At the Creek side

I was discovering the Dubai Creek again, this time with one of my dearest friends who was about to purchase the silkiest textiles there along with the exotic spices the flavour of which would lead us to the most exquisite arcades. The reality, however, took her by surprise as soon as she felt the odour instead of alluring aromas and ordinary sinthetics in place of the luxurious textiles. Well, I guess, in general, it's better for you not to have any expectations so that you can be positively surprised rather than bitterly disappointed. I'm leaving you with some views you'd think you wouldn't see in Dubai. Me, I'd rather explore the whole thing, indulging in an exquisite experience and, thanks to my intrinsic nature, sticking my nose where others wouldn't even glimpse.

Reminiscence

1. Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah

2. Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah - sunset

3. Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah - light bulbs

4. Dubai, Burj Khalifa - at the top

5. Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah

6. Bangkok, Thailand - Hindu temple

7. Dubai, Jumeirah beach - sunset

How do we remember things? In one movie, the name of which I am not able to recall right now, I've heard that what lasts in our memory is not the whole image but just some trivia, peculiarities, silliness. This theory appeales to me a lot as my memories would usually consist of these seemingly insignificant details. That being so, I would memorise the sound of somebody drinking and swallowing water as well as I would be able to identify a family member by them inserting the keys in a keyhole while I'm at home (I wonder what my insertion sounds like). Also, I would recollect the feeling of love and gratitude when, paradoxically, I went down on my knees on a desert while being sick. The solicitous calmness at the top of Burj Khalifa - world's tallest building, the aroma of Dubai's airport, the five-a-day reminders to pray in any Islamic country and the accompanying goosebumps every time I hear them. It seems senses are much involved, aren't they? And sometimes you just desist from taking photos in favour of seizing the moment, making it a sole memory of yours...

When it feels right

Even on this sluggish morning after a night spent dancing on the beach it still felt right on the tip of the world. Burj Khalifa, so far the tallest building in the world offers unforgettable views, though this is not exclusively the views I climbed there for. The main goal was to share the moment with one of my best friends, the grand finale of their staying in Dubai. We got there just in time to see people sustaining respiration not to chase the rising sun away. The moment Helios showed its rays on the horizon the photographers (including me though I am definitely not a photographer) started to shoot. I still cannot digest how serene this place was in the morning and how hectic it became in the evening the very same day. Definitely worth waking up, or not going to sleep at all...

The connection

If someone had told me a year ago that I would be living my dream in Dubai and that I would feel there at home like never before I would probably just smile and immediately distract the interlocutor with some random topic. Today, however, I am based in Dubai and although I travel like monkey jumping from one continent to another on a daily basis I'm always happy to eventually go back home. Nothing extraordinary about that home, believe me, yet I feel blessed and thankful for whatever life brings me. Despite the fact that I got a little bit sick for the last few days my default answer to 'how are ya' is: never better. Home is where your heart is, they say. Interpretations may vary, though for me it means that home is wherever you feel in place and connected. And I do feel connected here. Although I left family and great friends in Poland, as long as I know they are safe and sound, I am not worried. I am with them anyways as there is bonds nothing can break, bonds of love that is. In Dubai, however, I feel there is new bonds being created which I couldn't be more thankful for. You see, the probability of meeting people you love is higher when you meet so many of them daily. I love who I am, I love where I am and I love the great people around me. Thank you!

Smoothie on safari

When people say there is nothing on the desert I automatically contradict just to state the obvious: there is plenty of sand on the desert. For some the variety of things to see is essential to be satisfied but for others, which is mainly just me, the lesser, the better. Having said that, I found myself mesmerised by the simplicity of the desert and the power of nature you can feel while being there. The only drawback of the whole trip was that I felt terribly sick at some point which was due to the fact that the night before I had a long haul flight back to Dubai from Australia and did not get any sleep neither during the flight nor later during the day. Plus, jumping up and down the dunes might contribute slightly to upsetting my stomach. My body reaction was obvious: the immune system got crazy, I was sweating and shaking all over. Not to disclose any further, intimidating details let's concentrate on the trip itself. Everything went actually according to the plan - no frauds, no disappointments, which is usually the major concern while on safari: the pick up on time, handsome and/but too confident dune driver, the belly dancing, the food and the henna... Expectations met. That was quite an experience, I have to say, definitely worth my while and the one not to forget!

Talk to me

Today would be more talking. So unless you don't mind listening to my constant chattering you'd better leave now or remain silent forever or at least till the end of the discourse. Sitting on a pile of the softest pillows ever in my cozy room in on of the Aucklands' best hotels I've decided to share with you what I've experienced this week while in Paris. The city, being just another European city, just with more beautiful everything, proved to be surprisingly normal yet with a touch of astonishment around each corner. Firstly, why are the French so strange, especially the people working in the service, I really cannot tell. Secondly, I'd found myself understanding French, which came as a complimentary surprise treat since I haven't been learning much French at school. Thirdly, (should I go on with the numeration?) nowhere else is the rain and the wind and the cold so romantic as it certainly is in Paris. The most unexpected thing was, however, the surplus of time I've spent in a taxi. Let's just say, always confirm with chauffeur de taxi that they know exactly where do you want to go. Though, the views of the city at that gloomy, wet night were indeed unforgettable. Even if you're not in love, you'll be in love in Paris, be it with the city, the music playing in your head (or is it only me?), or yourself. 

Keeping on

Although I've been living in Dubai for quite a while now I'm still exploring new places, which actually comes with ease since Dubai is changing so quickly that you should be updating your GPS every week here. Thus, before my departure to Australia and New Zealand, in the premium company of my dearest ones I've visited one of the loveliest spots I had a good fortune to see so far, i. e. Jumeirah Madinat. This place consists of various restaurants, alleys, and shops all of which are well known under the familiar name of the souk. But if you're thinking Deira Souk you might be surprised as this souk is lot nicer a place, though it might get a little bit posh every now and then. So, if you would like to go and explore some old corner of Dubai with the utmost vintage, almost dilapidated ships and tons of mysterious cargo by the creek, you should see the Dubai Creek and Deira souks. However, if you're planning on purchasing sophisticated delicatessen and textiles, you'd better opt for Souk Madinat which is a souk indeed, but with very nice toilets, if you know what I mean. Honestly, I've spend a magical evening in this place, one that I think I'll remember for what seems like a very long time. 

Plans

My very first in life and last, as for this month, night in Hong Kong I've spent on murmuring the amiable lyrics of Milky Chance - "Stolen Dance" till the early morning hours. I have naturally made very specific plans regarding what to dos where paying a visit to the Big Buddha was, given my affection to religions of the Far East, a priority. Despite my eagerness and usually unrestrained motivation to do whatever and wherever, I woke up later than I should have done to complete the agenda. Although it was almost afternoon in Hong Kong, my body clock was strongly suggesting an anti-jet lag rest. Given the circumstances and my inability to sleep during the day, the plans had to be changed drastically into the most predictable thing which is sightseeing and, of course, shopping. Off I went, to the nearby park and a drugstore. The outcome: the humidity made my hair flat, but my bag has been volumed up with some very early holiday gifts for relatives. In the park I also spotted a few Tai Chi enthusiasts practicing just like that - in the middle of the alley, as you can see from the photographs. Afterwards, I sat down in a café which was nearby - not to bother myself too much with walking, to have yet another soya latte and scrutinise the streets of Hong Kong. To my surprise, I suddenly felt the Christmassy atmosphere accompanied with some jingles playing softly in the background. This moment of personal enlightment was suspended by a ferry driver waving at me (how he's noticed me among other coffee lovers sitting in a row by the window - I have no idea), so that I could come into realisation, again within these few seconds, that the vehicles were driving on the left side of the road. 

This day came out totally different than it was supposed to be, but hey, I truly believe that things happen for a reason even when you cannot see any sense or pattern in what's happening around. Perhaps sometimes there is nothing wrong in simply absorbing the vibe of the city spontaneously or even randomly choosing activities rather than visiting top ten tourist attractions. Though I hope I'll go to the Big Buddha sometime soon. As for now, I have my inner Buddha...

Random

Strange things are happening lately. On a daily basis I find myself scattered on different continents but under the same hospital white, hotel duvets. Best things seem to happen exactly when you don't have the slightest idea about them coming. Who would have known that Singapore would be such a friendly metropolis with beautiful Sentosa Island in the pocket? Who would have anticipated the heat and the moisture which is even more intense than in Dubai? The thing is, you see, that even if you see this weather forecast you actually don't have any idea what's it like until you see it yourself. And it's not about the weather anymore... Random places, random people - this is perhaps to become mundane at certain point. All I know is that I am here for a reason, I think. And there is this pulsating inquiry: who am I? In the end, entangled in this serpentine of movements, travelling, swirling life events and a patchwork of nationalities you have to get to know yourself better, right?