Ethiopian Church

My day began with a marvelous experience in an Ethiopian Church.

The church where I was headed is housed in a building attached to a hospital. There are at least three different rooms and three different congregations that are having church simultaneously.  I was headed to the church I went to last week, but accidentally walked in the Ethiopian Church.  Immediately I felt welcome, but figured the language would be a barrier.  A lovely usher guided me to a seat about midway up the aisle, and then asked if I was looking for the English church.  I said I was, but really loved what I was feeling here.

So, rather reluctantly, I followed her to the right door and entered the other church.  I saw my South African teacher, and sat down in preparation for the service to start. But something was drawing to the Ethiopian Church.  There was a freedom of worship that I knew wouldn't be evident in this one, so I ditched the English church and went to the Ethiopian one.

It was a small sanctuary.  Seated about 100 folks.  Most were women.  There were about a dozen men.  Three of the men were church leaders - leading in song, making announcements and introductions and the main speaker.  I think the man who spoke was a guest speaker.  This gathering is the most black folk that I've seen in the UAE.

The resemblances that some of the folks had to people I know was uncanny.  The speaker had a striking resemblance to Beau Williams, the gospel singer.  One of the women looked like Betty, my best friend from home.  Another guy looked just like Steve, Mrs. B's son.  It was uncanny how I could see so many folks from my world in the faces of this congregation.

They were speaking a language I couldn't understand, but every now and then I recognized them saying Jesus (pronounced like the Hispanics with an "H" sound), Alleluia and Amen.  Many years ago I remember someone said that Alleluia was universal, recognized in every language.

They were singing/chanting/humming a beautiful song - everyone in motion, not simultaneous motion - but moving to their own rhythm.  They didn't care what the person next to them or around them was saying or doing, they were in their own world of worship.

Again, I could not understand them, and yet I continued to be drawn into the service, mesmerized by their freedom of praise.

They transitioned to another song with a faster rhythm, with everyone clapping along, but they weren't clapping when you would expect them to, in sync with the drums.  And yet, this song, too, was beautiful.

After the singing, there was announcement, I think, then the introduction of the speaker.  If he was their Pastor, he wouldn't have been introduced, I don't think. Anyway, I loved this guy.  I couldn't understand what he was saying, but the cadence of the message was familiar.  He was very soft spoken, then he'd get loud, he'd tell a joke, then whisper, and back to a normal tone.  He used call and response, a lot.  He had the people in the palm of his hands.

What was evident to me today, is that charm is universal, too.  This man was charismatic, engaging and charming.  I thought so and couldn't understand what he was saying.  I can't imagine how so much more powerful it was for the folks following along with him.

I continued to listen intently.  He spoke about 45 minutes, when he abruptly stopped, and everyone booked out of there.  You would have thought it was a fire. They were probably making way for another service.  We all moved outside to a common breezeway where the other congregants from the English church were milling about.  The folks from the Ethiopian church moved to another building, maybe a fellowship hall.  I didn't go because I had promised to give a ride to a friend and her young girls and they were ready to go.

Next time I'll go see what happens next with the Ethiopians.  It was an incredible experience that I would enjoy again.

Side note - Respectfully, I saw more women with booties today, than any other time since I've been here.  Very shapely women.  Jennifer Lopez would have felt right at home.

Side note 2 - My VP friend that I took home lives in a fabulous villa.  It's a two-home compound across the sheet from the Emirati who owns the property.  It is a magnificent home.  Eight bedrooms, and four full baths.  Maid quarters.  Marble everywhere.  Light fixtures that sparkle.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  It is located in a fabulous residential area, where the homes make the McMansions in the US look like miniature doll houses.  These homes were massive!  HUGE!  All surrounded by fort-like fences, but enough gates were open to see many of the homes and go WOW!

Side note 3 - A Maybach passed me on the road today.  It was one of the cars featured in Sex and City 2, which was filmed on location in Abu Dhabi.

Side note 4 - It is an impressive sight seeing men of all nationalities trekking to the mosques for services.  They come from all corners of the area, heading to the nearest mosque.  You can hear the call to prayer all over this city, too.

Side note 5 - Some men wear skirts.  They look Indian or maybe from Bangladesh.  I haven't seen any work in skirts, but rather you see them when they're lounging around out front of their building or going to the corner market.

Side note 6 - This is definitely a hierarchical society headed by the Emirati.  Everyone seems to know who's in charge.  There's not the parting of the sea, but almost, when an Emirati shows up.

Fascinating place.

More soon.

Things I Like

I'll get to the things I like in a minute, but first let me touch on something I don't like. I promise I will keep a positive attitude throughout, but I just have to say this - I don't like milk.  Never have.  I'm lactose intolerant, so the fact that I'm not fond of it is OK.  However, since arriving here, I've had a taste for it on cereal, especially at night.  But here's what happened:  Twice.  TWICE.  I poured milk on a bowl of cereal to discover as I was pouring it that it wasn't skim milk, but buttermilk!  YUCK! SUPER YUCK!  Note to self - pay attention to the labels.  Funny thing, if this had happened when I first got here, it would have made more sense that I would screw up a purchase.  After scores of shopping excursions, and plenty of milk purchases, you'd think I would have gotten it.  Not so.

OK, now that that's off my chest, let me share the things I like.

The hoses in the bathrooms.  They are magical.

The Hose!

(The pictures I've included are from my hotel room, but they're the same in my apartment.  I'll take pictures there when my furniture arrives).

The virtually instant water boiler.  Takes about 30 seconds for the pot of water to boil.

Water Boiler

Actually, this next thing isn't something I like necessarily, it's just different from what I'm used to.  That is, the switch that must be turned on for the socket to work. I don't know if that means every socket has it's own fuse, or what.  Note that most of the sockets are the three-prong ones like we have on our washers and dryers. The other kind is a two prong one, with rounded prongs.  It is usually found in the bathrooms.  The three prong ones have flat, kind of square prongs.

Typical Socket

I burned out my hair dryer first thing when I arrived.  I used an adaptor to plug it in, but the dryer got super hot.  Too much juice coming from the wall?  I don't know.  It wasn't safe to use it, so I chucked it.

The last pictures are of the closet.  This one is built in , but most just set against the wall.  They're big, taking up most of the wall.  This one has cupboards that reach the ceiling.  I assume you can store things up there, but you need something to stand on.

Closet

Opened Closet

Side note - Forrest suggested, and I agreed, that my new wireless router should be named.  He's Tyrone.  I spent some quality time with him today, catching up on TV shows.  It was a joy watching them without the constant interruption of weak or lost signals.

Side note 2 - I used to watch a ton of TV.  That decreased drastically when I moved into the hotels in Sacramento.  They had different cable systems.  I didn't know when anything came on regularly because I TiVo'd everything.  I think it was a weening off, if you will, in preparation for living here, since seeing a live American show is rare. Interestingly, I scrolled through channels and have seen the Today show at night. It was live, but with the nine hour time difference from the East Coast, it was night here when it broadcasted live there.  So, I probably haven't watched three hours of TV since arriving in the UAE.  I purchased a TV with Western programming, but so far everything is still in Arabic.  I know watching TV is a great way to learn the language, so I'll probably keep a couple of Arab channels, but I'm hoping to get the Western channels soon.

Side note 3 - A dear friend just read my previous post, and reminded me that I forgot to mention, and to be thankful for, my health.  So very true.  None of this would be possible if I as in poor health, so yes, thank God I am well.  Actually, my little homesick friend has been sick since she arrived in this country.  Bronchitis progressed to pneumonia.  She's seen a doctor a couple of times, and is much better.  So, yes - I'm incredibly grateful for my good health.

Side note 4 - It's a very chilly 57 degrees outside this morning.  You need a light jacket for sure.  It'll warm up to about 75 by mid-day.


Side note 5 - Having breakfast at my new place.  It didn't make much sense filling the refrigerator and cupboards in the hotel just to move it again in a few days. Besides, sipping coffee and writing to you in my new home is a pleasant way to start the day.  


Side note 6 - I'm especially thankful for family and friends, too.  


Happy Holidays!

Gratitude

This is the second time I'm writing today, but I won't post until tomorrow because I left my computer at my new place.


Random thoughts first - 



I saw two young guys cruising in a silver and black Rolls Royce.  They definitely wanted to be sure they were seen because they kept going back and forth through the mall parking lot.  Could have been there to pick up someone, but I don't think so. They were showing off their ride.


Some of the women wear burkas that look like half-masks.  It covers their mouths and chins.  You can see more of their face, but a first glance, they look like guys in drag.  Not the most attractive look.


All Emirati men, both young and old, wear sandals with their robes - mostly brown, but I've seen black and white ones, too.  But what I have not seen is a man with crusty feet.  There's a salon for men on every corner where they get haircuts and their beards trimmed or sculptured, as I described recently.   I'm thinking they get pedicures there, too, cause they have pretty feet.  If there is such a thing.


There is almost always the strong smell on incense in the malls.  You can easily locate the kiosk where the guy is firing up and burning many different scents.  It reminds me of guys smoking reefer in college, trying to mask the smell with the incense.  It didn't work. It also reminds me of the Catholic Church.  When someone dies, they fire it up at a funeral mass, and on the occasion of a high mass they bring it out, too. Funny how smells jar certain memories.


I've only seen one brand of gas stations and they are all full service.  Not having to pump your own gas is a real treat and harkens back to the days of old.  


The native folks are really a beautiful people.  I saw a guy in the mall yesterday that was just gorgeous.  Stunning even.  I was old enough to be his momma, but that didn't keep me from enjoying the view.


Now to the real message for today - 

I've been thinking about a line my dear friend Deb M. taught me.  It's "Lord I apologize".  It is usually succeeded by something that probably should be left unsaid.

I couldn't get that phrase out of my head, not because of an inappropriate thought, word or deed, but because of my ungrateful attitude in reference to my rental car.  I met a friend, the couple with the two boys that left Abu Dhabi just before me, out shopping today.  It was good to see them.  During the course of the conversation about where to find bargains, she asked me if I had a car, and I talked about my hooptie.  Then I felt awful because they don't have a car yet, and here I am complaining about the one I have.   They have to get a cab everywhere they go, and with two kids, that's not easy.  Also, the wife's school is 90 minutes one way, so her commute is long.  I didn't even ask how she gets to and from work.   I was just remembering how I griped about my 45 minutes, that will soon be 30 minutes.

Shame on me for my ungrateful attitude.  I just posted about being thankful wherever you are, but in the case of my car, I was anything but.

Everyone needs someone in their life to check them.  My brother, Forrest, who is ten years older than me, is that person in my life.  I hope I'm that person in my sons' lives.  I think when you don't have someone who can be totally honest with you, is when you're more apt to go off the deep end.

Forrest and I talk almost every day, but for the last week or so, because of spotty internet coverage, we haven't been able to chat.  He is so much more than a brother. Because of the age difference, in many ways, he's more like a father figure.  As I mentioned before, he is the reason I left home and went to college.  And when my scholarship ran out after two years, he paid my way through school.  He's a terrific counselor and is definitely the reason Ben and Frankie lived to adulthood.  He has been, and continues to be, my confidant.

Anyway, I said all that to say, Forrest is my rock and my moral compass.  I can count on him to always be honest with me.  However, as of today, I hope my circle of friends and family will widen to include more of you who will join the ranks of setting me straight.  I give you permission to virtually slap me if you ever hear me whining or feeling sorry for myself again.  I know better, and still I'm guilty of it.

So, I decided, on this day, the one month anniversary of my being in the UAE, I want to spend the rest of this time sharing my gratitude for the most fantastic month of my life!

I'm thankful for the extraordinary time I've had of exploring this new world.  For all of the things I've done and the great people I've met.  Take the woman from New York who was waiting for her husband to arrive to share the experiences.  I know what you're  thinking.  You're tempted to feel sorry for me because I'm not sharing the experiences with someone special.  Stop right there.  I share them with you every day, and I do what I want, when I want, so I'm good.  More than good, I'm great!

I'm thankful for this blog, so that I can keep a record of all of the wonderful things I've seen and done and I'm thankful to be able to share it with you.

I'm thankful for the people I've met, the strangers who have helped me to navigate these new cities.

I'm thankful for the man, who just yesterday, motioned to me that I was driving the wrong way.  I was in a parking lot, but still, it could have gotten ugly.

And yes, I'm thankful for my rental car.  I'm thankful that the weather is wonderful so most days I can open the windows and enjoy a fresh breeze.  I'm grateful it's good on gas.  I'm grateful that I can shop anytime I want and not have to worry about hauling bags around, trying to catch a cab.  I'm grateful that I have a car to find and attend church.  Even when I was getting lost, I wouldn't have had those experiences of seeing new things - often accidentally - if I wasn't driving myself around in my rental car.

Gratitude is a choice.  I choose to be thankful everyday.

In Love - Part 2

Imagine this.  I'm in my new apartment.  Sipping steaming hot coffee. Sitting on pillows still wrapped in plastic.  Facing a blank wall.  The windows are open.  A light breeze is blowing the curtains to and fro, ever so lightly.  The smell of new permeates the place.  You know, like the smell of new shoes or a baby doll unwrapped out of the plastic for the first time.  I love that smell.

I left my fully furnished, very comfortable hotel room to be here so that I can take advantage of my new WIRELESS Internet.  Thank God for it!

Forget the Ferrari, I'm totally and completely in love with my wireless router.  Yes. My WIRELESS ROUTER.  Never, ever have I appreciated a piece of equipment so much.  The speed is extraordinary.  It's just he and I.  Yep.  It's a guy.  No one else sharing the air space or whatever space the router uses.  No one interfering with me and my online quest to read the news, catch up on the latest celebrity gossip, download pictures of Zadie, or sharing my thoughts with you.  Not since I closed up my home in Sacramento, have I experienced the utter joy of a stress-free online experience.  The adage, "You don't miss the water til the well runs dry," is so apropo.  Folks, let me encourage you to enjoy your router.  Take care of him or her. Appreciate all that he or she does for you.  You'll be glad you did.

The curtains are up.  It's amazing how just that little addition has changed the feel of the place.  It's no longer cold and sterile.  I's becoming warm and homey.

The foreman who took care of this for me, is running a racket.  I know.  He knows I know, but he's the guy who can get things done.  So, I'm OK with it.  He had me to pay him for the work, although two other guys actually did it.  He then, would pay them.  I'm thinking I could have hired them directly, but I can tell, I need to have a good relationship with this guy, to ensure that my time here is pleasant and productive.  Besides, otherwise, he's a nice guy.

I know what you're thinking.  She has gone over there and lost her moral compass. Yeah.  Yeah.  I know. That may be true, but I learned long ago, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, as long as the Romans are not doing anything illegal or totally immoral.  A little bit immoral is OK.

Someone is on the way to hook up my combo wash/dryer unit.  It was supposed to happen late yesterday, but I was OK with the delay.  By the end of the day, I was totally exhausted.

There's a store called the Al Ain Co-Op Society about two blocks from here.  It's much bigger and nicer than I imagined and the prices are comparable to the big chain stores.  I'll have to go there in a minute.  I think I forgot to use deodorant this morning.  I share this not to gross you out, but to share how much I appreciate deodorant, too.  One of the men who hung the curtains was ripe.  Really ripe.  I wanted so much to loan him one of my bathrooms to shower and put on new clothes and deodorant, but I didn't want to offend him.  I'm not sure if this is a culture thing, or just a hygiene thing, but it's common to have your sense of smell under attack with fierce body odor.

There is so much yet to explore in this area.  I accidentally went to the border of Oman again.  Explained I was lost, and was able to make a u-turn to get back in the UAE.  I'm anxious to see all that is out there, both in the UAE and Oman, but I want to have my home in order first.  Once that's done, then I'll hit the road again.

Yesterday I shared pictures of the outside of the apartment complex, but didn't mentioned anything in the post.  It's located in a residential area, with stores and malls about two miles away.  The government is renting out a whole wing for the ADEC staff, so I'm pretty sure everyone around me is a teacher or administrator.  I lived in my last place in Sacramento for ten years, not knowing who my neighbors were, and I was very OK with that.  I'm hoping for the same anonymity here.  My closet neighbor, down the hall from me, is the young homesick teacher I made reference to in an earlier post.  She shared that she likes hanging out, like she did in college, which she just graduated from yesterday.  I reminded her I could be her momma, and I never was the hanging out type.  I shared that I'm a lone ranger and like it like that.  I think she got the message that she should continue to be on the lookout for someone else to hang with.  It definitely won't be me.

I know.  That sounds harsh.  As I shared earlier, I believe folks cross your path for a reason, but I don't think the Good Lord sent me over here to babysit grown folks. Help them to grown in independence, yes. Babysit, no.

I've never been so proud of a place before.  Everything that is in here, or will be in here, is a reflection of me.  Just me.  My other places had remnants of married life, family life.  Things we'd bought together when I was married.  Things we had for the boys.  This is just a reflection of me, for me.  It can be as girly or masculine as I want it to be.  It's totally my decision.  I don't have to confer or compromise with anyone else.  I like that.  A lot.  Could be why I'm still alone, huh?

Anyway, I know I've gone on and on about nothing really, but I've had a great time doing it.  Reading these is probably like talking to a long-winded person . . . after a while you just tune them out and check in with a nod or grunt every now and then. With this, you can check out the topic, see how long-winded I am today, and simply skip most of it and scroll down to the end.  I promise.  I'm not mad at you.  I'm just glad you're checking in at all.

Until next time . . .

Second Look

Random Thoughts:

I wrote this entry this morning, but couldn't get online to send it.  I'm thrilled to report that I have WIRELESS Internet in my new place.  It was hooked up today.  I didn't think to take my laptop with me to take it for a spin, but I will tomorrow.  I move in on the 28th.  The last of my things will be delivered that day.  Can't wait!

Now for today's post:

Al Mauriji Village
My New Home

I know I mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating. The Emirati men have the most groomed, well-kept beards I've ever seen.  In fact, I would go so far as to say they're sculptured, works of art.  I'm sure I am more in tuned to this because of the men that dominate my world - three brothers, no sisters, and two sons, no daughters.  If ever I get bold enough, I'm going to ask one of them to take his picture to show you what I mean.  Suffice it to say, the expertly trimmed beards lend an air of aristocracy on the wearer.

There are two dear friends in Sacramento that I'm reminded of often.  In fact, every time I'm on the road driving, I think of them.  Cathy W. and Deb M. are the most organized folks I know. I was told that the UAE government hired a Swiss firm to come in and create addresses for the country.  However, after working on it for a year, they found it impossible to master, and ditched the project.  I'd bet everything I own that Cathy and Deb would have this city organized with addresses in less than a week.

Speaking of Cathy and Deb - They're the ladies who helped me clean out my incredibly junky, filled-to-the-brim, garage (and house).  With every purchase I make now, I'm buying things with the thought of selling them a couple of years from now, just in case I'm on the move again.  You'll be happy to hear ladies, that I'm thinking as a minimalist, and as you know, that is a real stretch for me.

View of Al Mauriji Village
Driving Up

Getting back to the roads and driving again for a minute - now that I have the GPS, I'm totally dependent on it.  I struggled so much with trying to remember landmarks, now I'm letting the machine do all the work.  I'm hopeful, in time, I'll start to "see" the way the city is laid out in my head, and then I'll be able to make the connections so that it makes sense to me.  In the meantime, the GPS is helping to keep me sane. The fact that this country doesn't have addresses is a well-kep secret.  Someone, somewhere, should have shouted it from the rooftops.  In all of the travel books, and get-to-know the culture and the country books, no one mentioned this. Maybe, this little fact is kept under the radar because it might deter tourism. Mmmmmm.  Just a thought.

Community Room, Gym
& Rooftop Swimming Pool

Final word on traffic - I kept trying to figure out why it takes so long to get around the city.  I'm two miles from the nearest mall, but it takes about 15 minutes to get there. After timing it a couple of times to figure out what the deal is, I've concluded it's the roundabouts and speed bumps every quarter to a half mile.  The roundabouts are faster than sitting at a light, but navigating through them definitely takes time.  As far as the speed bumps go, I espouse to (my late brother) Terry's theory, which was the faster you go over them, the less you feel 'em.  Unfortunately, no one else got this message.

Fort Roundabout
Near the Hotel

Yesterday I saw a motorcycle left running on a curb.  It was a delivery cycle.  The pizza guys and other delivery guys ride motorcycles with a box on the back of the seat where another person would be riding.

Speaking of bikes, it has been extremely rare to see someone riding a plain old bike. I'm guessing it's for safety reasons.  As I've mentioned before, everyone takes a very laid bad approach to living, EXCEPT when they get behind a wheel.  Then it's on.  The question becomes, how fast can I get from point A to B.  I would say that at least 90% of the drivers I see on the road are men.  That explains it, right?

Flamingo (???) Roundabout

I don't think the word has gotten out here that smoking is bad for your health.  I'm surprised at how many folks I see smoking - young and old natives.  Interestingly, I've never seen a woman smoke, nor have I seen any of the laborers, those folks who are seen but not seen, that constitute the work force, smoking.

Intellectually, I know we're approaching the holidays, but for some reason, I'm not nearly as conscious of it.  In fact, I have to remind myself that Christmas is less than a week away.  Of course, this is a Muslim country, and as such, the folks don't celebrate Christmas.  The larger chain stores have Christmas trees up and decorations for sale, but it is extremely low key.  I'm grateful I did my Christmas shopping early while I was waiting around to depart.  Otherwise, it would have been easy to forget.  Thankfully, the churches I've attended are good reminders.

Finally, it's not unusual for folks to take a second look when they see me.  I think they're trying to figure out if I'm one of them.  Whatever "them" is.  Most of the folks who look like me are Arab, so I wonder if they think I'm just a wayward, haven't-figured-out-how-to-dress, sista.  Of course, when I open my mouth, I totally give it away and I'm recognized as just another expat.

OK.  Just one more thing - my curtains will be hung today.  It was arranged by the foreman of the apartment complex, which has a "side" job of taking care of the tenants.  All under the table, hush hush.  I love this guy.  More about him later.

Got Perm?

To my guy readers, you won't appreciate this, but to you ladies, you'll totally understand my utter amazement and total excitement when I found the perm products for my hair.  I bought a dozen boxes of the stuff before I left Sacramento because I had no idea whether I could find it here.  Because of weight restrictions, I could only bring two.  A friend will mail the remainder as soon as I get a mailing address, but it's no hurry now because I can find it locally.

Speaking of mailing, the test postcard and package arrived in New York on the 16th. I mailed it on the 5th.  It was supposed to take three days.  Oh well, considering how far it had to travel, I'm OK with that.  More than anything, I'm happy it arrived.

On more thing about mail - I went to rent a post office box, but I was advised against it until January because of the rate.  If I purchased it now, it would cost $25 for about two weeks.  If I wait unil January, I'll pay $73 for the year.  So, soon and very soon, I'll have a way to receive mail.  YEAH!  I didn't realize how much I missed it.

Side note - I hope you don't mind my sharing a few of the latest pictures of Zadie Faye, my one year old granddaughter.

Pensive

Thank God for the Google Boys and all of the tech folks who have made it such an ease to get information and keep in touch.  As recently as 2005 when my son Ben was living and working in Indonesia, the communication via email was primitive and seems archaic by today's standards.  Last week, I  emailed a friend asking her to share a document, and I had the response immediately.  Even though we're 10,000 miles apart.  I still haven't figured out how radios work, so I have no earthly idea how this magic happens, I'm just very glad that it does, again and again.  Can you imagine what the world will look like when Zadie, is grown? Space age, for sure!

Random Thoughts:

I was too tired to post last night.  Yesterday was another long day of getting my new home set up.  Lots of back and forth.  It was long, but very productive.

I tried hanging curtains last night because I wanted them up first, but I will take advantage of hiring someone to do it.  Those of you who know me well, know that I'm pretty self-sufficient.  I did everything in my home myself - hanging things, setting up the computer, and hooking up the electronics.  However, the ceiling is high and I'm not comfortable on the top rung of the six-foot ladder, so I'll get one of the maintenance men to do it.

A casual meal

The curtains need to be up because the windows open up to the main street of the complex.  The natural light is wonderful, but to avoid being caught with my pants down, so to speak, I need the privacy that the window coverings will bring.

Grocery carts are called trolleys.  I know because I walked out of a store with my hands full and promptly fell down the steps leading to my car.  Thankfully, I landed square on my bottom.  When I did, an Emirati man who witnessed this escapade, asked me why I didn't use a trolley.  The issue wasn't the bags really, it was something wet on the marble sidewalk that I didn't see in time.

I'm fascinated by the sidewalks here.  I think because Ben was in a wheelchair for months and a dear friend uses a motorized chair, I'm probably more conscious than most about level ground and smooth curbs.  It appears, this country has neither.  It is a contrast of the old and new in streets and curbs, too.  Some sidewalks are made of cobblestone - rough and bumpy.  Others are marble - smooth and shiny.  It is not uncommon to find open holes in the sidewalk, or wooden planks covering most of an opening in the street.  So, note to self - always be careful where you're walking.

That was soooo good!

I tried to upgrade my hooptie car for a nicer model yesterday, when I discovered breaking the monthly contract would mean being charged an exorbitant price.  I opted to keep it instead.  The issue is not so much the car itself, but the rank smell of cigarettes inside it.  You don't realize how offensive old, stale, lingering cigarette smoke can be until it engulfs your very being.  Funny, I love the smell of cigars, but cigarettes, no so much.

There was a display of Camel Cigarettes that caught my eye in the store yesterday. Do they still sell them in the US?

Most cars here have black windows, not just tinted dark, but totally black.  I'm guessing it's to keep the fierce sun out, but you can rarely see the other driver.

Enjoying a book

I switched over to a Mac laptop just before I left Sacramento.  Boy, was that a shock to my system.   I owned an iPhone and was thrilled with its ease of use, and expected the same thing with the Apple laptop.  Not so at all for me.  It was lesson after lesson in frustration.  Thank God for my brother Forrest who talked me off the ledge several times when I was ready the chuck this sucker and then jump.  I made dozens of trips to the Apple Store to get help.  Thankfully, I'm good to go now. When I got the Mac, I needed to transfer all of the files from my PC to it, which went fine, but somehow I lost my iTunes library in the shuffle.  Today, I found it. YEAH!!!

You don't realize how much you lipread when you're talking to someone, until that option is not available.  Most of the native women wear veils over their faces, so when talking to them, their mouths are covered.  It is so much harder to understand what they're saying without the benefit of seeing their mouths.

Women are not bothered here.  The men are very respectful of the women.  No unwanted advances, no impromptu encounters (unless the woman initiates it), no hassles of any kind.  I think that's why it's so safe for women to be out late at night alone.  Of course, I'm rarely out after the sun goes down, but on those rare late nights, I wasn't anxious or fearful for my safety.

Last thought - I am so thankful for the wisdom that comes with growing older.  I don't think I could have made this kind of drastic change in my life when I was younger. Somehow with age, you recognize that somehow, some way, things will work out. As I like to say, the sun will rise in the east and set in the west, so rest assured, everything will be OK.  Maybe not as soon as we want them to be, but eventually, all will be well in the world - your world - again.  Maybe it's not just wisdom, but faith too, that has helped me to reach this understanding about life.  Whatever it is, it's a good place to be, and I'm very grateful for it.

Shopping - Part 2

Today was a twelve hour day of shopping with just over an hour of being lost.  This time I was lost because of HORRIBLE directions!  I was actually in the parking lot of where I needed to be when I called and was told I was in the wrong place.  These directions were flat out bad.

Thankfully, my lost times are growing shorter now that I'm using the navigational system every time I leave home.  God bless the man, or woman, who invented these things.  They are truly a life saver.

As I said, I went shopping.  Not my favorite thing to do, but I was just returning to stores finalizing purchases, as I did most of the heavy lifting yesterday.

Some things here are very reasonably priced - furniture (solid wood, king size bed and mattress with three-piece wardrobe is less than $1000), large and small appliances, dishes, pot and pans, etc., while other things, like electronics - cell phones (iPhone 4=$700), car rentals (leasing my hooptie car for a month=$476), navigational systems ($250), etc., are not.  Gas is relatively cheap, though.  It cost $20 to fill up a car the size of a Toyota Corolla.

Let me go back for a minute - I purchased a wardrobe because my new place does not have closets.  That's true of most homes here. There are no bedroom closets, no linen closets.  No storage space at all, except for the kitchen.  There are cabinets in the kitchen.  Interesting.  Has to be a guy's design.

It took some doing to find a plain sofa.  Most were very ornate and flashy. Lots of frilly and shiny material.  The light fixtures and lamps had "crystal eyedrops" hanging on most.

There is at least one Ikea in this country.  It's on Yas Island, about fifteen miles from Abu Dhabi.  I'm told when you purchase from them, they deliver and put everything together for you at no extra charge.  They deliver as far away as we are - about 100 miles.  

I'm really looking forward to finally unpacking.  By the time all of my things are delivered, in about two weeks, I will have lived out of suitcases about three months. I purchased things from three different stores and I have three different delivery dates.  The first is on Monday, one on Christmas (Merry Christmas to me), and the final delivery is on the 28th.  The last date is when my bed will arrive.  I'll be completely moved in my New Year's Eve.  Yeah!

Well, there are more errands to run tomorrow.

Until then, be well and enjoy life.

Shopping

One of Many Mosques

Today began in church.  It was not as big as the one I went to in Abu Dhabi, but it was still several hundred folks there at the second service.  Thankfully, it is located next to a hospital, so it was easy to find.

Both of these churches were filled with expats from around the globe.  One of my most respected teachers is a member there.  She is from South Africa.  I met her husband, daughter and nephew.  The pastor was down to earth and funny.  It's a place of worship that would work for me, but I think I'll take this time that I have off to visit others, and then make a decision.

From there, I went back home, gave my neighbors a lift to the store, and went to my new apartment to meet the cable guys.  They didn't come with a wireless modem, so I sent them packing.  Having wireless internet that works consistently is a must. The spotty service in the hotel has been aggravating.  Below is a picture of one of the companies that provide Internet services.  The blue fence in front is one the median and goes on for a while.  It is very pretty.

Etisalat Building
(Cable, Phone & Internet Provider)

I'm still waiting on my housing allowance, but it was confirmed that we all got paid yesterday, so I went shopping for a refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer combo, and everything else you need to set up a home.  I surprised myself by buying the kitchen stuff first.  Dishes, glasses, flatware, pots and pans.  If I ever decide to cook, I'll be ready.

Side note - There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of middle ground relative to the ages of folks who work for ADEC.  They're either brand new teachers between 25-30 and more seasoned folks my age.  One of the young ones is a friend who is very homesick.  I believe she's in my world for a reason, but she's looking at the glass half empty and I choose not to.  It's a personal choice that everyone has to make. There is something I could be complaining about every day - the country with no addresses, the bureaucracy, etc.  Come to think about it, I have gripped and complained about these things, but I choose to live my life dwelling on all of the wonderful things that are happening instead.  I hope I can encourage her to do the same.  Don't get me wrong, I miss you guys, but I'm not homesick.  I believe I'm where I'm supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to do.  And so there's a peace in me that I'm thankful for.

Side note 2 - Christopher Hitchens died today.  He was a columnist at Vanity Fair and he had a brilliant mind.  I rarely agreed with him, but I loved hearing him defend his position.  He was British, so all of his arguments came with that biting, sharp, British wit.  I was introduced to him when I saw him on Real Time with Bill Maher several years ago.  RIP Mr. Hitchens.

Below you will see one of my favorite landmarks in the city - this clock.  It keeps the correct time and the hands on it light up at night.  It's located on the corner of a busy intersection, and today was the first day I had a red traffic light, giving me time to take the photo.

Clock

Side note 3 - My new GPS has been a lifesaver!  I did get lost again trying to find my apartment, so that I could save it.  After about 45 minutes of running around, I flagged a Taxi and asked the driver to lead the way there.  He had to make a call to confirm where it was, but then we were on our way.  Once there, I saved the location, but didn't trust it, so I left, drove a few blocks and set it to find HOME! Thankfully it did, with no problem.

Let me leave you with this - No matter where you are in life, choose to be thankful.

Lost and Found

Today, on the way to work, I saw a herd of camels, all saddled and ready to roll. This amazing sight came about when I was lost.  Yep.  Really lost.  It took me two hours to get to school.  It should have taken 45 minutes.  But, I would have missed seeing the camels if I had been on time, so I was OK with being lost.

Actually, just about the time I figured out where I was, I was about to go back and try and find my hotel to retrace my steps and start the trek all over again. Gratefully, that didn't have to happen.

The Hilton Hotel Al Ain is a prominent landmark.  Most folk use it when giving directions in the southern part of the city.  You're suppose to make a turn near it, and that's what I kept goofing up.  I must have seen the Hilton 17 different times, from every possible angle.

I stopped by a store yesterday to buy a navigational system, but the prices were three times what I paid for one in the US.  I decided to use the navigational system on my phone, but it was picky.  It wanted street signs and addresses, so it was no good.  It froze up when I put in GPS coordinates.  The automated guy on my phone GPS said "I don't recognize your position."  I said, "Me either."

So, you know what I did on the way home from work, right?  Headed straight for the store.  Yes, indeed.  I purchased a Garmin and STILL GOT LOST!  It couldn't help me today because it didn't know where I was going either.  Hopefully, next time I turn it on, it will be able to find HOME.

While I was lost on my way home, I stumbled into a neighborhood and couldn't believe the size and extravagance of the homes.  Like I mentioned before, folks here live in compounds of several houses, and they're behind high, elaborate, decorative fences that resemble forts.  Today was the first time I passed by so many with their gates open.  The homes were all at least three stories tall.  Lots of glass.  Lots of marble. Lots of brilliant light fixtures.  I came real close to driving in to one of the compounds to ask for directions, but it was getting dark, and I wasn't sure if I would be welcomed.

After spending about a half hour rubber necking through the neighborhood, I found the "fort roundabout." Thankfully, most of the roundabouts have a theme of some kind.  Even with distinguishing features, they all start to look alike after a while.

Remember when I mentioned how cutting edge this country is in so many ways? The Emirati are brilliant people on so many levels.  That's why it's hard to understand the lack of street signs and addresses.  Seems to me, when building a city, you would start with that, right?

I know I've spent a long time talking about this, but after being lost for almost three hours today, it's heavy on my mind.

Now to school and an interesting observation.

We had an inservice today, the last day before a holiday.  Not the best timing, for sure.  Although the native folks were kind and gracious, it was a divided auditorium. They were on one side and the Western teachers on the other.  From the stage, I could see I have my work cut out for me to somehow bridge the gap, so that we're all speaking the same language, so to speak.  The language absolutely presents a barrier, but so do the customs and rituals we're not used to.

I know what it feels like to be the minority in a room, class, auditorium, etc., but I think some of our Western teachers are experiencing that feeling for the first time and it's uncomfortable for them.  My challenge is to get everyone on the same page, moving in the same direction.

I heard some more today about the boys' behavior.  Primarily, the children in the UAE are being raised by nannies, who are afraid to disciplined the kids.  I was told some nannies have been whipped and beat for trying to correct bad behavior.  They most certainly would be fired.  So, many of the kids grow up spoiled, and running the show, if you will.

At our school, this is the first year that this group of boys have been taught by women teachers.  Before they were at a boys' school with an all-male staff.  The boys do not come to school with the same respect for female teachers that they had for the men teachers.  Culturally, men play a more prominent role in this society, and the consequence of that attitude, is played out in the school.  It is very interesting.

Below please find a picture of six of ten young women who represent the custodial staff at school.  There are four others, but I didn't meet them.  These ladies passed by my office, saw me there, and came by to see if I would take a picture with them. They were so warm and friendly, I had a great time chatting with them.

Custodial staff at my school

They arrive at school via bus at 6:00am and work until 5:30pm, when the bus picks them up and returns them to their housing area about 45 minutes away.  At most US schools, there is some custodial staff in the day time, but there is also someone who cleans at night.  Not so here.  They are cleaning the building all day long, everyday.  They are also sometimes treated as servants when the native folks need or want something done that they don't want to do.  For example, the natives have them carrying their things and fetching things for them.  Servant work.  Too often, that's how they are perceived.  The young ladies told me that they make 600 dirhams a month.  That's $163, for twelve hour days, six days a week. They will be working every day except Fridays, all during our winter break.

They paid an agency in the Philippines to get them the job.  They also had to pay for their travel to the UAE.  If they decide they don't won't the job, or can't do it, they have to pay their own way to return home.

The time that they have been in the UAE ranges from one year four months to two years.  It was interesting how they responded when I asked them how long they'd been here.  They each gave the exact time, like they were counting the days.

Finally, the way the native folks greet each other is a sight to see.  I mentioned how some men rub noses, well the ladies blow at least three air kisses on the side of the face of the person they're greeting.  If they're really close, the kisses mount up to five or six.  Other women do the "European" double kiss on either cheek.  Suffice it to say, it takes a minute to say hello.

I was lost, but thankfully, now I'm found, hopefully never to be lost again.

Sheikh Zayed's Quotes

I have been struggling for almost two hours trying to get online.  Yes.  Called for help.  Twice.  OK.  Guy just arrived and it's working perfectly.  Don't you just hate that?!?

Today was Day 3 on the job.  No kids showed up for school . . . again.  We're not expecting any tomorrow either.  Minimum days take on a whole new meaning here.

My school - Library from the outside

There was a meeting with the Vanderbilt University Coach, as decisions were made in reference to assignment of duties for the vice principals.  Thankfully, the meeting was efficiently run.  It still took a while, but we got a lot accomplished.

That was followed by an exchange of gifts by staff in the library.  There was supposed to be a limit on how much to spend, but most of the Emirati Women came in with bags from exclusive jewelry and accessory stores.  So my little gift from Bath & Body Works was truly a token.  Thankfully, one of the Western teachers received it.

I was told earlier this year, one of the bus monitors, an Emirati, gave a Western teacher a bracelet from Tiffany's "just cause."

My school - Side view

Speaking of gifts, it is customary for new staff members to give a gift to the principal.  Yes.  Bath & Body Works for her, too.  The principal, in turn, purchased a going away gift for a staff member (money was collected from everyone) that was spectacular!  I'm sure what was collected didn't begin to pay for the gift, a fabulous watch.

The ladies may all be in black abayas, but if you check out their shoes and handbags, you will see just how lavish some of them are.  On Dec. 2nd, Founder's Day, the Sheikh gave all of the Emirati Nationals a 100% raise.  

No, I'm not ashamed to say I continue my search for an Emirati to marry.  Doesn't matter if he has other wives.  I'm OK with that.  

After the exchange of gifts, everyone went into one of the courtyards to play games. Not my cup of tea, so I escaped to my office to complete some paperwork so I wouldn't have to do it tonight.  The games were followed by a Bar-B-Q, which was fascinating to see.  

The Bar-B-Q grill was a low, square, heavy, cast iron gizzy.  There was charcoal on it, and next to this was another open fire in a trough-looking bucket.  The ladies squatted as they fanned the flames from the bucket onto the grill, helping the chicken to cook.  It was delicious!

I wanted to take a picture of all of this, but the women do not allow their pictures to be taken.  When the Western folks took pictures of themselves, the women likely to be in the frame covered themselves with their head scarves.  By the way, those scarves are miles long.  They're wrapped and wrapped and wrapped some more around their heads.

Me with the Head of Faculty X 2

Side note - You have to wonder how the native folks meet someone to get married. The women are covered up and they are always separated from the men.  When do they have the opportunity to meet, and date?  My principal's sons are getting married later this month.  I should ask her.  OK.  Maybe not yet.  

Side note 2 - The native men rub noses when they greet a close friend.  I saw this once in Abu Dhabi, but have seen it here several times.  It's interesting.  I have to be careful not to stare them down when I do witness it.

Side note 3 - There is a prayer room in the school.  Staff and students accompanied by adults are welcomed to use it during the day.

Beautiful Park in Downtown Area

Side note 4 - The following are two quotes by Sheikh Zayed, the first ruler of the UAE, that were framed in an office in the ADEC Building here in Al Ain.

"A country is not measured by the size of it's area on the map.  A country is truly measured by it's heritage and culture."  

"A woman constitutes half the society and keeps the house.  A country aspiring to build itself should not keep a woman in the darkness of illiteracy and a prisoner to the shackles of oppression."

Amazing, right?

Side note 5 - The current ruler of the country has a summer home here that I pass every day. It's so big, I thought it was a park.  It's a compound that takes up blocks and blocks.  There is a sign out front forbidding photographs to be taken. 

Side note 6 - Most of the families live on compounds.  When the kids grow up and marry, they all live on the same property together with their parents and grandparents.  They'd be serious drama for some of us if we lived like that.

Side note 7 - Went by my apartment today to check that the lights were on and that it was cleaned of the saw dust.  One of the Head of Faculty that I work with, also lives there, and I stopped by her place for a minute to get some decorating ideas.  

Beginning on Friday the 16th, I'll be on break for three weeks.  I look forward to exploring the area.  Having the car certainly helps.  

Speaking of car, I was so proud that I didn't get lost going to work or getting to my new place after work.  I did, however, get lost about two miles from home.  It's hard to make a correction when you goof up.  Finding a place to turn around can take a while.  By the time you get back on track, you have to remember where to get off on the roundabouts again.  I went round and round several of the roundabouts.  If anyone was watching, I sure they chuckled at the sight of me and my hooptie.  I stumbled on the border of Oman, that is literally just a couple of miles from this hotel.  I realized it was the border because the traffic was backed up at the checkpoint, and there was a sign reminding folks to have their passports ready to be checked.  

I'm thankful to have a car, for sure, and the car I have rented is colorful.  It's got character, and miles galore.  There are dents and scrapes, and it reeks of cigarettes.  Gratefully, the air condition works.  I needed it to keep cool during my long, lost trek home today.  Yep, it was the cheapest one on the lot.  I just needed something to get me from point A to B until I decide what to do about getting a car - you know, buy or lease.  Leasing would be the easiest, and I'm leaning in that direction.  Any suggestions/comments about the pro's and con's of buying vs. leasing would be greatly appreciated.  Remember, my email is fayesharpe@gmail.com.  Thanks!

New Home

I was so excited to start work, I forgot to mention I have a new home.  Not sure when I'll be moving in (waiting on a furniture allowance), but it's nice to know where it is and what it looks like, relative to shopping for it.

I had the option of being assigned a place or go out looking for one myself.  I opted for the assigned apartment.  It just saves me a ton of headaches.  Once I know the city better, then I'll consider a move closer to my school, if that's possible.

The apartment is in a new complex that opened in October, so I'll be the first tenant. It houses other folks from this program, which I think might be helpful.  It will be about 30 minutes from work, as opposed to 45 minutes now.  (More about today's adventure on the road in a minute).  It is completely empty - no refrigerator, stove, microwave - nothing.  So, I'll be shopping for everything.

Now for my day at work.

It began early.  I left home at 6:00, allowing myself an hour to get there.  Thank God for the presence of mind to do that because I was lost for at least 15 minutes.

The plan to follow the mountain didn't work because it was foggy.  I couldn't see it.  I kept loosing count of the roundabouts, so counting them didn't work either.

I was given another landmark though.  Look out for the camel crossing, then you know you're on the right track.  Did I mention I saw camels crossing the first day?

Side note - Camels are very graceful animals.  They remind of a woman in stilettos who is comfortable wearing heels and walks with style and ease.

Speaking of camels, there was one that was lying down in the back of a pick-up truck that passed me today, and every now and then, he would lift his head.  I wanted so much to take a picture, but I dared not take my hands off the wheel.

Side note 2 - The roundabouts typically have three lanes of traffic going around them.  The folks on the right yield, and you race in quick when there's a lull.

Once I got to school, things went well.

I headed straight over to the boys' section to see for myself what all the fuss was about in reference to their behavior.  There were less than 10 students in the only class with kids.  We're on minimum days, and I'm told the kids usually don't bother coming.  The class that I observed had some shout outs, but nothing crazy was going on.

Did I mention that the two faculty heads are African-American women?  One is from Texas, not sure about the other, although she has been in the Middle East for 10 years and she speaks and reads Arabic.  Good feeling about both of them.  They, too, seem to be well-respected by the staff.

Side note 3 - I signed up for an Arabic Class with one of them, beginning in January.

Side note 4 - One of the ladies pulled me aside and told me it's customary to buy a gift for the principal when you arrive.  There's also Bar-B-Q tomorrow, and a gift exchange.

I arrive home at 6:30, after getting lost again, and after going by the mall to purchase these presents and to get my lights and Internet turned on.  I love the way you are able to take care all of your business in the malls here.  The bank in this mall is open until 10:00pm.  It's one stop shopping, for sure.

Once I arrived home, I had homework.  I needed to memorialize the meeting we had today, and publish an agenda for one that is forthcoming.

For those of you who know me from a work setting, you know I'm a stickler for starting and ending meetings on time, and I won't call a meeting just to chew the fat. If there's nothing to share or discuss, we won't meet.  Today's meeting began on time, but it went on and on and on, for almost two hours!  All that we accomplished could have been done in 30 minutes . . . max, and that's with time for discussion. Much of the reason it took so long was culturally based.  No one was in a hurry, even at the end of the day.

Note to self - take deep breaths and smile a lot.

Side note 5 - Speaking of smiling, I was told to smile and greet everyone (ladies only) with a handshake.

Faux pas 2 - I extended my hand to the school security guard and shouldn't have. When he didn't reach for mine, I knew I'd blown it.  Women do not shake hands with men in this country.

Side note 6 - Most of the Arab women at work cover their faces when men are around, and some keep themselves covered all the time.  It's not easy identifying folks by the eyes, or by the foot ware.  Hopefully I'll recognize their walks soon.

I have to go to bed to be ready for tomorrow.

I can't complain at all about the long days.  I've had plenty of fun times since I've been here, waiting to be processed.  We're paid from the time we enter the country, so now I'm earning it.

For those of you who have commented on the blog or via email, thanks a bunch. It's great hearing from you.

First Day at Work

Yes.  Today was the day.  My first day on the job.  My cluster manager picked me up at the hotel, so that I could get a grasp of where I was going.  Remember, there was no address to put in a GPS unit.  Actually, I was told that a mountain range that runs through the city is a great landmark.  Duly noted.  Also, count the roundabouts. Also noted.  Tomorrow will be the test.  I drive myself.  Wish me luck.

I need to be at school at 7:00, so that I'm there and settled for when the boys arrive at 7:30.  The school is co-ed, very unusual for this area, but the boys and girls never interact.  Girls start at 8:00.  Interesting set up, for sure.

The school reminds me of A Tale of Two Cities.  Here's why:

The building is brand new, and state of the art in many ways.  The architecture and landscaping is beautifully done.  All of the classrooms are completely made of glass, so that you can see in the classrooms from inside and outside.    The girls are on one side of the building, the boys the other.

The school is wired for the internet, but it just got connected yesterday.  Really.  All of the classrooms have smart boards, but they're still covered in plastic.  There are no phones in the classrooms.  Not sure how they communicate with each other.  By cell phones, actually, but the reception is not very good in the building, so it may be hours before the text messages are relayed.  

School climate:

I heard repeatedly how naughty the boys are.  I wondered, how bad could their behavior really be?  The last time I asked that question was when I was making the decision to take over Jed Smith, and we know how that turned out.  So, I'm going in hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst.

The principal is well-respected in this organization and she seems to have a good team supporting her.  I'm the second of three VP's that will be in place when they're fully staffed.  The enrollment is just shy of 1100, but the way the building is designed, it has a small school feel to it.

The staff dress is very formal.  There are 60 teachers and they were all wearing abayas, except for three or four and they were in dresses to the floor.  I was in a dressy black pantsuit, but it was clear, slacks are not allowed.  First faux pas.  Note to self - buy more abayas.

I was expecting to be at school only a couple of hours, but the plans changed and I was there all day.  Of course, I didn't bring a lunch, and by the time I asked about purchasing one, lunchtime was over.  Note to self - keep snacks in your office. (Already purchased them after work today).  I hate getting a hungry headache.

Well, it was a good, long day and now it's bedtime.

Goodnight.

Addresses Anyone?

Thankfully, today was a very productive one.

However, I know for sure now that bureaucracy is alive and well all over the world.

I had to see someone in Customer Service at the ADEC Office.  You picked up a number before you walked in the room.  There were eight people available to help and no one else was in the room.  I went to one of them seeking assistance.  I was told to have a seat until my number was called, even though all eight folks were all available.

I'm growing in patience every day.

To be fair, that was in contrast to someone else who went out of her way to get things done for me.  I owe her chocolate.

In spite of the red tape, I left the ADEC Building with all of the documents I needed, and had the chance to speak with my Cluster Manager.    Thankfully, he's level-headed and frank.  My kind of guy.  He will take me to my school tomorrow.

He shared with me that it has an enrollment of 1200 students, and will have three VP's.  I'm number two.  It is co-ed, but the boys and girls never interact.  They are on different schedules entirely.

When I told him I couldn't find the address of the school online, he shared that this country doesn't have addresses!  All directions are given by landmarks.  I thought they were just doing that for the benefit of us new folks.  It also explains why someone suggested that I get a post office box.  That makes so much sense now.

After a ton of running around, I got my UAE driving license and rented a car today. Most impressive was finding my way back home, by the grace of God alone.

I was on a mission to get things done today, and didn't take the time to take pictures.  That will happen soon.

Until then, be well, and enjoy life.

Al Ain - The Garden City

We arrived in Al Ain last night.  There were six of us in the van, but only four were teachers being moved from Abu Dhabi here.  The other two ladies were friends of one of the teachers, and just tagged along.  Canada, England, New Zealand and the United States were represented.  We got here about 7:00pm, got a bite to eat, and then one of the ladies came over and we got online trying to figure out how to make Skype and gmail video chat work for me.  I think we got it.  I'm planning a test call tomorrow.

We're living in huge two bedroom hotel/apartments.  The size rivals my house in Sacramento or maybe it just seems so big because I've been living in one room for so long.  Whatever the case, it's big and I'm loving it. Four of us are neighbors in a four unit building.  There is a living room/dining room with a sofa, TV/DVD Player/cable box, two large chairs and a formal dining room set.  There is a large full kitchen and full laundry room.  The bathroom is so wide it could easily qualify for ADA compliance.  We can't get too comfortable though because this too, is temporary housing until we get our permanent places.

After breakfast we decided to go to the mall and do some furniture shopping. Dionne, my friend from England with the two girls, has already found a phenomenal home.  As it turns out, teachers are placed in housing, but administrators get to choose to live wherever we like, as long as it is covered by the allowance.   So first I need to house hunt, then shop for the furniture.

Note to self:  In the future, shop alone.  We were in the mall FOREVER!

After getting home from that excursion, I needed a nap, but couldn't sleep.  My next order of business was renting a car.  The businesses are open from 8:00-12:00, then they're closed until 5:00, and then reopen until 7:30.  Unlike Abu Dhabi, that had traditional times, this schedule will take some getting use to with that long break in the middle of the day.

At the appointed time, I headed to the car rental place, with the shaky assurance I could rent a car with my documentation.  As it turns out, I couldn't, but spent the next three hours taking care of the paperwork - getting my US license legally translated, applying for an ID Card, and running from shop to shop trying to find someone to copy my drivers license in color.  What was interesting is the man who legally translated my license, went to college in Washington State and did his graduate and post-graduate work in Michigan.  He has a son that lives in Folsom, CA, a suburb of Sacramento, and he visits him annually.  Very small world, isn't it?

This man was typing on an archaic typewriter, a relic really.  And it moved from right to left, just as they hand write from right to left in writing Arabic.

I was then sent to a "typist", sort of like our notary public, who handled the paperwork from my UAE ID.  As long as it took her, I expected to be leaving that office with an epistle, instead it was two sheets of paper where she filled in the blank on a few lines.  I wonder, if the natives moved out of this country, how difficult would it be for them to pick up the pace if they lived in the faster moving countries of the world?

As I was waiting, it was fascinating seeing so many Emirati boys, teenagers and young adults, just hanging out on the curb, chewing the fat.  There was also a parade of cars passing by that reminded me of low riders.  They were driving by slowly to see and be seen.  Kids will be kids wherever they are.

Side note - Huge Toyota model vehicles are everywhere here.  Land Cruisers,
are hot.  For every five cars I see, at least two of them are these large Toyotas. Gas is really cheap, so the cars tend to be big and bigger.

The city of Al Ain is very pretty.  In an earlier post, I described Abu Dhabi as the big brother, and Dubai as the flashy little sister, well Al Ain is like the prissy sister with beautiful greenery, flowers, and colorful, picturesque roundabouts that dot the landscape throughout the area.  There's definitely a homey feel here.  I was reading that there aren't any buildings over four stories high, in complete contrast to Adu Dhabi and Dubai, who have scores and scores of high rises and pride themselves on them.  I wanted to take pictures, but this is not a touristy city at all, so I wasn't sure if folks would appreciate my random shots.  I'll ask before I snap and offend.

Our hotel is on the outer limits on the northwest end of town.  My school is on outer limits on the southeast end.  I'll literally be going from one end of the city to the other everyday.  All the more reason to get my own transportation.

I was supposed to report to school tomorrow, but I'll be meeting with my cluster manager (this position is like a director, or maybe an associate superintendent) to get the lowdown on the school, and I'll go in on Monday.


More later.

On the Move

Battery Pack

Random thoughts:

Before I forget, I have to plug a battery pack that I purchased from Amazon.  I ran out of juice on the flight over to New York before I left Sacramento, and while I was on the road, I looked at battery packs in the airport.  They were at least $100.  The one I got cost $40 and works great.  It's about the size of my phone, and yesterday when I was out and about, my phone was plugged in and recharging in my purse. The brand is New Trent, and no, I'm not getting a commission for this recommendation, but I should.

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I saw all of these stores that sold cloth for sewing, or so I thought.  I visited one yesterday and the cloth is actually pieces of sari(s), the outfit that Indian women wear.  I wondered why there were mannequins modeling the sari in each of the store windows.  It's amazing that I didn't make the connection.

I haven't figured out the system for phone numbers.  My number is ten digits, not counting the country code.  It's 050-917-4857.  The country code is 971, but it's my understanding when you add the country code, you eliminate part of the 050 prefix and add the zeros in front of the country code(???).  I'm just not sure which part. Also, some businesses have only six numbers, others seven.  I've asked for clarification, but so far, the answers only raises more questions.  I'm thankful for gmail chat which allows you to call computer-to-computer at no charge.

There are two cab companies in Abu Dhabi.  The main one has grey cars - Toyotas and Nissans - with a yellow taxi sign on top.  All of these cars have meters.  The other company's cars are white with green doors.  Their fleet is definitely older, more worn.  They don't have meters.  The driver just "feels" the amount owed.  These drivers are a little shady, but colorful.  


I wondered why the cab drivers don't talk to the patrons.  I just read that women sit in the back and there is no talking, less the driver misinterpret the 'friendliness'.


Here is a picture of housing for expats who work in the city.  It is the building in the middle.  This one is decent looking.  Right after taking this picture I passed another one that was awful, but I was skittish about photographing it.

Housing for workers

The cricket players are out in force again today in the large four-block prayer lot. They make a kind of cackling noise when the game gets exciting.  Interestingly, these are men, not boys.  


ATM's are open 24 hours, but they are all located inside the bank, that is sectioned off so that you have access to the ATM's, but not the rest of the bank.  You access it from an outside door that is locked.  You have to slide your ATM Card through a slot to open it.  Once inside, you're locked in and have to push a button to exit. Definitely a safe system.  The only free standing ATM's I've seen are located in the malls, with security guards always close by. Although crime rarely occurs, you see a lot of security guards.  


Below is a picture of the little market or souq that I shop in that is next door to the hotel.  This is where I bought the SIM Card for my phone.

Souq or Supermarket where I shop

Great news:

I received word yesterday that I'm moving today to Al Ain.  It's about two hours from here, close to the country of Oman.  I'll be moving to another hotel, but will be looking into permanent housing soon thereafter.  My first day at work will be Sunday. Remember this is Friday, the day of worship.  I'll work for a week, then the school will be on winter break for three weeks.  The timing is great, as this time off will help me to get acclimated in the new area.




Just googled Al Ain.  It is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.  So, the city of Abu Dhabi is in the Emirate (or state) of Abu Dhabi.  Al Ain is called the Garden City due to it's greenery. The highways between the cities form a triangle with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, making each about 80 miles apart. The climate is dryer, with low humidity, and it is the cultural destination for the nationals (natives) of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  Can't wait to get there to explore this area, too.