Globally, Dubai is known for its world-class shopping experiences. Hundreds of separate malls dot the landscape and it is rare to see a store standing alone. Standing above the rest is Dubai Mall, one of the largest malls on the planet. Here there are over 1000 stores on 4 levels, it is a place where you could get lost and not be found for days.
When I first entered the mall the first thing I noticed was the map, I tried to take a picture but it wouldn't fit within the frame of my camera. Behind it was, no not a ski slope, but an ice skating rink of course. Here ice skaters were even more pitiful then that one kid who hugs the wall of the rink face-planting every step.
Except This Guy, Too-Much-Free-Time, Was Doing Front-handsprings and FlipsHungry, from walking half way across the mall we decided to go to the food court. In most malls the food court, around lunch time, would be crowded and noisy but not here. The biggest food court I have ever seen, with a McDonald's playpen the size of of a normal mall in the states, was empty. For Muslims this is the holy month of Ramadan in which it is customary to fast during the daytime hours. Yet, the restaurants were open you just couldn't eat it there in public. So my compatriots cleverly combined two trips into one and ate their KFC in the bathroom.
One of the Many Insane Plazas within the Mall
After feeding ourselves we then watched the sharks being fed, in the aquarium, that was in the middle of the mall. You could shop with the fishies so to speak. Here I saw two divers get into a cage and give sharks dead fish. I felt like I was looking into a mirror. Here sharks were being hand-fed dead fish while surrounded with thousands of live fish, a lifetime supply. On the other side of the glass, individuals with a lifetime supply of money, wearing Guchi and Armani, were shopping for products they didn't need. There was even the same dead and dumb look in their eyes. Yet, like sharks around the cage, why do all the people congregate at malls?
A Very Full Shark
I have heard rumors from others that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia has declared his intention to build a tower to trump the Burj Dubai. Something in the range of a mile high. The Sheik of Dubai has declared his intention to beat that by finalizing plans for a skyscraper 7874ft tall. It doesn't seem possible to build something so tall but in this dick-measuring contest it seems anything goes, including laws of physics.
Katrice, Jordan and Myself
We stayed outside as long as possible but had to rush back in before we passed out in the heat. Perhaps this was a clue to the power of Dubai malls? We finished the evening with a trip to the grocery store on the bottom level (it had 50 types of milk!) and a final look at the Burj and the fountain. Here we witnessed an amazing spectacle, a fountain show that blows the Bellagio out of the water. To an up beat Arabic song, we watched as the water danced, gyrated, and blasted 30 feet into the air all perfectly in sync with the music. It was quite a sight and great way to end the trip.
Oooooooh
Ahhhhhhhh!
Though as far as the question to why malls are so important in Dubai, I'm still not sure. It may be because the rich people want to be seen being rich, or because the Dubains are even more materialitic then Americans (yes its possible) or maybe it is just too hot outside to organize shopping in anyother way.
All I know is that my tower is totally bigger than yours.
One of the Many Insane Plazas within the MallAfter feeding ourselves we then watched the sharks being fed, in the aquarium, that was in the middle of the mall. You could shop with the fishies so to speak. Here I saw two divers get into a cage and give sharks dead fish. I felt like I was looking into a mirror. Here sharks were being hand-fed dead fish while surrounded with thousands of live fish, a lifetime supply. On the other side of the glass, individuals with a lifetime supply of money, wearing Guchi and Armani, were shopping for products they didn't need. There was even the same dead and dumb look in their eyes. Yet, like sharks around the cage, why do all the people congregate at malls?
A Very Full SharkMaybe a fresh perspective will give me some ideas, I thought walking outside. The air outside felt thick, to the extent that the sensation of swimming comes to mind. It was 112 degrees with almost 100% humidity. Across an enormous fountain was the Burj Dubai the world's tallest building. Not yet completed it stands at over 2,684 ft tall and is a series of commercial and residential spaces. It was so tall that I couldn't fit it into the frame of my camera.
Bow Down to the Top Half of the Idol of Consumerism!
I have heard rumors from others that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia has declared his intention to build a tower to trump the Burj Dubai. Something in the range of a mile high. The Sheik of Dubai has declared his intention to beat that by finalizing plans for a skyscraper 7874ft tall. It doesn't seem possible to build something so tall but in this dick-measuring contest it seems anything goes, including laws of physics.
Katrice, Jordan and MyselfWe stayed outside as long as possible but had to rush back in before we passed out in the heat. Perhaps this was a clue to the power of Dubai malls? We finished the evening with a trip to the grocery store on the bottom level (it had 50 types of milk!) and a final look at the Burj and the fountain. Here we witnessed an amazing spectacle, a fountain show that blows the Bellagio out of the water. To an up beat Arabic song, we watched as the water danced, gyrated, and blasted 30 feet into the air all perfectly in sync with the music. It was quite a sight and great way to end the trip.
Oooooooh
Ahhhhhhhh!Though as far as the question to why malls are so important in Dubai, I'm still not sure. It may be because the rich people want to be seen being rich, or because the Dubains are even more materialitic then Americans (yes its possible) or maybe it is just too hot outside to organize shopping in anyother way.
All I know is that my tower is totally bigger than yours.
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