Dubai

Dubai is a city that feels like two different places in one. On one side, there is the modern world—huge skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and shopping malls bigger than entire towns. On the other side, there is Old Dubai, where the past is still alive in the streets, the souks, and along the quiet waters of the Creek.

When I arrived in Dubai, I was curious but also a little unsure. I had seen the photos of the Burj Khalifa, the Palm Jumeirah, and the fancy hotels. It all looked impressive, but I wondered if there was more to the city than just modern buildings and luxury. I wanted to find something real, something that felt alive.

Walking through Downtown Dubai, I couldn't ignore how massive everything was. The Burj Khalifa stretched so high into the sky that it almost didn’t seem real. The Dubai Mall had waterfalls inside, an ice rink, and even an aquarium. Everything was big and perfect but after a while, it all felt too polished, too controlled. I wanted to see the older side of the city, the part that had been there before all the skyscrapers.

So I went to Old Dubai, and that’s where I really started to enjoy my time in the city. In Deira, the streets were full of movement and noise. The Spice Souk was a maze of small shops, and the air smelled of saffron, cinnamon, and dried limes. The Gold Souk was packed with people, and the shop windows sparkled with golden jewelry. It felt like stepping into another world, one that had existed long before Dubai became a modern city.

The best moment for me was at the Dubai Creek. I took a small wooden abra, a traditional boat, and crossed the water for just one dirham. Sitting on that boat, with the warm wind on my face and the city moving around me, I felt something special. On one side of the creek, there were the modern towers and business centers. On the other side, the old buildings and markets stood quietly, holding onto the past.

I also visited Al Fahidi, an area with narrow streets and sand-colored houses. The old wind towers stood tall, just like they had for generations. It was quiet there, peaceful, and I could imagine how life in Dubai must have been before all the modern changes.

Dubai is full of contrasts. It is fast and slow, new and old, futuristic and traditional. The modern side is exciting, but the old side is where I felt the heart of the city. If I ever return, I know exactly where I want to go first—to the Creek, to the souks, to the places where Dubai still feels like Dubai.