Most people think of fancy malls, the Burj Khalifa, and the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab when they think of Dubai, but there are 3.5 million workers who live here and I got to see where they shop and eat out during my recent extended layover in Dubai.
The Gold Souk is nearby, which does cater to visitors, but this area seemed really geared toward the local population. There were cell phone stores, restaurants, coffee shops, clothing outlets, and barbershops that were hardly luxurious, but certainly make sense when you consider over 90% of Dubai’s population is immigrant workers and they may endure slave-like conditions, but most get time off as well and many have families.
There were a lot of aggressive touts for counterfeit luxury products. These guys roam the streets and approach folks like me, saying things like “Louis Vuitton purse? Rolex watch?” When I was a kid I use to buy fake stuff but I’ve found over the years that you get what you pay for.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
