Venturing out September 4, 2007
Posted by Roze in Uncategorized.trackback
On the Saturday we thought we had better venture out and get some food and cleaning things for the house. We left at around 2 in the afternoon, and were on our way to Al-Ain mall. As soon as we left the building I couldn’t believe the heat we were exposed to. It was intense. You can feel your lungs filling up with hot air. I felt as though I were being slowly spit roasted over an Arabian fire…someone stick an apple in my mouth and I’ll be well done in about three minutes.
We had walked for about four minutes and looking at the kids I realized we needed to get a taxi. The pair of them had turned bright red and didn’t look too good, I felt like melting into the pavement, while my husband was happily toddling along as though he was a born and bred Emirati. We hailed a taxi down and he gave us a look that told us we were proper idiots when my husband asked him to take us to the mall. We realized why when we arrived there – in less than 20 seconds….
Al-Ain mall was nothing special on the outside, but inside its pretty spectacular; beautiful glass lifts, smoothly polished marble floors of different colours, and all the regular conveniences signposted. Best of all, a prayer room with both a brothers and a sisters side. How many times have you been caught out back home, knowing its time to pray and can’t find anywhere to carry out your obligation? Here the absolute beauty above everything else is that there are masjids (mosques)everywhere. You are always within a few minutes walk from a masjid, many of which are stunningly beautiful.
I’m not overly a mall person(once you have seen one…) but this was better than the big mud hut I had expected. Anyway the novelty of being able to choose form McDonalds, KFC, Burger King etc was immaturely appealing.
The shops are big, modern, and many of them cheap. You will find shops such as Mothercare, Next and Gap, as well as big homey (not simpson) shops which mirror the like of John Lewis etc All we need now is a Primark, a Greggs , a Boots (I think they have Boots in Dubai and Abu Dhabi)and a Rice n Three. Whatever brand names you can’t find here, you will almost always find the products you are looking for somewhere else. There’s also a huge supermaret there called Mega Mart – it looks small from the outside, but seems to go on forever.
The people are very interesting, and observing them I find myself making many mental notes. Insha’Allah they will make for another post. Here’s some pics.
On the way to Al-Ain mall
Near the food court
People milling
Mothercare read it in arabic lol- however the ‘Babyshop’ is much better
The ice -rink at the entrance is very popular with the kids.
As classy and inviting as these places seem, they are fitnah in a measure ten-fold in ways more than just financially. I guess the key is to bear that in mind. Coming from the west it’s not all that different from what we have seen at home – the only real difference for us is the atmosphere; the malls are amazingly clean, quiet and relaxed. You will see nothing but famillies out together, and walking around you dont hear people shouting and using expletives…it really makes a difference.
As with anything there are pros and cons – take the good and leave the bad.
There’ll be further elaboration on many aspects of this post later insha’Allah.
I’m on comment spree today..
pictures look beautiful ..they must really scrub those floors clean ..immaculate they are!
By the way are they skating on zimmer frames? lol
Also, you left a lot of points pending further elaboration ..dont take forever lol
assalaamoalaikum sis
mashaAllaah. Have you been to any old style sooqs yet? (are there any?). The hustle and the bustle of those sooqs beat the malls any day. Sadly though, they’re on the decrease.
I’ll email you soon. Been busy with AlKauthar stuff. Alhumdulilaah the month of mercy course happened last saturday. was a success. Next one in manchester due in October by Yasir Qadhi inshaAllaah.
keep us in your duas.
wassalaam
I can’t believe they give out ‘walkers’ for the skating rink!
Sounds like your having a wonderful time.
It all looks so beautiful.
Take care
june xx
Hi Roze
Love to you all ,
Sounds as if your having fun exploring. It looks lovely… i want to see a picture of you on the ice rink next time!!!
Sounds like you have nearly all you need in the way of big name shops…heaven.
Love reading your blog …keep up the good work!!
June
t.b. – lol, well im only bloging if and when i have time ..its been really hectic since we got here, so much to sort out. but yeah ia i want to share a fw thoughts so please be patient with me … : – )
bint habib- i actually really want to see some those souks, i have no idea where they are or indeed if there are any, but ia i will find out and let you know. i would love to see things being sold ‘old style’ plus i want to find somewhere where i can get hold of good oud/bhakhoor…
cairogal- yeah arent those walkers cool for the wobbly kids?and lol this place is an absolute phenomenon in terms of getting around…we cant even say pink building to the taxi drivers cos no one knows what we are on about…
june- if they did a womens only skating, i would be the first one on there making a fool of myself ..but it seems only kids get to go on…
)
hopefully when we are a bit more settled and ramadan is over ( it begins soon),God willing we may be able to explore some more things and places around here. it seems very familiy orientated.
oh and lol…i’m not tied and bound to a harem in some dark cave just yet
take care !!
Hi Roze, welcome to Al Ain.
Your blog is articulately written and is a great source of first hand opinions.
I look forward to reading more of your post in future.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you Stephen, I look forward ot using your website when it is ready !
Salaam sister
My name is Sumeya, i am from Britain, near London to be precise, and have moved to Al Ain. I have been here since August, and I am working here as an English teacher. I would just like to say Jazakallah for the information you have posted on here, it really has been beneficial reading your blog. It would be lovely to meet up with fellow Brits, if there is such an event,
Ramadhan Kareem
Regards,
Sumeya
Assalaamu’alaykum Sumeya,
Thank you for your comment, lovely to meet you!
Please drop me a line on rozina.issak@gmail.com, and insha’Allah we can meet up at some point if you would like that.
Take care