Shopping in old Dubai

Before the giant malls were built, people shopped in markets called souqs. These souqs can still be found in the old city - Bur Dubai souq offers textiles, Deira Spice souq has a large selection of spices and right next door is Deira Gold Souq, which is said to have one of the best reputations in the world when it comes to gold. Deira Gold offers the cheapest prices in the world, but the gold is of the best quality. If a seller says a piece of jewelry is 22 karat gold, he's telling the truth. There are very strict regulations in place, so customers can feel confident about the quality. Security measures in the stores are incredibly low. There is no bars on the windows. Only a thin glass. But security is high, so no one fears break-ins and thefts. We followed a German tour group into a gold shop. They had chosen a store that is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world's largest gold ring, weighing 15 kg and costing 2.5 million usd. I thought that since the German guide had selected this store, I would dare to buy a gold bracelet. Now I am the happy and poor owner of a 22 carat gold bracelet for 310 euros. We managed to push the price down to around 800 dkk. Honny got a small leather wallet in the bargain :o) The regent family in Dubai is very focused on ensuring that when the oil runs out, Dubai does not slip back to being just a small port city. That's why Sheik Maktoums is doing everything he can to attract tourists, and it must be said that he has succeeded. Today, Dubai is a mix of old and super new. There are contrasts everywhere. Bedouins racing around in porsches. Skyscrapers with glass and steel facades with the desert in the background. Women in burqas who have been shopping in trendy clothing stores.