Day 6 1/2: Today, I went to my future home town, Madinat Zayed (pronounced: Medina Zi-ed). I woke up and had the fabulous breakfast downstairs (however, I am toning it down to just cereal and fruit now as eggs and humus and filet are getting to be a little much). Then, the Madinat Zayed (MZ) people got on the bus to drive us the two hours to see our new places. There are about 18 of us placed just in that city. The drive is nothing but desert but we got to know each other and it was nice because everyone had or at least tried to have a positive outlook on being placed out here. We got to MZ and went to the ADEC office there and met Mahmoud. Now, Mahmoud is going to end up being a key player by the end of the post so remember his name! My school is Zayed Al Khair, which is a "Model" school. "Model" as in being very nice. I've heard it is a boarding school for boys but there are about 250 students and 39 teachers according to the iPhone app. The all girls model school is across the street where one of my new friends, LaRue, will be placed.
Then, we passed by the MZ Mall. It is small but it looks to be growing and it will be nice to just have a cool place to walk around. MZ is known for it's gold. This is the place to buy it! So any requests should be taken before Dec. 16:)! Mahmoud took us to the first housing unit which is located behind the mall. This is where my apartment was. Flat 105. It has a locked front door and you walk in to a small area and then take the elevator up. We went in the flats and immediately I just felt different. This place just didn't feel like home. I know it didn't have furniture or ever air but I can tell something just doesn't seem right. Well, Mahmoud could tell. He brought me in another room and told me that he could see I wouldn't be happy and he wants me happy and wants the best for me. He told me the Villas were the best and he wants the best for his daughter. He will arrange for me to placed over there if I like what I see. This man just became my angel. He is incredibly sincere and seeks no thanks. Just wants to see you smile. So, I did just that for Mahmoud!
After seeing the "Building", we went to the villas. It was an AHHHHH moment. This felt like home! We went to Martha and LaRue's building first. You walk up the stairs to the main door and then inside is three floors accessible by elevator. Martha's was on the first floor. You walk in and the bathroom was on the left and the kitchen on the right. Then there are three bedrooms and another bathroom with a bathtub. One of these bedrooms is much larger than the others, so that will be used as a living room. The floors are all tile and cool:) It also has a nice size balcony with a rooftop area that you can go out and have dinners and little parties. Mahmoud then told me that I would have a rooftop villa. He has a woman that is on holiday but will be moving out next week. He told me to call him next Friday and he would give me the keys. Rooftop Villa...YES please!
After the viewing of the villas, we went back to ADEC and went to Mahmoud's office for a few changes that needed to be made. Mahmoud gave us some advice. He said the people here are very rich and the boys are like princes. The housemaid takes care of the children and is responsible for the education. Therefore, if the housemaid is good, the child is good. He told us to be strong but love. If we can do this, we will be successful. He also told us that he will take care of us. He wants us to all be happy and will help us in any way. He pointed to his heart and said we all here but then pointed to his brain and said not here yet. He said in another few months he'll know us by names but for now our faces are in his heart. But don't call him until after EID:) I personally feel like this man will be a key player for us and I felt at ease knowing he was out here should we need anything.
Mahmoud instructed the driver to take us somewhere to eat but the driver had other intentions. Before we left Mahmoud's office, we commented how sleepy we were and the driver did as well. So, when the driver skipped the restaurant and started heading home we were a little concerned about him dozing off as his head kept dipping down. Plus it was about 2:30 and have had nothing to eat or drink in this heat. Scott went to save the day by going up to the front and sitting in the front seat to engage the driver in conversation, thus saving our lives. Then, the driver pulled over at a gas station and we got something to drink and a snack. Then, back on the road to Abu Dhabi.
We got back to Beach Rotana and then went upstairs to our rooms. I slept for a good two hours and then went downstairs to meet LaRue, Martha and Cheri. We went to eat at Indigo, an Indian restaurant in the hotel. It was incredibly nice with amazing service. The chef sent out things for us to try and we ordered off the the pre-set menu. This dinner took about four hours as everything here is sllloooowwww. After dinner was over, it was after 11pm so back up to the room to sleep!
Then, we passed by the MZ Mall. It is small but it looks to be growing and it will be nice to just have a cool place to walk around. MZ is known for it's gold. This is the place to buy it! So any requests should be taken before Dec. 16:)! Mahmoud took us to the first housing unit which is located behind the mall. This is where my apartment was. Flat 105. It has a locked front door and you walk in to a small area and then take the elevator up. We went in the flats and immediately I just felt different. This place just didn't feel like home. I know it didn't have furniture or ever air but I can tell something just doesn't seem right. Well, Mahmoud could tell. He brought me in another room and told me that he could see I wouldn't be happy and he wants me happy and wants the best for me. He told me the Villas were the best and he wants the best for his daughter. He will arrange for me to placed over there if I like what I see. This man just became my angel. He is incredibly sincere and seeks no thanks. Just wants to see you smile. So, I did just that for Mahmoud!
After seeing the "Building", we went to the villas. It was an AHHHHH moment. This felt like home! We went to Martha and LaRue's building first. You walk up the stairs to the main door and then inside is three floors accessible by elevator. Martha's was on the first floor. You walk in and the bathroom was on the left and the kitchen on the right. Then there are three bedrooms and another bathroom with a bathtub. One of these bedrooms is much larger than the others, so that will be used as a living room. The floors are all tile and cool:) It also has a nice size balcony with a rooftop area that you can go out and have dinners and little parties. Mahmoud then told me that I would have a rooftop villa. He has a woman that is on holiday but will be moving out next week. He told me to call him next Friday and he would give me the keys. Rooftop Villa...YES please!
Bathroom #1
Kitchen
Inside Kitchen and door to balcony
Bedroom
Side View
Front View
Balcony
Mahmoud in front of Villa
Bathroom #2
After the viewing of the villas, we went back to ADEC and went to Mahmoud's office for a few changes that needed to be made. Mahmoud gave us some advice. He said the people here are very rich and the boys are like princes. The housemaid takes care of the children and is responsible for the education. Therefore, if the housemaid is good, the child is good. He told us to be strong but love. If we can do this, we will be successful. He also told us that he will take care of us. He wants us to all be happy and will help us in any way. He pointed to his heart and said we all here but then pointed to his brain and said not here yet. He said in another few months he'll know us by names but for now our faces are in his heart. But don't call him until after EID:) I personally feel like this man will be a key player for us and I felt at ease knowing he was out here should we need anything.
Mahmoud instructed the driver to take us somewhere to eat but the driver had other intentions. Before we left Mahmoud's office, we commented how sleepy we were and the driver did as well. So, when the driver skipped the restaurant and started heading home we were a little concerned about him dozing off as his head kept dipping down. Plus it was about 2:30 and have had nothing to eat or drink in this heat. Scott went to save the day by going up to the front and sitting in the front seat to engage the driver in conversation, thus saving our lives. Then, the driver pulled over at a gas station and we got something to drink and a snack. Then, back on the road to Abu Dhabi.
We got back to Beach Rotana and then went upstairs to our rooms. I slept for a good two hours and then went downstairs to meet LaRue, Martha and Cheri. We went to eat at Indigo, an Indian restaurant in the hotel. It was incredibly nice with amazing service. The chef sent out things for us to try and we ordered off the the pre-set menu. This dinner took about four hours as everything here is sllloooowwww. After dinner was over, it was after 11pm so back up to the room to sleep!
Soup with Silver Leaf...Fancy
LaRue, Martha, Cheri and I at Indigo
Dessert!
Tandoori Lamb Chops
Us with our wonderful waiter:)
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