They Said Habibi Come To Dubai, So I Went: Solo Travel Edition
Dubai is a city of glamour and glitz. The three-story luxury stores, fancy cars, and massive ultra-skyscrapers. It is a remarkable city with so much to do.
Chandelier From Prayer Room At Sheid Zayed Grand Mosque In Abu Dhabi
Solo traveling to the city was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially as a South Asian woman. Being able to escape the confines of my hometown and family allowed me to deepen my own identity and connect with those whom I don’t normally see on my daily walk. An extra plus was that it allowed me the opportunity to practice my Hindi with those from Desi communities and listen to their stories of moving to the city.
To my surprise, the city was incredibly safe for a solo traveler. The people were not only kind but also respectful to tourists from all spheres and regions. There was something for everyone, whether you enjoy partying till 4 am or are a foodie who wants to try delicacies from every part of the world.
As luxurious and boujie the city is shown to be, there is certainly a way to travel around within a modest budget.
Here are some highlights from my trip:
The Burj Khalifa in its glory
I mean there is no way you can travel to Dubai without heading to the Burj Khalifa. Located inside the Dubai Mall, you can easily spend the whole day just in that area.
One of the things I planned see was the Burj Khalifa at sunset. I successfully failed in my mission with that. I would love others to see that because I am certain it would be absolutely beautiful. I got to the top as soon as it got dark and was able to see the fountain show from there, which was just as amazing.
#2 Desert Safari Tour
This was something I contemplated omitting from my list of adventures, but I was so happy that I did not. During the tour, we sand-surfed down the desert dunes, ate a traditional Bedouin meal, and watched many dance performances from multiple Arab regions. Having a great tour guide + group was certainly game-changing and I ended up going out at night with some friends I had made from my tour group.
I am so glad I ended up going and recommend others to enjoy this experience themselves.
#3 A Night Out At Blu Dubai
This was probably the first time I ever went out to a club by myself. Sounds like a very weird thing to do but as a club enthusiast, I could not miss an opportunity for a night out in the town. It was unlike any other club I had ever been to, even in Vegas or LA. The club offered a V.I.P. experience of light, sound, and visual aesthetics. There were performers from the moment you walked inside to the main event.
Altogether the nightlife in Dubai is amazing and several clubs are open depending on what you are in the mood for: whether it is a night of Bollywood music or spicing it up with some Latin tunes. It speaks to the global influence of the city.
#4 Dubai Frame
This was an attraction that was not even on my list of activities but was recommended by a friend. The Frame is split in the middle of the city and shows the “Old Dubai” [old architecture] and “New Dubai” [futuristic part of Dubai]. The structure is built as a frame where visitors can go to the top of the frame to see a panoramic 360 view of the city and walk on its see-through glass walkway.
As beautiful as it is, the structure is controversial for many reasons, one of which is that it is a copyrighted design from Mexican-born artist Fernando Donis. It was also the first time that I truly saw the socioeconomic divide that exists in the city. New Dubai is full of newly built highways and skyscrapers, while Old Dubai consists of narrow streetways and smaller buildings closely cramped against one another.
The Frame Monument In Dubai
#5 Old Souk
I was staying at a relative’s place not too far from Old Souk. In my opinion, it was one of Dubai’s hidden gems. It provided a glance into the Arab market styles where you can bargain for clothes and tourist memorabilia. Several food stands were set up selling traditional Indian street food, Arab coffee, and chestnuts, among other quick snacks. Located near a beautiful canal, you can take a $1 boat ride to the opposite side, one of which would be a 15-minute walk to Gold Souk, Dubai’s Gold Mart.
I loved this area of Dubai for its old-fashioned design of wooden doors and sand-colored roofs. It brings perspective into the history and the cultural roots of the city. Not to say, I got to cross off enjoying a coffee from The Bestie’s Cafe, a coffee spot created by Dubai Bling’s Ibrahim and Danya.
Above were some of my favorite spots that I had the pleasure of experiencing during my time there. I was lucky to have met some amazing folks during my time there and reconnect with friends I maintained connections with over the years. Despite doing a lot of research before heading to the UAE, I learned a lot more about the city as I spent more time.
Here are some closing thoughts:
#1: Public Transportation Is SO Accessible and Easy To Navigate
I have never enjoyed public transportation more than I did there. Maybe it was the excitement of exploring a new city, however, I truly fell in love with the metro system there. Not only was it so cheap, but there was a train that came within 5 minutes to every spot. Even their Uber system (Careem) was so affordable; there is no way I can order a 10 mile ride for under $15 in the OC!
#2 You Truly Could Wear What You Want.
I remember my father reminding me to watch what I wear during my time there, as a sign of respect. There is a misconception that you need to dress conservatively in the city. Since many expats have settled down in Dubai, there is no dress code where you need to be fully clothed in the city. I was able to wear shorts without feeling judged wherever I went. There is a mixed population of other expatriates and conservative Arabs living in the city, so it still is important to be mindful of where you are headed and its dress code (such as a mosque).
#3 Ladies Night!
In select restaurants/ clubs, there is a Ladies’ night pretty much every day of the week with discounts on meals and drinks for women. Not many know about this offer, but I certainly had to experience this for myself. I had a wonderful meal at Antika Bar with unlimited FREE drinks for only 150 AED. Even though I was by myself, I had a great time and the free drinks got me chatting it up with the staff/ guests who were there.
Girly pops, take advantage of this fun, and enjoy a great night out in the town!
Chicken Shawarma Rolls With Tzakziki Sauce And A Pornstar Martini
#4 Public Intoxication Is Illegal.
Hookah and smoking are normalized in Dubai’s day-to-day life. However, public drinking is frowned upon and a punishable offense in the city. Tourists are permitted to drink and select bars/ restaurants to serve alcohol, but there is zero tolerance for public intoxication- even on beaches.
Some world-class mixologists and bartenders are serving in world-class facilities, but they are not cheap (I paid $45 for a single shot Red Bull vodka). If you are a regular drinker, this is something to keep in mind as police officers are very strict when it comes to this rule. So, enjoy your cocktail, but drink responsibly. :)
#5 Classism and Colorism Still Exist In The Middle East.
It may not be so surprising for many, but I was shocked to learn that about 10% of Dubai’s population were local Emiratis and the rest were international expats. The majority of the population was Desi migrants from Bangladesh, India, or Pakistan (>50%), and they were primarily the ones working low-paying jobs as janitors, uber drivers, construction, food service, etc.
Skin color is a huge indicator of social wealth, and it was transparent to recognize that in the places I visited and who was residing in those areas. A huge majority of metro-users were darker skinned and they were primarily the folks living in Old Dubai. In contrast, most expats coming from Brazil, Russia, or the UK are residing in New Dubai territories, such as in the Palms and near the Burj Khalifa. The Frame monument clearly shows the distinction of class through city design.
While the city is glamorized for its abundant wealth and rich way of life, every city has its pain points and Dubai is certainly not exempt from it. To fulfill this image of luxury, there is a subdue system of hierarchy defined by principles of classism and racism. It is citizens from second/ third-world countries that have to pay the price to maintain the image of Arab wealth.
To sum up my experience, I would give it a solid 10 out of 10. To feel safe as a female solo traveler is so rare and I am truly grateful for my time there. The food in every place I visited was top notch and the feeling of community is heartwarming. I still have yet to have a yacht moment, so you certainly will see me return at some point in time.
