Displeasing….Shindagah market closed down

It was the oldest market in Dubai. Near the Shindagah tunnel area. It’s now been closed down to make space for Carrefour’s expansion. Emirates Biz 24/7 carried the news – glad to see them inadvertently contribute to the cause of serious journalism. These traders expected Dubai Municipality to provide them alternative space in the city. [...]

Eid down in Old Town

Tuesday was the first day of Eid here in the UAE. And Dubai was thronging. In particular, anecdotal evidence suggests there was a full scale attack on Dubai Mall. The Saudis threatened our borders, while the Omanis also advanced into retail areas. The GCC influx was in force. More seriously, it occasioned such that I [...]

Abu Dhabi – time flows like driven water

Some decent work by amateur photographer Beno Saradzic. In this time lapsed video of Abu Dhabi’s, he’s sped up the city to frenetic speeds, perhaps as an exaggerated metaphor for relentless growth and swift evolution. Time-lapsed videos are relatively easy technique-wise, but require a lot of work: time-staggered photographs taken from the same angle are [...]

No Juice – why UAE pumps are running out of petrol

There’s a furore. There’s no gas at the pumps in UAE petrol stations. The UAE! Home to oil reserves the size of a small ocean. Yet, commuters are queuing up, and pumps are running dry. Why? Quick and simple, as @rupertbu said on Twitter “It’s not as if you fill up with the crude stuff [...]

A visual journey by Jalal Abuthina through Al Badaa, District 333

Walls. Not the sort that divide, but the ones that bring us together. Convergence.  Expression. Street art. That’s what Jalal Abuthina’s new book deals with. District 333 - beyond the surface, whispers the title. A municipality map of the approximate area adorns the otherwise plain white cover. Al Badaa near Satwa, or District 333 in Dubai [...]