Abu Dhabi: Dust, Dates, and a Seriously Confused Compass
okay, so abu dhabi. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, and honestly, i usually chase crumbling walls and moody alleyways. this place is mostly gleaming white and gold. which isn’t bad, just…unexpected. i landed with absolutely no plan, just a vague idea of “desert vibes” and a camera full of hope.
first thing i noticed? the air. it’s not humid, not exactly. it’s…thick. like you could chew on it. i just checked and it’s seventeen point nine degrees celsius, but it feels like you’re walking through lukewarm soup. the pressure’s a bit wonky too, apparently, at one thousand two hundred. makes your ears pop if you think about it too hard. humidity’s practically nonexistent, which is a relief, honestly.
spent the first day wandering around the *corniche. it’s…long. really long. and full of people doing things. mostly just being there, which is fair enough. i overheard someone complaining about the price of dates at the souk - apparently, they’re trying to rip off tourists. “Don’t pay more than fifty dirham a kilo!” she hissed, clutching her shopping bag like it contained state secrets.
the sheikh zayed grand mosque is…well, it’s ridiculous. in the best way. like someone decided to build a palace for angels. you have to dress super respectfully, which is fine, but i nearly melted in the robe they made me wear. it was a whole production. someone told me that the best time to go is right before sunset, when the marble glows. i think they were right.
food-wise, i’ve been living on shawarma and strong coffee. found this tiny place near the fish market - seriously, check out Al Dana Restaurant if you’re in the area. it’s chaotic, loud, and the food is incredible. i also tried luqaimat, these little fried dough balls covered in date syrup. basically, diabetes on a plate, but worth it.
my neighbors seem to be mostly expats, working in oil or finance or something equally mysterious. if you get bored, dubai is just a couple of hours drive away, but honestly, i’m not sure i have the energy for more glitter. i’ve been reading up on the history of the area, and it’s fascinating - a real mix of pearl diving, Bedouin traditions, and sudden oil wealth. TripAdvisor's Abu Dhabi page has some decent historical overviews.
“Honestly, the traffic here is insane. Just accept it. You’ll spend half your life in a taxi.”
that’s what the taxi driver told me, anyway. he wasn’t wrong.
i’ve been trying to find some street art, but it’s proving difficult. everything is so…polished. i did stumble across a little art gallery in the qasr al hosn* area, though. Manarat Al Saadiyat is worth a look if you’re into that sort of thing.
someone warned me about the aggressive sales tactics in some of the shops. “They’ll follow you down the street, offering you carpets!” she said, rolling her eyes. “Just say ‘no thank you’ firmly and keep walking.” she wasn’t kidding.
i’m starting to feel like i’m seeing everything through a haze of heat and dates. i need a nap. and maybe a stronger coffee. oh, and i almost forgot - the local boards are pretty active, check out Expat.com Abu Dhabi for some local insights.
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