Date Palm

In this season you can start to see the fruits on top of some Palms.

This photo is from archive but taken at the same season.  : )

the history of the date palms goes very long time back. Fossils records says the tree has existed for at least 50 million years and there are evidence of cultivation around 6000 BCE in the region.

It has also mentioned more than 50 times in Bible and around 20 times in Qur'an.

I believe it is real gem for this region. The tree is strong in this climate and the fruit is very rich about nutritions. you can consume as fresh fruit or in dried version, or in syrup or paste.

If you have only date and no food, still you will be OK .

for more information about date, the Wikipedia is our best friend :)

Time to cleaning

I didn't plan this serie..
After yesterday's post and the day before, Today this picture seems to me more suitable to share it here.
I think I have couple of pictures like "people on duty" Not sure yet to continue or not...

Early in the morning, this is the first thing of his job, afterwards he will start to watch and guard.

Man at work

I decided to post this picture after yesterday's post.

Yesterday I shared picture of people who were waiting for a job.

Today, we have a picture of people at work.

I took this picture last week. When I woke up that day, I noticed the light was amazing. I took some reflection pictures from the pond in the golf course. when there is no wind and nice light, the reflection is great. I will post it most probably this weekend.

Afterwards I saw these people. They were coming to construction for their morning shift.

hoping for job

Yesterday morning, when I reach to the office, there was unusual crowd outside. At first I saw 5 - 10 people waiting in the middle of the entrance.

I thought there was fire drill or something else but something really serious.

Afterwards, I saw the rest of the crowd and understood these people were waiting for something.

but still couldn't figure out the reason. Because the building is empty.

I asked the security and at that moment I noticed some files that people were holding. They were waiting for the job, hoping to be accepted.

I learnt that there will be a hotel in that building. Obviously they decided to accept applicant's CV yesterday morning.

I checked at the lunch break, the crowd was still there. Even when I was leaving from the office at the evening there were still some people outside waiting to submit their CVs.

I am aware this is not a good picture, I just want to keep the distance. I was avoiding to disturb them.

I wish all the luck for people who is looking for a job. It is really difficult all over the world especially here in Dubai it is kind a race against the clock. When you lost your job or your contract expired, you have less than a month to find a new job. Otherwise your residency visa get expired automatically and you should leave the country.

Diwali in Dubai

I love festive season in Dubai. 

it started with Eid Al Adha now we have Diwali, one of biggest festivals of India. Another name is also "light festival". The actual date was 23rd of October this year.  I was planning to take a picture one of nicely decorated houses last couple of days but I couldn't find an opportunity. 

Finally I took this picture yesterday from parking lot of our building. It is not the best shot, but still shows a bit about celebrations. You can check Diwali for more information.  

Other upcoming celebrations in Dubai are Hallowen, National Day of UAE, Christmas and New Year. Ohh sorry I forgot Islamic New Year, We had also Islamic New Year in this festive season which was on 25th of October. 

Here in Dubai there is always a reason to celebrate something. The most beautiful part is everybody celebrate everything. :)

Happy belated Diwali..

Icy Cafe

I mentioned several times that each mall creates something different to take attention.
Here we have another extreme.

Icy Cafe... Many people already aware that there is indoor ski slot at Mall of Emirates but this cafe is little less known..
It is located in Times Square Mall. They have couple of sculpture from ice. They also provide suitable coat at the entrance.
they have small glass to allow people at the mall see a bit from the inside. I took this picture from the mall. I am not too keen to entering the freezing cafe. In addition, entrance is not free..

reflection of Dubai Marina

posted for weekend reflection theme.
You can see other reflections from this link.

sunset at Jebel Ali

A sunset at Jebel Ali Free Zone.

posted for skywatch Friday.

Challenge your limits

After I moved Dubai and saw this kind of actions, I understood what does really mean 4x4 vehicles and their capabilities. :)

O for Oasis

a scene from the desert.
I wish I had a chance to take a photo of this place from far away so the Oasis will be shown better.

Posted for ABC Wednesday. this week's letter is O. Please click here to see other posts for the theme.

panorama from Dubai Marina

Last week, I had a small walk at lunch break. after quick sandwich I had a chance to take some pictures for this panorama.

I merged 7 pictures here with Microsoft ICE panorama maker.

it is free programme and really working well.

the twisted building is almost finished. Not completed yet but some floors are opened for accommodation.

a lady at underpass

Taken at Deira

Cat Walk / Dubai Mall

In Dubai Mall, there is one hall it is called Cat Walk because of this colourful platform.
Sometimes, you may see some fashion show here. It has very colourful design, The colour changes constantly it take attention from kids al the time/

weekend reflection

A reflection at one furniture shop.
posted for weekend reflection.

tiles from Ibn Battuta

Adventure at the mall

In Dubai, Each Mall has something different to take attention. I took this picture last week at Times Square.
This adventure game, is a part of one shop which is selling adventure equipments.
 

N for Night

Taken at City Walk at Al Wasl Square.

posted for ABC Wednesday.

Protection against Evil Eye

At the end of last week, I noticed these peppers and lemon in front of the car which is parking next to my parking lot at home.

First I thought someone is celebrating something. : )) I took a quick picture with my mobile and start to search the origin and meaning at the office.

In Dubai, we are lucky because we are working really international team. We had 10 different nationalities in a team of 11 people :)

Anyhow, I started to ask one by one, Do they familiar with that? What is this? Do they know the meaning? ect... I finally found the answer from one of my Indian colleagues.

once he saw the picture he started to laugh and explained that it is a protection against evil eye.

"People generally do this when they purchase something new. They want to protect from bad Eye and bad luck. "

I am not sure if the car is new or not.  I wish the owner have a safe drive with this car.

Free Drink

most of bars has free drinks for Ladies on one or two days of the week.
Most popular day is Tuesday still you can find Ladies night on other weekdays as well.
of course free drinks only available for Ladies and only on selected items and numbers..

Under construction

Saturday early morning I saw this at the beginning of Kite Beach while we were running.

I couldn't pass without taking its picture. thanks to my phone I did.

What I read on the newspaper, they are planning 16 km running path at the beach..
starting from Kite Beach they completed some part, for the rest is still under construction. :)

I wish they would plant some trees alongside the running path. it is quite difficult to run under the crazy sun.

We were running around SAFA Park in the past, its path is fully covered by trees. But this year, there is one big mega project around SAFA Park and going to park is nearly impossible.. of course because of the construction.

reflection - Olive tree

Taken at the Beach Mall.
Olive tree and its reflection..

posted for weekend reflection theme. you can see other's post from here

Sunset at Internet City

Yes, yes it is called "internet city" ..
In Dubai, the naming of places is... let's say, a bit different

For example; knowledge village, Media City, Internet City, Sport City, Heath City ....

in knowledge village you will find many universities, language courses or any other educational places..
in Media City, you will find most of big news channels.

Oracle, Microsoft ABB they are in Internet City..
...and you can guess the rest.. :)

post for the Friday Skywatch.. click here to see other's posts.

Beware of construction

6 years back, when I moved to Dubai, everywhere was under construction. I thought it was temporary but after 6 years I can say, no it is not.. Dubai is under construction and it will not finished in near future. they are starting new project before the previous one completed.

So be aware of construction vehicles,
You may see them at any time or anywhere especially at least expected time and places.

M for Michael Jakson

Taken at Art Dubai 2014.

Michael Jakson is a legend. Even after his death, he will be subject of art, source of inspiration for many.
this week's letter is M and here is my post for the ABC Wednesday. If you wonder other's contribution to the subject, please check it from here.

walking in the old souq

a shot from narrow alleys of old souq in Deira.

snapshot from Deira

The Creek is very attractive point for many people. Doesn't matter if you are resident of Dubai or tourist.
We can see traditional boats and high rise buildings far end. on the left high rise building called "rolex tower" on this side of the building it is written in Arabic, other side with Latin alphabets.
The building on the right side is head-quarter of Emirates & NBD Bank.

weekend reflection at Deira old Souq

taken at Old Souq / Deira.
posted for weekend reflection theme. You can see this week's contributors from here.

You can see traditional architectural figures in the reflection.

Eid Mubarak

Today is the first day of Eid Al Adha one of the second Eid in Islam.

Eid Mubarak ...

cleaning day

At high rise buildings window cleaning quite difficult. Each building has different schedule. Usually once in a quarter they are cleaning all windows.

Souvenir from Dubai

one of shops in Old Souk was full of these camels. different sizes and shapes of course with different price tags.. :)

Motion..

From this size of the picture the load of the boat may not be clear. They were bicycles, a lot of them piled onto boat.

I was waiting for this cyclist to take the picture but at the last moment, this car drive into my picture, so here we have the picture for October's theme of movement.  :)

You can see other blogger's posts from here