Before a job offer from Al Ain, my wife had visited Dubai, and I read a lot about the many five-star hotel, tax free zone, the gold market, frenetic construction and development programs, and many costs capital, cutting-edge programs carried out in Dubai. I have heard very little from United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi and Al Ain nothing, which is less than 200 km from Dubai ... United Arab Emirates, if not the best kept secret in the world.
The first time offered aThe Faculty of Business Economics at the University of Al Ain woman who looked teach a map of the UAE and was amazed that, Al Ain, near the border with Oman and it seemed a long way from Dubai. Think in terms of Australians, I immediately thought it would be at least a thousand kilometers from Dubai ... Desert outpost town with dirt roads, some shops and not much to do after a few hours. Not that everything seemed attractive at first, but when I realized how little the United Arab Emirates, in comparison withAustralia, came in and "Al Ain, United Arab Emirates" in Google, things started to fall into place.
Islam Dating
Al Ain has been less than 200 km from Dubai and was a modern city with 400,000 people. A little 'bigger than my hometown in central Australia, with a modest 25,000 people. Photographs that I saw were from a clean, well-arranged city with wide streets, green areas and a name "Garden of the Gulf 'pen. When I arrived, I was surprised and pleased.
Here was a fascinating city where it was obvious that theCommunity and the people had a great sense of civic pride. The failure of many ways part, well built and grown with the green, cast iron fences along the median strip of grass. The Moorish architecture was completely different from what I have experienced throughout Australia ... construction of building with large windows, flat roofs and large, ornate fences. Many of the fences would cost more to build my entire house in Alice Springs. Everywhere I looked therewere signs of great wealth.
Al Ain has 400 roundabouts, many of which are richly decorated with animals, an Arabic coffee or a map of the world, just to name a few. So we locals refer to a location as close to some round round like the zoo or the camel round. Street names are usually long and confusing for us Western Sun is round to simplify the language.
Al Ain to see, literally translated as "The Oasis" and the original oasis built in partsthe city, which is spread over a wide plain. With its packed date palms and open concrete channels, are still producing appointments, as they have for thousands of years. So also the souks or markets are open for business. They feature products such as Camel Souk, Vegetable Souk, etc. divided by the animal souk
In the souks, you can negotiate the best price for everything and usually a much lower price. This is not possible in the malls, but sometimes it is possible withinsmaller companies in the city.
There are two large shopping centers in Al Ain, Al Ain and Al Jimi Mall and there are literally thousands of small shops spread from one end of town, usually grouped by product. It is interesting to note that the word has been wrongly taken from the saloon Saloon English, so we see signs everywhere for limousine and initial thoughts are that they absorb a huge number of people on alcoholic beverages. Oh, this is definitely not the 'Case. But you can cut your hair in any number of limousines come with different results, especially if employees do not speak your native language.
Since the UAE is an Islamic country, there are limits on where and when to buy or drink alcohol. Al Ain has three S-hotels that serve alcohol and is divided at the tip of the beautiful Jebel Hafit (Jebel Mountain), Oman and Al Ain, is the Mercure Inn also serves alcohol. Apart from that, unfortunately you can not enjoy a mealany time from downtown restaurants and knock back a glass of wine. Those who can purchase licenses to the fleet of alcohol in different mass "hole-in-the-wall" shops.
If your stay in Al Ain, is much more relaxed and much cheaper than Dubai, and there are buses, often between the two cities and the cost of travel is ridiculously cheap. There are many places to see in Al Ain. In addition to the two returns oasis of Al Ain Museum with artifacts thousands of years of expansionbefore the Islamic period, the Palace Museum, Green Mubazzareh (expansive picnic area at the base of Jebel Hafit is green and beautiful), and it's always interesting to see the industrial area of Sanaiya. Sanaiya has the distinct claim for fame, 38,000 men and 365 women in the district statistics. But more interesting are the thousands of small businesses that do nothing anybody could do, they usually want to quickly and economically. Most of the workers of foreign workerswith the Indians and Asians predominate among the populous. There are only about 2,500 Caucasian immigrants in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, the majority of Caucasians living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The UAE is a beautiful, progressive country, despite the fact that mostly sand. The people are nice, friendly people who welcome visitors with open arms and happy to make every effort to make you feel welcome. Their version of Islam is tolerant of other religions and can accommodate our need for pork andAlcohol, even if they are foreign to the culture.
If you are visiting Dubai, do yourself a favor and get on the bus to Al Ain. It could easily be three or four good days and we will add much to your experience with the Middle East and its people.
Since our Arab friends say, "alaykom Salam" (peace be upon you).
Copyright 2007 Robin Henry | Published March 8, 2007
I have heard of Dubai, but where the hell is Al Ain?
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