When someone mentions Dubai, the first thing that comes to mind is luxurious buildings, unique cars, gold watches, rich people…
Until I came to Dubai so I thought. A few days ago, my wife bought me a camera as a presented for our 1st anniversary, so I decided to take little walk around the city. But not those parts of the city that has been shown to the public about which the world is buzzing. I went to the “other-side” of Dubai.
I drove by taxi just 10 minutes from the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. The moment I step out from the
cab, I had a feeling that I’m not in Dubai anymore. I was pretty sure that I’m in Pakistan or India.
The placer around me were everything but luxurious. No brand new cars, no fancy restaurants, no bikes, no branded shops… Everything was different. Around Burj Khalifa in Downtown the cheapest lunch you can find is 20 Euros, some pizza or similar. Here, in Bur Dubai I eat so delicious shawarma for only 1 Euro! Yes, that’s right.
On the following pictures you will see what I found there. The place is called Bur Dubai, a lot of streets, I
did not pay attention to all the names. Just to mention, I spent close to 8 hours there and did not see any of the local people (Arabs).
There are living and working mostly people from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Philippines.There is a so-called cheap labor.
First what I've noticed that streets are very, to not say dirty, but looks like no one is taking care about cleanliness of that part of city. I saw the gentlemen sitting on the corner of some building for long time. Like he was waiting for something good to happen.
At same place I looked around and took some more photos of the streets.
Few minutes later I saw the guy using if I can call it a praam, which I have not saw for a years. It’s hand made one.
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At same place I’ve notice the guy. Everyone called him Boss, so I assume he was the one in charge. He was managing the things, and when he was talking, everyone else was so silent. It’s interesting photo, says more then 1000 words
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If the guy above it was a boss, manager, whatever, two gentlemen below I called GM and CEO. One of them was just smoking, and second gentleman has two mobile phones and was so busy all the time. Whenever he finis phone conversation, he was giving new orders to above mentioned “Boss”
Two minutes away is entrance to bazaar. There I met Shacir. All I understood that he is 20 years in Dubai already, but still he doesn't speak English. Example how much this part of Dubai is separated from luxury side.
A bit further, I met this nice couple and their cute baby. They are from India.
Going forward I reach the Deira Creek. Couldn't understand why people who are coming from Abra (small boat) need to show their passport on the gate over there.
After all this I had no idea what to think. I felt bad. Really bad. I mean all of us saw poor people, we know poor places, but couldn’t believe that something like this I’ll find just 10 minutes away of the tallest building in the world, the biggest shopping mall in the world, 30 minutes away of the only 7 star hotel in the world, just step away of the street where are the most expensive, most luxuries unique cars in the world.Cars made of gold. However, I’m sure that all this people find better opportunity here, where they are, otherwise they will not be there. They will go back to origin countries if they had better life there.
Still I don’t know…
To see full album “This is also Dubai” please click on this link