#WhyNotPortraits: Portrait Photography by Mark Wilson

Ed and I were introduced to Mark Wilson a couple of months ago by a common friend. He is a fellow Pinoy expat in Dubai; an accountant by profession and a photographer by heart. His admirable passion for photography, particularly for portraits, gained him a large number of followers on Instagram.  

Ask him "Why portraits?" and he'll answer "Why not portraits?" without uncertainty. 

Mark's chosen genre has made him a visual storyteller. His Instagram gallery is a treasure trove of emotions and precious moments! So, the moment we met him personally, I secretly hoped he would ask if he can take a photo of me and Ed. Oh please set narcissism aside! Hahah! I simply want to have a new set of really good photos (not selfies and date night shots) that Ed and I can browse when we're old and gray. 

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Old Dubai Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour

A lavish urban getaway or a rich cultural experience? You can have the best of both worlds in Dubai! Apart from the awe-inspiring megastructures, Dubai is also known for its well-preserved historical sites. The city's culture and traditions can be strongly felt in its HEART; right in the bank of the saltwater creek where all the success stories started.

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Camel Burger at Local House in Bastakiya

I have a penchant for restaurants with unique concepts. My foodie adventures lead me to interesting dine-out spots, but I often shy away from exotic delicacies. My husband, though a thrill-seeker, doesn't have a stomach for adventure eating as well. We never had an appetite for something strange! That's why I was really shocked when he told me he'd love to try a burger patty made of camel meat!

To feed his great curiosity, we dined at Local House; a traditional restaurant located at the historical Bastakiya. Local House Coffee Shop and Restaurant has been serving authentic Arabic cuisine for more than a decade. In 2010, Local House fascinated both residents and tourists when they introduced the first ever Camel Burger in the UAE. 

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Arabian Tea House: The Enchanting Cafe at Old Dubai

One of the lessons in life that I always keep in mind is to never judge a book by its cover. Just like every other human being, I have done some false judgments in the past; mistakes that I regret. But everyday is new day, every mistake can be corrected; another day is another chance to get to know someone or something better. I'm not just talking about people, I'm pertaining to dine-out spots as well. I bet most of us would chose a restaurant that looks fancy outside. I've done that a hundred times, and often times I left the place unsatisfied.   

One late afternoon,  Ed and I went out for a stroll at the Old Dubai district. We were in Bastakiya when we noticed the Arabian Tea House Cafe. I was fascinated with the wind catchers and not with the tea house itself. The whole cafe is covered with a fortress wall; it looks mysterious but not too inviting for me. Outside, Arabian Tea House Cafe looked so sad, plain and empty.      

 

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