UNFAMILIARITY

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Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2016

I had some personal errands to run today, but on the way home, I took a wrong turn and decided to park the car and go for a long walk and check out these small stores. Pretty annoyed that I went on a lil impromptu adventure, and got lost (twice - the second time, I forgot where I parked my car) without having my film camera.

Here are more parts of Abu Dhabi that I'm not very familiar with.

ART HOUSE SPEAKS

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Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2016

I'm still not over my crippling shyness of taking humans' photographs. I asked Mohammad, Arwa and Amna to finish the rest of the film. Results are beautiful. Here's a collection of photos taken by 4 different people. Sadly, most of them were blurry but the rest turned out quite nice. 

Camera: Minolta Freedom iii
Film: Kodak ColorPlus 200

POST-STORM DOCUMENTING

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Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2016

Last week, I rejoiced the fact I had a day to myself to run personal errands and go on a solo adventure. In my first stop, my mother called me and told me to make sure no one leaves the house. When I told her I was already out, she yelled at me to go back home. I calmed her down, and told her the weather was nice, and people were enjoying it and if I notice anything, I'll just drive back home. 

Fast forward to 20 minutes later, and the ladies in the post-office said I'm not allowed to go out till the storm calms down. Honestly, I wasn't even planning on leaving and driving in a situation I've never been on. No reckless Musaffah trainings prepared me for this, so I just stayed. They offered me tea and people kept coming in for shelter. Everyone was on the phone calling their families. I called my mother who was basically laughing and yelling 'I told you so'. I texted my sister that I was stranded in the post-office and she must have some powers (we had a huge argument before I left). My sister called and said I shouldn't do anything crazy, like think I completely got this. 

Shoutout to Dina who has been stalking Dubai's weather ever since Abu Dhabi's storm, because she loves storms and thinks she's part of the X-(wo)men.

A VERY HAZY MADINAT ZAYED - polaroids by @nourareads

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this was one of my favorite mini-adventures with noura. my soul needs more of these outings.