Once Upon a Time in Dubai A Journey Down Memory

There was a time when bread was sold unsliced, and crossing the creek from Bur Dubai to Deira meant sitting in a rowing boat, long before engine Abras became common. On Thursday nights, the Indian Association would bring families together with free Hindi movies shown in the open-air theatre opposite the Dubai Museum. The community was small, but it felt like one big family.

Deira’s Sabkha was once lovingly called “Kadar Hotel area,” Karama was known as “Cola Colony,” and Bur Dubai’s Chapra market turned into a bustling Neelami (auction) every Friday. Meena Bazaar even carried the nickname “Mujra Market” though there were no mujra performances at all. For families, Al Ghurair Mall was the ultimate destination for a Friday outing, a true landmark of its time.

Life was affordable then, though modest. A bottle of 7Up or Canada Dry from a vending machine cost just 50 fils. Four Malbari samosas could be enjoyed for a dirham. Gujarati restaurants like Bhavna, Sadhana, and Anand served full vegetarian thalis for seven dirhams, and the old Airport canteen was famous for its bhaji and omelette parathas. Dubai Automatic Bakery vans, parked around Meena Bazaar and Karama, were a regular sight, selling bread and savories out of Volkswagen vans.

Travel was different too. The journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi stretched to six hours, and a shared Peugeot taxi ride cost only five dirhams. Getting a driving license could take two to three years, and water was delivered on donkeys in goat skin bags saltwater for cleaning, sweet water for drinking. Local men often carried falcons with them to the markets, a sight that added to the cultural heartbeat of the city.

Some memories feel almost unreal today. The Maktoum Bridge once opened at midnight to allow ships to pass. The DNATA roundabout had its famous eternal flame. Families came to Dubai on ships like Dwarka, Sardhana, and Gwadar after a seven-day journey from India. Travelers heading back to India always carried Echolac briefcases, National tape recorders, and torches. And who could forget the craze of owning a Sony 2320 television during the Asiad Games?

Rents were modest just 7,000 dirhams annually for a two bedroom apartment in Karama Shaikh Colony. Life was slower, but also warmer. Channel 33 was the only English channel, which played a Hindi movie every Thursday. Movie posters decorated Bur Dubai’s textile market. Families gathered for picnics at the zoo and parks, and children waited eagerly for sweets, snacks, and handwritten letters brought by passengers from India.

Community ties were strong. Friends worried if they didn’t see one another for a few days and went to check in. Neighbors walked into each other’s homes freely, without restrictions or hesitation. The first Indian High School classroom started in a tiny room in the Bur Dubai Gurudwara, and families relied on wind towers, or Barjeel, for cool air before electricity became common.

Dubai today dazzles the world with its towers, malls, and luxury. But for those who lived through its early years, the real beauty of Dubai lies in these memories memories of a city built on community, resilience, and simplicity. These aren’t just stories from the past; they are treasures of the heart.

Author's Note

This story is a collection of my own cherished memories and authentic historical anecdotes from the early days of Dubai.

While the foundation, facts, and heart of this narrative belong entirely to me, I utilized an AI writing assistant to help organize and expand upon my notes, ensuring the final piece flowed smoothly and captured the full depth of the experience. The vivid details, the personal sentiment, and the overall structure of this nostalgic journey are drawn directly from my recollection of the city I love.