IT GETS AROUND
Got any gossip? Tip off the Taxiwallah: Al Ain: The one about the tourists..
The latest issue of Al Ain Times announces that 'Al Ain emerges as popular destination for Eid holidays'. Of course, the hotels are making the most of this by charging more than double normal room rates similar to what you'd pay in Dubai most of the year. They must be rubbing their hands with glee.
So Al Ain is a tourist destination. I can just imagine one of the UK's holiday shows covering it. Where would they start? Ok, how about seeing the 'real Arabia'? Did you go to Dubai and not see any Arabs? Well, come to Al Ain and you'll get to see the Arabs you're yearning for.
I think a good presenters for this particular episode would be Torvill and Dean, the famous british skating duo. They could arrive at Al Ain Mall and do a report on the Ice Rink. Pretending to the rink staff that they've never skated before they could hobble onto the ice, clinging on to one of those metal zimmer frames and wobble around a bit. Suddenly, on the first beat of some Arabic pop, Jane could launch herself into a triple axel while the camera crew film the crowds reaction. That would make good TV.
According to the Al Ain Times, it appears that people are coming to Al Ain for it's beauty and to get away from the hussle and bussle of city life. Going in the other direction are Al Ain residents heading to the coast for some decent shopping and some beachlife.
As I've said before, what we really need in Al Ain are some decent shops. I've got nothing against the shops we all ready have but its a choice issue here. Why is it that our only big supermarket here is Carrefour? Yes, I know we have Megamart but it's hardly 'mega'. We had Spinneys up until 2003/4 which, although a little expensive, stocked some decent lines. Anyone who goes to the malls in the evenings will know there is no shortage of people willing to say masalama to their dirhams. So lets have more choice in what to spend them on!!
As for beachlife, how about Al Ain Beach? We've got the sand, we just need the sea..
So Al Ain is a tourist destination. I can just imagine one of the UK's holiday shows covering it. Where would they start? Ok, how about seeing the 'real Arabia'? Did you go to Dubai and not see any Arabs? Well, come to Al Ain and you'll get to see the Arabs you're yearning for.
I think a good presenters for this particular episode would be Torvill and Dean, the famous british skating duo. They could arrive at Al Ain Mall and do a report on the Ice Rink. Pretending to the rink staff that they've never skated before they could hobble onto the ice, clinging on to one of those metal zimmer frames and wobble around a bit. Suddenly, on the first beat of some Arabic pop, Jane could launch herself into a triple axel while the camera crew film the crowds reaction. That would make good TV.
According to the Al Ain Times, it appears that people are coming to Al Ain for it's beauty and to get away from the hussle and bussle of city life. Going in the other direction are Al Ain residents heading to the coast for some decent shopping and some beachlife.
As I've said before, what we really need in Al Ain are some decent shops. I've got nothing against the shops we all ready have but its a choice issue here. Why is it that our only big supermarket here is Carrefour? Yes, I know we have Megamart but it's hardly 'mega'. We had Spinneys up until 2003/4 which, although a little expensive, stocked some decent lines. Anyone who goes to the malls in the evenings will know there is no shortage of people willing to say masalama to their dirhams. So lets have more choice in what to spend them on!!
As for beachlife, how about Al Ain Beach? We've got the sand, we just need the sea..
Labels: al ain mall, al ain times, al ain tourism, ice rink, local media
posted by Al Ain Taxi at 10/31/2006 08:32:00 am
5 Comments:
Well, the Mart may not be Mega, but the prices were pleasantly mild. And the electronic section ain't bad.
The Carrefours everywhere are just clones of each other, highly uninspiring and geared towards the lowest possible quality (what thinking or strategy inspires such a policy?)
Do women think only about shopping? Shopping as entertainment? (You see why I'm called "le porc").
Why not look at the positive side? The lack of good shopping here is the perfect excuse for making the short run to Dubai. At least, that's the way I see it. All the best. Gotta run.
Le Porc:
Why not look at the positive side? The lack of good shopping here is the perfect excuse for making the short run to Dubai. At least, that's the way I see it. All the best. Gotta run.
Le Taxi:
Taxi is tired of dragging arse up to Dubai everytime he needs a shopping fix.
And....it's just not as much fun as it used to be in Dubai.....traffic, construction...need I go on.
We head Abu Dhabi way now, but they're also starting with the whole construction story......
So...that is why we WANT a variety of shops in Al Ain not just LANDMARK. You can only purchase so many cheap and nasty things!
Hey,
Have they done anything with that white elephant the incense burner souk?
When I moved the Al-Ain there was still some action in that place (a Coop and a couple of meat & vegetable shops) but it was long closed when I left. I was back in 2000 but it was still "just there".
We want BORDERS in Al Ain and we want it NOW!
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