Forbidden Fruit 2

I was in Abu Dhabi today for an all-day meeting.  Thankfully, this one was timely and relevant.  We were back at the new school with no toilet paper.  I was ready for it though.

On the way home, I passed by the grocery store that sells pork, and decided to stop by.

This is the sign above the small room that houses the porky items.

Right down the hall from this room, on the way to the main store, is the restrooms. Note the area is called "Comfort Room."

Restrooms

Totally unrelated and random is the picture below which is a section of the Main Post Office in Al Ain.

Emirates Post - Main Post Office - Al Ain

There are thousands of boxes.  This photo is of just one corner.  The boxes wrap around corners several times and there is a second floor, also with wall-to-wall boxes.  Remember, there is no delivery of mail to homes or offices.  All mail is delivered to the post office for pick up.

Other random thoughts - 

Almost all parking lots are covered because of the intense heat.  It's been hovering at around 100 degrees for about a week or so.  We're expecting it to cool down some in the next few days.

As I've mentioned before, there is only one kind of gas station - the national brand - and the fuel cost is subsidized by the government, mainly for the nationals, and all of us ex-pats benefit from the discount.  I pay between $17-$20 to fill up Luther. He's a Toyota Camry.  I rarely let him get lower than a quarter of a tank.

There is an automatic car wash at most of the gas stations.  Once the car has gone through that, it is wiped dry and vacuumed by three guys.  I love this service and get it often.  I like Luther looking sharp.

More random thoughts - 

The nationals don't wear wedding bands.  Neither men nor women.  As I've mentioned, an Emirati man can have up to four wives.  The only caveat is that he has to treat each of them fairly.  Of course, he decides what's fair, so there is the chance it might get a little funky.  

Can you imagine a guy trying to keep four women happy?  Or maybe, it's four women trying to keep the guy happy.  

It is a disgrace for women to be divorced.  Men can divorce women with simply the stroke of a pen.

From the newspaper - 

Names of folks - criminals and victims alike - are excluded from the articles.  Only initials are used.  I'm told it is because of concern of possible embarrassment to the person or their families.  

From our district website - 

Condolences are regularly published via emails to all ADEC Employees.  They read:

We extend our sincere condolences to

Our colleague / _________________________

Name of School – Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Education Council

on the unfortunate loss of his Mother

May God rest her in peace and inspire her family patience and solace

This was a pretty scattered post today, but this is how my brain was working.  I've been up since 3:00am.  I woke up with a headache and drank coffee.  A cup of coffee a day helps to keep the migraines at bay.  Drinking at 3:00 this morning wasn't smart though.  I probably could have gone back to sleep.  

Oh well.

Here's wishing you a great day and sweet sleep.