We six were a kind of mix and match menu on DILs platter.
Six women of different temperament bundled together for five days and out of
these – 3 senior citizens – It was quite a challenging task for DIL! The
aircraft landed at the Dubai airport. DIL told all members of the group to
stick together and told them to gather near the conveyor belt in case they were
separated in the immigration line.
DIL accompanied MIL who was put on the wheelchair. MIL was
amazed to see the wonderful ambience of Dubai airport. Discipline, richness and
tasteful decor was amply visible everywhere.
DIL’s idea of engaging a wheelchair for MIL really made
sense as when all the members of the group gathered near the belt, they all
told DIL to make a request for wheelchair for remaining two senior citizens
too, as too much walking had tired them out. The young ladies enjoyed the walk
on walkalator. They had noted down the beautiful items displayed in the
shopping windows.
“Ye to bus nazara
hai...aage aage dekho hota hai kya”said DIL
Looking at a group of ladies without any male member
accompanying them they were allotted a huge 8 seater taxi with a female driver.
Everybody was looking forward to rush into the bed as soon
as possible. Three rooms for six people were allotted and since no one had
energy to discuss anything they decided to sleep.
Next morning around 8 o clock Dubai time, DIL knocked on everyone’s
door and asked everyone to reach the dining room for buffet breakfast.
“After the breakfast we are going to a much better hotel
next door” said she.
Everyone was starving as they had had early dinner on the flight.
There was a lovely spread of tempting breakfast menu.
Different kinds of bread, butter, cheese, jam, tofu, eggs cooked in various
styles, non-veg items, fruits and fruit
juices, tea, milk, cereals – you name it and the item was available.
Cheerful crowd of tourists from different countries were
enjoying the breakfast and were talking in hushed tones.
When the gaggle of geese arrived and started conversing in
their high pitched tones, everyone turned to look at our desi crowd.
Everybody went around and selected the items of their choice
except one great typical desi sasuma.
She took half a bowl of rice flakes, milk and sugar and said
that that was her Indian ‘doodh pohe’. Avatar. Then in the next course, it was
a slice of bread and some tea. She dipped bred slice in her tea cup and started
eating it in the desi way.
DIL was aghast when she saw her doing this. Then she burst
out laughing and before that sasuma could understand anything, she clicked her
photograph.
“What is this for?” asked the desi sasuma.
“To post it on the internet so that all the Sheikhs of Dubai
will commit suicide in shame.” Said DIL
“And why so?” asked others.
“Because it is impossible for them to accept the fact that
the owner who is one of them couldn’t provide
you with desi breakfast of pohe, upama, thalipeeth, sabudana khichdi
etc, thus brought shame to Dubai’s name.
Everyone laughed, including the desi sasuma. Soon after, the
group shifted to a hotel next door. They were divided into two groups – 3
oldies in one room and others in another room.
DIL had planned a busy first day schedule for the group. It
included a visit to a mosque, the famous gold souk and ‘D’ Dubai mall.
Most of the tourists who were gathered at the mosque were foreigners.
The lady guide spoke in fluent English. Hardly a few people were interested in
her explanation. They were clicking photographs of their loved ones on the
background of beautifully carved and painted walls of the mosque.
Actually young and old of our group were itching to go to
the Gold Souk which was the star attraction of that trip.
MILs bubbly niece had come to Dubai only to visit the worlds
famous Gold Souk. Many a times on the previous night, she was seen tossing and
turning in bed and mumbling names like ear-ring, bangles, bracelet and finger
rings.
DIL had told her to remove all her gold ornaments before
leaving home, so that she could buy some things and wear them back home.
She almost jumped out of the running taxi when the driver
mentioned and pointed towards the Gold Souk.
MIL and her co sisters too were looking astonished when they
saw the amount of gold that was displayed along both the sides of the road
leading towards the main bazaar.
Everybody went in and out of the shops clutching their
handbags which contained a few hundred Riyals.
In every shop DIL would dutifully convert the Riyals price
into Indian rupees and the enthu filled females would keep the jewellery back
on the counter with a deep sigh.
Then there would be animated discussion on the design,
weight and price. When they would learn that most of the artisans were Indians,
and shop owner Gujjus and Marwadis they would think to buy jewellery in India. ‘Kam se kam jaroorat padne par same shop
ki receipt dikhaakar new pieces khareed sakenge.’
“That’s what makes sense” would say DIL. She also had
aborted the plan of buying diamond jewellery when the shop owner offered 60%
discount on it.
“What nonsense! Obviously he is taking you for a ride. Don’t
be idiots and fall for the white stones. Show me the fellow and I will deal
with him.”
Looking at DILs
temper the shop keeper hid behind his showcase lest DIL would have hammered him
with her 5 kg handbag. Much depressed with the Gold Souk experience, they all
entered a 10X15 ft Indian restaurant and after a while came out with a sad smile
on their face except the 3 sasumas who secretly winked at each other with much
satisfaction at their acting talent
because they didn’t mind the
food.
After a little rest period, DIL took the MILs and SILs to
Dubai Mall – actually she had booked tickets to Burj Khalifa – the tallest
tower in the world.
She almost pulled everyone out of the shops by promising
them another chance to visit the mall.
Nobody had any idea of what an astonishing engineering
marvel they were about to see. They entered the lift and before they took a few
breaths, they were on the 124th floor.
MIL was so excited at
the view from the 124th floor that she would have jumped from the
top of the tower to get a close up of the panoramic view. Everybody was spell
bound and hugged each other to remember the joy they shared at that moment of
their life.
MIL fell short of words to thank her DIL.
“DIL tumko main DILse
dua deti hoon. May your daughter take you to a trip to Moon or Mars because
by the time she grows up you would have seen all travel worthy places on the
earth.” Said MIL blessing her dildaar
DIL.
The group had a lovely dinner at Dubai Mall – each one as
per their own choice. They wished each other a Happy Women’s Day while sharing
an ice cream. They said they would love to be together on the next Women’s Day
again at Dubai Mall.
The day ended dreamily.
The next day taxi came early in the morning. DIL wanted to
show them an oasis. In the childhood all had learnt the meaning of the word and
during youth had seen Omar Khayyam’s picture, writing shayari under a date palm
tree in an oasis and a beautiful young lady serving him a drink through a long
necked pitcher (Surahi). Then DIL said ‘oasis’ the full picture slid before
MILs eyes.
DIL was directing the driver to take a left or a right turn
where the long stretched, clean and beautiful road, had any turnings. Slowly
the desert area began. After a while the driver had to ask some locals about
the place that DIL had in mind. They reached a green patch of date palm trees
of about a football ground size.
The driver was surprised when he found out that these mad
six ladies had come all the way from Bombay to see these khajoor ke ped.
After about 15 minutes and a few photographs, we left the
place and proceeded to see a heritage sight – a mud fort of the yore!
On the way DIL had arranged for a meal of hummus and pita
bread. The non-vegetarians had something for them separately. Since the taste
of Hummus pita bread did not agree with Sasuma’s Indian palate, they feasted on
the remaining puranpolis. At the same eating joint Desi sasuma discovered a mouth-watering
sweet called ‘Baklava’! really tasty! So each one of the group got it packed to
carry it back to India!
The heritage sight looked somewhat like ‘Shaniwarwada’ – the
peshwa’s fortress in Pune; except that it was constructed with mud and
maintained beautifully with some wonderful black and white photographs. They
were offered special, very sweet dates along with a small cup of coffee that
hit them directly in the brain – it refreshed each one for the onward journey.
Groups visit to Jabel hafeet – an observation point on a
small hill was packed with a great surprise! Very beautiful winding road with
differently coloured rocky hills was a treat to the eyes. The view from the top
was breathtaking. Around the sunset time the weather became so cold that
everybody started shivering with chattering teeth. Those of the group who had
brought warm clothes appreciated DILs wisdom in asking people to pack a sweater/
shawl and a scarf. The disobedient ones promised to follow DILs instructions to
the last letter on the next trip.
Driving down the hill slope was even more beautiful because
of the shining lights which gave the impression as if somebody had spilt the
treasure of coloured bright gems all around the landscape.
MIL was so happy with the Dubai experience so far that she
decided to sponsor a dinner at Saravana Bhavan. One more Indian meal – thank
god! Indians are the best chefs for Indian palate – views were bifurcated but
again – never mind!
Next day the ladies waited for DIL to board the taxi –
Driver said that he would like to meet Mr R.B. When DIL was introduced to him
as mr R.B, he bit his tongue and said “Mujhe
laga koi aadmi hain”.
“Kya ye aadmi nahin to
koi jaanwar hain kya?” asked someone, embarrassing him completely.
It was a day of desert safari.
All ladies sat tightly clutching their neighbour’s hands and
started reciting ‘Ram Ram Ram’ constantly. They enjoyed every lap of adventurous
driving experience through the sand dunes. They all praised the driver for his
tremendous control of the vehicle and his confidence in his driving skill.
In the night they enjoyed the well performed dances of Arab
tribes like the fire dance, the belly dance and some tribal songs too. Veg and
non veg food which was part of the deal which was just good enough to fill
one’s stomach.
On the way back, everyone compared the experience of Sharjah
eye with experience of the desert safari, and the desert safari won hands down!
Since every bone of the body had absorbed a number of shocks
during the day so as soon as they lay in the bed they reached seventh heaven.
The last day of the trip was made memorable for the group
when they were taken to an aquarium full of all kinds of deep water fishes.
The almighty god – the creator of the beautiful world had
made each and every fish with his own hand. Unique colour, unique pattern and
unique features.
It was an eye pleasing and heart warming experience. DIL
generously treated the ladies to a drink of their choice and some goodies.
Later these groups went in three different directions.
DIL and niece in law went for a visit to
the museum and a platter of special Arabian non-veg food. Niece went to meet
her acquaintance, and the three ladies decided to return to the hotel. Just when they were about reach their hotel
room – two of MILs co-sisters decided to go for the last minute shopping.
With so much hectic routine for 5 days, MILs body demanded
rest. ‘Sar salamat to pagadi pachaas –
bachenge to aur bhi ladenge – Dubai dekhne fir aayenge’ said MIL to
herself.
Everybody reached hotel in time to check out from the hotel.
That evening when the group reached airport for boarding a
flight to India, MIL said proudly – ‘mera
desh mahaan – par dubai jaisi jagah nahin’
