[slideshow]Photo by Asyrique Thevendran/The Gazelle;Photo by Asyrique Thevendran/The Gazelle;Photo by Asyrique Thevendran/The Gazelle;Photo by Asyrique Thevendran/The Gazelle;[/slideshow]

Flea markets and 5-star hotels do not seem to have a lot in common. However, in Abu Dhabi, they intersect on many occasions. The Sheraton Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi, located on the Corniche, hosts multiple flea markets. Businesses, individuals, stay-at-home mothers and anyone else can book a table from 220 to 275 AED to showcase their products. Goods include everything from second-hand dresses and sneakers to brand-new, handmade crafts. A percentage of the profits accrued goes to charity or an NGO. Each flea market targets a specific organization such as Operation Smile UAE and UNICEF, the latter being the beneficiary of the market held on Sept. 27.

The flea market is an intricate phenomenon; it is a beautiful mirror of the city of Abu Dhabi itself. Indian shop owners, Egyptian stay-at-home mothers, English friends and Filipina saleswomen, were all present side-by-side: a variety of nationalities and occupations reflecting the complex fabric of the city. The bustling atmosphere is reminiscent of Orientalist scenes from movies like Aladdin; yet, it was an atmosphere anachronistically surrounded by chandeliers and PowerPoint slideshows marketing the Sheraton Hotel. A claustrophobic’s nightmare, the flea market is a located in a small ballroom that successfully amplifies one’s experience of the market.

Although only a few people were certain of their donated money’s destination, the flea market is considered to be a wonderful way of marrying individuals’ need for money and the general good. Moreover, many businesses are able to advertise their shops and talents. I met an Egyptian woman, Enas, an independent graphic designer and craftswoman, who utilizes the flea market to promote her art. In a few moments, she became a mother figure to me, asking me to direct my sister, who aspires to be a graphic designer, to her and advising me to try on dresses from other vendors.

The flea market is the opportune place to not only meet people from Abu Dhabi, but also to reflect on the city, which we are unconsciously influencing through the NYU Abu Dhabi community. It also does not hurt to find handmade goods and old books with stories to which you can add to.