The markets in Dubai are arranged in neighborhoods so there is a souk for fish, produce, spices, leather, carpets, perfume, gold and more. They are fascinating. Bring your best bargaining skills because everything is negotiable, including the skinned cattle skulls.
Dates are a critical agricultural crop in the UAE, with over 33 million Phoenix date palms in Abu Dhabi Emirate which produce over 900,000 metric tons a year. This platter of dates at a market in Dubai, UAE, is typical when they are in season from July through November. They are available in three varieties: soft, semi-dry and dry. They are very sweet and sometimes garnished with date syrup (seen in the upper left corner). The date palm was also the inspiration for constructing the man-made Palm Islands which are so large that they can be seen from the moon.
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The majority of the agricultural land in the UAE is devoted to Phoenix palms and the harvesting of dates. This critical industry grew substantially thanks to the economic, educational and financial support provided by UAE President Al Nahyan starting in the early 1970s and continued by his son and the new head of state since 2004. As a result of this success, you will see dates of many varieties that are prepared in several ways throughout the Dubai markets from July through November.
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It has been reported that each UAE resident eats over 70 pounds of fish annually and, since 1988, many of the Dubai citizens get their fresh catch from the Deira fish market. This place is hopping with countless workers in identical blue uniforms and flopping with all kinds of fish from the Persian Gulf like these kanaad fish on display. Also known as the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, they are popular among both recreational and commercial fishermen.
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During my travels around the world, I have often seen skinned animal heads in butcher shops like these cattle skulls at Deira Fish Market in Dubai, UAE. I have never understood who buys them and how they are used or cooked. I guess I have been too timid to ask. I do know they are a morbid curiosity that I can’t resist looking at, photographing, cringing and then hurrying away.
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Over 100 species of shrimp are caught in the Persian Gulf each year mostly by commercial fishermen who use bottom trawl nets which unfortunately catch twenty pounds of non-targeted aquatic life for every pound of shrimp. Then a portion of those shrimp make their way each day to these colorful plastic bowls at the Deira Fish Market in Dubai, UAE.
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The Deira Fish Market in Dubai, UAE, is sometimes an overwhelming mix of pungent smells and haggling customers surrounded by every imaginable sea life on ice. The floors can be wet and slimy so wear washable shoes. The comradeship among the Arabic vendors is genuine. Nearby you can shop for meat, vegetables, spices and gold jewelry in the various souks. However, it was announced in 2013 that the fish market will soon be replaced, so hurry if you want to catch it.
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There are about 300 jewelry stores within the Gold Souk or market in Dubai, UAE. You can haggle for just about anything that glitters, including bangles, amulets, necklaces, pendants, rings and more in almost any color and carat of gold. It is a dazzling display with an estimated ten tons of gold within the souk. The shopkeepers are reputable which cannot always be said about the Dubai street vendors. As the famous Aesop quote warns, “All that glitters is not gold.”
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I was surprised to see this watermelon display at the Deira Fish Market in Dubai, UAE, because I didn’t think the Persian Gulf was conducive to growing them. But then I learned Iran is the world’s third largest producer of the fruit, more than twice the cultivation of the United States. I was further surprised when I heard a persistent rumor that Arabian watermelons had been injected with HIV that causes AIDS. The accusation has consistently been proven false and tests show that the fruit’s acidity would kill the virus.
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