Dubai Dispatches -- Souks and Markets

The past few days in the UAE were spent exploring the various markets and souks that Dubai has to offer.

A shop clerk at one of Dubai's souks assists a customer Jan 10.

Part of discovering those spice markets was taking a water taxi from across a canal in order to reach the first spice markets.

The water taxis are little more than barges which can easily accommodate fifteen people, but not much more.

For anyone from the Bay Area, imagine the ferries to and from San Francisco only on a smaller scale and much cheaper.

My first impression of the spice markets and souks in Dubai was the sheer bustling of those places. There was as much commerce going on there as in a mid-sized Target during a sale.

The only difference is that is the setting. There's a sense of a quaint open-air market filled with shops and shop owners hustling people into the buildings.

Alleyways crisscrossed and connected most souks. Every corner and bend turned up something new and completely random.

Spices in a spice market in Dubai. Photo by Jack Barnwell.

It was reminiscent of a San Francisco neighborhood.

Several shops exist that offer some of the finest spices from Iran and other surrounding areas at prices that would make chefs and home cooks drool.

The place offers more than just spices. Trinkets, hooka shops and places that sell the latest techno gadgets call that place home.

Most of the shoppers appeared to be a mixture of camera-wielding tourists on holiday and local expats doing some shopping.

The best thing about this place is haggling over a bargain. People can find a great deal on trinkets and souvenirs or on spices to take home.

One tip though: Be sharp and watch for any sudden discrepancies in prices during the negotiating process. Even better, take a guide or a local along to help hammer out the best deal.

Overall the souks offer a more authentic feel for people who want to explore Dubai rather than spend all day at one of emirate's malls.

Of course, many of the souks don't have Louis Vuitton stores where one can buy trendy fashion at a less expensive price. Tax free.