Our own Melina from s
uce went on a day trip to Sharjah with the Brownbook team – here’s what happened:
Was super excited to go on a Sharjah day trip with the Brownbook team for a supplement with the October issue. Didn’t know what to expect but figured it would be a fun ride.
Our first stop was the Central Market – AKA Blue Souk. I haven’t been to the Blue Souk in AGES (used to get dragged as a kid with the parents. We lived in Abu Dhabi and a visit to Dubai’s malls and Sharjah’s souks was a Fridays phenomenon)
Apart from the usual awesomeness one finds in old souks - mainly vintage cameras and telephones which myself and the team got super excited about – (note to self: come back and bring friends), and an ornate table “throw” that I bought for my mom (moms like shiny things), I also found this interesting CD by a political satirist called “Super Leefa”.
Super Leefa CD and Sharjah boys Chillin' like Villins
Now ‘leefa’ means ‘bath sponge’ in Arabic, and so I assumed he’s “cleaning up society”…? hehehe
In a strange way this reminded me of Al Manahil – remember Al Manahil??? Did anyone watch Al Manahil growing up?
Al Manahil was an incredibly awesome and, in my opinion, underrated show – my favorite character was Abil 7oroof. It was a GENIUS sketch featuring a sort of Semantics Superhero who saved the day by adding a “shadda” here or a “noqta” there.
Been searching through Youtube and managed to find a sketch! Click on the below and go to 4:20. (Unless you’ve got time to watch the entire episode!)
Abil 7oroof rocks.
But I digress. Back to Sharjah.
We had some fun times at the Aquarium (didn’t know there was one!) before heading to the Al Qasba area/promenade, which I’d heard of but never been to. I LOVED it!
How have I never been here before???? Oh yeah that’s right – the traffic.
Still, sooo glad I managed to make it because it’s a beautiful area and if you haven’t been, you must go checkitout!
We pit stopped at the Al Maraya Art centre, very cool. (Ps When you go, checkout the Khalid Shafar installation)
Al Maraya centre
Ula and Craig - Production crew!
Brownbook's Sophie
That’s me being interviewed. I am wearing a Shourouk necklace, Iron girl jumper, and Anniel shoes – all from s
LOVE my Anniels!
And then there was ART.
(And more photographs)
Finally – lunchtime: glorious Morrocan fare at El Manza restaurant by the Al Mazaj waterfront, which was so good that I forgot to take pictures! Well, beyond the breadballs which were pretty much amazing.
I’d totally go back for those breadballs.
Brownbook team, dessert and breadballs. From left to right: Lina, waitor, Sophie, Ula
Disclaimer: I’m not entirely sure that “breadballs” is the official god-given name for these spheres of Morrocan yumminess, so please don’t quote me on that.
I apologize for the lack of food pics but you can consider that testament to the yumminess of said food (and our hunger).
So there you go. That’s a little sneak peak of my Sharjah adventure. You can check out the full story (and more pics) with Brownbook’s October issue.
P.s Brownbook’s October issue should be out in, well, October, and is available at 
