Marble Factory & Wonderland

 

 

           

Today is 8^th of January. I woke up late as it was Saturday, as it was winters in Dubai it was still cold outdoors. I could feel the cold in my legs and hands.

After bushing my teeth, I settled to have hot chai and my breakfast, this felt so good in the winters. Moms breakfast in fact super tasty and filling.

After a healthy breakfast I shifted to reading my books, that was when my brother woke up. I went and attended him, he looked so cute coming out of his bed with his messy hair. I helped him clean and brush himself up.

Once he completed his breakfast we both got together and stated playing.

It was only when dad arrived for his lunch that we realized that the time rolled. I quickly went back to reading my book as I didn’t want my dad to feel I was playing for long. He however went to his room changed and got ready for his lunch.

I had started to feel hungry too, therefore I asked mom to serve me lunch too. I ate the yummy meal and lingered around him. He had started to know the reason and asked me to slowly dress up. It’s just amazing how my DAD understands my thoughts.

Without wasting my much time I dressed up and slowly sneaked out of the home with dad, I didn’t want my brother to notice us. As it was cold outdoors we didn’t take him along these days.

The car had started again- I loved the ROAR as my new journey started.

After driving through smaller roads we reached the highway. The car had gathered speed and the sights were wonderful. There were large spans of desert on the way, we could see few building on the way. As the route was new I asked my dad, where we were heading. He kept saying it’s a surprise.

When the car final came to a halt and I got out, I saw that we had reached Marble factory. We had reached Sharjah Industrial Area!  I was surprised and asked him why we were there. It was then that he told me that my grandfather owned a similar factory in cochin and that he wanted me to know about the it.

We entered the compound and saw a small office there, my dad entered it and I followed. He had some work there and therefore started his discussion. I had started to get bored and asked him if I could go around the factory. The owner was happy and he send his staff to accompany me around the premise. I saw large machines cutting the marble slabs and polishing them. It was a worthwhile visit and I decided that I had to view my grandfather’s business back in india.

My dad had completed the discussion and was waiting for me by the time I returned, I was very happy and thanked the owner for letting us visit his factory. He smiled and said “Anytime Beta, your father is good friend of mine and I have known him before you were born”.  He offered me cookies and chai, and I enjoyed them.

We waved him bye and headed back to the car. In the car I asked my dad “Is this the surprise you promised”, He replied “No”, there is more.

The car headed back to Dubai and we again passed vast spans of desert as it moved.

Familiar views caught my eye, after a while and realized that we were in Dubai. The car came to a halt a very familiar spot “The Last Exit”. We had been here many times, I wondered what was exciting here.

As we exited the car and started moving towards the mall, I realized that whole place had changed with a theme of “Alice in Wonderland”. There were mushrooms and sunflowers everywhere- I was excited.

Once inside the mall I saw activity areas for painting and craft, I was drawn towards it. There was a board outside which clearly indicated that we needed to make a purchase of minimum 50 Aed anywhere in the premise to enter. While my dad thought about the same, I suggested that we do our weekly grocery shopping there. He offered me a deal- I was to select the most necessary grocery items and get the bill to Aed 50.

“Challenge Accepted” I said and dashed towards the supermarket. I started to get items, however it wasn’t as easy I thought!! The prices had fils in it. I was used to only whole number additions and didn’t know how to work with decimal points. I started to lose hope, however my dad stepped in and assisted.

Finally, with all things in the cart we reached the cashier, this was the finish line!! I just prayed that we managed Aed 50. My dad had a grin on his face seeing me tense. All the hard work could be gone, if we hadn’t made it to the required amount. As the cashier scanned each item my heart beat faster. With one item to be scanned we were at 47.50 Aed and the item left was 1 can of Milk. I jumped with joy as I released that I had got the total to Aed 50! My smile was so wide that the cashier was amused.

We rushed to the activity area and gave our bill to a girl. I was allowed to go in!!!!!!! I made a butterfly using different colors and stickers , and it turned to be a beautiful and colourful. I felt soo happy!!

Once done we headed to other parts of the malls, as there were fairs, shows and parade going on. We first went to show area, there was a quiz going on and we wanted to participate, but the breeze made us cold “Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeew shew, the wind blew!” I shivered. I requested dad we head back to the mall. Once inside, it made me warm. My dad however headed back to his car got our sweaters, wearing it, feeling warmer we went outdoors again.

Stepping out we went around taking photos, these were our memories of the place. It was then that I heard a sound “ La, La, Tun, tun, tun.. from behind us ………………… It was the character parade. It was beautiful as it had characters from the novel “Alice in Wonderland”.I was so amused that I followed it into the mall. Once inside the group started to dance on a beautiful song, I was Dumbstruck!! I was taken back into time and into the novel. It felt as if I had turned into a character in the novel. Only when my dad touched my back did I realize that I was in the mall. I smiled and felt shy. It had been a great experience visiting here, I thought.

While leaving I saw there was movie playing in an open air theatre, I was excited and requested if I could watch the move. He glanced at this watch, it was already late and the next movie was scheduled only for 8.00 pm.” It will be too late dear” he said, “Maybe another day!!” he replied. I agreed, it was indeed late and we had to head home.

We slowly started to move towards our car, the entire day’s memories flashed in my mind. It was indeed an amazing day and I loved every bit of it. I decided that I will record it on my blog to revisit the experience again.

Once in the car, we had croissants and chocolate milk we got from the grocery, it was indeed tasting good after a long day of walking. The drive back home was short as usual (or at least I felt so!!).

Reaching home, I completed my warm water bath and recounted days’ adventure to my mom, grandmother and brother. They were so amused that they felt depressed that they missed out. I replied to them smiling “Don’t worry, you will be with us on our next adventure trip, but be ready to walk”.  I quickly brushed my teeth and jumped on the bed with Floppy. My dream was surely going to be a trip to wonderland with Floppy!!