Abu Dhabi childhood shaped by small moments
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Murielle Hebbo Kalash, a Lebanese expat, reflects on her upbringing in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, recalling how everyday experiences formed her strong connection to the city.
Kalash was born in Abu Dhabi in 1991, continuing a family history that began when her father moved there in 1973. She remembers a childhood filled with trips to local souqs (markets) with her father, where vendors offered her small treats like bananas.
Kalash spent her early years on Electra Street, enjoying family weekends and trips to the Khalidiya Palace hotel with her friend. Though many of the places she knew have since been replaced by new developments, she still feels a sense of familiarity when she revisits the city. Simple pleasures like Oman Chips, Choki Choki chocolate, and shawarma from local restaurants like Maroosh and Zahrat Lebnan remain vivid memories.
Kalash moved to Dubai in 2023 but continues to visit her parents in Abu Dhabi. She married Sami Kalash in Musaffah in September 2024, adding another layer of personal history to the city. The 140-kilometer drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi allows her to reconnect with her childhood and experience a sense of belonging, reminding her that the city will always be home.
