Shway...Shway

There is a term here that EVERYONE USES......and it means....slowly, slowly or wait, wait.....

"Shway, shway". As an expat coming to the UAE you begin to use the term, and not fully realize what and why you say it. You hear it, you see the motion of it (using one hand pulling something thing out of the sky as if you have a piece of food in your finger tips) and you copy to fit in....

There is something about this culture that is different from the hustle of the states. Everyone here seems to be carefree, and lacks the stress that seems to follow everyone around...There is a reason behind this....

SHWAY....SHWAY.....

This is a major issue for a majority of the new teachers. They are truely used to the culture of the states where you can multitask and get a list of chores completed in a day.... Let me give you a run down of a typical day in the US....

Wake up at 6 am,  get ready for work, go to work.....and have a full 8 hr + day , on your way home you stop for gas, stop by the store for groceries,stop by the bank for a deposit, and head home. Now it's time to make dinner, do homework/ plan for the next day, get the nighttime routines in order,  and YOU collapse because your day was over worked and over tired!

WOW!! As an American we do alot in a day! BUT I am NOT complaining....this was just a simple obsevation! Here in the UAE....NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN!!

You would be lucky to get a few of those things done in one day....ACTUALLY you need a day to complete each task alone! Going to the bank....requires a whole day!!! Going to the store takes majority of your day.....depending on the time you go. And don't even plan to do both in the same day....NOT going to happen!

I am becoming accustomed to accomplishing one thing a day..I  have noticed that my stress levels are way down. I have to admit...it was VERY frustrating to me the first few times when I was trying to accomplish more than one task in a day and finding my self frustrated with the idea that a simple going to the store was very much like gong to Wal-mart the day after Thanksgiving. 

Ken and Barbie

Speaking of stores...I have went shopping every day since I first arrived. I will say, I usually love shopping, but it is a little overwhelming to shop for an entire house! Nevertheless, I am now a proud owner of my first ever washer/dryer combo. Yes! One machine! Throw your clothes in and walla...washed, dried and ready to wear. 

The best part of this purchase is it came with a free microwave. UAE is known for their special offers. My friend received a free vacuum when purchasing a fridge and a sandwich maker with her washer/dryer.

Today, was the start of Eid, which is the three day celebration that Ramadan is over. Much like Christmas. So, I'm seeing alot more Emeratis out and about. Today, has been different with an aire of celebration. There is music everywhere, food and drinks! Even my time at the pool was a new experience. Lots of music, poolside food and adult drinks, and even inflatable slides for the kids. It will be a change to be able to eat and drink during the day in public. After 2 1/2 weeks of not doing something....it is weird to suddenly be allowed to. But...don't you worry...it will not take me long to re-adjust. I can't wait to start carrying a bottle of water with me. Today the temperature was unbearable, the weatherman said it felt like 122! Let's just say, you step outside and you feel as though you just ran through the sprinkler! Instantly damp! And may I say one more thing, if you are nauseated easily by men's body odor....this is not the place for you! Ugh!   

My school (Bani Yas red/yellow dot)-My apartment (located close to the Al Nakheel airport). God help me! I'm going to have to get a vehicle! Dangerous!

To end on a happy note. I was assigned to an all boys school (a majority of the schools are segregated based on sex). I am teaching at SAAD EBNU OBADAH Primary School. However, this is likely to change within the first couple weeks of school depending on how many kids show up. We were told school will start the 11th of September. Aww...a couple more weeks of rest!

Good night!

Another Sunrise, Another New Beginning

Still in limbo for another few weeks, waiting to be officially approved by UAE with our permanent residence visas.  Can't wait to move into a home, get a car, start school, and meet my kiddos when school starts on Sept 18ish. 

The front of my apartment complex

Entrance up close...We even have a door man!

Living in UAE really requires a different mindset than US.  This country integrates politics, education and religion into one.  Enshallah thinking is spoken about and truly practiced here. Relationships are priority. It is considered rude to talk about business without first chatting on a personal level. Doctors take personal phone calls even in the middle of Dr. visits. Everything happens when it happens, even if the scheduled appointment was a few hours earlier ... no one is ever in a hurry (except for us western expats!) and late evening dinner is about the social aspect, not about the food. So much so, that any time your coffee/drink cup is emptied, it will continue to be silently and automatically re-filled until you shake the cup and say that you're done. In restaurants, you will sit at the table forever until you catch a waiter and request the check.  Most local Arabic restaurants are found on the side of the street, ready for you to walk in and be served with dates, lamb, and a pre-made salad (salad dressings are hard to come by. Salt and pepper are served upon request). Alcohol is served in hotel restaurants and bought personally only with a liquor license.  UAE has more diabetics than any other country in the world but there is nothing sugar-free to be found and no one diets.  Water is imported and is VERY cheap. 

There is really no consistent public transportation in Abu Dhabi other than taxis, driven mostly by Indians and Pakistanians who are working to support their families, many of whom stiill live in their own countries.
Most residents live in apartments, some in hotel-apartment plazas which are located at the top of high rises.  THose that live in homes, own huge houses with high surrounding walls .. placed randomly on any street.  There are no cul-de-sac neighborhoods. 

James enjoying some appetizers...they give salad as appetizers, not chips!

This spread of food from Lebanese Flower was alright.. All the different meats, I don't really enjoy lamb! It's a bit to fluffy(the meat that is) !!

Orientation meeting...all the men from ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) arrived in...all Audi's and BMWs

Most shops and streets in the city are written in Arabic, with some broken (but readable) English underneath. Circles (roundabouts) exist EVERYWHERE with street rules that don't seem to matter to local drivers. Parking lots are almost non-existent and it is normal to park in the middle of the street and park people in. Strangely enough, though, most of the cars found on the road are luxury cars. 

Prayer room in the mall. Ramadam Kareem is a sign that is posted all around town and on all shop stores...Meaning=be generous!

The further away from the city that you go, the less English there is ... and the MORE tent-dwellings there are. There are also, outside the city, camel farms, animal trading & butchering, and enormous sand dunes -- great for sand surfing and dune-buggying when temps are cooler. 

Don't use plastic. Don't pollute. This camel was found in LuLu's (version of Walmart).

Grocery stores are called SOUKS and in them are found veggies and fruit that we've never seen before...shipped from local Arab nations. There is a lot of meat (mostly raw, LOTS of fish and sheep, no pork) and fresh spices for you to bag on your own. 

Obama's getting jipped!

A billboard in Abu Dhabi that serves as a tribute to Sheikh Kalifa the current president/ruler of Abu Dhabi and United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Kalifa and his father Sheikh Zayed are credited with the formation of the United Arab Emirates and the country's rise in wealth and power.

At the malls and markets there are more gold and fragrance stores than one could imagine, with much to barter for.  When shopping, the smell of shisha (flavored tobacco, served from steam pipes) is always in the air.
There are ornate fountains, mosques, and tall buildings everywhere. 

Emirati men greet each other by touching one anothers noses on each side (like the French and their cheeks=)

Internet service here in Abu Dhabi is expensive. There are not very many pets because they are considered unclean.  

Time to go. =)

Enshallah!

Sand Dune Bashing

I’ve been in UAE an entire week. Where has the time gone? I’ve been bussed to the police department at midnight for fingerprinting … I’ve squeezed 150 teachers into a tiny 6-room, Doctor medical clinic for tests … I’ve opened our UAE bank account and learned to convert USD to AED … I’ve completed LOTS of paperwork and I’ve smiled for lots of ID photos but still don’t know where I'm teaching or what grade …  I’ve found out how much I miss text messages and Starbucks and I’ve learned that people eat without fast food and that most UAE drivers should not be allowed on the road! … I'm figuring out how to communicate with Arab speaking taxi drivers and still end up at the destination without being double-charged. I've learned the Emirati love their animal print, diamonds, incense, and sexy white Range Rovers.

This is my favorite girl, Mandy! She is so sweet and innocent!

I've also learned that my perception on how people dress has already changed. For instance, tonight Mandy and I went to the Ramadan Festival(a large market opened every night during Ramadan) and I saw a lady with a short skirts, a tight shirt and high heels. Usually this would not catch my attention, but today it did. I looked at Mandy, who was beaming and trying hard not to smile. Then she whispered in her thick New Zealand accent "scandalous!". Totally scandalous!

As we were leaving the ADNEC center, we both stopped and took a minute to analyze the place...we came to realize that we were completely surrounded by a sea of black abayas. Now that is something that makes you step back and think, WOW! I'm really in a different world!

Ravishing fountains decorating the streets of AD...

Above all, though, my first week has confirmed the peace that I have about knowing I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, for a reason. It’s a phenomenal thing, living in-limbo in the midst of chaotic unknown, while experiencing life to the fullest by soaking up each moment of this “new world” as it comes…”Enshallah” as it’s called by these wonderful UAE nationals. Together, with a thousand other teachers from around the world,of all shapes and sizes, I look forward to admiring more ornate architecture, intricate abayas, and grandiose mosques as the moments allow.

The ripple effect...

During the next 2 weeks (I think), I’ll be moving out of my hotel and settling into my apartment, into a shared building with other ADEC teachers. In time I’ll also find out my school, curriculum, and classroom set up procedures. I’ll be getting a car, local drivers licenses, and learning some more Arabic. Hopefully with time will come the ability to sleep through the early morning call to prayer, which is broadcast throughout the country on speakers attached to the mosques.

My beautiful, stunning, magnificent city!

But, for this moment,I will eat and enjoy Brazilian dinner while my friends and families on the other side of the world are just waking up to a new day.

Enshallah

Sand dunes, camels, and lots of shisha!

Arrival at the sand dunes 4:45pm. The drive took us to some of the most beautiful sand dunes of the deserts in Abu Dhabi. Upon reaching the dunes, we had the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of the one of the most popular sports in the desert - sand boarding! And no trip to Abu Dhabi  would be complete without at least one slide down a sand dune. While we were there, we also rode a camel  across the dunes. These animals are very patient and peaceful....Next up, DUNE BASHING... Usually the dune bashing in Abu Dhabi is done in a convoy of about 5 vehicles which is controlled by a group leader. This is done to avoid getting lost in the desert.

Ready to go sand dune bashing

The real fun starts now. For a half hour or so, we were taken for the adrenaline pumping ride: up and down, cut & roll, slide and slip- rippling through the majestic sand dunes amidst gasps and shrieks, it is truly an experience and  the best moments of my life!

Sun set approaching, we go to get down for a well deserved stretching of aching muscles, and to take deep, relieved breaths .We were also able to take beautiful photos of the sun setting behind the golden sands beyond the horizon.

My lovely dinner date, Mandy from New Zealand!

The convoy of vehicles headed to camp sites where we had a traditional meal, a sumptuous and delicious barbeque dinner under the starry sky amongst slow beats of music wafting in from the sides. We then relaxed with the stars above and smoke flavored shisha. We could relax on low cushions inside traditional tents (known as majlis) or outside. I found the most humorous part of the trip at about 9pm, it was dark and the locals shut off all the surrounding lights and told everyone to look up. They all oooooed and awed at what they saw. I had to ask Mandy what they were looking at, she also didn't know what the big fuss  was about. Maybe we missed something? Then the girl from across the table said, "Ladies, look at those stars! Brilliant! I never see stars like this in D.C." I guess being from Barrow/SD and New Zealand we take seeing the stars for granted.

What a blast! I'm so grateful to be here! I'm also grateful to have met Mandy today, she is really the first person that I connected with and can see a long term friendship in the making (she is also placed in AD)! I have decided I will send her to Barrow and she will send me to N.Z....Hmmm. I think I have the better end of the deal!

So in review, today....

We hopped on the back of camels...

 

We smoked shisha(flavored tobacco, smoked from a hookah) and came down with a case of the giggles(because it was our first time)hehe ...

We bashed the sides of sand dunes...

We wore traditional dress (to take a picture!)....

We were deathly terrified of dying or breaking something....

Most of all, we enjoyed our excursion into the desert! Did you know that Abu Dhabi is known for having the LARGEST sand dunes in the world? Imagine! 

See you next time!

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The entrance

Yesterday I went to  visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It is definitely well worth the effort. And the best part - everybody is welcome!

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10 years in the making, the marble-clad Sheikh Zayed Mosque is said to be the third largest mosque in the world. Decorated with thousands of rare and semi-precious stones, some encrusted in the marble, it is built on a 9.5 metre hill so it is visible from a distance. It covers an area of 22,000 sq metres and can accommodate about 40,000 worshippers. It was named after the first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan who died in 2004 and was buried in the grounds of the mosque.

Wow, 24 carat gold and Swarovski crystals! There are 7 chandeliers costing approximately $8.2 million. 

The main prayer hall hosts the largest dome in the world at 75 metres high with a diameter of just over 32m. The crystal chandelier, also the world's largest, was crafted in Germany, and at 10m tall and 10m wide, weighs a massive 9 tonnes. The centrepiece in the main prayer hall is a 6,000 sq m hand-made Persian carpet of intricate designs on which 9,000 Muslims pray every Friday.

Notice the girl on the right, then take notice to how extremely large this building actually is! The writing on the wall are the 99 qualities of  Allah.

All around the main prayer hall and the mosque grounds there are columns decorated in Mother of Pearl floral patterns - there are over 1,100 columns in all. The domes, many in Moroccan style are decorated with gold leaf and are inscribed with Islamic scripture. There are walls decorated with vividly coloured Turkish tiles, and Chinese and Indian green and white marble structures are dotted around the mosque grounds.

Alexandra and I on the mosque grounds

The mosque is beautiful, opulent and stunning, but at the same time there is a feeling of serenity and a calmness that is unexpected with a few hundred visitors and a few hundred more workers still working on the mosque, both inside and out. You could quite easily sit on that huge Persian carpet for hours contemplating life without anyone taking the slightest bit of notice. Of course we visited in the morning before prayer time so it was easy to take our time.

Dressed in our abayas and sheylas! Ha!

The Abu Dhabi Tourist Authority (ADTA) arranges guided tours every day except Friday and Saturday, and the guides are very informative and happy to answer all questions. Both men and women must remove their shoes before entering the prayer halls. Women must cover their hair and be modestly dressed. Abayas and sheylas are provided if you don't have any of your own. Men should wear trousers rather than shorts. Eating and drinking is not allowed in the prayer halls but you are offered cartons of water after the tour has finished. Photographs are allowed in all areas except Sheikh Zayed's tomb.

Some undercover work...

After the beach today, there was a post that some of the LT's (licensed teachers) wanted to go check out or in other words try to locate our apartment complex among the millions of building in AD. ADEC didn't tell us where they were located but after much "he said, she said", we thought we could direct the taxi driver in close proximity of the building. We had no idea what they looked like. We had no idea the street address (these are pretty much non-existent).  Well, the taxi driver dropped the 6 of us off on the side of the road and there we were- lost souls in the heart of Al Nahyun. We did some detective work and several "workers/construction men/security guards" pointed--that way! After about an hour of searching, we found a Egyptian gentleman that was working on the construction of our newly built complexes (their are 2 identical building that are 20 stories each and house about 300-400 LT's)

I'm very impressed with my new apartment and pictures do not do it justice. I cannot wait to start furniture shopping! ADEC gives us each 20,000 dirhems or about $5500. Here are a few pics. of my new home (unfurnished, of course).

This would be my pool area....not pictured workout room, jacuzzi, sauna (all for free!)

As you can see the ceiling still needs some work. Also, the washer/dryer (one machine) is located in the kitchen in the middle slot!

The bathroom...I'm saving the special toilet picture for the upcoming blog!

Living Room

1 of the 2 bedrooms...with Jason and Kim checking out the balcony

My accomplices...and soon to be neighbors!

Welcome to Abu Dhabi--I'm Here!!!

The journey began on August 12, 2011.

My parents took me from Eden to the airport in Minneapolis where I flew to Chicago and then took a 12 hour flight to Amman, Jordan and then finally ended the trip in Abu Dhabi. Royal Jordanian was wonderful. Everything with the trip went very smoothly. The airline for the 16 hour trip was great. I got dinner, breakfast, watched "Water for Elephants", read "Little Bee" (great suggestion Diane!) and enjoyed the company from a couple of Palestine men. I also was able to sleep off and on for about 3 hours so that definitely helped pass the time.

When we got to Abu Dhabi, ADEC(Abu Dhabi Education Council) was right there waiting for us with our visas. We went straight to get our eyes scanned, passports stamped, luggage collected then we were out of there in no time. My hotel in BEAUTIFUL! I'm staying at Intercontinental Hotel. They greeted us all at the door with juices in wine glasses and ice cold hand towels. I've met some great people so far, in particular one girl from Atlanta named Alexandra, a girl from Cali named Nancy and a guy from Wisconsin named Brad. I think the four of us will be spending a lot of time together while living in the hotel and our apartments(luckily we are all placed in AD in the same housing complex). We had Saturday to ourselves then orientation started Sunday.Sunday we had orientation at 1pm, where we received bank cards(my name was not on the list, so I have to go to the bank by myself on Wednesday). Then we had another meeting from 8pm-11pm. We listened to a presentation, handed in our visas, and some of the lucky ones received their housing placements.Oh, and I managed to spend a little time at the pool!

It is HOOOTTTTT here! The second I walked out of the airport at 1:30 in the morning, my glasses fogged up and I instantly felt damp and sticky. At that time it was about 90 degrees and now it's a little over 104 (feels like 127). My hotel is right on the water though so we had a nice breeze while sitting by the pool.

I already received my apartment key! I will be living in Abu Dhabi, which I was hoping for. We get tours of our places on Thursday and will be leaving our hotel by next Saturday at the latest. I know one neighbor already, Raakem from London! None of us have our school placements yet. Will know in early September. I am working on my Arabic and speaking to anyone who is patient enough with me to help.

Well I feel like I am forgetting a lot more stuff, but that's all for now. More to come! Love and miss everyone <3

        Population of UAE: 4,798,491
        Capital: Abu Dhabi
        Official Language: Arabic
        Religion: Islam 96%
        Climate: Desert
        Nationality: Emirati(s)
        The UAE is slightly smaller than Maine.