United Arab Emirates > Arrival in Dubai

The roads are very quiet when I drive to Schiphol Airport at 3:00 a.m. I don’t encounter any traffic until I reach the highway. On the highway, there are only a handful of cars. Only as I approach Schiphol does traffic increase a bit. I have chosen valet parking. When I arrive at the departure hall, staff are already waiting to take my car keys. They advise me to book directly with them next time, as it’s cheaper, sir. It’s still early at Schiphol. I’m on the fourth flight of the day. Most passengers haven’t arrived yet for these flights. I’m immediately served at check-in. At security, I can even choose which team I want to have my hand luggage checked by. Just before me, a customs counter opens. The customs officer comments that I am very early. He laughs when I explain that the entire previous process went very quickly. While handing back my passport, he says, “Home safely.” Then he quickly corrects himself — it’s early for him too. I order a coffee and a sandwich. Today I’m flying with Transavia. I suspect there are no meals included, so it doesn’t really matter whether I buy a sandwich here or on board. Boarding starts around six o’clock. A mother with her two-year-old son sits next to me. The little boy already manages to wriggle out of his seatbelt before takeoff. He’s quickly put back in. Before we can take off, the plane needs to be de-iced. It lightly froze last night, and ice has formed on the wings. Then we take off. I try to sleep. I did go to bed early last night but couldn’t really fall asleep. On board, it’s also difficult. The boy’s movement in the seat next to me causes me to get bumped unintentionally now and then.

United Arab Emirates - The airplane arrives in the United Arab Emirates

Around four o’clock, the captain announces that we will land at Dubai International Airport. On landing, I see the tall skyscrapers in the distance. It’s a bit hazy, and with the low sun, it creates a futuristic scene. At customs, the officer has trouble taking a good photo. I gather from her explanation that the scanner cannot properly scan my eyes. On the third attempt, it works. When I reach the baggage carousel, my travel bag arrives just then — perfect timing. I had checked beforehand that I could easily take the metro to my hotel, but that is from Terminal 1. I’ve arrived at Terminal 2, where there is no nearby metro station. A bus trip seems complicated, so I decide not to make things difficult and take a taxi. The driver estimates the ride will cost between fifty and sixty dirhams (about 15 euros), while asking me to input my hotel’s name into his navigation system. At the hotel, I exchange some dollars for local currency. I have no idea how much I’ll need. I expect to be able to pay with my credit card everywhere. In the hotel room, I notice I’m tired. The bed looks very inviting. Still, I decide not to sleep yet. I make a cup of coffee with the kettle. Then I walk into the Al Rigga district. In the twilight, I walk to the clocktower in the middle of a busy roundabout. The evening rush hour is in full swing here. I cross the busy traffic arteries via pedestrian bridges. The Al Rigga district is a lively area with many small restaurants.

United Arab Emirates - Eating at the Dubai Night Market

I notice that the locals here are mostly of Chinese and Indian descent. The real Arabs in their white robes are nowhere to be seen. I follow a group of young people into a building and discover a huge shopping mall. Behind the facade are numerous luxury shops spread over several floors. I follow signs to the large atrium, the heart of the mall. When I exit through another door, I arrive at the night market — a collection of small stalls with bright lighting. Many food stalls are here too. I hesitate whether it’s wise to try street food on the first day of my trip. It looks safe and freshly prepared, so I take the chance. Shortly after, I sit among the locals eating Chicken Teriyaki. Then I return to my hotel.