“It’s Different and, I am Lovin it.”
The grand Entry to the Global Village
Far away somewhere I heard the bus honking. My cellphone somewhere in my bag didn’t hear it ringing either Far away somewhere. As pavilions started closing down for the day, I realize I am way beyond my designated time, No regrets as I am thoroughly enjoying “THE GLOBAL VILLAGE DUBAI.”
Extravagant is the perfect word to define the globally set village and, I was its globally lost traveler. Covering a land area 17,200,000 sq ft , the global village hosts flamboyantly decorated pavilions of more than 60 countries, each one better than the other. Hosting four main arenas for events, concerts, Carnivals, food, and shopping. It’s an integrated destination of Cultural Spectacle.
Open Air Spectacle
The global village hosted Open air is a lifetime experience of many countries in one place. Millions of tourists throng Dubai every year in the winter months spanning from November till March when the climate is most pleasant, and the flowers bloom to their full glory in this otherwise hot land. Naturally, people prefer to spend the most time outdoors.
Coming back to my visit to the global village, I had a pretty ridiculous pre notion of visiting the complete village in a single day assuming it to be sufficient. I started by visiting every pavilion closely with no hurry in my mind, although slowly realizing that covering the whole village in a day is near to impossible. It is both due to its vastness and the fatigue in your feet. I am grateful to my footwear for bearing my weight and making it easy for me to walk. A quick fellow traveler tip, “proper shoes are a must!”
Foodie Delight
I take intermittent breaks of refreshing beverages, ice-creams, and popcorn from the food carts lined up, each tasting different as they come from around the world. It’s a zesty array of culinary delight with multi ethnic cuisines from around the globe.
Children love it with amusement and adventure rides and, it’s fun to watch happy tourists with their magical smiles coming from different parts of the world and exclaiming, “I am Enjoying It.” For me, this truly defines the name “The global village.” With awe-inspiring entertainment for all ages, known names in the Music fraternity have performed here and, the atmosphere in the concerts is always electrifying.
Fragrance all around
The Middle East pavilions are fragrant with Attars and perfumes and aromatic with spices. I was being dated by a variety of dates found in the middle east by the sheikhs, yes I felt so, as dressed in the local attire each looked like one. The women looked beautiful with kohl-covered eyes and faced covered in Hijab. The aroma of delicious kebabs made me Swoon over them.
But the memory of many perfume strips still in my handbag takes me back to the pavilion of turkey time and again. Chic men dressed in suits introduced me to a variety of perfumes. As I sampled multiple perfumes with a periodic back and forth gap of Coffee inhalation, my date continued with a variety of salsa, bread spreads, and pickles offered for tasting.
Show stoppers
In the African pavilion, I danced to the music and shopped some body basics. I got lost in the local art displayed from all over the world. To date, I regret missing the delicacies I was unable to taste.
The transition from a local fair to a Global Village
The global village started in the year 1997, with display of few small Kiosks was held at the Creek side opposite Dubai Municipality, later shifting to Wafi, where it continued to grow. As its popularity grew with millions of visitors, it shifted to its present location, the Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Exit.
The happiness Index maintained to 9 out of 10. I took the train while I bid goodbye to the Grandeur of Place and the hospitality of the EMIRATIS. Accessible by Local transport it takes thirty to forty mins from Deira or Bur Dubai.
This monumental and cultural display of Local, vintage, antique, and handmade products also had me shop till I dropped and with a promise to return as I watched the skies display colorful fireworks My Happiness Index is at the hilt i.e. 10. That’s how it’s Different and I loved it.
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