Never Judge a Book by Its Cover!

Well, another week down in Al Ain and have settled into a routine.  My students are settling in really well and we studied the letter "Mm" this week.  The curriculum here has certain words beginning with m which are required (mosque, mouse, mountain, man, etc.).  I added Mickey Mouse, M & M's, and several other words.  Made a powerpoint with the focus letters and pictures.  All the students knew Mickey Mouse and M & M's.  Practiced writing, tracing, and saying words with M all week.  Thursday came (our Friday) and we had an M & M party to celebrate the end to the M week.  We sorted colors using M & M's and had fruit snacks (mango, melon, and milk).  The students are doing much better on the sorting and learning the English words for colors.  One of my students, Mohammaed, saw that there was an M on the bottom of his shoe and pointed to it and said "M".  Then pointed to a lowercase m on the rug....my heart sang! 

This week has been filled with lots of chores after school.   I picked up my passport with the residency visa inside, which means I'm official.  Only thing waiting on is my Emirates ID, which should be coming any time now.  I picked up my translated driver's license document on Wednesday and am now ready to go and get my Emirate driver's license and yes......rent a car!  Each morning at 5:45, I have a bus which drives me and 10 other teachers to school and returns us home around 4:00 p.m.  ABella Supermarket is not far down the street from my apartment and I can shop, buy pork if necessary, send money home, go to a pharmacy, and a dry cleaner.  During the week, I usually stick close to home and use cabs sparingly, but cab fares add up.  It's difficult to find a taxi here and sometimes have to wait 15 minutes in the heat for one. Trying to decide if I REALLY need a car.  Truth is, I miss the convenience of hopping in my car, running errands, and pulling up in the garage with my groceries.  I miss listening to my music!  Called a car rental place today, which is Friday (our Sunday) and left a message to get more info...torn. 

Andrea Brown and I went to dinner last night for our weekly girls night out.  We bought slippers!  Slippers here are like walking on a hard piece of plywood.....no joke.  Last night, we saw soft, fluffy, slippers and snapped them up in a heartbeat.  Then went to dinner and had a good time chatting about our  week.  On the way out of the restaurant, Andrea and I started to talk about all the strange things we've seen here. 

When visiting any mall in the UAE, there are LOTS of lingerie shops...and we are talking manneqines in the window with very suggestive sleepwear.  There's not one in a mall, but literally 10-20.  These women are covered in abaiyas (black outifit) and head is covered with sheala (black scarf).  Why are there so many lingerie shops?  Arabic women may be very conservative in their public dress, but behind closed doors, not so much!  Words of wisdom....never judge a book by its cover.









There are an equal amount of formal dress shops....we are talking over the top floor length formal dresses with lots of rhinestones and glittter, which are worn to weddings.  Shoes, shoes, and more shoes.....bedazzled 5 inch heels.  Look under the abiayas when women walk and they are wearing these shoes. Perfumaires are everwhere and you can create your own unique perfumes.  There's always lots of strange smells in the shopping malls.  Perfumes, incense, and lots of other smells are everywhere.  Lots of ice cream, donuts, and chocolate shops.  People in the UAE love dessert and chocolate. 

 

 

From this great experience, I've learned to not judge a book by its cover.  On the other side of the world, I've met so many interesting people who were nothing like my expectation. I must admit that my eyes have been opened to being more understanding of other cultures.  They have traditions just like I do and I don't have to agree with them, but I must respect them.  There are many things that are so different than where I live in Georgia.  Miss so much from home and I miss my friends, but know that there's a reason I'm here. Hope everyone has a great weekend!  Until we meet again!  

First Two Weeks of School and the Kleenex Lady Returns!

The first two weeks of school have been very busy.  Since my last post, ALL of the nannies and mothers have stopped coming in with the children.  Only had one cryer (sp?) last week and by Wednesday, she was smiling and ready to come in the classroom with out tears.....YES!  Been working a lot on teaching the children basic "functional" English....bathroom (hamam), sit, look, listen, boys, girls, good morning, days of the week, months of the year, and really working on procedures in the classroom.  They are beginning to get in the routines and understand more of what I am asking them to do.  I must admit that I LOVE my students....as always, they become part of my family while they are MINE!  In every family there are the good, bad, and ugly!  I must admit that I have about 4 boys that just make you want to pray to Jesus every day, every hour, every minute,...but I still love them anyway! 

On Wednesday, I woke up with a sore throat, fever, clogged nose, and very little voice.  The air-conditioning here is very strong.  When I came home Tuesday from school, I was having a "flash" and turned the air down and forgot to turn it up before going to sleep.  All night the cold air blew on my head and alas.....felt horrible!  Took some Tylenol and Sinus Medicine and hoped for the best.  When I arrived at school, feeling even worse.  My Arabic counterpart took one look at me and said....you don't look good.  I said....Well, thanks Mrs. Hanaaa in my best rasppy (sp?) voice.  She laughed and offered me a cough drop!  By about 9:00, my voice was going downhill and I must admit that I felt like dirt! 

Hanaa taught her Islam studies...Every day for 30 minutes students here have an Islam lesson on their religion and all the importatnt components.  Taught completely in Arabic, I have no idea what she is saying to them.  I must admit that everytime she teaches, I'm impressed with what the children can recite at the age of 5.  They seem so proud and confident when she asks them to repeat parts of the Quoran (at least I think that's what it is).  When she finishes, it's time for breakfast.  No...not cooked by the lunchroom, but brought from home.  Think I've discussed the unhealthiness of the snacks, but it bears repeating.  At 9:40, they eat sandwiches (nutella, cheese, chocolate, or sometimes fruit spreads (figs) ), potato chips, fruit juice, water, chocolate milk, and even chocolate in a tube with a pixie stick....breakfast of champions.  Next week, I'm teaching about the body and healthy eating.  Going to encourage students to bring fruits and drink water....not so much chocolate. 

By the time the students leave, my voice is nonexistent!  I have 12 boys and 12 girls.  Hanaa took the girls and I took the boys.  They were doing a good job until we had to wait for someone to unlock a door so we could go out to the buses.  10 minutes of waiting on the security guard.  They became restless.  Remember boys are harder to handle....On the way to the bus, the boys were off the chain.  I was ready to throw them all away by the time we made it to the bus!  But remember, I love them, so I forgave them before I made it back to my room.....We did have church the next morning and discuss the error of our ways!  Hanaa and I discussed changes for tomorrow and then decided I didn't need to talk anymore. 

As soon as the bus dropped me off, I went to ABella Supermarket, which is just down the street from me.  I don't have a car yet (next week....hopefully) because I have to get my residency visa back before renting a car.  By the time I arrived at ABella, I was voiceless.  Walked into the pharmacy and talked to the pharmacist....well, I tried.  Opened my mouth and tried to talk and nothing came out.  He started asking me questions and I shook my head yes or no.  He gave me an antibiotic and nose rinse.  Told me to go home and rest and....NO TALKING. Gladly, I went home, put on my pajamas and crawled in my bed.  30 minutes later, my doorbell rang.  It was IKEA.  They brought the cover to my sofa.  I answered the door in my pjs....He smiled.  Women here cover everything, so I'm sure I embarrassed him (pjs, socks, and blanket).  Next day, I bought a robe! 

Thursday when I woke, laid there trying to decide if I needed to go to school...Well, starting a new job, want to show them I'm committed, so I decided to go to school.  Took my antibiotic, nose spray, Tylenol, Kleenex and headed for the bus. Slept the entire way to work and felt a little better. 

While living in Georgia, I was allergic to everything green and everything that blooms.  My nose constantly drips and I carry Kleenex with me everywhere.  At the Crisp County Academic Coach meetings, I was famous for having a box of Kleenex with me...Since moving here, my allergies have been nonexistent.  Well, on Thursday, my nose ran all day long and I had a little bit of voice back today.  The children were as good as possible and we made it through the 2nd week of school.  Today is Friday and I'm feeling much better.  The antibiotics are kicking in and I am going to move my bed around so the air isn't blowing on my head as much....lesson learned! 

I feel a sense of accomplishment after completing my first two weeks of school.  I survived!  Bonded with my students and my Arabic counterpart.  Learned to use a computer that types in English and Arabic.  Started trying to make a new schedule  At the end of my typing, looked up and it was all in Arabic...freaked me out.  Arabic begins on the right and goes left. English goes left to right.  Hanaa saw the look on my face and began to laugh.  She said, "What's wrong, Mrs. Christine, you don't read Arabic?"  I said, "No habla Arabic!"  The keyboard is split and can shift between the two languages.  There's also a button on the toolbar that transitions between Arabic and English.  Thought for a minute I was going to have to learn Arabic!

Next week, we start centers and a new schedule so this will be challenging. Half of the centers will be in English and the other half in Arabic.  Fingers crossed! Hopefully tomorrow I will get a P.O. Box and Dan can send me a goodie box from home filled with all the things I miss or can't find here (hint, hint, Dan!).  Until we meet again! 

My Second Day, Nannies, and Meetings

At 4:30 each morning, I wake to prepare for the ride to Al Wagan (Wagon).  Conveniently, loud speakers begin to play the first call to prayer for Muslims at this precise time.  There are 5 times during the day when music will begin to play on loud speakers in the streets, in malls, and on tv.  This is a 15 minute reminder that they have to pray.  There are prayer rooms in malls and schools for men and separate rooms for women.

At 5:40, my bus pulls up and I climb on.  The morning ride is either filled with laughter or silence.  We either sleep or talk about our evening or funny things that happened at school.  We have several stops along the way and arrived at school @7:00.  My school is a co-ed.  Boys on one side and girls on the other.  Only Kindergarten classes have mixed boys and girls.  At 7:15, the boys have an assembly and some of the teachers on my bus teach boys, so we have to be at school early.  When I arrive, there are already nannies sitting outside my door with children....school doesn't start until 8:20.  Children are running up and down the halls and it is very loud.  I'm wondering how did these people get down this hall??????  There are 4 full time security guards at the school at all times and there is one who stays there at night.  My Head of Faculty (Academic Coach) locks the side doors to a courtyard that the nannies used to get in...security guard unlocked it for the day.  She tells me to put a sign on my door that says 8:20 (numbers are the same in any language,,,Most nannies are from other countries and speak broken English.) 

At 8:20, I open the door and the children enter.  Practice putting bookbags/backpacks at the back of the room and attempt to tell nannies they can go.  About half of the nannies leave and go home.  The others sit outside in the hall and watch us through the glass walls.  Most of the mothers leave within the first 15 minutes, but they sit outside in the hall and watch.  The rooms echo like open classrooms and they can hear every word I say and I can hear my neighbor too!  Give smiley face stickers to those who come in, put bookbags up, go to seat, and get started on activity at table.  Without any words, they quickly figure out that they can earn stickers for doing what I ask....GOOD!!!!  Then  we practice cleaning up and coming to the rug for circle time.  Review rules and talk about how well they did coming in.  Introduced the calendar and showed them a picture of my family and talked about them.  Hanaa (my Arabic teacher) and I are really getting in a groove with the translating.  I say a sentence in English and then she says it in Arabic.  Really working on having them look at me when I'm talking and listening to me in English.  (Imagine someone is speaking French in a room and an English person is translating for you....naturally, you would wait and look at the English person waiting on her to translate.) 

Around 9:30, we stop for breakfast. There is no lunchroom lady here.  The children bring a packed breakfast from home each day. I ask the children to return to their chairs and by tables I ask them to go and get their breakfast.  Once I start calling the tables and the audience of mothers and nannies see we are eating breakfast, the flood gates open and they come in wanting to help children unpack their breakfasts.  In my nicest voice, I told them....we got this!  Asked them to wait outside...Hanaa is translating for me.  These children are used to someone waiting on them hand and foot.  They sit there waiting on someone to unpack their food.  Well, there are 23 of them and 2 of us, so we will teach them some survival skills....Told them to unpack food and put on tables.  We eat bagels, poptarts, scrambled eggs, fruit, and yogurt....not here.  There are chips, chocolate (very big here), sandwiches with fruit inside and something that looks like nutella or cheese sandwiches (very big here), flavored milk, and fruit juice.  None of the children know how to open the straws for juice boxes or milk because nannies do this for them....we taught them how today.  When we finished eating, it looked like a war zone.....They are not used to cleaning up behind themselves...again, we taught them how today. 

Then, we prepare for dismissal at 10:00 (for the first two weeks).   The children did better than yesterday and are learning the dismissal procedures.  After the students leave, we have KG meeting discussing numbers.  Each class has between 21 and 28.  One of the Arabic teachers took 2 students without them enrolling in the office....then she complained because she had too many children.  She knows the family and thought it was okay.  Parents want cousins, brothers, second cousins removed....to all be together and will tell the teachers anything to get them in a class.  Our Head of Faculty explained to Arabic teachers that this was not okay.  American teachers knew better.  Maximum class size is supposed to be 23.  We will  probably get a new teacher from ADEC. After a 2 hour meeting, I finally get to go back to my room and clean up, decorate some, put up my class list, and prepare for tomorrow.  Oh...and American teachers, I don't have a stapler, tape dispenser, construction paper, writing paper, or scissors.  I must buy my own.  There are very little materials here.  What I wouldn't give to go to the supplies closet and go shopping!!!!

At 1:30, the rest of the school is dismissed for the day.  We have another faculty meeting until 2:45 and then the long ride home.  I drag my weary body from the bus around 4:00 and collapse onto my bed!  Took a 30 minute nap!  Had a turkey sandwich for supper(still no stove) and headed to bed at 8:00.  Know I'm on schedule because the 5th call to prayer is playing in the background.  It was a long, tiring day, but I felt good about my accomplishments. 

 

The Long Drive Into the Desert, Social Hour, and Meeting New Friends

In Abu Dhabi, the school week runs Sunday through Thursday.  Friday is the sabbath almost all stores are closed until after lunch and some don't open at all. So, Saturday night, I didn't sleep well anticipating the first day of school....just like in Cordele.  Sunday morning at 5:40 a.m. (I am not kidding!), I was picked up by an airconditioned bus with 10 other lady teachers from my school.  If you are housed more than 50 km away from your school, ADEC provides transportation to and from your school.  The bus I ride is a cross between a small school bus and a greyhound...comfy seats and room to stretch out.  The ladies who ride the bus are lots of fun and make the early mornings very enjoyable.  We are headed to Al Wagan (pronounced Wagon) which is a co-ed school.  Boys on one half of the school and girls on the other.  There is a special wing for the KG1 and KG2 classes.  KG1 is ages 2-4(yep!) and KG2 are 5 years old.  KG2 is more like a pre-k at the beginning and builds into kindergarten material.  The building is new, so the rooms are very pretty and the have glass walls so everyone can see and hear what the children are doing. 

The night before school, my Head of Faculty called to let me know that I would be a floater for the day and help as needed.  When I arrived at school on Sunday, they had assigned me a KG2 homeroom.  Remember, I've never even seen the school before today.  Is the door decorated? Are the bulletin boards done?  Do I know how to find the bathroom?  NO!  For a moment, I went.....WHAT!  Then I realized that I was famous for saying I could teach school if I only had a dry erase marker and a board.  Well...today might be that day.  Fortunately, in KG2, there is an Arabic teacher and an English teacher because the students are so young and just learning a new language.  My Arabic counterpart, Hanaa (pronounced like Hannah) had some things in her centers that I put into baskets for the early arrivers.  Parents always want to talk and you don't want to leave the children without something to do.  I found crayons, pencils, etc.  and tried to come up with a game plan for the day.  Hanaa came in about 20 minutes later and told me not to worry that the children would trickle in today and be prepared for them to interrupt the class (just like America).  I couldn't help but feel at knot in the back of my throat...this was real!  Children were about to come in my room...did I still have it?  I've been out of the classroom for almost 9 years! 

When the doors opened to let parents into our hall, it was like open house in American schools.  Huge crowds of people coming down the hall like a herd of cattle with screaming children in tow!  There are mothers and nannies bringing children!  In Abu Dhabi, nannies literally raise children and in some families spend more time with them than their parents.  Most of the nannies are not Emirates (as we would say in Georgia...foreigners) and speak broken English. They often become nannies as a way to acquire housing and to be able to send back money to the family.  Most nannies are live-in here and work 6-7 days a week 24 hours a day (no kidding).  There are nannies that are sponsored by a family and are "legal" and then there are others who are not.  Some nannies are part of the family and others are treated very poorly and look miserable.  Many of the children think of the nanny as Mom. 

Class lists are posted outside the door, but there's last minute changes (nothing new!).  Parents,children, and nannies rush up and down the hall looking for their babies' teacher.  Most children are looped with last year's teacher between KG1 and KG2.  Since I am "new", I have an assortment (always fun!).  KG1 and 2 are mixed classes (boys and girls) and this is the only grades that this will occur.  The Arabic parents are trying to communicate with me, but no habla Arabic.  Thank goodness for Hanaa.  She knows most of the parents and the children from last year.  These parents don't know me, so I'm the "new" teacher and no one ever wants the "new" teacher.  Everyone wants to be in the same class with all 20 of their best friends (just like America). 

Since the children are so young, it's like pre-k and K.  Most of the children were fine, but there were some cryers (sp.?) who hold onto mom's abaya or the nanny's hand and are very shy. After some coaxing, all the children are at the tables enjoying playing with blocks and other toys and I'm thinking the grown ups are leaving......NOPE!  I have a room of about 22 students and there are 12 mothers with some small children sitting in the front corner of my room while I'm trying to get the children settled.  I begin talking about who I am, where I came from, told them where I live now, and how excited I was to be here.  Told them I'd been a teacher for 23 years and that I would bring a picture of my children, husband, and cat (Mufasa) so they could see my family.  Picture this....I'm doing all this talking...Hanna is repeating everything in Arabic, and the grown ups are in the front of the room having social hour. When they weren't talking, they sat like people do when they watch tv.  Most of these women haven't been in schools or seen how teachers teach.  They stayed until 10:00....when we went home for the first day.  I survived the day with no wounds!!!!! Started putting my procedures in place for classroom management and felt good, but tired!!!

At 11, all the KG teachers had a grade level meeting with our Head of Faculty (Academic Coach) to discuss numbers and changes for tomorrow.  Meetings are bi-lingual here.  The HOF speaks English and then an Arabic teacher translates for the Arabic teachers.  Meetings are a little longer, but this group of ladies were a "hoot!"  Even though I don't speak Arabic, there's a way a lady can shake her finger and have a sassiness that needed no interpretation.  Arabic women are very passionate about what they believe, so there is always lively discussion.  This tight-knit group of educators welcomed me with open arms and were so impressed that I stepped up and taught without any preparation. On a wing and a prayer, my first day was a success.  Remember how tired you are on the first day of school...couldn't feel my feet when I left....teachers know that feeling....Maybe I still have it!





 

You're Not in Kansas Anymore, Dorothy!

So, last Monday, we were moved from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain to be closer to our schools.  We were divided into three groups.  I was placed at the Danat (Formally the Intercontinental) with one of my friends, Andrea Brown.  We were given Tuesday off in order to finish shopping.   Shopped from 10:00 am-10:00 pm...Words cannot describe how tired my feet were by the end of the day. On Wednesday, all the teachers were taken to the local branch of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) in Al Ain.  Planned to start at 8:00 and began an 8:20.  Things here tend to run behind schedule and people here are very relaxed about time....different than I'm used to.  After a very short meeting, the Heads of Faculty (HOFs) were introduced.  These are our best friends for this year.  They support instruction, do staff development, and basically do what I used to do in the US.  Some HOFs did not come because they were so far out of town or last minute assignments were made.  Unfortunately, my HOF did not come due to my assignment coming late.  So, I was sent back to the hotel for a day of rest....wrong, more shoppping. The amount of time waiting in line makes the shopping experience longer here, that's why it has taken so long.  Think about all the "stuff" you have to buy when starting a new apartment...I have nothing. 

On Thursday morning, we attended our "orientation".  Several teachers from different grade levels spoke to us about what the first day/first week would be like.  Students tend to trickle in here and rosters will not be "settled" for a couple of weeks.  Teachers are moved between grades if needed when the final counts come in...For those of you who know me well, know that I have a plan A, B, and C for everything. I have had to learn "patience" here.  I spend two weeks decorating my room and getting myself together...not here...On the first day of school, Sunday, I do not know my grade level.  My HOF called a few moments ago and asked me to be a "floater" on Sunday and go where needed.  I will help with 1st grade on the first day and then go to K.  This eased a little of my "stress".

 My school, Al Wagan (sounds like wagon) is an hour or longer away from Al Ain and will have to ride a shuttle bus provided by ADEC to school for now.  Leave early in the day and get home by 3-4 (much earlier for me).  Al Wagan is a co-ed school. Part of the school is for girls and the other part is for boys. Classes are unisex here except for some KG classes (2,3, and 4 year olds). Not sure if I will have boys or girs. The school is located in an agricultural area (no different for me).  Brand new school building with lots of technology....excited about this because some schools here don't have internet and some don't have computers.  13 new schools will be built here this year in order to bring all buildings up to technology standards.

 I don't have a car here because a residency visa is necessary to rent and I want to learn my way to work before going into the desert alone...safety first!  The driving is better here, but roundabouts are scary.  Roundabouts are circular roads (3 lanes)  that have statues, fountains, rocks, or gardens in the the middle.  Each roundabout has a name.  When driving around these roundabouts, there are exits (roads) that go off of the roundabouts.  Some roundabouts have 3-4 roads branching off of them.  It's kind of like riding on a carousel and having to get off the roundabout on your road without hitting someone else who's trying to do the same thing.  Blinkers/signals are not used as much as I would like.  Some drivers go from the inside lane closes to the statues all the way across to the third lane without a blinker.  Once I learn the roundabout, I may try driving.  For now, this girl is going to let the taxi drivers do the driving!  

Today I checked out of my hotel and officially moved into my apartment.  I only have a bed, refrigerator, and internet at this point.  Rest of things supposed to be delivered here today....Inshallah (Means Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise in Southern English!)  Had a cold diet coke from my refrigerator and started putting my things away.  Need to go grocery shopping, so will write more later.  Until we meet again! 

Patience, Shop Til You Drop, and the Al Ain Adventure

Since my last blog, there have been some very trying times.  Tuesday evening after our last meeting, teachers began receiving school assignments @7:00 p.m.  I waited, and waited, and waited...no school assignment.  By 10:00 p.m., all my friends and most teachers had assignments....not me.  I like to think patience is one of my virtues, but I was beginning to get concerned.  After a restless night, I woke early to check email...still no school.  Checked in our facebook group and there were 4 others with no school, so I wasn't alone.  At the beginning of the business day, contacted the ADEC office via email asking for my assignment.  Through several emails and phone calls later still no school assignment.  It wasn't until Thursday morning at 10:00 that I received my assignment.  I will be working at Al Wagan, a co-ed KG-5 school, about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Al Ain.  Girls and boys usually have different schools and are never in the same class with each other.  In this school part of the building will be for boys and others part for girls.  The school is located in a rural community with farming near by, but the school is brand new and has technology in every room, which is hard to find here.  My principal is from Ireland and will have a Head of Faculty to assist with curriculum implementation and training (Kind of sounds like what I used to do!)  Since the school is so far away from Al Ain, each morning a bus will pick me up and transport to my school and return me home each evening. That makes me feel better, because wouldn't want to be driving alone in the rural areas until I know my way around. 

Wednesday was an interesting day...received a sms text from the National Bank of Abu Dhabi that my  housing allowance money had been deposited and could officially use my debit card.  How much you ask?  20,000 dirhams...equals about $5,300 to totally furnish a 2 bedroom apartment.  Most apartments don't have a built in closet, so must buy a wardrobe. Kitchen will need refrigerator, combined washer/dryer, stove, and water cooler (I will have to order water bottles because you don't cook with water here or drink). The washer and dryer are the same machine...you wash and dry without taking clothes out...just turn a knob..will send picture when buy.  Refrigerators are smaller here than in America.  Living room furniture, tv stand/entertainment center, tv, bed frame, headboard, mattresses, wardrobe, night stands, desk, hallway table of some sort, towels, shower curtains, pots/pans, and decorative items need to be purchased.   Can it be done? We shall see!

Late Wednesday evening, I tried to withdraw a little cash from my debit card just to see if it worked....and it didn't. Took a cab to Mushrif Mall all the way across town to go to the main branch and see customer service.  After three tries, the customer service agent finally was able to reset the card and when I got home....back to the hotel, I was able to withdraw funds...whew!  Andrea Brown, Nicole Cruz, and I decided that tomorrow (Thursday) we would go out to IKEA to purchase some items (Andrea and I have trekked out here a week ago to scope out what was available...never been to IKEA before (yes, I'm sheltered).  IKEA is located on Yas Island (about 65 dirham ride...about 30 minutes).  This is the island that you've seen in the pictures that looks like a palm tree.  I didn't see that...just IKEA.  This IKEA has a cafeteria-style restaurant in it.  We ate lunch here.  I chose baked chicken and rice.  Asked for gravy and server put it over the chicken instead of the rice...guess I should have been more specific :)  Needless to say, my chicken with gravy and rice was good!  Now to shopping. 

The Arabic culture is very relaxed...they don't rush (except when they drive :) )  It took us and hour and a half to get couches ordered , choose colors, and get our paperwork...There were so many people in the store that IKEA called in employees who were supposed to have the day off.  Thanks for coming in Ruwan, you were most helpful!  Next, on the wardrobes.  Andrea already knew her choice, but I didn't.  While she was placing her order, I browsed and found one that I liked...no price (it's free!). After another hour and a half, I left with my paperwork and on to the rest of the store.  After another 30 minutes, we ended up at the station where you present your paperwork and the workers get the boxes off the shelves.  I'd never seen this before, so I was looking like a tourist :)  The workers were courteous and quick and within a few minutes I was ready to check out!  I had a 3 seater couch, ottoman (with storage), white tv stand with drawers, desk, chair for desk, console table (kind of like a buffet), ordered the wardrobe, and several kitchen and bathroom items.  Then to checkout.  After almost 4 hours in the store, I could hardly feel my feet.  Felt rode hard and put up wet! Checked out and spent half of my allowance, but feel good about what I purchased.  Now, to set up delivery. 

Remember....I've only been to my apartment one time for 15 minutes.  Know the city and that I'm close to the ABella grocery store and the name Sultan Al Yarbhooni. There are very few street signs.  I was more than a little nervous about telling someone how to get to my apartment.  The delivery assitant was most helpful and set up my delivery for Saturday, Sept. 8th.  I work Sun-Thursday.  Friday is the holy day, so no deliveries.  Will be home from school by 3:30 each day and will help me meet delivery team.  IKEA calls your cell phone and gives an approximate delivery time.  You must be present while the furniture is assembled and must approve before they can leave.  Felt a rush of adrenaline when I left the desk.  Headed to go an catch a cab.....At Yas Island, it is very difficult to find a cab.  We waited in the shade of the building for a few minutes and decided to wait inside for about 15 minutes (110 degrees outside). Finally, a cab arrived with other teachers coming to shop.  We sat in the cab.....tired, hot, and ready for a cool ride back to the hotel. 

Went into hotel, took in bags, and headed back out.  Our day was not over...we had to buy beds! Took a cab to "The Living Room" and was greeted with a smile and an offer of a beverage...Diet Pepsi never tasted so good!  purchased queen size pillowtop mattress, frame,mattress cover and selected fabric for headboard.The price you ask...4,000 dirhams.  Worth it to me, because if I don't sleep I turn into a bear!  While filling out paperwork, the owner was visited by some teachers who had already purchased their beds.  They brought him a plate with Arabic sweets....bite sized confections. There are confection and candy stores everywhere.  It's a sign of hospitality to bring sweets or dates to a person.  He shared with us and they were YUMMY!  After leaving The Living Room, we went to Khalidya Mall and had dinner.  Three tired women and one tired baby drug themselves back to the hotel to a cool, comfortable room for a long night's sleep! 

On Friday, Andrea and I decided to make a visit to Al Ain to deliver the items we've accumulated since coming here.  We will be moved to Al Ain soon, but don't want all these bags on the bus!  If you've ever watched the Amazing Race, you know the cab driver is the key.  They always say they know where you're going, but some don't....yep...that's our cab driver.  Al Ain is about 1hour 1/2 from Abu Dhabi (about 250 dirhams) and let's just say our cab driver took us on the scenic route.  He had no idea where he was going.  When we get close to Al Ain, there are roundabouts.  The road is shaped like a circle and roads branch off in all directions, so reading the signs is important.  Remember...we've only been here one time and our cab driver has no idea where our apartments are located.  Roundabouts are everywhere and it is very comfusing.  After 30 minutes of getting lost, Andrea's directios help us find her apartment and we drop off her items and turn on the air conditioner so it will be cool when she returns.  The cab driver waits for us and then we venture out to find my apartment.  All I have is a picture on my phone and I know it is across the street from ABella Grocery...I was in trouble.  We wandered aimlessly down the streets of Al Ain and I was beginning to get concerned...was I ever going to see my apartment again.  By happenstance, we found the grocery store.  Our cab driver was very frustrated by now, so we decided to have him drop us at the grocery store and get a local cab who would know the area better. 


We walked into the pharmacy area and I showed the pharmacist my picture.  He asked us to follow him out the door.  He said, "Three building down" and you are there.  We were that close! Andrea helped me grab the bags and we walked down to the apartment.  110 degrees and pouring with sweat!!!  Came to my outside door and there was a number for Ali (building supervisor).  He came and let us in, turned on the air, and agreed to clean my apartment after hours for a fee.  There is lots of construction dust everywhere.  He gave me the keys to the front door and I gave him my apartment key so he could clean.  Thanked him for helping us and locked up.  Went out to try and catch a cab....no cabs.  Our apartments are on the edge of town....new subdivision with not much traffic.  Ali said cabs are by chance out here.....great!  Only a couple of minutes later, a cab came by and took us to Al Ain mall to eat lunch.  It's 2:30 by now and we are starving!  Decided to go to Ponderosa. There is a buffet.  We were excited about this...I was thinking fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, biscuits....NO.  I had corn soup, macaroni salad with tuna (Arabic mayo is yucky!), potato salad (Arabic mayo is yucky!), and some nachos with cheese.  Then tried buffet of mostly arabic and indian food.  Very spicy and not to my liking.  Did like the lamb roast, plain rice, and nan (indian bread...flat bread that is heated and oh so yummy.  Made me feel like I do when I eat hot yeast rolls!) 

After eating, headed to catch a cab and head back to Abu Dhabi.  We decided to ride a bus (greyhound style) back.  As soon as our cab door opened, we were being screamed at by male cab drivers who looked like they needed a bath.  They were offering to take us to Abu Dhabi for 100 dirhams.  The bus would cost us 15 dirhams each.  We kept walking trying to ignore them...they forget we've seen the movies where innocent girls disappear!  They followed us (there's about 10 of them).  It was a little scary.  Once we get close to bus, they back off and we arrive just in time to get on the bus.  Interesting thing...there's a women only section to the bus.  Women sit up front and men sit in the back.  There was a sign that says women only.  In the bus terminal there's a women only section.  So if a man and wife are traveling together, they must sit in different sections of the bus terminal and on the bus.  Andrea and I decided that we would sit as close to the front as possible...Itg was a long, but cool trip back to Abu Dhabi.  The bus terminal is on the opposite side of time from our hotel, so we saw many things never seen before.  Andrea and I noted the detail to all the architecture. Everything is done with style.  Even the picnic tables are covered with ornate coverings and the tables themselves are thick, hexagon-shaped picnic tables with laminate on top and very comfortable seating.  We passed a waterway we've never seen and saw people fishing and picnicing. 

2 hours later, we arrived at the bus station.  We manuevered through the station to find the front where we thought the cabs would be located.  Well, we found we were outside the bus station in the men's section....Men were staring at us and smiling in a strange way...We walked quickly until finding the cab loading area and quickly jumped in a cab.  This neighborhood would not be a place I would want to be in at night.  Our cab raced across town and we marveled at the beautiful buildings in our path.  There is such attention to detail and are very aesthetic. Finally, we dragged our two weary bodies out of the cab upstairs to our rooms.  Think there is delivery food in my future!  It's been a long day!  Until we meet again!