Meena Bazaar - funny experience. .. hair fall treatment conman

Experience Oct 20, 2014

I was in Meena Bazaar - Bur Dubai on a quite afternoon and I hear a voice behind me saying. ..hey u know what for your hair problem u need to apply zaiton oil and mix them with some herbs.
I was like ok.. and I see a fat man standing behind me and commenting on my Bald head ... he got my attention.

About Myself - I am 38 year old and have a receding hair line on my forehead and have lost little hair in the centre of my head and I have never worried about it as it comes with the genes but then I said to myself ok lets see what this guy has to offer.

so he says all you have to do is -
Take some oil and mix 3 herbs which you shall find in any Iranian herb shop.. I was inquired  what are the herbs.. and he tells doesn't herbs -

AKSEER and
Zil Zilae 

Sounds very Fancy and already one could feel that wow it could be worth a try.. so I asked him what is the name of the third powder? And instead of telling me the name he says you know I had shoulder length hair before and suddenly due to the UAE water I lost my hair, but then I met an old guy who gave me this formula (I was about to tell him dude... do you want me to buy your story / or do you see fool written on my forehead) 

But then I didn't want to spoil the fun and wanted to see where it goes.. 

Again I asked him what what is the name of the third herb... and he goes like oo you know what let me show you where you can buy the stuff.. I noted the name of 2 herbs

By the way the guys name is Shvaz aka Tikku and he also gave me his telephone number saying that if it helps me ... I should give him a treat.. 😃 I was laughing in my mind and said why not...

And suddenly he becomes very benign and tells me cone I will show you where to buy the oil ... and I said aahh now you are talking... then we go to in one of the by lanes in Meena bazaar, we enter a grocery ... he tells the guy give me natural herbal hair oil and voila in a second the guys gives us Vatika herbal hair oil for AED10/ as we walk out of the grocery the guy looks around and tell me hmm where will we find the herbs... and Voila he  points at a herb shop... how lucky I am that the herb shop happened to be right next to the grocery...😉

We entered the shop... there is no one... he calls out to the shopkeeper... no one is there... and then a man comes from the back area... and says ... hi .. how may i help you... and Tikku says look I am in a rush and right now I am helping my brother here .. who has hair fall problem.. do you have herb which helps to stop hair fall.. and in no time the guy puts a bottle on the table and says here this the one..this is AED 10/ per gram... so I say how many grams do we have to put in this bottle of oil and both of them say 120 grams in chorus... hahahahahaha .. hmm I say but guys I don't have money... oh that's fine u have an option to pay by card... hmm wow I said to nyself... and then I told the shopkeeper that my credit card doesn't have money either...but they can tell me the cost and I promise to come and buy the herbs to mix in the oil.

the shopkeeper calculates and the total sums up to around AED570/ for a 40 days course.. I walk out saying I will be back soon..

Please folks beware of these people ... 

They do not have any medical degree and I do not think they are even approved by DHA to make such kind of claims... mix some powder in the oil apply for 40 days and your hair will grow back....my foot.

The Taste Of Wafi 2014 - 15

The Taste of Wafi

The Wafi mall is located   conviniently in the heart of Dubai.

The nearest metro station is Health Care City - Green line.

It is also a stop for the Big Bus Tour.

The Taste of Wafi is a market which is organised every Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm

You will find a lot of vendors serving Emarati food or food prepared by Emaratis and other nationalities.

Also one kind enjoy the egyptian style ambiance and some great cafes and brands to choose from. 

On level 1 one can find a great producta which are handmade in UAE by Emaratis or Expats living in UAE

 Every Saturday at the Wafi Mall.

 Souk Khan Murjan is one of the best kept secrets of Dubai... it is in the Wafi Mall.

Want to see Dubai with me... call Salim -0555574166

Dubai - step by step guide to see most of Dubai in half a day

VISIT BUR DUBAI AND DEIRA DUBAI, WALKING IN 3 TO 4 HOURS

SUMMARY -.
Bur Dubai
Stop 1 - Al Fahidi Neighborhood
Stop 2 - Dubai Museum 
Stop 3 - Old Souk
Board the Abra to go across the creek
Deira Dubai
Stop 1 - Spice Souk
Stop 2 - Ahmediyah School
Stop 3- Gold Souk (you may also see the Women's Museum which is near the gold souk)


If you are visiting Dubai for a short period this is how one can see it -

Dubai working days -

1st working day - Sunday
Weekdays - Sunday to Thursday
Weekends - Friday and Saturday (please make a note of metro timings on Fridays)

Step by Step -

Dubai Metro -

2 lines - Green and Red
The Red line passes thru the modern Dubai and the Green line thru the old Dubai.
The common station where one can interchange from Green to Red or Red to Green is Bur Juman  and Union
http://dubaimetro.eu/dubai-metro-map
To travel by metro - one needs to buy a NOL card available at the station

Metro also offers a special one day card for AED15/ or USD4.10 - which allows you to use Metro or Bus in Dubai for 1 day. 

The operation hours - Saturday to Wednesdays - 6am to 12am
                                    Thursday                         - 6am to 1am
                                     Friday                            - 1pm to 1am

To start your day -

Get down at Al Fahidi metro station (green line), take exit no. 3

As you exit the station you will see Picnic restaurant, which means that it is the correct exit.
Keep on walking straight and you shall see Al Ostad Kebab (delicious Persian Kebabs) on your right, then and pass the pedestrian traffic light after 200 meters you will see a round about-

When you have reached the round about you will see Al Adil Supermarket on your right or behind you.
Across the street is -

Al Fahidi Neighborhood (Bastakiya) - Time to spend 1 hour
http://tinyurl.com/l3qrdjt

The area of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood was built in 1859 and was famous for signature wind towers creating an iconic skyline for Dubai. Even today, the wind towers are regarded as cultural icon of the city. Following renovation and preservation, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is now a tourist village with a museum, a cultural center, restaurants and an art gallery. The old Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood district gives a glimpse of old Dubai.
http://tinyurl.com/nrpg7y7
 
Not to miss in this area - XVA Art Hotel - try the fresh mint lemonade.
If you find it difficult to figure the way out from this neighborhood, ask the security personnel for the direction towards Dubai Museum
Once you are out of the maze like alleys of Al Fahidi Neighborhood, walk towards the Dubai Museum - 3 minutes walking distance.
You will see Al Maya Supermarket, Arabain Courtyard hotel on the left hand and further a traffic light where Dubai Museum is located -

Dubai Museum - (an old fort converted in to the museum) - 45mins to 1 hour

The museum which is air conditioned was opened by the ruler of Dubai in 1971, glimpse of traditional way of life in Emirate of Dubai.
The entry is charges AED3/ or USD0.81 per person - 
 Saturday to Thursday from 8:30am until 8:30 pm and on  
Friday from 2:30pm until  8:30pm.

 



Towards the Abra Station from the Museum - 4 to 5 minutes (might take longer if you decide to shop in the Old Souk)
At the exit you will see the Arabian courtyard hotel on the opposite side - again walk towards the museum entrance and you will see a big Masjid (mosque) behind the museum on the left hand side of the Masjid there is a sign which says Old Souk Station - walk in the alley which is right beside this sign and you will enter the Old Souk (Souk = Market)

The souk with a large number of small stores selling a wide range of products including fabric footwear and souvenirs.
There are a lot of money exchanges which will give better exchange rate then the hotel. In case of exchanging travelers cheque, passport is required.
While walking thru the souk you will hear the sound of
Abra (Abra = Boat), which is a small traditional dhow, capacity of 20 passengers, takes you across the creek for AED1/ or USD0.27 per person.
Do not take the Abra from the Old Souk station, walk further down and take the Abra from the next stop,which is near bank of Baroda.

Abra ride from Bur Dubai to Deira Dubai - 10mins to 15mins
The Abra will ferry you across the creek from 
Bur Dubai to Deira Dubai. 




Spice Souk (Deira Dubai)- 30mins 

The Spice souk is located in Deira Dubai, it is 2mins walking distance from Abra station.
Spice souk's narrow alleys are lined with small stores selling every herb and spice under the sun.
The air is filled with pungent aromas emanating from colourful sacks of cinnamon, turmeric, dried rose petals, nut meg, cloves etc,.
Try the Irani Falooda (vermicelli served cold with sweet or tangy syrup)  - which is sold in a small juice shop located at the entrance of the souk.




Heritage house - Ahmediya school - 20mins - Free Entry
Saturday to Thursday: 08:30 am -08:30 pm,
Friday:                         02:00 pm -08:30 pm

The school is 5mins away from the Spice Souk - directions - as for Heritage house / Ahmediya school to any shopkeeper around the spice souk.
Established in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was the first regular school in Dubai, located in the Al-Ras area of Deira. 
The two-storey building was renovated in 1995 for use as a museum of education. The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890s, with many newer parts added in later years. It is a large courtyard house with more than 10 rooms and a rectangular wind tower. 

Gold Souk (save the best for the last) - 30mins to 90mins

The Gold souq is Dubai's most famous and visited souk.
The market price of gold is displayed on signs around the souq. Prices are listed for 24k, 22k and 18k.

Pieces are sold by weight as per the current market price plus the making charge or additional charge for workmanship.

If you intend to buy please remember the weight element of the price is non-negotiable but the charge for workmanship is.

You make take the metro from the Gold Souk to the hotel - the nearest metro station is Palm Deira or simply take a Taxi if tired.
Always carry a bottle of water with you.

Please share if you have found the information helpful.. Cheers!

New Parking spaces in Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi Souk

People who have lived for so many years in Dubai, are hesitant to visit Bur Dubai because they are afraid might take them too long to find the car parking and they miss out on so many things this vicinity has to offer.

The Al Fahidi Souk which in Bur Dubai has got basement car park for around 250 cars.
Built and maintained by the Dubai municipality boasts to be the First Green Mall of the Emirates.

How to find your way -

Directions -

Coming from Jumeria - Head straight towards the Al Musalla tower - continue straight on the road which leads to Al Fahidi Round About (towards the creek)

Take a U turn  (take the third exit) from Al Fahidi Round about, continue straight.
You will see a Pedestrian traffic light and a right turn which has ALI BIN ALI GENERAL TRADING at the corner.

Turn right from there and continue straight for around 200 meters, you will see a small sign indicating towards the basement parking.

And the best part is - it is AED 5/ per hour.

Places of interest around the Area -

Al Fahidi Souk - Above the parking
Meena Bazaar - 2 minutes walking distance
Textile Souq - 2 minutes walking
Bank Street / Khaleed bin Waleed road - 3 minutes walking
Al Khaleej centre - 4 minutes walking
Dubai Museum - 5 minutes walking
Abra Station - 8 minutes walking
Al Fahidi Metro station - 3 minutes walking
Al Fahidi Neighborhood / Bastakiya - 5 minutes walking
Loads of Vegetarian Indian restaurants

Hope this blog is helpful ... please do help to complete if I have missed out on anything...

Dubai Dream

Emirates is a great country, specially Dubai, there is no such thing is right time to come to the Emirates cause whenever you come here - it means your time is good cause you have landed in this country.

I visited UAE in March 1998.

It was my first visit abroad, coming from Mumbai (then Bombay) I was awe struck by this city.

The Abra -
The small  (boat) which seats 20 passengers and one captain who sits in the middle of the boat to steer it across the creek. It takes 12 to 15 minutes to complete the journey. You have a chance to look at the old Dubai and New Dubai in those 12 minutes.

The Abra fare was AED .50 fils - my aunt tells me 'ooh they have just increased it - it use to be
AED 0.25 fils'

The Creek -

Is a river which divides Bur Dubai and Deira Dubai

Bur Dubai at that time mostly had Textile market, Museum, hotels and Banks
While Deira full of shops everywhere which sell each and everything

Dubai Shopping Festival -

The DSF was during EID Al Adha and tourist were visiting in huge numbers to enjoy the festival and make use of the huge bargains the shops were offering.

City Centre - Deira

The main attraction in those days followed by Burjuman which had opened its doors in 1998

Tallest building -

The world trade center building, which is now lost in the crowd of the other huge towers around it, was also one of the cities attraction. The charges to visit the top floor of WTC was AED 25/ and you can see the entire Dubai thru the binoculars or naked eye from the terrace.

Burj Al Arab -

Was in the making at that time, the Jumeira beach hotel was up and running.

Taxis -

Were of 2 types metered and non metered (very cheap - a trip from Deira to Umm Sequim 5 would cost AED 15/ if private of AED 3/ if sharing)

Hard Rock Cafe -

It was a land mark on the Sheikh Zayed Road - one would come to know that he / she has entered Dubai once you see the Hard Rock cafe, when traveling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai

To be continued....