Day 4 1/2 : Well, I have made the most of my "vacation" time so far but now reality has set in that I am actually here to work:) First off, the BIG news! When we were offered the position, we knew there was a chance to placed in one of three places - Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Al Gharbia. Al Gharbia being known as the "Western Region" and not a popular spot among the teachers. I guess I set myself up the whole time to be placed in Abu Dhabi...not the case! I will be teaching in Madinat Zayed. It is located about two hours from Abu Dhabi in the "true" desert. Look it up - it is well known for the Camel Beauty Contest! It is also known as the richest part of Abu Dhabi as the oil is here. It is a small town but it does have a mall, grocery store and some nice hotels. I'll admit I was a bit disappointed but there's a reason for everything! I'm going to stay positive about this experience and head into the city and travel as often as possible on the weekends and holidays. The good part about all of this is most of my friends were placed here as well - Martha and Dee Dee will be in the West with me! I'll stay in the hotel for about two more weeks due to the end of Ramadan (Eid), where people celebrate for days and most things will be closed.
I went to Orientation in the ballroom at 9am and the big talk was how so many people were placed in the West. I definitely think they have a rhyme and reason to who they chose to be out there. The orientation was led by an Emirati woman and talked about pay, housing and answered tons of questions. I know we are all teachers but some teachers have a very hard time listening:) Things had to be repeated quite a few times so it made for a longer orientation than needed. A room for our guests to come visit??? Really??? Abu Dhabi Education Council is paying for everything and you want a room for guests that "may" come visit?? Ok....next, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi did their orientation and got us set up with a bank account and a credit card (which he said had an interest rate of 2.5% but if Abu was right, they can't charge interest). My friends at the Intercontinental said in their orientation, they were told the credit card would be free, free, free. Nice! Then, we went into the hallway to get keys and turn in our passport and visa to be processed. While it was a little alarming giving up my passport, I know this is all just part of the process. In prior years, the teachers have said this was a little unorganized. So far, they have made this effortless and I really appreciate that as it makes the transition very smooth!
Orientation was over by 12pm so we headed by bus to go and look at furniture at the Marina Mall. The furniture style was a little different but they are offering us a 20% percent discount. Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is giving each of us $20,000 Dirhams to spend on housing expenses.
We came back to the hotel and ate at the beachside restaurant. During the day, there are limited restaurants that are open and you have to eat behind curtains or screens. I ordered a "chili dog" - very strange white hot dog that didn't look or taste appetizing. I thought I would go outside the box and try new things / or see how they differ from US foods. They do differ. One friend got chicken fajitas - not quite the same - different seasoning and cheese. Another got pasta and it looked very similar to ours. This might make for a really good diet:)
Martha and I scheduled a Rasal Mud Extravaganza at the Spa. It is one of the oldest Arabic rituals and was different than what I thought. The lady scrubbed me with a dry loofah type sponge - it was a little rough and then slathered on different types of mud to my face, arms, legs, and chest and back. I asked where the mud came from thinking maybe it was from the Dead Sea - not the case. Her response - "It from the UK". Maybe the UK has healing mud there that I don't know about:) After that you sit in the chamber which holds six people and then the steam comes on. It was a gradual release so at first I thought there was no steam and then I opened my eyes again and couldn't see a thing. You rest in here for about 25 minutes and then the showers come on to wash off the mud. Not quite sure I'll do this one again but my skin did feel soft afterwards and the lounge chairs in the relaxation room are well worth it!
Then, Martha and I met up with LaRue, Sherry and Somalique and went to the Food Court and had Pinkberry!!! I LOVE this place. That is dinner:) Not the healthiest but I figure after not eating lunch it was acceptable. Then, we walked around and checked out some furniture. I found my bed and a couch at The One. It was absolutely the one! The bed is one where you just sink in and forget your surroundings!
I went to Orientation in the ballroom at 9am and the big talk was how so many people were placed in the West. I definitely think they have a rhyme and reason to who they chose to be out there. The orientation was led by an Emirati woman and talked about pay, housing and answered tons of questions. I know we are all teachers but some teachers have a very hard time listening:) Things had to be repeated quite a few times so it made for a longer orientation than needed. A room for our guests to come visit??? Really??? Abu Dhabi Education Council is paying for everything and you want a room for guests that "may" come visit?? Ok....next, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi did their orientation and got us set up with a bank account and a credit card (which he said had an interest rate of 2.5% but if Abu was right, they can't charge interest). My friends at the Intercontinental said in their orientation, they were told the credit card would be free, free, free. Nice! Then, we went into the hallway to get keys and turn in our passport and visa to be processed. While it was a little alarming giving up my passport, I know this is all just part of the process. In prior years, the teachers have said this was a little unorganized. So far, they have made this effortless and I really appreciate that as it makes the transition very smooth!
Orientation was over by 12pm so we headed by bus to go and look at furniture at the Marina Mall. The furniture style was a little different but they are offering us a 20% percent discount. Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is giving each of us $20,000 Dirhams to spend on housing expenses.
We came back to the hotel and ate at the beachside restaurant. During the day, there are limited restaurants that are open and you have to eat behind curtains or screens. I ordered a "chili dog" - very strange white hot dog that didn't look or taste appetizing. I thought I would go outside the box and try new things / or see how they differ from US foods. They do differ. One friend got chicken fajitas - not quite the same - different seasoning and cheese. Another got pasta and it looked very similar to ours. This might make for a really good diet:)
Martha and I scheduled a Rasal Mud Extravaganza at the Spa. It is one of the oldest Arabic rituals and was different than what I thought. The lady scrubbed me with a dry loofah type sponge - it was a little rough and then slathered on different types of mud to my face, arms, legs, and chest and back. I asked where the mud came from thinking maybe it was from the Dead Sea - not the case. Her response - "It from the UK". Maybe the UK has healing mud there that I don't know about:) After that you sit in the chamber which holds six people and then the steam comes on. It was a gradual release so at first I thought there was no steam and then I opened my eyes again and couldn't see a thing. You rest in here for about 25 minutes and then the showers come on to wash off the mud. Not quite sure I'll do this one again but my skin did feel soft afterwards and the lounge chairs in the relaxation room are well worth it!
Zen Spa
Then, Martha and I met up with LaRue, Sherry and Somalique and went to the Food Court and had Pinkberry!!! I LOVE this place. That is dinner:) Not the healthiest but I figure after not eating lunch it was acceptable. Then, we walked around and checked out some furniture. I found my bed and a couch at The One. It was absolutely the one! The bed is one where you just sink in and forget your surroundings!
My future couch where my feet can touch the floor!
All three of us have picked this bed! It is comfy that we just lounged for awhile.
By this point it had been an extremely long day so I called it quits around 10:30 and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep. Got a little but woke up wide awake at 4am and called my parents. It seems to be the perfect time!
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