July 16, 2021 - Friday: Taking a Different Route + Alserkal Avenue + Accepting Anxieties

Everytime I go to Alserkal Avenue I always take the same route. Train to FAB Metro Station (now Umm Al Sheif) and then bus 12 (going to Al Qouz Bus Station).

Today however, I took a different route, which was actually suggested by my friend. From Deira City center, we took bus 33 and got down at the British Council stop, then took a second bus, bus 10 (to Al Qouz Bus Station) and finally got down at Honda Training Center. We then walked 10 minutes to finally get to Alserkal Avenue. 

So what's the point of telling you about that bus ride? Well, the bus took the Sheikh Zayed route to get to our destination. I've seen and been through that long highway stretch a million times, but today, it was a different experience. I actually saw it a from another perspective and I have to say, it was beautiful.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, sometimes, you have to take a different route to get where you wanna be. It might take longer, you might have extra stops, and it might not even be the most ideal path; what's important is you know where you wanna go and you believe that you'll get there no matter what. It's all about appreciating whatever comes our way, learning from them, appreciating them and knowing that every little thing is meant to always make us a better person.

Okay! That's that. Moving on, before we headed to Alserkal and the reason why I was at DCC in the first place was because I actually picked up the Instax Mini I won from Hema through their Instagram giveaway. Can't wait to start using my new baby!

1:30pm Arrived at Alserkal Avenue

As you probably already know, it was freaking hot when we arrived but...we still managed to have lunch outside at Not So Guilty 😅 I had oman chips paratha - believe it or not, it's my first time to try 😂 - and canada dry, my favorite childhood drink. 

Couldn't handle the heat anymore so we spent the rest of our time at Techarc. Thankful for free open co-working spaces! You don't need to order anything to hangout at their place, however it is not allowed to bring in outside food. Which I completely understand because all of their facilities are free to use and the least we can do is order a little something from their menu.

6pm: Project Chaiwala

By around 6pm, we decided to go home but as we took a quick last walk around Alserkal, we stumbled upon Project Chaiwala / Cinema Akil. The facade was so inviting with its vintage movie posters and of course, chai (because who wouldn't be able to resist a good chai) that we couldn't help but stop and check it out. The moment we entered the quaint little shop, the lady at the cash register was very kind to let us know that we could have a free taste of the chais they're offering before we decided what to get. They had their classic chai, karak, masala and their signature project chaiwala signature which is their chocolate chai. We ended up getting their signature karak because it tasted like chai with milo 😅 We also tried out their Medi Smashmosa which is basically smashed samosa but the filling is wild zaatar, fried aubergine, toasted pine nuts, onions and feta cheese topped with pmegranate molasses, mint chutney and yoghurt. IT TASTED AMAZING!!!! 

Around 7:30pm, the anxiety kicked in

Even though I had a great day, I couldn't help but feel anxious as the sun set. Mostly because at this time, I would have been bombarded by calls and would be questioned as to why I wasn't home yet. Honestly, I almost teared up because I was scared. This is what more than 25 years of trauma have served me. Being foolishly scared at 7pm just because I was still out. Even as I type this at 12:12 in the afternoon on a Saturday, it just gives me the goosebumps. I don't know when this will end but I pray and hope, I won't feel this as time goes by. The best I can do right now is accept it and try to heal from it by staying in the present and appreciating what I have right now.

#personal