Global fare, local fervour

Winter is almost here, and the UAE is gearing up for numerous fun outdoor activities to celebrate the season. From November to March, residents and citizens in their light woollens throng parks and beaches late into the night. Winter is indeed one big festival made up of many individual fests like the Dubai Shopping Festival, Kite festival and the New Year weekend.

This year, however, has been a bit different with COVID-19 dampening spirits and throwing our regular plans haywire. October is beginning to see more outdoor activities. The renovated Dubai Safari Park is already open while Global Village, Dubai’s most popular family entertainment destination, is opening on October 25 heralding Season 25. The previous season had to be cut short in mid-March when COVID-19 made its ominous entry worldwide.

As Global Village opens its doors to the public in its silver jubilee year, the authorities will expect them to follow a host of health and safety protocols. For its part, the popular destination will offer thermal screening, complimentary face masks for children, frequent disinfection, contactless payment and over 600 hand sanitiser stations. All kiosk utensils will be sanitised after every use and restaurants will follow social distancing rules. Dining tables will be set two metres apart while tables and chairs will be disinfected after use; wheelchairs, shopping trolleys and similar services will be sanitised after every use.

Global Village CEO Badr Anwahi says that there will be 26 pavilions representing 78 countries which will have their boutiques, food outlets, and entertainment stalls. The unique cultural and entertainment programs will give guests an unforgettable experience at the park.

Anwahi adds that applications from participating teams are 5 per cent higher this time, which shows that people are hoping to make up at GV the losses incurred in their own countries on account of the pandemic.

According to Saji Alex Chacko, an Events and Logistics Manager whose staff man the carnival and games area in the park, the expected crowd this time is 3.5 million. Last year, despite the early closure, the footfall was 7.3 million. The maximum visitors are from India, followed by China, Russia and rest of Europe. This time, however, tourists from GCC countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, will be missed.

Alex has regular candidates who come from countries like India, the Philippines and Pakistan to work at the park during the season. They are recruited to the finance and games divisions. This time, there will be a few new exciting rides as well as new exclusive pavilions for Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The floating market with Thai food and snacks is another section that is well patronised. The spices and honey stalls are equally popular – the choice is mind-boggling, and helps to replenish our annual stocks.

Bollywood and Mollywood stars as well as Arabic and Indian singers have been gracing the park in recent seasons; this time crowd-pullers may have to keep away. As of now, Alex informs, there will be an online music show on October 30.

While 4 p.m. to midnight or 1 am is the standard, this times Saturdays will see the park opening early at 2 p.m. for the convenience of schoolchildren. Mondays are reserved for families and women as usual. The best thing is that despite the additional costs incurred by the safety protocols, the entry fee is only AED 15 per head as usual.

“When is Global Village opening?” my son impatiently enquires. He loves the free stunt show involving cars and sometimes attends two shows the same day. The food is another attraction as is the fair-like ambience. The bonus is that this is a global fair – there is the Turkish coffee/ tamarind sherbet seller in his traditional costume, the Turkish ice cream stalls where the seller entertains before he finally hands over the cone ice cream, the African and Arabic dance at regular intervals, and the mehndi artists at the India pavilion to look forward to. The Africa pavilion is the most interesting for curio collectors like me. This season, I will scout for Arabic paintings since we have reached a surplus of African masks and carvings.

Watching the New Year fireworks with the milling crowds in the chill of the night as January 1 dawns in various parts of the world, and last and grandest one when UAE welcomes the New Year, is an enthralling experience. This time, socially distanced crowds will hope and pray that 2021 will be one of happiness and good old times, after the intense disappointment and shock that 2020 inflicted on us all.