The "beaten" track. It is. If you live in Deira, Dubai, I'm sure you are very familiar with this road just as I am! Six days a week, I spend about 15 minutes walking along Al Rigga or Al Riqqa - from Union station where I get off from work only to work again at Al Ghurair Residences back to our place near Al Riqqa Station (is that too much info?!). That's approximately 1.2km and about 1,500 steps for me!
This post is for a friend who wanted to see what my life is like in Dubai. He suggested that I post some pictures.. And so, here we go:
This is the beaten track - a vibrant and 'kabayan-filled' street. Walking along the street would make you feel like you are just in the Philippines as Filipinos make up most of the crowd.
Now, take a look at the picture above. Count how many kabayans there are :) *I hope you can still recognize them inspite of the blur. As for the shop, that is Gift Gallery. They sell almost anything - souvenir keychains and magnets are the best sellers. Although I've said earlier there are many Filipinos, there are also a lot of foreigners in the area hence, the souvenir sales. This is because there are a lot of hotels nearby. Look across the street and you'll find hotels. Look on the side, there is another hotel. Move forward and it's the same!
Yes! That's our flag in the photo above! And, did you notice? One of the shop's name is "Manila" Phones! I would say, a lot of business establishments here cater to and rely on Filipinos although of course, there are also Arabs, Indians and Chinese. Read between the lines.. ~most foodchains' customers = kabayans: We love to eat!
Popeyes Chicken! This is +/- halfway to my destination. 600 steps away.
Passing through this street almost everyday is fattening x)
Sometimes, fastfood is just irresistible no matter how well aware you are that it is unhealthy! In fastfoods, most likely, I would order the cheapest meal. That is "lunch box" / "snack box" - however you call it. That would be 2pc chicken with fries but without drinks x) worth 11 dhs or 120php - the cheapest you can get.
Aside from Popeyes, there's: Merrybrown, KFC, Hardee's, Burgerking, Pizza Company, Baskin Robins, Haagen Daazs and the healthy alternative - Subway not to mention the Arabic restaurants and shawarma stalls. Mind you, that's just along the street! There's actually a lot more in the Mall at the end of the street - Al Ghurair Mall!
And yes, I would have to add as Restte would have it, it's in fact one of the safest place in Deira! Pass by Al Rigga at 7pm or 9pm or 11pm.. even past midnight, the scenes are but the same! Without checking your watch, by the count of the people in the street, you wouldn't think that it's already late in the evening! x)
Ahhh ~ Karen, how could I miss the annual DSF (Dubai Summer Festival)?! The month-long festival itself happens January to February of every year! People would gather along the street to witness the fireworks display from afar, colorful and festive parades, street performances, and even to try their luck at fairs!
Finally, below is a photo of the mall.. taken almost 2 years ago.. Did I improve in my skills? X) You'd notice the difference :) This is about 1,500 paces away.. And this is the destination.
This post is for a friend who wanted to see what my life is like in Dubai. He suggested that I post some pictures.. And so, here we go:
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| Al Rigga Street |
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| Pedestrian Crossing Close to Union Metro Station |
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| Shops Along Al Rigga |
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| Al Rigga Street |
Popeyes Chicken! This is +/- halfway to my destination. 600 steps away.
Passing through this street almost everyday is fattening x)
Sometimes, fastfood is just irresistible no matter how well aware you are that it is unhealthy! In fastfoods, most likely, I would order the cheapest meal. That is "lunch box" / "snack box" - however you call it. That would be 2pc chicken with fries but without drinks x) worth 11 dhs or 120php - the cheapest you can get.
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| Al Rigga Street |
And yes, I would have to add as Restte would have it, it's in fact one of the safest place in Deira! Pass by Al Rigga at 7pm or 9pm or 11pm.. even past midnight, the scenes are but the same! Without checking your watch, by the count of the people in the street, you wouldn't think that it's already late in the evening! x)
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| Al Rigga Street Comfort food from the numerous fastfood chains are just within every corner! - Mae Ann |
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| Al Rigga Street |
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| Al Rigga Street. How colorful can it get?! |
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| Al Rigga Street |
Finally, below is a photo of the mall.. taken almost 2 years ago.. Did I improve in my skills? X) You'd notice the difference :) This is about 1,500 paces away.. And this is the destination.
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| Al Rigga Street -Al Ghurair City - One of the oldest malls in Dubai |
im glad you blogged about Rigga where I have been living for 6 yrs.now. I still remember back then when i used to smile at every pinoy i bump into,but now it'll be really weird if i do that,since it was only brief when pinoys started to show up at every corner,everywhere i must say, in this area. if i may add what i love about it: it is where the DSF parade is always held, the event itself makes Rigga the happiest most interesting place that could entertain anyone including kids. Also i have to share this, it was a regular day, when i was off to work just before crossing the street (near popeyes), the sun was up while the moon's still showing on the other end of the street, it amazed me, i wished there was a wider angled lens that could possibly capture that!! haha..
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing some of these nightlife scenes from Dubai!
ReplyDeleteThank you too.
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