Today Pegman takes us to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Feel free to stroll around the area using the Google street view and grab any picture you choose to include in your post.
To enjoy stories inspired by the What Pegman Saw prompt or to submit your own 150-word story, visit the inLinkz button:
For guidelines and rules for the What Pegman Saw weekly writing prompt, visit the home page.
Thanks to K Rawson and J Hardy Carroll for heading up this challenge, one that I can’t seem to avoid. 😉 I’m not even caught up on my Friday Fictioneers reading, commenting and replying.
The Gold Souk in Dubai
Genre: Memoir
Word Count: 150
PRICELESS
“Cash for your old gold,” boasted a reputable local jeweler.
He set up a table at the front of the grocery store where I worked as a cake designer. There he made his offer to employees and customers alike.
“Wish I had something to trade in, I could use the money,” said Maggie, my coworker. “You got anything?”
My husband is something of a jewelry junkie and bought some stunning gold pieces while stationed in Dubai during the Gulf War. Nothing I care to part with. My favorite is a simple heart ring, the symbol of storms we’ve weathered in our marriage.
“Nah, but I wonder what this is actually worth.”
Maggie took it and left the bakery. When she returned she tossed it on the counter. “It’s fake.”
Isn’t it sad that a “trained professional” didn’t recognize 24 carat gold?
Like my daddy used to say, “It’s always something.”
*
*
It’s rarely left my right index finger since December 1999. 24 carat gold is soft and easily bent. BUT it’s never turned my finger green.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Beautiful! What a beautiful and endearing story, Rochelle. I feel much the same about the little star of David necklace pendant I have. It was purchased in Isreal and brought back to me by a missionary. It has stood in place of a wedding ring for so many decades that it represents our surviving and remaining faithful through the storms that life sends into and around our married life. It is a symbol of endurance and strength that we cling to. It’s not fancy, very thin and delicate. Got bent once and had to be reshaped at the jewelers, but it is beautiful to us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Jelli,
It’s not always about the monetary value, is it? I completely understand why that star of David is important to you. Thank you for sharing your story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always delightful to see you, Rochelle! What a pretty ring, does it truly have a connection to Dubai? Wonderfully crafted story with so much to appreciate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Karen,
The only thing in the story that’s not fact is the name of the coworker. 😉 Yes, the ring definitely has a connection to Dubai…it’s where it was ‘born.’ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it!
LikeLike
The average American is only familiar with 14 carat gold, because that is what the majority of jewelry you see here is. 24 carat gold looks different to them. I spent some time and a few visits to Dubai during Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom, and bought this ring there. I recognize the difference. I remember when this happened, and had to laugh about it. Not fake.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And as I said earlier, it rarely comes off my finger. You can tell in the picture how bent it is. But it still shines in its bright 24 caratedness. Thanks, m’luv.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great memory and just goes to show… “experts” are not always so, are they?
And, it could have been made out of plastic and still held the same value to you… no one can replace that nor give it value.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
That ring does carry a lot of sentiment and significance. But, there again, it shows to go what the so called experts really don’t know. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does indeed….
LikeLike
Great story, Rochelle. Nice to see your old man chiming in on the veracity, too! If he likes military stories, I’ll send him a copy of my novel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Josh,
We’ll have to talk about the novel. Glad you liked my ever so true story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, thanks for tying your memories up in a wonderful story. What a truly special ring that is and thanks to Jan for adding his two cents! Cheers to you both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lish,
We both had a good laugh over that one. Very special ring indeed. I did eventually find out the approximate monetary worth. Trust me. It’s no fake. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the U.S. I think gold wedding rings are mixed with a stronger metal to make them more durable. My gold wedding ring hasn’t bent or become nicked for over 40 years. I have an heirloom ring from India that’s a deeper yellow gold. I’ve never had it valued. I’m afraid to let it out of my possession and it’s in a safety deposit box in the bank. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Suzanne,
It’s true, in the US gold is mixed with alloys to make it stronger. 24 carat is pretty pure and much softer, not to mention brighter than its 14 carat cousin. I understand about your wedding ring. This one is as dear to me as my wedding ring…possibly more so because of what it represents. Across that store is as far from me as it’s been in 18 years. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person