For those of you who have vacationed with me near any body of water, you will know that I am seriously grossed out by things that live in the ocean. Fish in particular give me the major willies. No laughing - in other ways I'm totally bullet proof: If you need spider removal, give me a ring. Snakes? No problem. Roaches make that gross crunchy noise when disposed of, but I can even live with that. But if I am wading along in crystal clear blue water and a creature of the sea invades my happy space, I will run screaming all nellie-style.
So, when Francis and I announced that we were going to visit the Dubai Fish Market, Augusto turned to me in horror and said: "That is NOT a good idea". But of course, being obstinate, I had decided to do and and therefore it was going to happen. The next day we were off to the fish market! It wasn't nearly as traumatic as expected (mostly because the offending creatures were largely...well...dead). The fish market is actually a huge (and I mean HUGE) room filled with table after table of the catch of the day.
There is everything from sharks:
To giant swordfish (or is that a marlin...didn't stop to find out)! This fish has definitely had better days:
We saw octopi, squid, and of course shellfish galore - lobster, crab, and tons of shrimp:
We actually enjoyed the experience! Yay me! But I did learn a few things. Here they are:
TIPS FOR ICTHYOPHOBIC PEOPLE VISITING A FISH MARKET IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY:
1) Wear closed toed shoes, preferably rain boots or "wellies". I noticed the floors were wet with melting ice, and something red which I absolutely refuse to admit in my conscious mind was fish blood.
2) Take off the name badge you may be wearing from the American School. You might as well be wearing a name tag that says "Hi! Charge Me Double! I am a stupid American Tourist!"
3) Know what you want (and don't want) in advance. Example: Conversation between my brother in law Francis and the fish guy:
Frany: Hi. I would like 25 of those shrimp (pointing to a specific shrimp)
Fish Guy: 25 Kilos?
Frany: No, just 25 shrimp.
Fish Guy: 25 Dirhams?
Frany: No, 25. Like 'One, two, three...so on"
Fish Guy: Lobster? (Holds up a lobster)
Frany: No, no lobster. Shrimp.
Fish Guy: Big Lobster?
Frany: Could I just get the shrimp? How much for 25?
Fish Guy: Ok, Ok, for 25. I think...maybe....120?
Frany: OK, whatever.
Fish Guy: You sure no lobster?
4) Do not eat a big breakfast. Enough said.
5) Know how much things should cost. We later realized we probably paid the "100% over cost special mark up". Lesson learned. The shrimp were delicious though!
We survived to tell the tale, and even returned this week with Marc, Amanda, Molly and Matt. My wise niece and nephew feel pretty much the same way I do and walked around with their little fingers clamped firmly over their noses. And this time? No lobster. Only Shrimp.
