I collected my bags and changed inside a disabled toilet to acclimatise to the degree heat. I could feel the intensity of the sun as I stepped outside a well air-conditioned airport terminal into what felt like a trading floor during the recession.
The vibrant colours, dusty roads, and palm trees reminded me of my countless trips to the UAE. I was desperate for something new. Something exciting. I was in awe at the sheer number of motorcycles on the road; each motorcycle tells you a story: I saw, sacks of bananas, barrels of water, planks of wood, and entire families being carried on these motorcycles.
My taxi driver dropped me outside an alleyway between Burger King and Starbucks, which led to small side road crammed with hostels and hotels. Each building had a reception with a marble floor, and brightly coloured neon lights outside the front entrance. Opposite the alleyway was a busy road, which ran parallel to a small park.
People of all ages were playing sports: high school kids played football using their shoes as goal posts while a group of elderly men and women kicked a spring loaded shuttlecock back-and-forth.
I was in awe of their athleticism and accuracy. After waiting for 10 minutes to cross the road I realised the only way to get to the other side was to slowly walk into oncoming traffic and allow motorcyclists to ride around me; this was not the case for cars and buses.
