Dusted..

Damn dust is everywhere around here. I can't help but think that scratching someones paint job up like this would be fair grounds for assault in other countries..

Streetscapes 01..

Central Abu Dhabi, street stylee..

Daiso.. Yup!

I don't even remember what I was looking for but I ended up at Al Wahda Mall (again) the other day and in my never ending search for whatever I was (am?) looking for, tucked into corner on the ground floor I came across a Daiso. At first I was like 'Okay.. Another faux representation of something from somewhere else..', but as soon as I entered I was blown away at just how authentically "Daiso" this store is.

Everything is imported from Japan, and with most items being priced at 7 AED (about 150 yen), I was well impressed.

なつかしいなー！　>_<

Somewhere Somebodies Father..

Dumb reference I know, the old series (of Somewhere Somebodies Daughter) was valid, and did get me some attention, most notably from the digital media baron that is Danny Choo, even if it did only amount to a couple of event invitations and being introduced to someone as 'a guy that takes photos of high school girls'..

Indulgent self-referencing aside, Abu Dhabi Mall has big cars all through it and apparently, somehow they are giving them away. These ladies must have gotten lucky and the dude must be famous, which I realize does little more than inform you that I know very little about the subject of this post.

It never stopped me before..

Bikes..

There's a definite correlation these days in 'the west' between your bike and your style, and I just can't seem to find that here. Granted, I'm probably way too green to make that call but that said, the pedal-powered machines that are scattered around the city do have a certain a charm about them, an authenticity if you like, that could only of the 'here and now'.

p.s. The Durcus One is on its way..







I don't know what's up what's with all the bubble wrap and cardboard, but I do know that I could do with some 'Hero Jet Gold'. Another observation was that the owner of this classic Abdab machine definitely needed some tips on how to use a bike lock..



The 'Snow Bike' actually got me a little excited, especially when I noticed that it was the 'Supereme' model..





I'm not sure what's actually going on here..



And back to the basics..



And the broken..

Colours..

Twas a long, drawn out sweat-drenched walk that led me inadverntently becoming aware of this little gem of consumer electrickery. I was out looking for the better of the two musical instrument stores here in central AbDab, and out of part disorientated frustration and part need for a few air conditioned moments, I ventured into (the abstractly named) Colours. I asked a few questions about the TV receivers that they were selling and no sooner had turned to resume my quest only to be stopped in my tracks by a pile of electronic parts that could actually be the visual definition the word 'random'.

You know what my next thought was, and out came the camera..





Most of the receivers were second hand and could be yours for the measly sum of 90 DHS (about $30)..



These were the busted ones..



I was actually encouraged to take this one, the clerks were trying to get the customer to join the frivolity but no amount of giggling was going to get this chap to turn..

Ruggerama..

Whilst wandering through the inescapable entity that is Abu Dhabi Mall, I came across the most amazingly picturesque Persian Rug store. The clerk was happy for me to take pictures, and I was taken by the beauty of the stuff that I was able to shoot. Never thought I'd say it, but if only I could have a rug like that..