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.

Eggs & Rice

8:45am

Ben & Frankie will appreciate this - today at breakfast there was eggs and rice! That dish used to be a staple in our house when the boys were growing up.  At home in Texas, rice was a crop that my family farmed in abundance, so we ate it three times a day.  It warmed my heart seeing it here.

Last night I received an email announcing my school placement.  I can't wait to get the details later on today.

Again I'm writing this in the restaurant.  Some of the folks in here today look like administrators.  Funny how you can usually just tell by looking, isn't it?

Side note - When I was married and we traveled a lot, it was always fascinating to "people watch" at the airport.  You know, looking at folks and trying to guess their story.  Ok.  Ok.  Maybe it was just me, but I loved doing that, which is why I never minded layovers.

Side note 2 - Women here ride in the front of the bus, and the men in the back.  The beaches are separated, too.  There is a section for women and children and a separate one for men.  Same thing in the mosques, women in one part, the men in the other.

Side note 3 - I haven't seen any pets here, no dogs or cats, except for a couple of feral cats scrounging for food the other day.

Side note 4 - I noticed a similar thing in New York City when I was there recently.  In Brooklyn where Frankie lives, I saw two dogs being walked at the park.  When we went to Manhattan, to a much more upscale part of town, there were scores of dogs being walked - several on every block.  It appeared to be a class thing as to whether or not pets were seen in the neighborhood.  Could that be?

Side note 5 - Funny the things I notice.  Oftentimes I miss the elephant in the room because I'm focusing on the gnat in the corner.

3:55pm

It was a productive day.

I went to the ADEC offices to get some info on my new school assignment.  I also needed info on opening a bank account.  I received the info about the bank business, but I'm still in the dark about my assignment.  The lady with the info was busy, and signaled she'd be right back.  After waiting for what seemed like forever, I decided to take care of opening a bank account and get back to her later.

I then proceeded to hail a cab and ask to be taken to a specific bank.  The driver asked which one.  I said the closest one, but that got lost in translation.  So just as I was about to question where he was taking me, we arrived at the party.  Yes, I said party.  The bank was in full party mode outside in the entryway, where there was live singing, food, decorative cake, senna tattoos, picture taking with bank executives, and a huge sound system blasting music that could be heard from blocks away.

Party at the bank entrance - here & below

                                       
         
                             


What's with the celebration?   Glad you asked.  It was in recognition of Founder's Day, on Dec. 2nd, which is two days away, but since the bank is closed on Fridays, they got the party started early.  Gotta love 'me!

When the banking executive was finishing up with me, he said I needed to come back in four days to get my ATM card.  But he stopped and really emphasized four WORKING days.  So, whenever the party ends, it's four days after that.

From there I went back to the cell phone store, then I asked about buying abayas and was sent to yet another mall.  Compared to the other two I've seen, I was slumming in this one.  It must be designed for all of the expats who do the manual labor in the city.  It was clean and well kept, but without the glitz.  In other words, my kinda place.

Side note 6 - The escalator at this mall was fun.  It didn't move until after it was stepped on.

Side note 7 - I saw at least six different stores in this mall that sold cloth by the yard.  It was beautiful silks and chiffons in the most vibrant colors.  There must be folks who custom make clothes, right?  What else would you do with the cloth?

Side note 8 - Stop signs are merely suggestions here.  It's rare to actually see someone stop or come close to a stop.

Note to self - don't try getting a cab on a Wednesday afternoon after 1:30 on a holiday weekend.  It took more than an hour.  Trouble was, everyone else and their brother also needed a cab and there didn't seem to be enough to go around.  I was tempted to kiss the driver when I finally got one.

It was back to ADEC to drop off the bank info and then home, three doors down.  I'm a tired puppy tonight.

New Experiences

Michael Jackson's music is playing in the restaurant this morning for breakfast.  It is on the second floor and faces the front of the hotel, which is on one of the major thoroughfares.  Across the street are high rise buildings with businesses occupying the ground level.

There are several ADEC teachers having breakfast, and a couple have their kids with them.  Little people.  I'm guessing 4-8 years old.  This experience is a fantastic one as a single person.  I think it could be challenging trying to keep little ones occupied.  God bless them for trying.

In many ways, the city reminds me of The Jetsons cartoon.  (Yeah, I know.  I'm dating myself here).   Some things are space-age, they're so modern.  The buildings. The architecture.  The appliances.  In other areas though, they haven't caught up yet.  Like, with the internet.  You would think the whole city would be wireless.  Not so.  Each place I've stayed, including this one, limits wireless access to your room. I'm writing this in the restaurant, and if I wanted to be online, I would have to request and pay for an access code.  Of course, the Internet is my life-line to you all, so it's important to me.

I think this whole experience, living and working so far and so different from what I know, works for me because of who I am.  By that I mean, I've never been a cliquey, clingy person, needing to depend on someone else to be happy.  I'm reminded of my first adventure going away to college.  Home for me is Texas, and I went to college in Florida.  I attended the same school as my brother Forrest.  I had never traveled more than 200 miles from home and had never spent a night away from home before going away to school.  I will forever be grateful to my mother who had the foresight to let me go.  Going to college was a rare occurrence in my town, and even rarer to go away to school.  Of the 100 folks who graduated with me, only five of us went to college.   I will also be forever grateful to Forrest for leading, guiding, and in every way, helping me to get to school and graduate.  In fact, he paid for over two years of my education. My gratitude to he and his wife, is steadfast and everlasting.  I believe it's because of that first adventure of a scared 18 year old being dropped off for what seemed like a million miles from home and everything I knew,  that prepared me for where I am today.  For those folks who questioned my decision to move 10,000 miles away from Sacramento, I'm reminded of my Mom who used to say, "The same God who took care of her (me) here, will take care of her wherever she goes" when she was questioned about her decision to let me go. She had a third grade education, with a PhD in common sense.  I think she would be proud.  I hope so anyway.

Side note - Ladies, just had my eyebrows threaded.  Yes, threaded.  I guess that's what you call it.  Instead of using wax, the lady held a piece of thread in her mouth, and with her hands, pulled it apart.  That action causes the thread to spin and when pressed against the skin, cuts the unwanted hair.  Maybe this is available in the US, but it was real new to me.  The pedicure was a little different, too, but not enough to make you go . . . hmmmm.  All this happened in the hotel salon.

Side note 2- There was a young woman getting her nails painted in colors representing the country's flag.  Red, green, white & black.  Not my style, but very nicely done.  She was wearing street clothes - jeans, plaid dress shirt, flip flops. When she got ready to leave, she put on an abaya, that I hadn't seen before, over her clothes.  She then covered her hair with the matching scarf, and off she went.  I wondered if they wore clothes under abayas and today it was confirmed that, at least, this girl did.  Chances are others do as well.

Side note 3 - Although those of us working in the schools were directed not to wear flip flops, it seems most everyone else does.  Flip flops or sandals appears to be the national footwear here.

Side note 4 - The dress is not nearly as conservative as I expected it to be.  The men wear anything they want, although I haven't seen any locals in shorts.  You see women in street clothes, slacks, and dresses (usually past the knees).  However, in the ADEC Building, it is ultra-conservative.  The women are in abayas, the native men are in their long white robes, with other men wearing suits and ties. Professional attire is seen and expected.  I'm guessing with teachers coming from all over the world,  they saw some pretty crazy outfits and decided to make it formal for everyone.  I'm cool with that, too.  There's nothing worse than having to ask a male teacher to pick up his pants because they're revealing way too much of his backside.  Yes, I've had to do it, my first year as principal.

Exploring

Today I ventured out and toured the city via The Big Bus Tours, which is a double decker bus that takes you to all of the major landmarks covering the entire city, with a personal audio commentary providing fascinating insights into the history and culture of the city.  It was wonderful!

Abu Dhabi Skyline

I picked it up at Abu Dhabi Mall and about halfway through, we stopped at Marina Mall.  This tour is a 24-hour pass of Hop-on, Hop-off, so you can stop and visit the sights at your leisure and hop on another bus in 30 minutes.

I thought Abu Dhabi Mall was spectacular until I walked in Marina Mall.  It takes glitz to a whole new level.  With more than 300 stores, it's the largest mall in the city. That's saying a lot because there're at least a dozen different malls, each fancier than the rest.  Marina Mall is magnificent. This is the one with the domed restaurant that gives a spectacular view of the city. Truly amazing!  The picture below is one of the entrances.  Sorry I couldn't figure out how to turn it right side up. These new fangled machines!  The men pictured are the heads of state from each of the city/states.

Entrance to Marina Mall

Marina Mall - Inside

I saw my first sign of school kids today when little ones were on a field trip visiting an area called Heritage Village, a place that preserves the way of life from long ago. They're pictured below.

There is this area downtown that has statues in the middle of the street.  I didn't catch what the symbolism was for anything except for the coffee pot.  It represents hospitality.  The first photo is a professional one and the coffee pot alone is mine. I'm guessing you would have figured that out.

I hopped off the bus at Abu Dhabi Mall, went downstairs and did a little grocery shopping, hailed a cab and headed home.  And that my friends and family, concludes my adventure for the day.  Thanks for joining me.

Side note - In my UAE vs. US post yesterday, I forgot to mention cell phones. There's quite a difference.  Here you pay the full retail price for the phone but there is no monthly fee.  You buy a SIM Card to activate it with a local carrier and the card is good for a year.  You renew it annually.  My SIM Card cost 75 dirhams or just over $20.  I'm loving this!

Side note 2 - I saw grass today and everywhere I saw it, it was beautifully landscaped.  They used desalinated water from the Persian Gulf to take care of the grass and plant life.

Side note 3 - I moved past ear hustling to introducing myself to one of the ADEC teachers.  She's from the Bay Area (small world - right?), but moved here from Atlanta.  She's been here a month and hasn't started to teach yet, but she's gotten paid and she's gotten her furniture allowance.  She'll be working in one of the outlying cities.  Although she's had a month to acclimate, she has a friend who started the day after she got off the plane.  Having some time to acclimate is ideal. It was delightful meeting her and she shared some great info.  I found out we interviewed with Teach Away at the same place on the same day.  (It truly is a small world!).  No more ear hustling for me!

Side note 4 - This teacher's mother and father also teach and her mother has taken elementary kids to over 32 countries in a program called People-to-People International.  They study about a country and then go visit it.  How amazing is that? Her mother was also hired by Teach Away and may be joining her daughter here in the UAE.  By the way, these adventurous folks are . . . black folks!

UAE vs. US

The following are differences, subtle and otherwise, that I've noticed since I've been here.

Let's begin with the work week.  Today is Sunday and a work day.  The work week is Sunday - Thursday.  Friday is a holy day.  Most retail stores are open on Saturday, but not other businesses.

Yesterday I went to the Pizza Hut next door and ordered a salad.  The salad bar was round, covered with a clear plastic dome.  Once I placed the order, the cashier used a remote control and the dome slowly lifted up, revealing the entries on the bar.  A picture is below.  It was so cool, I wanted the guy to make it go up and down again, but I settled for asking him to take a picture.

Remote controlled domed salad bar

Another difference is the cash drawers retailers and bankers use.  The bills don't lay flat, they're at an angle, making them easier to grab and easier to see how much you have.

The currency is the dirham.  One dirham is worth about about 27 cents.  (The cost of a ride on the public transportation bus across town).  Ten dirhams = $2.72 (The cost of a cab ride across town).  One hundred dirhams = $27.22; and one thousand dirhams = $272.23.  Thankfully, I have this wonderful app on my phone that comes in real handy when I dealing with all of this high finance.  Also, note the writing is in English.  It's in Arabic on the reverse side.  See picture below.

1000 Dirhams

Folks who can't find a parking spot, park in the middle of the driving lane here, making the traffic move on either side of the row of cars.  See picture below.

Overflow parking in the middle

Mercifully, all of the traffic signs are written in Arabic AND English.  I expect to be driving soon, and that alone is a lifesaver.  The locals are deliberate in most things, but not on the road.  The driving here is pretty ferocious.  Reminds me of New York City.

I figured out how to zoom and crop pictures, so I'm including a better shot of the view from my window from a few days ago.  Also included is a photo of the washer/dryer combo.  The washer works great, but I haven't mastered the art of drying.  A crash course in using it didn't help much.  Trial and error is my next approach.

View from my window - closeup

Washer/Dryer Combo

I cooked red beans and rice yesterday.  I know.  I know.  I said I wouldn't be cooking, but I was hungry for my staple.  The burners on the stove look like the bottom of an iron.  Thankfully, the beans and rice turned out OK enough to eat.

Each electrical outlet has its own on and off switch, which really came in handy the couple of times I plugged something in (with an adaptor) that threw a breaker in the fuse box, also located in the room.  This resulted in total darkness, and the first time it happened - a measure of pure panic.  Gratefully, there is 24-hour maintenance service.

My brother Forrest reminded me that this is a desert, which is probably why I haven't seen any grass.  They average four days of rainfall per YEAR!  The temperature has been really mild.  Highs in the 70's and lows in the 60's.  I'm told it's like this through February, then it starts to warm up again.

Finally, this is a dry country.  The only place you can find liquor legally is in the hotels.  Of course, that isn't a problem for me since I don't drink.  It makes the hotels popular hang outs for the locals though.

This concludes the lesson for today.  Thanks for humoring me with your attention.   More lessons to come, but like this time, you'll be warned up front and will know whether to proceed with the rest of the post.