After we got up, we decided just to go back to the creek and go over to the Deira side of the city. Our first destination was the Bur Juman Metro Station. This transit system has two main lines presently. Thirty years ago this type of transportation was non-existent. Travelling on it is an excellent way to get around although it doesn't hit all the places to which one might easily drive.
We travelled just two stops and stayed on the Bur Dubai side of the creek. We thought we'd take an Abra, a traditional way to travel the creek. Our short trip on the Metro cost just US $0.82; however, the crossing was a mere Dirham or US $0.34. The walk was very enjoyable.
It was a little comforting to see how familiar the old part of the city looks. I guess it may have been very clever to move the development of the city out towards Al Jumeira. That way the old areas didn't get bulldozed and paved over. They can develop more organically.
The main, Friday call to prayer occurred at a bit past noon today. We were in Baniyas Square an area that contains an important mosque. Businesses slowed or closed and we waited in the grassy square as the spill-over of worshippers lined the streets. A little breeze made the weather a nearly perfect 30°C. It is such a contrast to what we had in Vancouver over the last several months. (Now, we see that flooding has continued and cut off BC from the rest of the country!)
At the completion of prayers, we were hungry and saw the Landmark Hotel had a buffet lunch starting at 1:00 PM for just Dh 15 (US $4.08) each. That seemed worth checking out and was simple but delicious.
We got on the Metro Station at the Square and rode back to the Bur Juman station. We did need naps today and they lasted closer to three hours than our usual one.