Home UpDubai: Blue-Collar Housing

For all the attention generated by the Dubai publicity machinery, and despite the occasional story about worker discontent, there's precious little in the media about the Dubai that's home to people who don't live in villas and condos or construction camps. Here's something to fill the gap.

Just a memory aid; we're in Deira, on the east side of Dubai.

Clean, functional, simple.

Side street.

AC, satellite TV, no windows on the street, and a classic roof-construction technique, not so different from the vigas of New Mexico.

Lots of turnover.

Maybe.

Too remote? We're still in Deira, but we've come much closer to the city center.

How's this for modern housing?

Panoramic views.

We've come over to the Deira waterfront.

The view's OK for anyone who likes watching trains and planes and container ships. Full disclosure: I do.

There's a real fish market here, too, at least until the oceans have been swept clean.

At your service.