Dubai – Much More than an Epitome of Modern Architecture

 

Though not much of a traveller but with the little I have explored, the one thing I have learnt for sure is that every place has a story to tell. A story with a novel revelation, a lesson to teach, and a realisation for a new beginning. This is something that came home to me when I made a short visit to Dubai, a city well known around the world for its marvellous modern architecture.

 

Let me make it known right at the outset that this blog is not going to take you to the streets, restaurants or malls of Dubai, but will get you acquainted with the feeling that the city inspired in me. Dubai does boast of being an excellent tourist spot as it has it all - amazing hotels, panoramic views of well-constructed buildings, eateries to enjoy any cuisine known to mankind, and of course, malls that instantly bring out the urge to go on wild shopping sprees. It encourages binging of all kinds! However, not given to indulging in extravagances, I went for discovering the essence that the conveyed to me. Celebrated around the world for its tallest building ‘Burj Khalifa’, Dubai has a hidden meaning, only if you can locate it; it conveys a message that is different for everyone.

 

Well, for me that message was – TENACITY – a combination of determination and persistence. I believe this is a combination that is rare to find and gives rise to extraordinary achievements wherever it exists. If you have ever felt that you are a loser, have not achieved much in life, and to top it all have gone on to make excuses such as I was destined for failure – all you need is a reality check. Take a break in Dubai – you can achieve anything or everything that you desire for, is the message that gets to you from every nook and corner of Dubai. We humans are capable of achieving the impossible!

 

Growing up, we all learn about the spatial achievements of man, how he reached the moon and explored space. But I tell you this city, built amidst the desert adds another feather to the numerous others in the cap of human existence. What made its construction possible? Not to undermine factors such as modern construction methods, structural engineering, and efficient equipment, but to my mind, the overriding factor has been human tenacity that went into conquering the desert – no matter what it took.

 

Of the many contemporary concrete marvels strewn all around Dubai, the ones which captivated me were the skyscrapers of different shapes and sizes. The towering ‘Burj Khalifa’ does top the list, but there are many less heard of, such as the Burj-al-Arab, Cayan Tower, and Dubai Mall, which I found equally as impressive. And as Dubai is still expanding despite all its attainment, this list became longer and never-ending. It is not a mere exhibition of architectural ideas but an amalgamation of science and art. In the concrete of this place lies an unbelievable display of aesthetics, not the usual one of bright colours, but a modest combination of grey and golden-beige. The grey comes from those huge high-rise structures and the golden beige is the sand under your feet. Again, the one thing that struck my mind was what does it take to make it? I guess I have already discussed the answer above.

 

Not being something that’s written or seen, this tenacity remained elusive. It’s something that one feels or senses – all I could do with my amateur photography was to capture the results of it. 

 

Here are some of my shots – my attempts at capturing this intangible x factor. I share them on leftrightcenter.blogspot.com in the hope that the intangible reaches out to the readers as it did to me!

So that was Eknoor on the spirit of Dubai. Do let us know if it touched a chord in the comments section below.   And as always, do not forget to read, share and follow leftrightcenter.blogspot.com and to hit the subscribe button at the top, if not already done!

About Eknoor:

Our guest author, Eknoor Sidhu, lives with her family in the rural countryside of the verdant state of Punjab. Other than being a hands-on mum for her two young children (a lovely girl and an energetic boy), she is an avid cook and a gardener, who thoroughly cherishes her rural roots, growing her own produce in her kitchen garden. 

Eknoor firmly believes “A healthy lifestyle is the best empowerment.” She leads a fulfilled life, balancing motherhood with her professional roles as writer and editor that allow her to indulge in her passion for writing.  

She switches roles at will, feeding her desire for accomplishment and meeting the demands of a busy family and home life, endeavouring to enjoy the best of both the worlds.

Image credits: Eknoor Sidhu

Disclaimer:  This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the authors. These do not represent views/ opinions of people, institutions or organizations that authors are associated with in their professional capacity.

Thailand, Blending Modernism with Natural Beauty

Continuing our series of guest contributions, leftright 'thodasa' centre brings you Eknoor Sidhu's post on her trip to Bangkok.  Over to Eknoor -- 

Sometimes I ponder on the extent of destruction we humans have caused in nature, by building smooth highways, comfortable homes and huge malls for ourselves. As a human, I suffer pangs of  unrest and guilt thinking about it. But travelling to places like Thailand shows me the flipside of us humans. It fills me with a sense of pride to see how we, in some parts of the world at least, have succeeded in achieving a fair balance between our manmade fabrications and natural splendour. Thailand proudly boasts of this achievement — it is a reminder of how man has bridged nature and artifice in some aspects of his existence.

Sea waters at one’s feet and skyscrapers reaching out to the heavens   

Fierce and aggressive at times, and silent and serene at others, the sea on Pattaya Beach is a spectacular sight that the eye can never get enough of. The immense scenic beauty of nature one witnesses here is beyond words. As the cool, clean sea water splashes over your feet, you are overcome by the sudden urge to bend and feel it with your hands. And should a gust of breeze blow in that moment, one comes quite close to being transported to heaven! 

Seaside Panorama: A  Breathtaking View of Bangkok from Pattaya

It is quite an experience to stand on the beach at Pattaya and look up and beyond at the skyscrapers of Bangkok city, roughly 90 miles in the distance. The panoramic view has the effect of making you turn your head all around as far as it can go. The sight of  all those skyscrapers rising ever upwards can give quite a jerk to the neck and induce a feeling of dizziness, making one feel as if the sky has come closer. These opulent constructions in bricks and concrete are a standing testimony to how man has risen above all challenges and permanently marked his place on earth.

Modern architecture at its best in Bangkok

Indigenous handicrafts versus high-end brands

While expensive brands have always been a craze in the market, the handicraft industry all over the world is seeing a revival and rising from ashes like the proverbial phoenix. And so it is in Thailand. Big malls stuffed with high-end mass produced brands are a great attraction. But offering these branded goods stiff competition are the not-to-be-missed handcrafted products, with their unique, one-of-a-kind individual appeal that defies mass production.  Popular shopping areas in Bangkok are dotted with outlets selling captivating ceramics, bamboo and seashell crafts that beckon temptingly at tourists and do tickle your pocket!

 

Canal and road transportation

Like many other cities everywhere, Bangkok, one of the oldest metropolitan cities in the world is struggling hard to cope with the demands of its ever-increasing traffic. Well-connected metro rails and flyovers dotted with traffic signals crisscross the city like spider-webs, keeping the traffic organized. But truly unique to Bangkok are the boats and ferries on its traditional waterways. For a truly romantic and unique-to-Bangkok experience, one can dump the metro rail and choose to travel via ferries on canals that trail the city, offering a charming yet efficient  means of transportation. A popular tourist attraction, this water transportation has bridged the gap between the classic times and the modern era.

 

Foods of the World

A melting pot of delectable cuisines from all over the world, Thailand is a veritable foodies’ heaven. Not only is there a mind-boggling variety of cooked foods available to choose from wherever one goes, there is a distracting array of natural foods on display everywhere too. It is difficult to keep oneself from gorging on the variety of tropical fruits one sees, like the sweet and delicious pineapple or the marvellously refreshing tender coconut.

Bangkok:  The Street Food Lover's Paradise 
 

You can indulge in your heart’s desire, for beginning with authentic Thai cuisine, and exclusive seafood, you can find Italian, American food too that tastes as good as any you could find in the country of its origin. Starvation is a stranger in places like Bangkok and Pattaya. At every nook and corner, at all times of the day and night, one can follow wafting aromas from mouthwatering varieties of street foods. These are the stuff of unforgettable food memories, the kind that linger on your taste buds forever and are an exciting option to explore, whilst saving on money.

This is how the country of Thailand, once known as Siam, gives its visitors a vision of diffusing modernism in the natural environment, without much disturbing the latter; shining some much-needed light on how to bear our collective responsibility towards Mother Earth. A trip to Thailand is worth every minute of your time and every dime of the money you spend – a trip that shows how to make new friends, but never forget the old, be it technology, means of travel or consumer goods or foods.

So what did you think of Eknoor's first-ever travel blog? Don't forget to leave your much-awaited comments in the section below, and as always do share, subscribe and follow us at leftrightthodasacenter.blogspot.com

About Eknoor:

Our guest author, Eknoor Sidhu, lives with her family in the rural countryside of the verdant state of Punjab. Other than being a hands-on mum for her two young children (a lovely girl and an energetic boy), she is an avid cook and a gardener, who thoroughly cherishes her rural roots, growing her own produce in her kitchen garden. 

Eknoor firmly believes “A healthy lifestyle is the best empowerment.” She leads a fulfilled life, balancing motherhood with her professional roles as writer and editor that allow her to indulge in her passion for writing.  

She switches roles at will, feeding her desire for accomplishment and meeting the demands of a busy family and home life, endeavouring to enjoy the best of both the worlds.

Image credits: Eknoor Sidhu

Disclaimer:  This article is a reader contribution and all views and opinions in the article are those of the writer alone.  Other readers who may be interested in contributing to this blog may mail their articles with a short biography and a profile pic to left.right.tcenter@gmail.com.  The right to publication rests with the blog owners.