Me in the UAE: Catching Up and Orientation

While I know I am far behind on my posts, I am going to try to catch up from where I was at:) I've had trouble uploading all of my pictures because my Mac says I have no more hard disk space. I am clueless about this but backed up and deleted a few files. I'll have to find out how to clear it later.

Friday: So, back to Friday...Friday, the Holy Day! Spent morning in room trying to clean up and get organized as "rumors" of moving out of the hotel were circulating. Turns out they were so not true! In the afternoon, we headed to Marina Mall, yes the same one. Why we don't head to one of the million of other malls in Abu Dhabi, I have no clue:) We met up with some friends after shopping around and went to Fuddrucker's. I was told that they import the meat from the U.S. I opted for Rosemary BBQ Chicken and it was delicious and different. I'm trying to remember what else we did on Friday and can't figure it out...that's why I need to blog daily!

Saturday: Today was shopping day for new villa! I met up with LaRue, Cheri, Martha and Symunek. We went to the Iranian Souk and shopped around. This is one of the original souks and is all outside. We shopped around here and all I bought was some cute glasses for 17 Dirhams. The rest of the stuff was a little high priced and they weren't willing to bargain. Strange, but maybe we didn't look right.

The one picture I got of the souk as it is illegal to take pictures.

Another illegal picture of the Souk that I stole from a friend.

Then, we waited and waited and waited for a taxi! Finally, we got one!

I'm on the phone trying to call for a taxi and Cheri is calling to see if we got our furniture allowance:)

Next, we took the taxi to go to Shadows on Hamden Street behind Crowne Plaza. You have to be specific when you tell cab drivers as there are usually three or four different names for a street. Here we met Jose, whom Christa recommended. We spent four hours in here. Yes, four LONG hours!! We picked out material for couches, chairs, headboards, curtains, rugs, duvets, quilts and pillows. See a few of my choices below. We had a ton of fun in here and it only seemed like four hours as we were finishing and got extremely hungry.

Jose, Me and Martha as we were making final choices and getting prices.

Material for my Quilt for the end of the bed, bench and two pillows

Material for my duvet cover for my bed

Material for curtains in my bedroom

Material for pillow shams for my bed

My final purchases: couch, chair, rug for living room, roman shades for living room, 4 pillows for couch and chair, headboard and box for bed, bench for end of bed, quilt, duvet cover, two shams, two throw pillows, curtains for bedroom, rug for bedroom...ALL for the bargain price of $11,000 Dhm. It will take about 10 days to make all of our stuff and should be delivered on September 5 (Insha'Allah...God Willing)

So...hunger!!! We were "hangry" (term used by Kelli and Paige from Camp Hope meaning so hungry, you're angry). We went across the street to Pizza Hut! I got the meal deal that was 19 Dhm (personal thin crust, diet pepsi and potato wedges (so much for my diet). It was different but hit the spot as we hadn't eaten since 9am and it was 5:30! Afterwards, we went next door to have Baskin Robbins. I opted out of this but enjoyed it through my friends:)

Pizza Hut!

LaRue and her sundae!

LaRue, Me, Symunek, Cheri (Martha took picture) at Baskin Robbins

LaRue and I after the ice cream

On Hamden Sreet

After eating, we went back to Mina Port to find the furniture place, Debaj Furniture. This was a task as there was no sign, just lots of warehouses. We finally found it and went inside. I shopped around and found a few things. All of the furniture was made in India and I really wanted it to send back home when I decide to come back. So, a good investment in the future as it was a little higher than I wanted to spend. Here are a pieces I purchased:

My camels to represent my country:)

My nightstand

My TV stand (they stain, buff and fix all of the scratches in the warehouse before they ship to you)

My coffee table

End table for living room

Living room table and chairs

So...I purchased a living room table and four chairs, TV stand/cabinet, coffee table, end table, two decorative camels, bedroom nightstand, wardrobe (closet, as there are no closets in the UAE). All of this for $9,585 Dhm. I put down a deposit and told them I would call them when I wanted it delivered. Should be September 3 depending on work schedule (which we have no idea about right now).

One of the men dropped us off by the co-op to catch a taxi. This was interesting. Everyone cut in front of us before we figured out their game. So, we beat them all by walking up to the front of the shopping center (by the street). We finally caught one and begged to fit all five of us in there as a maximum of four is all the law allows. He agreed and we were the happiest women ever as we'd never been so happy to be in a cab! It was late by this time and we were ready to shower and get to bed!!!!!

Sunday: Last day off before work! Martha, Symunek and I went to Marina Mall and shopped around at Home Centre for odds and ends. I ended up purchasing tiny bowels for salt and pepper, shower rod, shower curtain, bath mat and towels. We get a 20% discount, so I saved a little! Next, we went into the mall and ate at Fuddruckers again. Still good! This time, I opted for a buffalo chicken sandwich. After lunch, I went to Tips and Toes to get a manicure. The lady did a great job and the only thing I missed was the massage chairs. It is a little cheaper here for a shellac manicure...I paid $100 Dhm ($27.23). Got back to the hotel later and got ready for bed...tomorrow, first day of orientation!

The back seat

Symunek in the front guiding us in the right direction

The taxi driver wanted us to take a picture of him-he was even trying to pose while driving...we tried to explain...DRIVE not POSE:)

Monday: First day of Orientation! It was held at a beautiful model girls school. They told us not to expect our schools to be like this one. It was incredible! We got on the bus at 7:45 and rode to the school. Everyone was there so it was packed as soon as we came in. We picked up our packets, which included our contract and the agenda for the next two days. Then, we went into the Auditorium and grabbed a seat which would be ours for the next seven hours. We had different speakers who spoke about topics of culture, media, grading, curriculum and much more! We even had the head of Abu Dhabi Education Council there and we were instructed that he is referred to as His Highness and we must stand when he gets up, enters a room and leaves a room. We also had the pleasure of having a humorous speaker today that had the most gorgeous abaya. Her name was Sarah and she told us all about the "real" culture. Some things I learned:

Three Little Pigs isn't acceptable to read or refer to in the classroom as pigs are forbidden in the Islamic religion. Why? Pigs are considered as unhealthy. They cause certain medical conditions and this is why they don't eat pork. So, no "this little piggy went to the market, and this little piggy stayed home" or p as in pig!
No stories or pictures of dogs. I always introduce myself on the first day of class with a powerpoint that has a picture of my two precious babies, Maggie and Cooper. No more picture:(

Had to include one last picture of the cutest pups in the world!!

Do not refer to Angels. They believe the Angels spoke to only Prophets, so speaking that an Angel is with you or watching over you is not allowed. I personally believe in my Angels and will hold them in my heart and not speak of them:)
All Muslims came from Adam and Eve and are considered Mother and Father.
NO Birthday celebrations at school! They don't celebrate their birthdays and many children don't even know when their birthday is.
No dice! I think it is a gambling issue but not quite sure.
Alcohol is forbidden. We must have an alcohol license to drink here.

These were just a few things they touches on and I learn more everyday. I find it fascinating because it is so different than what I could ever imagine. I love finding out the real reasons why things are done a certain way and appreciate them so much more.

We got out at 4pm and headed back to the hotel. We decided to try out a new restaurant, Mongolian Grill that a few friends had been to already. LaRue, Symunek, Martha and I headed there as soon as they opened as we were extremely hungry. The food at the orientation was unfamiliar to us and I wasn't feeling up to trying new things at that moment. We ordered Sizzling Chicken, Fried Rice, Spring Rolls, Vegetable Noodles and Kung Pao Chicken. We all shared and there was still a ton leftover. The best thing about this restaurant was the price. I paid $25 Dhm ($6.81) for all of that and a Diet 7-Up. Nice to save a little since we haven't gotten paid yet:)

Martha and Symunek getting ready to eat!

We had to walk over the main street to get to Mongolian Grill. This is a picture from the top of the overpass. They don't allow you to cross the street on this road and many others. There were cops at the orientation to tell us about laws and such. If you hit a pedestrian, you can go to jail. It seems that there are a lot of people getting hit thus the overpass:) Stay safe!

Another view from the overpass

View of Beach Rotana from overpass

Tuesday: Day 2 of orientation. Today was spent in break out groups. There were about 30 people in my group and we had four different topics and speakers in a little classroom. We received our Teacher's Guidebook and Curriculum binders (HUGE). This will be good reading once I settle into MZ. These are some pictures of the school:

One of the hallways

View of second level balcony

The classroom I was in - loaded with technology

The UAE "SmartBoard" and teacher's desk

We finished orientation at 5pm and headed back to the hotel. We decided we were hungry for Mexican food so we decided to try El Sombrero at the Sheraton on the Corniche. This is the hotel my Pap stayed in while he was consulting in the early eighties (I previously posted Hilton, but this is it after looking at one of his old letters to my Mimi). I know he was with me here!!! The dinner was perfect and the service was above and beyond. We had a wonderful waitress, Rhea. She got the chef to come out and talk to us. Martha and him chatted in Spanish and she felt right at home asking him questions about where to shop for ingredients and such. We ordered margaritas and they even had the band sing me happy early birthday complete with a slice of chocolate mousse cake - YUMMY! I highly recommend this restaurant if you are reading this and live in Abu Dhabi. Ask for Rhea, she's the best! I was also thrilled to see the Sheraton newsletter on the table which said "Halloween Party"! I will be ordering a costume from the US and be ready for my favorite holiday:)