My apologies for the many days since my last post.
Two things happened in my absence from blogging - I celebrated my two year anniversary here, and I moved.
Yes . . . I moved from Al Ain to Al Sila (Abu Dhabi), about 4.5 hours away.
It's a given that moving can be challenging, but I was a lot more organized this time, so the process went a lot better.
I'm less than ten miles to the Saudi Arabia border. More on that in a minute.
I swore the last time I moved, from Sacramento, that I would always remember the pain it was, and live lightly.
Well, it worked in theory, but I still ended up moving a truck load of stuff.
And . . . the day my things were moved, we experienced a torrential rainstorm. The folks hadn't seen anything like this in over thirty years! Thankfully, although most of my things got wet, the only thing damaged were two pillows, which I gladly chucked.
There is no doubt, I'm really in the desert now. There is sand, sand, and more sand between Al Sila and Al Ain or Abu Dhabi. I'll be about three hours from Abu Dhabi, and about four from Dubai. I requested a transfer last year, letting the powers that be know that I didn't have a preference and would be willing to go anywhere, well "anywhere" is where I got. This is a region that they have a hard time filling positions because it's so remote. Typically the teachers hired are young city folks, who kick and scream about being sent here. Teachers with families are not even considered. I don't mind the isolation, and as long as I have Internet service, I'm good to go.
So, my new adventure begins.
Now about Saudi Arabia.
This is a very insulated country. Only Muslims are allowed to enter freely. Everyone else goes through a rigorous visa/entry process. As a single woman, I am not allowed entry, unless I'm traveling with a male family member and I would have to be sponsored by a Saudi male. When I found out Ben would be working in Saudi for a week, the original plan was for me to meet him there. Little did we know at the time that it wasn't in the realm of possibilities.
I'm closer to Qatar, and it's major city, Doha, and flying out of there would be more convenient, but in order to get to Qatar, you have to go through Saudi Arabia, so that's a no go.
Interestingly, the UAE recognizes the many benefits of welcoming the world to its doorstep, and are doing everything they can to encourage more visitors, from even more places.
Saudi Arabia, not so much.
They represent two very difference schools of thought about where they are as countries and where they see themselves in the future.
I'm spending my last night in a hotel in Al Ain. I'm planning to get an early start tomorrow heading west.
I'll have Internet service tomorrow night, so I hope to be back in the business of writing every day or so.
For those of you still on this journey with me, thank you.
It continues to be one heck of a ride.
Two things happened in my absence from blogging - I celebrated my two year anniversary here, and I moved.
Yes . . . I moved from Al Ain to Al Sila (Abu Dhabi), about 4.5 hours away.
It's a given that moving can be challenging, but I was a lot more organized this time, so the process went a lot better.
I'm less than ten miles to the Saudi Arabia border. More on that in a minute.
I swore the last time I moved, from Sacramento, that I would always remember the pain it was, and live lightly.
Well, it worked in theory, but I still ended up moving a truck load of stuff.
And . . . the day my things were moved, we experienced a torrential rainstorm. The folks hadn't seen anything like this in over thirty years! Thankfully, although most of my things got wet, the only thing damaged were two pillows, which I gladly chucked.
There is no doubt, I'm really in the desert now. There is sand, sand, and more sand between Al Sila and Al Ain or Abu Dhabi. I'll be about three hours from Abu Dhabi, and about four from Dubai. I requested a transfer last year, letting the powers that be know that I didn't have a preference and would be willing to go anywhere, well "anywhere" is where I got. This is a region that they have a hard time filling positions because it's so remote. Typically the teachers hired are young city folks, who kick and scream about being sent here. Teachers with families are not even considered. I don't mind the isolation, and as long as I have Internet service, I'm good to go.
So, my new adventure begins.
Now about Saudi Arabia.
This is a very insulated country. Only Muslims are allowed to enter freely. Everyone else goes through a rigorous visa/entry process. As a single woman, I am not allowed entry, unless I'm traveling with a male family member and I would have to be sponsored by a Saudi male. When I found out Ben would be working in Saudi for a week, the original plan was for me to meet him there. Little did we know at the time that it wasn't in the realm of possibilities.
I'm closer to Qatar, and it's major city, Doha, and flying out of there would be more convenient, but in order to get to Qatar, you have to go through Saudi Arabia, so that's a no go.
Interestingly, the UAE recognizes the many benefits of welcoming the world to its doorstep, and are doing everything they can to encourage more visitors, from even more places.
Saudi Arabia, not so much.
They represent two very difference schools of thought about where they are as countries and where they see themselves in the future.
I'm spending my last night in a hotel in Al Ain. I'm planning to get an early start tomorrow heading west.
I'll have Internet service tomorrow night, so I hope to be back in the business of writing every day or so.
For those of you still on this journey with me, thank you.
It continues to be one heck of a ride.
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