dubai

In three days I’ll be back in Dubai, the city I lived in on and off for 13 years.

Ah, Dubai. No matter how much time passes it will always feel like home to me, and it’s always treated me well. It was the city in which I got my first journalism job back in 2007 and the city in which I earned well enough to first start saving money. It was the city in which I bought my first new car, and the city in which I made friends that I’m sure will last a lifetime. It was the city that I came back to and reclaimed as my own after a traumatic breakup (and to think I was almost too scared to).

It was the city I healed in from the aforementioned breakup and the city in which I mended my wings in order to fly off again.

Yes, as you might tell, I have a mad amount of love for Dubai.

I’ll be back in town for ten days, and I’m already excited about several things. Here are some of them:

Kinokuniya

Kinokuniya, the world’s greatest bookstore. I used to spend hours in there every month, browsing the bookshelves, seeing what was new, swooning over the stationary section. Although I know I can’t bring many books back with me (frigging luggage allowance!), I most certainly will spend a good amount of time there.

Din Tai Fung

I know, I know; I’m obsessed with this place. It used to be just around the corner from where I lived, so I spent many Saturday lunches here. What can I say? I just love their dumplings, and it’ll be my first meal when I get back.

Al Serkal Avenue

Gosh, I love Al Serkal. It’s just so funky. My office used to be there, so I spent a lot of time in places like Nightjar (hello amazing coffee), Cinema Akil, Wild and the Moon, and Mirzam (although I know they’ve now moved *sob*). I’ll have to go there for an afternoon or two to hang out.

Erm, the shops

Now as someone who hates shopping this says something. However, as much as I love Kathmandu, a shopper’s paradise it ain’t, and I miss not having the convenience of buying things when I need them. And let’s just say the list of things I need is huge now, and I can’t wait to be able to stock up on all of the things I’ve missed for the last few months.

Cos and Sephora in particular, I’m coming for you.

Oh and, erm, Paatchi. Does chocolate count as a need?

The beach

I know Dubai’s beaches aren’t particularly anything special, but when you’ve spent the last six months in a landlocked country and you’re an island baby at heart, you soon enough become DESPERATE to sit by the shore. And that’s what I intend on doing, I don’t care how hot it is!

Indian food

Yep, Dubai’s Indian food is miles better than Kathmandu’s. I miss decent dosa in particular. Mmmm, dosa.

Arabic food. Greek food. Vietnamese food. Okay, ALL of the food.

Again, I love Kathmandu, but the international food scene here isn’t particularly great. Gosh, I’ve missed so many things, grilled halloumi for one. Falafel. Ramen. Lebanese baked goods.

Oh dear God, baked goods.

My hairdresser

Ali at HeadKase. She’s amazing. I followed her around the various salons she worked in until she opened her own a few years back. She’s just so damn good. I look for any excuse to have a layover in Dubai just so I can go and see her.

My mane is in desperate need of some love and attention right now, so I can’t wait for my appointment.

The Nail Spa

Dubai can be credited with my obsession with perfectly manicured hands and pedicured feet. It’s an addiction I cannot shake off, no matter where I go or what I do. It’s my thing now to the extent that you know there’s something seriously wrong with me if my nails look like crap. The Nail Spa was my favourite place for getting my nails done when I lived in Dubai.

And yes, I’ve already booked my appointment there.

My friends

Although most of the friends I’ve made in Dubai over the years have now left, some are still in town, so I can’t wait to catch up with them over some good food. And cake, of course…

Lush

Oh Lush, how I miss thee. I’d regularly go there to buy bath bombs and moisturisers and any other goodies I could pamper myself with while taking a long bath. I want to go there and bottle up the smell of the place so I can bring it back home with me…

And yes, as you might be able to tell, I’m in desperate need of some TLC. I need some familiarity. I need friends. I need good food and yummy treats.  I need to pay someone to make me feel shiny and new again.

Dubai, I can’t wait.

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