at an open-air cafe.

When we got back to the hotel about 11:00, I was exhausted and my feet were suffering the ill effects of trying to break in two new pair of footwear within two days - sandals and runners. (I had worn heels on the plane, stupid me, so these items were necessities.) Ralph skyped with Chloe/Ryan/Olga but I was in bed and too exhausted to participate.

The weather has been fantastic. 26 to 27 during the day, going down to 17 at night. We are awestruck by the diverse mix of cultures in this city. OK, that's Sunday's report.