It so happened that I have made sudden plans to go to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi the next day. (You’ll find more about it in the next Glimpse.) Local guides insisted that we should “make sure to dress accordingly”, to wear long sleeves and trousers. Appropriate scarves would be given to us at the entrance, they said.
What a thrill! I have rushed to my friend’s house, begging for any kind of trousers, since I did come here for a summer vacation and everything I brought was short and light (but still not “light enough” when it comes to these 45 degrees). So, I have ended up with men’s trousers and a blouse which were both too large and which I was going to boil in for sure. But, it is the Grand Mosque we are talking about, remember!
And yes – it was too hot to wear those trousers, and yes – I have slipped numerous times because they were too long and lumpish, but at least I have managed to pack that blouse, congratulating myself for being practical as I was going to pull it out of my bag the minute I step into the Mosque. Even had a scarf of my own. So, I was fully prepared, no surprises there!
I got to the entrance. One Arab guy was pointing to a dressing room “where tourists were supposed to get the required abaya dresses for women or white dishdasha for men”.
“Thank you, sir, but I have all I need in my bag. I am well prepared.”
He smiles, saying that I should just “take the small elevator down.”.
“No, really, you don’t understand, it’s fine, I have all I need.”
Still nice, smiling, he was strict this time: “I understand madam, but please, be so kind and just go to the elevator.”
Oh well, I went along, of course. Went down, left my ID, and got – short hooded black and blue abaya, being “shorter” because I had those trousers on?!
If by any chance I had come wearing a light, summer skirt (ideal for taking a trip in this heat, by the way), I would have gotten a longer abaya, covering my ankles. That blouse came to be useless as well, it stayed packed, just being heavy, along with the scarf! And I have dragged that full, bulky bag for three or four hours I have spent in the Mosque, for nothing!
Came back to Dubai, returned the clothes to the owner. “Hope it did come useful”, he said. Hum, the heat, stumbling, dragging, but also – great white marble wonder in the middle of nowhere. I just smiled and said:
“Thank you, it was surely worth it.”
Next: QUICK STOP TO ABU DHABI (12)
The full Dubai SERIES
19 responses
Thar mosque looks so beautiful!
Oh, yes, it’s beautiful. I would like to take credit for it and say that it’s just up to my “photo skills”, but that wouldn’t be true, because the mosque itself is surreal.
There will be more about it (pictures included) on Wednesday follow-up. 🙂
Thanks for commenting.
No problem 🙂 i just followed! Can’t wait to see more the photos
Thanks, it means a lot. 🙂
No problem 🙂 check out my lastest post!! Hopefully you like it! It’s about Italian food
Of course, I’m already following, remember. 😉 Love those gnocci, btw
Haha yes you are. . haha they were good!
Oh wow! what an experience and thank you very much for sharing this post. As a Female traveler, I ALWAYS have to research what is the appropriate clothing especially when visiting countries in the Middle East. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip! =)
It’s better to be prepared, even if something like this happens, hehehe. 😀 Oh yes, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s a nice place to visit, thanks!
That’s an interesting take on being prepared!. Good to know, as I’m planning to go to Dubai later this year. Thanks for your insights!
If you go to the Grand Mosque, you’ll get everything you need there, that’s the point. I was just “overthinking it”. 😀
Oh that mosque is too beautiful.. you must come back to Dubai. It’s truly an Arabian adventure..
Well, I found the city as a mixture of various influences. But the Mosque was dreamy, I loved it. 🙂
Oh no! But as I can see from the picture, all your trials and tribulations look to have been worth it to see that mosque. And definitely a good story that you’ll remember for many years to come! Looking forward to reading about the mosque in your next post…
That’s how it gets when you’re determine enough. 😀 Thanks, Jennie.
Hahaha, the things you have to do to see some of these beautiful places! As you say, it definitely looks like it was worth it. But it couldn’t have always felt like that though – and to think you had actually made the effort to come prepared to! Oh well, makes for a great blog post I suppose 😉
First of all, great memories and a nice story to tell when you come home. Than it’s easy to turn it into an interesting post I guess. 😉 Thank you so much, glad to have made you laugh! 😀
It’s great that you have such a good sense of humor about it all. The mosque is very beautiful. It seems totally worth the extra trouble.
Oh yes, it was worth it. Still smiling when I think about that day though! 😀 Thanks guys!