Reflections

Today was a day of reflection.

I continue to pinch myself and thank God when the reality sits in and I confirm, yes, all of these wonderful things are really happening.  When I celebrated my 55th birthday the first week of August, I had no idea that just over three months later, my life would be totally changed.

Who knew that growing up in an isolated environment would help me be comfortable with being alone.

That the major move when I went to college from Texas to Florida, again was helping me grow in independence.

That my 20 year marriage provided opportunities to move often and experience new things, living in seven different states, and being comfortable in new environments.  (Although it came to a flaming end, I've recently grown to appreciate the good in it.  It only took me a dozen years to get there.  Better late than never, right?).

That my love of teaching would help me grow in patience and understanding, especially in trying to reach kids who came from homes with limited English and those English speaking kids who came with a blank slate.  That experience was critical to my getting my current job.

That the responsibility of being site administrator and realizing that you must be a coach, cheerleader, mentor and teacher to the staff was critical to understanding what to do to bring out the best in others.  That experience at both my schools,  although extremely difficult at the last one, was life changing and helped me to grow.

That the seed that was planted by a teacher at Lincoln over ten years ago, that traveling the world alone as a woman was not only conceivable, but also safe, was just what I needed to feel I could do this.

I'm thankful for all of you who, in some way, played a part in my life thus far.  I believe every relationship and friendship helped to get me where I am today - in a great country, doing what I love, traveling and teaching.

My hope for you is that you, too, will see your greatest dreams come true.

In Love!

I'm well-rested and ready to roll.  

I'm also back on track with beginning this post at breakfast.  Yes, the view continues to be nice.  Not only the view of the city waking up, but the one in here as well.  The contractors are still here.  I'm guessing they're on a long term job.

More random thoughts:


Crime is virtually nonexistent because the punishment is swift and harsh.  Although the treatment of the workforce is not very good, it must be better than home.  They don't risk prison or deportation.


Women are very safe, but men get propositioned often according to a guy who is in my program and was here last year.  That was fascinating to me because homosexuality is punishable by prison.  According to my friend, it's not that the guys are gay necessarily, it's just that are so few women compared to the men in the workforce.  Some of them have been here for years, and they are least likely to be reported if they deal with a guy.  Very interesting.


Living with someone of the opposite sex is prohibited.  If discovered, as an expat, you would be immediately deported.  Locals know better, but if they indulged, they would go to jail.


Public display of affection is frowned upon.  You rarely see it and when you do, it stands out.  It's expats who didn't get the memo, I suppose.


I know.  I know.  All of that sounds like a lot of rules and regulations and maybe even pretty harsh, but when you consider all of the things to do, and the phenomenal opportunity to be here, the good far outweighs the bad.  My philosophy = Their country.  Their rules.  Period.  I can live with that.


That's why I think it is particularly offensive to see visitors violate the dress code.  You should be respectful of the country and it's mores.


Side note - I have a favor to ask.  A couple of days ago, I included two video clips, and have included two more today, but I'm new to this and I'm not sure they worked. Would you post a comment or forward an email letting me know if you could access them?  My email address is fayesharpe@gmail.com.  Thanks a bunch!

Side note 2 - Traffic lights blink before they change color.

Side note 3 - The mosques are stunning at night.  They are lit up with green lights and you can see them from miles away.

Side note 4 - Today I rode in a ladies only cab.  The driver was a female.  First I've seen.  She wasn't nearly as proficient as the men drivers though.  That is, she wasn't aggressive enough.  You can't be a timid driver here.  You'll get run off the road.

Side note 5 - One more comment about the safari.  All of the drivers were about 30 years old, and you could tell they were absolutely loving the daredevil driving. They could easily be stunt drivers in Hollywood, with all of the outrageous maneuvers they pulled off.

Ferrari Logo

And now . . . I have to confess.  I fell in love today . . . with the Ferrari!  What a car! What a car!  What a car!  Ferrari World is advertised as an amusement park, so you immediately think kids.  What was striking was how few kids there were. Mostly, it was young guys and couples.  This is a playground for the young at heart.  Not necessarily young in age.

Candy Apple Red Ferrari

The building is spectacular.  There was no way I could get a photo of it because it has such a sprawling design.  I found one online and it's below.  

Ferrari World - Aerial View

There is a huge structure next to the Ferrari Building, that I think is a real competition race track.  

The first thing you notice when you walk in is how incredibly big the space is.  There are some of the most beautiful cars on the planet on display like diamonds, under sophisticated lighting that is so dramatic.  It's easy to imagine yourself driving one. 

Me and the Ferrari

G Force Ride

G Force Ride

I enjoyed going into a simulation auditorium where was buckle up in what looks like regular theater seats.  There is a large screen and a movie begins by telling the story of the young Enzo Ferrari who, as a baby, wouldn't sleep until the mobile in his crib was going at top speed.  Then you see him as a young child, tinkering with his bike to make it faster.  Teenage years, same thing.  This time it's cars instead of bikes.  Then you see him as a young adult, dreaming of a beautiful, fast car.  The next shot is a car designer on his first day at the Ferrari Headquarters.  He comes with an armful of drafting sketches, but those are taken away.  The old man, his guide, tells him that in order to make a great car, you have to feel it first.  He, and we, are then taken for a ride.  A very fast ride, winding ride.  The seats start to move, the faster the driver goes, the farther back you're pushed in your seat.  They totally move, leaning into every curve.  You feel every shift of the gears.  Everything that's happening on the screen, you feel in your seats.  It was fast and crazy, but I loved it!

Ferrari Race Car

Then I rode in a toy Ferrari that was on an automatic track.  Even the toy car was amazing.  I'd settle for that one if it had pedals.

There was a high energy light show featuring some really talented young folks doing some incredible acrobatics, all related to the Ferrari.  The stage was designed as a pit stop.  They're featured in the videos below.

So, I've decided my two year plan in this country is this:

1)  Meet an Emirati

2)  Marry him

3)  Buy a Ferrari

You know all of those rules and regulations I mentioned earlier, you could multiply them by 100 and they totally wouldn't matter one bit if they came with a Ferrari.  I'd even wear a burka for a Ferrari!

Me and the Ferrari 2

I'm not even sure I'd even recognize a Ferrari on the streets if I saw one, but the way they have them displayed here, makes them irresistible.

Side note 6 - I hope some of you are planning to visit.  This country is too fabulous not to share.

Too Tired!

More random thoughts:

Today was an extremely slow one.  I was in a fog, trying to wake up most of the day.  Too many late nights.  Gotta get enough sleep.

In my earlier post in reference to late night blogging, I needed to include not being on the internet either.  I think I clicked the wrong thing and sent out a Linked In message.  If you got one, sorry!

In spite of my tired body, I went to the mall looking for a specific map.  It's amazing it just occurred to me that a map might help in navigating the city.  While there, I also figured out how to get the internet on my phone.  They really do have a great prepaid system with no monthly bills.

Yesterday I noticed the Bentley car dealership right down the street from the Lamborghini show room.  Note to self - visit them both just to get a close up view.

Speaking of cars, Ferrari has something here called Ferrari World, that's listed as the world's largest indoor amusement park.  I'm not into amusement parks, but this might be worth seeing.

For one of the smallest countries in the world, my Arab brothers think on a grand scale - everything here is bigger and better and grander than any place else.  I suppose it helps to have a seemingly endless supply of cash.

Well, that's it for today.  My body is screaming for some rest.  I was too tired to nap, so it's early to bed for me.  

Corrections

My apologies for the many errors in yesterday's post.  I thought I made the corrections, but apparently not.  Note to self:  no posting after midnight!

More after a nap.

Multitasking & Belly Dancing

Random thoughts:


It's amazing to me how pristine the robes are that the Emirati men wear.  If I had on a white robe, it would be filthy by the end of the day.  For these guys, that's not the case.

When I stopped by the little restaurant at the bus station yesterday, all of the guys were eating with their hands, breaking a flat bread and scooping their food up with that.  Somehow that made it look more appetizing.  I was a chicken though and requested a fork.

The cost to travel to Dubai was just over $4 for a two hour bus ride.  To return it would have cost just over $5.  Not sure why, but the cost coming from Dubai is more.  I opted for a taxi instead and that was just over $17.  In the cab, the trip was reduced to just over one hour.  Like I said yesterday, I'm looking forward to having my own wheels.


Side note - Abu Dhabi is like a strong big brother.  He's the seat of the ruling power for the country and he has the largest land mass and population, but Dubai is like his glamourous little sister.  Flashy, extreme and ready to party at the drop of a hat.


Side note 2 - Forgot to include pictures of the indoor ski slope and school bus, so here you go.

Dubai Mall Ski Slope

Abu Dhabi School Bus

Front end of Abu Dhabi School Bus

I'm returning to the ADEC office this morning to see what's happening.  


Good news!  My papers were ready and I was sent off to get my fingerprints.  I tried to hail a cab, but couldn't get the guys to understand where I needed to go.  No problem, it was just three blocks as I understood the directions.  Well . . . the blocks must be measured by camel steps.  They're more than twice the length of our longest country blocks.  So I got my exercise in for the day.  Thankfully, things were easy once I got there.  Again, getting preferential treatment for being a woman.  The papers were then returned to the original guy, who will send them off to immigration for my permanent visa to be processed.

It's fascinating to observe the way things get done here.  Someone I met said that multitasking is not a part of the culture.  So, even though I dropped off my paperwork well before the end of day, nothing more will happen until tomorrow. That's OK though.  It just leaves time for more adventures.

One more piece of business before the fun begins - figuring out how to mail something from here.  (Contrary to the natives, I can and do multitask).  I was dropped off at the Main Post Office.  What a busy place that was!  Again, it was wonderful being a woman.  The line for the guys was out the door.  I walked right in with a ticket to wait for my number to appear on a screen.  I noticed though that folks were not honoring the ticket system, but were just bum rushing the counter.  No problem. This is where going to a black school came in handy.  I know how to bum rush with the best of them, learning it 35 years ago as a freshmen at FAMU. Who knew how helpful that skill would be later in life.

It cost 3 dirhams (82 cents) to send a post card and 100 dirhams ($27) to send a package to my granddaughter Zadie.  It's scheduled to arrive in three days.  It's my test package.  I also mailed a test postcard to see how long that takes to arrive.  I was limited in weight to how much I could send, but I saw folks mailing huge packages.  I'll have to inquire as to how that is done.

Business is over, now it's off to a desert safari!  


I was picked up at about 3:00pm from the hotel.  The driver and I got acquainted before he picked up three more passengers from a hotel on the way to the desert.  I think they were related - Mom, Dad and an adult daughter.  They were from India and so was the driver, so they quickly got acquainted.


This attraction was advertised as an exciting time of dune bashing, camel riding, sand skiing, BBQ dinner, belly dancing and shisha smoking.  It didn't disappoint. There were 10 carloads of folks headed to the camp where the main festivities would be held.  We met up at a rest stop and everyone got out and stretched their legs. This is about 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi proper.  

Me on the Desert Safari

Once we started again, the ride was exhilarating!  When we got in the desert, all of the drivers let air out of the tires (17lbs each) so that the tires would have more traction. We were driving through literally mountains of sand; gunning the car to get up the huge hills, and slowing down because you're going down a mountain . . . straight down!  

Car going downhill

After my first up and down, I had had enough, but we did this for at least another hour.  Imagine, a caravan of ten white Toyota Land Cruisers, going up and down the dunes.  Some of the down hill runs had to be taken sideways so as not to flip the car.  Some of the hills had really sharp turns when you got to the top, but you couldn't prepare for it because you couldn't see it coming.  Our car got stuck at the top of a hill.  The other passengers and I held our breath as the drivers tethered our car to another and pulled us to safety.  WHEW!  


Every 15-20 minutes of so we would stop to make sure all the cars were still together.  Honestly, it felt like we were making figure eights in the sand.  I thought we were going in circles.  At each stop the drivers lifted the hoods of the cars to cool them off.  Those babies were working overtime. 

Guys in red shirts are the drivers

The sand was very, very fine.  When you walked in it was ankle deep, at least, making walking in it difficult at best.  I understand the term "quicksand" so much better now.

The caravan of cars

On one of the stops, someone lost their lunch, so their trip through the dunes was cut short.  They went directly to the camp.  When the rest of us arrived, there were folks sand skiing, which consisted of brave souls taking snowboard-looking ramps, going to the top of the hill closest to camp, and skiing down.  There were also three-wheeled off-road motor bikes for rent, but thankfully no one was foolish enough to attempt riding under these conditions.  


My favorite part was the camel riding.  What fun that was!  There were two camels tethered together and they each had a two-person saddle, so four rode at a time. Once the line was way down, I hopped on for a ride.  The camels were in a sitting position for you to get on and they got on their knees first, then they got up all the way.  Same thing going down - they kneeled and then sat for you to get off.  I could have rode my guy all day!  

Me on a camel ride!

Camels are tethered

The camp was enclosed in a u-shape and was right on the other side of the wall from the camel rides.  There was a large stage/dance floor in the middle, with rows of tables all around the stage.  We sat on pillows.  Most of the guys was playing some silly game in the sand that looked like a variation of tug-of-war.  The ladies took turns getting henna tattoos.  Yes, I said I'd never get a tattoo.  That's why you should never say never.  I agreed because this kind washes off in a week or so.  It's on the inside of my arm, so it's harmless.  No one will see it because of the long sleeves I'll be wearing.

Henna tattoo

This was followed by a great meal.  I was invited to sit with three nursing professors - one was from Santa Monica, CA, the other Pittsburgh, PA and the third was from Oman.  They had been presenting at a conference in Oman and decided to add a few days of fun to their plans.  It was these ladies who introduced me to shisha smoking, from the tall decorative vase looking thing with a quilted pipe coming out of it.  I don't smoke, so it was an interesting experience.  I'm not worried about having the need to break open one of those packs of cigarettes that are in my room any time soon.

New friends

As folks were smoking the pipes, (I have pictures of me partaking but they're not internet ready, and quite frankly, never will be), the belly dancer was doing her thing. She was really good.  She invited guys to join her and she gave lessons to a group of brave women.

Belly dancer

Then the stage was a free-for-all.  Traditional music was mixed with stuff you'd hear on the radio in the US.  There were traditional dancers that was really fun to see. I've included two videos.  The picture is not great in either, but I hope you can hear the music. The next one is guys dancing to funky music.  The stage lights will go out in the second one, but I wanted you to hear the music.

By this time it's dark, and they turn out the lights for us to look at the stars. Absolutely beautiful! It all ended with another thrilling ride though the dunes as we made our way to paved roads.  I have never appreciated paved roads more in my life!

Sunset on the desert

And that was my desert safari adventure!

Dubai . . . Oh My!!!

Yes, I spent a fantastic day in Dubai.  More in a minute.


This is the second day in a row that I've come done early for breakfast, and the second day there has been a dining room with guys only.  They're wearing a logo on their shirts. Probably contractors.  When I'm down here later, it's mostly women - ADEC folks.  Note to self:  eat early, the view is much better.

A few more comments about my visit to the Grand Mosque yesterday.  The beauty of this structure is extraordinary.  It cost $545,000,000 to build.  That white marble you see was imported from Italy.  It's incredible!  Now keep this in mind when I describe the ladies' restroom.  It is located diagonally across the courtyard, closes to the prayer room that the ladies use.  You take an escalator and go underground. You make a few turns and before you is a circular round of bidets.  Must be at least 30.  They're out in the open.  No privacy at all.  I can't imagine using one, and no one else down there with me did either.  When I entered the stall, I was surprised to see a hole in the ground.  A beautiful marble hole, but a hole nonetheless.  There was also the hose that I'm so fond of, but the hole was a little oft-putting.  In fact, I thought for a minute I was in the men's room by mistake.  No, I was in the right place.  So using the restroom was a colorful experience.  Note to self: go before you visit again.  I want this to be a one time experience.

The other thing worth nothing is that the daily prayers that I can hear are, in fact, heard all over the city.  The prayers are prayed live at the Grand Mosque, and projected via satellite all over the city.

Our guide also shared that there are 8 million people in the UAE, with more than 7 million being expats.  (Just  googled it - 50%=Indian; 23%=Other Arabs & Iranians; 19%=Emirati Citizens; and 8%=Others including Europeans & East Asians).  The influence of the expats is causing the natives to recognize that in order to keep their culture alive, they must make a conscious effort to do that.  Hence, the wearing of the official garb while out in public.

Side note - There's a Will Smith movie playing in the dining room this morning - Independence Day.  A few days ago it was Michael Jackson music, today Will Smith.  I'm loving it.

Just went to the ADEC Office trying to get more info on my placement and the fact that I'm expected to visit this week.  Still nothing yet.  The person I need to see has been out since before the Founder's Day festivities and he is the keeper of all knowledge.  The right hand not knowing what the left is doing is not unique to the bureaucrats in the US. It's reach is far and wide.  In the mean time, I will decide what to do today.


I still have a ticket to tour Dubai, so off I go.

I take a bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, a two hour ride, about 80 miles up the coast. Being a woman was most helpful in boarding the bus.  There were two lines.  One super long for the men and a much shorter line for the women.  There were three guys traveling with women who boarded with us.  The bus holds about 40 people, so most of the guys were left to wait for the next bus and hope there were no women waiting.

The bus has two flat screens that broadcast the view from a front end camera, so that you can see what the driver sees.  They're curtains to shade the sun, but I'm sitting where I can see outside on both sides.  We're driving along the coast.  The water is the most vibrant blue.

I need to be careful not to get whiplash from turning side to side, trying to see everything.  I can't wait to get my own transportation so I can explore on my own.

Just passed camels grazing in a field.

The landscape is very sandy.  If there was any doubt, you see that this is a desert.  It looks barren with tumbleweed type vegetation.


We're here!  I get off the bus.  Go to the restroom in the bus station and . . . you guessed it.  Another hole in the ground.  Note to self:  avoid the bus station restroom, too. Stopped by a little restaurant, and got a bite to eat.  This was a spur of the moment trip, so I didn't plan for lunch.  This place only had men, so I'm guessing I should have felt out of place, but I didn't.  Had a great meal - chicken and rice - for a great price. Then I hailed a taxi to catch The Big Bus Tour.


Dubai . . . Oh My!!!  It is spectacular!!!  The grandeur, the glitz, the style, is over the top wonderful.  My Arabian brothers know how to build a glamourous city.  I'm reminded of the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.  

Dubai Skyline

I immediately thought of New York City, Manhattan in particular, when we traveled through the commercial district of Dubai.  Although the business section here rivals anything the financial district in New York has to offer.  The beach area reminded me of South Beach in Miami.  The place to be and be seen.  There were expats in bikinis, but they were dwarfed by the locals, fully clothed, playing in the water.  


The buildings and the architecture here defies the imagination.  They're every shape, size and configuration imaginable.

Sail motif building

Same as above, in traffic

The Atlantis Hotel sits at the top of one of the man-made palm islands.  It is extraordinary!  We were on the island before I realized it.  It's so big, you can't tell that you're on an island.  The homes along the way are phenomenal!

Man-made island.  Atlantis Dubai sits in the middle of the circle

Professional photo of the Atlantis

My photo of the Atlantis

Homes on the Palm Dubai

We left there and stopped by Dubai Mall, which has to be one of the largest in the world with 1200 stores!  Through the mall is the way you access the pride and joy of Dubai and the whole UAE, the Barj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.  It looks like it's touching heaven!

Professional photo of the Barj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world

My photo of the Barj Khalifa

The building that looks like a sail sits in the water all by itself and it is a sight to see! There is a magnificent view of it from one of the beaches, but you can see this building, wherever you are in the city.  It is iconic.  

Professional picture of the Barj Al Arab

My photo of the Barj al Arab

I needed to pinch myself today, just to make sure what I was experiencing was real. Just a few days ago I was in Sacramento struggling to believe this move was going to happen, and being here now experiencing this is truly an incredible blessing.

Egyptian themed Wafi Mall

I hope you're enjoying these posts as much as I am creating them.

The People & the Mosque

Entryway to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

It is a breathtakingly beautiful morning.  I came down early for breakfast today and watching the sun rise, over the all-glass high-rises, is stunning.

This is a very clean city. There are men dressed in blue overalls and it appears that their express job is to sweep the streets and pick up garbage in public spaces.

Someone compared Abu Dhabi to New York City.  I think they're very different.  New York is much more compact, compressed and densely populated.  It has a lot more people concentrated in tighter areas.  This city is much more spread out.  In New York, you can get anywhere by walking or by subway.  Here you must rely on your personal transportation or the taxis or buses.  I was told to avoid the buses, so I haven't ventured on them yet.

The cities are alike in that they are both home to people from all over the world and therefore are both very diverse.  They also share the bodega concept - the little stores on every corner.  Here they're called souqs.  The traffic is very similar - fast and furious.  Again, it's more congested in New York.  Here most of the roads are at least eight lanes across, four in either direction.

I don't think I've described the people yet.  Let me.  I think the folks who are in the traditional dress are native to the Emirates.  The men all wear these snow white robes with  white, sometimes red checked, head coverings that is held on the head by the black braided rope.  Almost, without exception, the men have beards . . . short, very neatly groomed.  Most of the men are big guys, too.  Not like Samoans big, not fat either, just big, muscular guys.  They wouldn't have any trouble fielding a rugby team.

The women wear the abayas with their head covered completely . . . usually.  I've seen some with the scarves loosely covered.  I'm not sure if they are native, or like me, they're just wearing the abaya out of respect.  What is fascinating is for the women who cover their hair completely, and for the men also because you can't see their hair either, their faces are more prominent and the focal point of your eye.  You can see and appreciate the features more clearly without being encumbered by their hairdo's.  They are a beautiful people.  Various shades of brown, from high yellow, as we say in the black community, to darker than me.  The women who were at the bank celebration were heavily made up.  Someone said the women wore a lot of make-up but I hadn't seen it before then.  The women are in all sizes, but most tend to be petite.  They wear the abayas really long, dragging the floor.  What's amazing is that they don't have trouble walking in them, I suppose it's because they have been in them for years.  It's darling to see the kids in the traditional dress, but that's rare.  They tend to wear street clothes.  I found out today that the women who wear burkas (the mask-like material that covers their face) do so at their husband's discretion.  If he's the jealous type and doesn't want to share his wife's beauty with the world, he requires that she wear a burka.  OK.  Now I totally agree with France in banning them from their country.  I also learned that the men wear white robes to reflect the sun. Traditionally they were the ones out in the elements working.  The women wear black because it is opaque.  It's all about modesty here for the women.  

Official Professional Photograph - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

I visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque today.  What an incredible monument!  The history is so vast and the beauty so extraordinary, there is no way I can do it justice trying to describe it.  Seeing it and being there reminded me of the Vatican and it's glorious opulence.  Below you'll find a YouTube video link that shows the mosque in all of it's glory, along with a professional photograph and the ones I took.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX51jMnwqFw

Walking to the mosque from the parking lot

Looking down the column corridor

Ornate outside wall

Vast center courtyard

Small chandelier

Huge chandelier

Large bronze round structure in between columns = air vent/cooling system

Rug in the main area of mosque

Clock indicates prayer time and Islamic calendar

Our tour guide

Church & Almost Fireworks

This morning at breakfast I was all set to start writing this post, when I struck up a conversation with an ADEC Vice Principal from England.  She's the other person I had seen earlier with kids.  Two girls ages 6 and 8.  Her husband has also been hired by ADEC, but is waiting for his VISA to clear.

She was headed to church.  She invited me to come along and I accepted the invitation.  Now remember, today is Friday.  All churches, in addition to the mosques, have their services on Friday because it is considered the holy day. Sunday is the first day of the work week.

The church is located fairly close to where we're staying.  The ride over took about ten minutes.  The church was called The Evangelical Community Church (ECC).  I was surprised at how big it was and how many people were there.  Talk about a rainbow coalition!  There seemed to be folks represented from every corner of the globe.  First time visitors stood up and we were from England, Australia,  the Philippines, China, and the US.  In fact, there was a black guy and his teenage daughter that I recognized from the flight over that was from Florida.  It continues to be a small world.

The praise and worship part of the service was led by a black guy who looked like he was 12 years old.  Cute as a button.  Compared to what I've been used to, the service was calm and sterile.  I heard one "Amen" and I wanted to turn around and check out this brave soul.  I was sitting up front at the request of Dionne, the lady I went with.  Normally, I would have stayed closer to the back and the exit.  I'm sure I would have been totally distracted by the people if I'd been in the back, so this was better for the intended purpose of being there.

After the service, Dione gathered her two girls from Children's Church and we went downstairs to have some refreshments.  The room was abuzz with chatter.  Very different from the solemn atmosphere in the sanctuary.  It was at this point, I think I was hit on.  It's been so long, I'm not sure.  A man recognized us as visitors and came over with crackers for us.  A very nice gesture.  There was the usual small talk.  He asked us about husbands.  Dionne stated her's was waiting to come over. Of course, I said I was divorced.  We asked if he had family and he said yes, but they were all still back in India.  So he asked me, "You're here alone?"  I responded that I was and was having a wonderful time.  We then ask questions about the big Founder's Day Celebration that's happening tonight.  He shared some info and then asked if I'd like for him to take me.  I quickly thank him and graciously declined stating that I was going to go with Dionne and her girls.  What do you think - proposition? or wishful thinking?

We left soon thereafter and got a cab that was waiting right outside the church and came back home.  Dionne had info on how to learn more about my assignment, so I visited her for a few minutes in their suite and it was quite productive.

I've been assigned to a new school in the Um Ghafan region of Al Ain, which is about two hours from Abu Dhabi and about 30 minutes from Al Ain proper.  It is a co-ed elementary school first thru fifth grade, which is different.  Most schools are single sex.  This location appears to be more remote, which is fine.  I know I'm going to be where I'm supposed to be.  Of that I'm sure.

Tonight we're planning on going to see the fireworks on the water.  That should be nice.  More when I return.

Side note - I discovered the pool and spa on the rooftop.  Not interested in getting in the water, but the view from up here on the 15th floor is amazing.  There's a couple up here and the woman's bathing suit is a knee-length dress with leggings. Very, very modest.  The guy has on a regular bathing suit.  Guys get off easier, no matter what the culture, but especially here.

I never understood why folks lay in the sun.  You're literally baking your skin.  If I had pale skin, I think I'd spray some color on and be done with it.  The sun is fierce and unforgiving.  I guess it's human nature to want what you can't have.

Side note 2 - Speaking of tanning, it's been rare that I've seen white folks.  They really stand out because most of the folks, in this city at least, are various shades of brown.  There were more white folks at church today than I've seen since I've been here.  Starbucks is another place I've seen some.

Side note 3 - Forrest mentioned something in response to my comment about the heavy breakfasts that made sense.  He said it's probably that way to prepare for the holy month of Ramadan when they have to eat a hardy breakfast before sunrise and when they are not allowed to eat again until after sunset.  They need to eat enough to get them through the day.  Just a theory, but it makes sense to me.  Today pasta and beans were two of the choices for breakfast.

Side note 4 - Hands down my favorite gadget is the electric pot for heating water.  It boils water in less than a minute.  Perfect for making tea at night.

Side note 5 - The stove is called a cooker.


Just went downstairs to hail a cab to the Corniche, the beach area where the fireworks will be held, and after waiting for a few minutes and watching taxi after taxi go by, I opted not to go.  I don't want to be stuck not having a ride home.  There were three other cars that stopped to offer rides, but they were definitely not taxis. There were cars that went past with kids hanging out of every window, including the sunroof, blowing horns and making all kinds of noise.  That's not my cup of tea, so I'll watch the fireworks on TV.  Safety first.

Riding in Style

The school buses here are awesome!  They're like a touring bus.  They've got comfortable bucket seats, they're air conditioned with large windows so even the smallest kinder can see out of them.  They stopped where the city bus stops dropping off students in the same area.  I couldn't tell if they drop off in neighborhoods, too.

All of the students I've seen were in uniforms.

I met another ADEC teacher and her family as they were moving out of the hotel to their assigned city and school, which is where I'll be, about an hour and a half away. One of those cruiser-looking buses picked them up, along with about 10 other teachers.  This couple was from Columbia, South Carolina, which is one of the places we lived for three years.  In fact, that's where Frankie was born - small world, right?  This is one of the two teachers I observed with kids.  Two boys ages 4 and 8. What an adventure for them!  Her husband was the technology administrator for his district and is looking to work here, as well.

The first ADEC teacher I spoke with today was traveling with a teenage son and they had been here in this hotel a month, too, waiting to be assigned.  Thank God I'm way past dealing with those teenage surly years.  What a chore!

Side note - I've been forgetting to mention the cigarettes.  There are two packs of cigarettes in my room, along with other refreshments - cookies, candies, juice, etc. - from the bar.  Interesting because it's a no smoking room.  I think the buildings might all be non-smoking because I see guys taking smoke breaks outside.   Actually, the guy who runs the little market that I shop at smokes in there, so maybe not.

This was a decidedly slower day after all of the running around yesterday.

The city is in full holiday/party mood.  There was a car in the parking lot decorated with the usual streamers, flags and feathers - all in the flag's colors.  I didn't have my phone, so no picture.  Sorry.  It was a sight to see.  They're a patriotic bunch, for sure.  The government is good to her citizens, so I understand the affinity.

Side note 2 - Bidets. The extra toilet-looking things found in bathrooms in other countries is not present here, but a bidet hose is mounted next to the regular toilet instead.  Best thing since sliced bread.

On that note, goodnight.