Holidays... : The Creek

When people talk about Dubai, they often describe how beautiful Dubai is, and how, it is an architect's dream playground.

However, in our pursuit of realizing development and advancement of a country, we often forget our humble beginnings, the roots of where we came from. Hence, a visit to Dubai Creek is a must, at least once throughout our stay here, to see, feel and appreciate, how such a simple city evolved into what it is today because of a vision and the blessings of vast resources from Mother Nature.

It is, in this part of the town, where we still see Dhows ferrying goods from all over the world. We see little wooden thatched huts that occupy an area of nine square feet and grey, mud huts built so low, that one could only huddle in it. For the richer ones, they occupy acres of land, with tall, thick walls. On every corner of these walls, are wind towers and watch towers.

As we walk through these parts of the town, a thought occurred. How do the people of the ancient times who lived in this hut , stay dry if it rains? Perhaps, in this part of the world, and a long, long time ago, it never rained! (Is that even remotely possible?)

In one of the wooden huts, there are cushions placed around the three corners of the walls. Under them, a colourful, hand-woven carpet brightens up the whole atmosphere. It looks so inviting that I feel like running in to have a seat. Ahhh... the wonders of simplicity.

It is, in this part of the town, where I truly feel alive. It is here I can feel the winds brushing against my skin; the sun shining brightly, spraying its rays across the lands; and people truly interacting with each other. No electronic gadgets, no glass panels, no uniforms. Each shop is unique, inherited from their fathers and ancestors. Occasionally, we even see a boy in his teens, carrying a tray with six cups of tea, three on the top, three on the bottom, serving it to the individual shop owners. This, is the environment that I was born in. No pretence. Just a pure, caring, loving heart to create a peaceful community. Life has enough trials and tribulations of its own. We don't need to add any more to it.

As I sit in the abra (water taxi), I am relishing every moment. I wish this boat was my holiday getaway destination. Whenever my nerves are knotted up, this is the perfect place to be. The bobbing abra on the gentle waves, calms my excited neurons. Like a child in a cradle, I learn to let go and sway along with the tide. My mind stops thinking altogether. The present appears. The past and the future fade into distance. This world, is so beautiful. The world, is my oyster.