(for Kabayan Job Seekers)
Read. Ask. Map. These are three easy words to remember especially when in travel. These three words are basic rules for travelers. Let us find out why…
Landmarks are keys to mapping a journey. On my first day in Dubai, we were taken to nearby emirate Sharjah for a short rest in a friend’s flat opposite Sahara Mall. The afternoon was a short view of Dubai and off we were dropped to see the area for ourselves while our friend went to her duty station at a nearby street boutique of the Paris Group. At dusk we were taken back to Sharjah to pick our luggage and off to our flat at Al Muteena. The following day is the start of the real adventure by us, then days after, by me. Read, ask, map…as I journeyed to the unknown.
To wander in a new place is not new to me. I am used to attack a city by myself with skyscrapers to map on. In the more than 25 cities in the country which I visited, I was never lost. In my mind, I draw my ever invisible visual map. In most of these travels, I assumed to have been in the place for quite sometime even if I was a real new wanderer. And when, in taxi, I would instruct a driver as if I am more knowledgeable than him. This is attitude! Well then, it is expensive to get lost.
Back in Dubai, mapping is easy. Just get used to all the roundabouts. And u-turn is miles away. Walking is a good way to map but beware of your soles; a block is a big block. I had a two day rest for having swollen feet.
Grab yourself a real map to view major thoroughfare. Then go into the details once you make your own map in paper. That if you are patient with details. If you are not, your visual map will do. When in Deira, the Fish Round About is a popular ordinary landmark. When headed to the Creek, there are the twin towers at the Baniyas Road and straight ahead is Dubai Municipality. When in Al Murraqabat Police Station, way ahead is Marriot Hotel, then the historic Clock Tower. I had a blurred picture taken here. Most buses take you to City Centre before crossing the popular Maktoum Bridge. At the Deira City Centre, a visible office is Dnata. If the journey is taken by taxi, one can use the floating bridge here. If by bus, usually it turns to the Maktoum Bridge and goes to either Bur Dubai or Karama areas. Bur Dubai is known for its bank street while in Karama, Lamcy Plaza is another hop. If I am not mistaken, the Rashid hospital is a key landmark where buses take a turn. The British Council is near with Dubai courts to the left when en route from Deira taking Maktoum Bridge. In Karama, the Burjuman Mall is one great landmark. The Al Satwa Bus Station will take you to connecting trips in different areas too. When going to Sheikh Zayed Road, the World Trade Center is the key point and the golf-like big ball on top of Etisalat Tower will signal that one is about to enter a street of skyscrapers side by side. The Emirates Towers are on the left side. When in Jumeriah, the great mosque, the Mercato Mall and the Iranian hospital will help. With even a few landmarks to remember, one can never get lost in this city.
For a commuter like me, I asked and asked fellow kabayans. But be cautious some kabayans are “wiser” to take advantage of free ride especially when in taxi. One will find paying all the taxi bills.
It is never easy to map. But one will learn by the power of visualization. Why pay that mustard colored cab when one can commute at 1.50 Dhs? That is a lot of savings for low income earners. I recalled an experience when I was called for interview, when the driver doesn’t know where we were exactly going so the HR staff had to talk to the driver. This happens so be kind to our “my friend”. I want to save, but I want to attend the interview good looking as I am selling myself. It is investment I would say to myself. Take note, the traffic will increase one’s bill and if one takes Garhoud Bridge, the Salik toll fee will automatically be added.
I hope this helps. Key in your visual power!
