MARCHÉ POPULAIRE

And why not immerse yourself in local life with a trip to a local market? Located just a few hundred meters from the Al Aïn Museum, we really recommend a visit to Les Halles in the Al Aïn Oasis district. Indicated on some maps as the "Vegetable & Meat Market", this modern market attracts the local population of housewives and families in search of food products, spices and various odds and ends. The minimal percentage of Chinese imports is a welcome sight, as you stroll between stalls displaying local agricultural produce, bags of seeds and spices from near and far, fresh and dried fish, dates in bulk, syrup and flavored pasta. Don't expect a Marrakchi-style souk, but rather an orderly, canvas-covered hall. This will be your chance to buy a few handfuls of cardamom, honey from Yemen, black lemons from Isfahan, all the camel equipment you need, such as colorful blankets and muzzles, and... surrounded by real people, far from the aseptic hotels and bling-bling. In January-February, just as the date palms are about to pollinate, traders sell the male spadixes intended to sow these lady palms. These lignified inflorescences contain unisexual flowers arranged in tiers and surrounded by a rigid membrane called a spathe. Don't hesitate to ask for explanations about pollination, and don't forget to ask permission if you want to take photos of people.