We're here!

Just time for a short post here as I am at an internet cafe and my time is almost up!

We are FINALLY in the UAE...left Edmonton the afternoon of June 1 and got here late the night of June 2. Michael cannot start work yet; the Petroleum Institute forgot to get his security clearance done when he was here for interview and so we must wait until that is done. Then we can look for an apartment and settle in. In the meantime we are in a very nice hotel--a suite in the Beach Rotana, which has gorgeous rooms, good restaurants, a well-equipped health club and a lovely beach. Not too much of a hardship to stay here, that's for sure! After 3 days jet lag is finally subsiding and we are starting to feel a little more normal or adjusted.

Of course, even with the PI paying some of our expenses in the interim, money is a bit of a worry until Michael finally starts work and gets paid again, so we haven't felt we can really get out and do too much exploring or touristy-type stuff. We have been out with some of Michael's new coworkers, expats who seem very nice and have been very welcoming and willing to answer questions and help us acclimatize.

I've been invited to audition for a dramatic group and a choral society. There are also class listings in the paper and Time out Abu Dhabi for Arabic language and bellydance classes. Lots to explore...I hear from some expat wives that it's VERY easy not to work here, and I can see how that would be the case even as I assume I will still end up with some kind of job--librarian or not--somewhere down the line.

One of the strangest things is seeing all the familiar stores, fast food places, etc., so far away. I guess wherever you go you can't get away from Chili's, Pizza Hut, McDonald's and Starbucks. I'm sure a time will come when we are glad to retreat into the familiar now and then, but for now it's almost disappointing.

The streets are a colourful mixture of Gulf arabs in dishdashas, abayahs and veils, Indians in turbans and saris, and western clothing of various degrees. Most people speaking Arabic amongst themselves, of course, but in the hotels, restaurants and stores everyone speaks english. It's true that you don't really need to know any Arabic to live here, though I'd still like to learn it nonetheless!

Five minutes left to go in my time. Better stop here! We'll post again when we can.