A trip to Dubai — is not just the ability to stand out among his friends vacationing in Turkey or Egypt, but also the opportunity to see the coexistence of two worlds: the world of luxury, expensive boutiques, luxury hotels, luxury cars and the world smelled of sweat and spices simple market sellers and longshoremen, fishermen, rising well before dawn to dinner in the luxury hotel was fresh fish. Maria Nikolaeva tells about the city of contrasts.
Dubai is the city of the future, where the panoramas of the metropolis and the paradisiacal views of the beaches with palm trees are wonderfully combined. Here you are walking along the glittering marble of the Dubai metro, where, by the way, you can not eat, drink, or even chew gum, get on a fully automated train, rush, surrounded by skyscrapers, into the distance… And here you are on the city beach, studded with colorful umbrellas and, yes, surrounded by the same skyscrapers!
Be the first in everything! Dubai proves that these are not just words. The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is (you won’t believe it!) it is in Dubai. Have you seen the singing fountains? If you haven’t been to Dubai, you haven’t seen the singing fountains! Enchanting, with the scope inherent in this amazing city. No one leaves indifferent after these five-minute shows.
The futuristic city, which is striking at the speed of its transformation from a poor fishing town to a world shopping center and a prestigious resort, nevertheless, has not lost its traditions. Large, beautiful, bright and pompous malls are made in the traditional Arabic style. The abundance of spices with its variety and smell will amaze even a seasoned cook. Sweet lovers go to Dubai for traditional treats made of dates, from the variety of which the eyes simply run away: dates in chocolate, dates with all sorts of nuts and candied fruits, complex figures made of dates — a real paradise for a sweet tooth!
The cuisine of Dubai, as well as the entire East, was formed under the influence of the rich local culture and, of course, religion. Here, for example, pork dishes are completely excluded. Alcohol is not banned in Dubai, but in the neighboring emirate — Sharjah — there is a dry law. However, this does not mean that you can drink alcoholic beverages in public places in Dubai. As a rule, alcohol is only present in restaurants and hotels. The chance to find alcoholic beverages in supermarkets and small shops is almost zero.
It is very problematic to taste native Arab dishes today, since the modern cuisine of the Emirates is mostly Lebanese cuisine. It was formed due to the large influx of emigrants from other Arab countries. However, the Emirates have not lost their historically formed specificity. For example, almost all dishes are prepared with a large variety of spices and spices. For an inexperienced person with such an abundance of spicy and spicy dishes, the cuisine of Dubai, as well as the Emirates in general, can leave an unpleasant residue. Dishes made of mashed vegetables (most often peas with various spices and garlic), which resemble pasta, seem strange to tourists.
Special attention is paid to the festive table. As in many other countries, the Emirates has special dishes that are usually served at weddings, celebrations on the occasion of the birth of children and other significant events. The most prestigious festive dish is Khairan. It is prepared from the meat of a young camel (usually no older than five months). Tourists are unlikely to be lucky enough to taste such an exotic dish, it is very expensive, and in ordinary restaurants it is not served.
Fish and seafood are very popular in Dubai, which is not surprising, because this emirate is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, which is rich in fishing. Fish is cooked most often on coals. However, due to the large influx of tourists from Europe, Dubai restaurants adapt to the tastes of the West, and in most restaurants it is easy to find truly European dishes, including fish.
In good restaurants, dishes are served in dishes with a national oriental flavor. Plates and cups painted in the oriental style give a special oriental charm even to European dishes, because the most attractive thing about traveling is the mix of cultures!