Sometimes, our days or nights take on a different route than what we planned. And many times, a spontaneous activity is all we need to have a good time and explore something new.
I had just finished my meal at a casual place at the Marina Walk, and decided to go for a short walk before I sit down at a cafe to read my book. While that was the intended plan, I found myself walking endlessly for a few more hours before it started to get late and I decided to head back home.
Basically, I wanted to explore the walk at the marina waterfront. Which I thought of exercising at many times, but stayed forever loyal to the walk by the lakes in my area. Mainly for its proximity and ease of access.
As I made my way past the restaurants and cafes lined at the waterfront, the waiters were promoting the food and free shisha for ladies. After two waiters had offered me the free shisha as I walked by, I had to explain to the second waiter that I didn’t smoke.
At that point, I was thinking to myself that walking in that area might not be such a great idea after all. With all the disturbance and stares and observations from the staff scattered along the walk. But as I walked further along, where there are no restaurants or cafes, only pavements full of people walking, jogging, skating, walking their dogs, or pushing their baby strollers, I began to develop a liking to the area. Especially since it offers a much longer walking distance than my area. It also offered more eating options in case I wanted to grab a bite after my walk.
The only downside to the beautiful waterfront walk is its security level. Several incidents made me feel exposed and wary. The first incident involved a man supposedly doing his walking round just like everyone else on the walk. Except that he kept turning around to look at me (I was behind because I wasn’t walking fast)…every few seconds, he would turn around to see where I was located or something. This led me to sitting on a bench next to a nanny with a kid, and sending a message with my phone. He also decided to stop his workout routine and stand at the waterfront nearby and continue to observe me from there. This went on for a few minutes, before he got bored and decided to move on. Verdict: I won and managed to loose him.
As I later continued my walk, I noticed a lot of unfinished buildings, some with workers staying inside their construction camps. Which wouldn’t be unsettling if it were during the day, and if it weren’t for the fact that one of them was clearing his throat and making strange noises from behind the bars of the building under construction.
The area gave me mixed feelings; when at one moment I was happily singing to Sade’s voice coming from the Yacht club terrace, and at another instant I found myself in a deserted part of the walk, with only me and a creepy security guard who looks more like an under-cover thug. My curiosity and love of exploration drove me to walk further in an attempt to do a round and get to the other side of the man-made waterfront. But as the number of people went down to a few ladies jogging every couple of minutes, I asked the next lady I saw if it was possible to get to the other side or if I should just head back to where I came from. Her reluctance to stop and answer me in a proper way made me feel like I was in London or somewhere in Europe where it’s not safe to speak to strangers in the street even if you are both from the same gender! Was it my Arabic looks that scared her? or the dark and lonely setting? I couldn’t help but strongly feel the loneliness and fear associated with this city; feelings that I continuously work on masking and replacing with good positive ones of certainty and bright dreams. But the negative energy the lady was carrying was so strong that it caused me to feel uncomfortable and at the same time sad for her.
As I found my way back to the more populated area of the walk, I made a note to myself that if and when I decide to exercise in this area, I will limit the distance to right after the Yacht Club. Since that is where the danger zone begins.
While passing by the nice balconies at the buildings, I couldn’t help but wonder about the lives of the people who live in those waterfront apartments. Where do they work? if they did…What type of lifestyle do they have? do they take a stroll by the marina? or own a yacht or two? maybe they are just ordinary people who were given this lovely housing by the companies they worked at. At that moment, I felt the need to network more. I wanted to socialize with people who lived in different areas of the city. I felt that there was a lot to see and explore in this town and that now might be the right time to do just that.
After tonight’s walk, I see my area as a very safe and friendly place to walk in. With two play grounds in the surroundings, it also makes for a family-oriented community. With more kids, pets and couples walking around, than single men and women.
It’s amazing how the super urban lifestyle brings with it a different level of safety and well-being.
Throughout my walk, I’ve seen many more images of the real face of the town. But I won’t mention them for their sensitive nature, or their boring details.
It’s true when they say that the best way to explore a city is by walking. I personally think it’s the most enjoyable and enlightening.
Tell me more about the un-told stories 🙂
H: The reason that I didn’t mention the story is that I wasn’t 100 % sure of what was going on. So I didn’t feel like I had a solid fact to base the story on. But who knows, maybe the next time I go to the walk I face a similar situation and write an even more interesting post about it!
We’ll run these weirdos over with our bicycle next time. Lol.
LOL YES!
This was a very thought provoking post, questioning and reflecting many facets of Dubian life and attitudes.
So did you start the walk from marina mall and then stop by the marina yacht club? You mentioned what the places might look like at marina walk… One evening there was a surprise birthday for a friend in the buildings right by the marina walk. You had to enter the main door from the basement. The place was like a town-house, high ceilings with three levels… very different layout to most places in dubai. The Balcony was a garden that was just steps away from the walk. Really lovely space for morning breakfast and lunch.
You’ll need to carry on your walking trips and explore different parts of the city… Bastikiyah (although expect creepy stares) and a nice walk through the spice souks in Diera. You can have engaging conversations with the vendors– and you’ll notice some unique things… Ask about the purposes of the rock crystal for females… Fascinating tales indeed!!
I actually started the walk from the marina walk itself, like I always do…then you pass the back side of the Marina Mall and the Yacht club. It’s a long walk that ends at a Lebanese restaurant called “Camoon”…it’s located opposite the Sheraton JBR at the marina side 🙂
That place you described in Marina sounds interesting and unconventional!
Thanks for the suggestions for places I can explore! We should explore them together one day 🙂
I look forward to reading more comments from you on my posts X
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