Old Bastakia

Dubai Post Office as it used to be in 1971

My Birthday Present

My Mother in Law in New Zealand sent a $15 Postal Order for my Birthday.

I had to take my Postal Order to Dubai's Post Office. They would pay me the equivalent of 15 New Zealand Dollars in Dirhams ------ EASY!

The Preliminaries

Post Office Clerk looked at my PO, disappeared through a door marked POSTMASTER, then reappeared and beckoned me to enter. Inside I met the Postmaster. We shook hands and exchanged greetings. Tea arrived. We drank tea and discussed the world in general. Coffee arrived. We discussed the world some more.

Getting my money

With coffee cups emptied it was down to business. He produced his PO copy. I produced mine. He called the Clerk and gave him both pieces of paper. Clerk disappeared through the door. Postmaster and I continued our worldly discussions. Clerk reappeared with another piece of paper. Postmaster examined it then nodded. Clerk showed me the paper. I nodded. The paper contained his calculation of how many dirhams my 15 New Zealand Dollars were worth. Did I agree? Of course. I signed the papers. Postmaster nodded. Clerk went to the safe. A very large safe with an impressive impregnable combination lock. Clerk put on his glasses then began to slowly rotate the combination lock dials - slowly because he had to read the combination security code taped to the outside of the safe door!

With tape accurately read and safe door open, Clerk carefully counted out my Dirhams. Postmaster nodded. Clerk gravely presented me with my dirhams. Hand shakes, smiles and farewells followed. I left the Post Office with my birthday dirhams safely in my pocket.

How many dirhams did I get? I can't remember but I used to get 12 Dirhams for a UK pound in those days!

See more Photos of Dubai Post Office HERE

Sheikh Rashid