Nothing really exciting happened here this past week. My hometown football team (
Edmonton Eskimos) lost its season opener but won its first home game. My hockey team (
Edmonton Oilers) made some big trades and the team has a new owner. It's great to be able to listen to (in some cases) live press conferences and local radio sports talk shows over the web!
Last week I had my *consultation* with a doctor that a friend recommended. He's lived in Abu Dhabi for 34 years so he must be one of the longest serving doctors here. Unfortunately health care here is similar to the U.S. It's more like sick care than preventative care. There are no routine medical check-ups but only consultations. Health insurance doesn't recognize the term check up so you basically see a doctor when you're really sick. So I paid 200 dirhams for routine blood work and a urine sample. They forgot to check my weight and blood pressure. I'll have to mention that when I call to get my results. Darcy and I realized that we haven't had a proper physical done by a doctor since we left Canada in 2000. The doctor asks you about your physical and mental health and then proceeds to do a thorough exam.
On Friday we visited the city's newest mall called Khalidiya Mall. But as one newspaper article suggest (see below) we didn't buy anything. It's very close to us but it's the smallest of the four major malls in Abu Dhabi. It has the same types of stores but there is no book store. Shame! But the mall had a decent Mexican restaurant. so we had a late lunch there and Darcy ordered a marguarita but it was non alcoholic. So we think that there are now three Mexican places in the city including Chilis. Not a great variety.
Below is the regular news round up for the week:
Earth rise on the moon. This is incredible!
Sheikh Khalifa selects design for Adnoc’s new 75-storey head office. It's about time too! Ironic that the wealthiest company in the UAE has probably had the oldest office building for years.
Hot spell to continue in UAE until northwest winds arrive. But remember that it never officially gets above 49 celcius. Otherwise the laborers would not be able to work. So the temp NEVER reaches 50 - riiight!
Dusty winds bring temperature down a few degrees in the UAE. Whew - the temperature is down to around 40 celcius!
Shopping to beat boredom and the blues. We can think of other things to do besides shop.
Abu Dhabi in 24 hours. This is nice...
Taxis suffer as bus business booms
Atlantis rises from the palm
Workers find relief in midday break
Capital seeks to tighten the taps
Navy commanders meet in Abu Dhabi. Let's hope sensible people in the U.S. and Iran will prevent an altercation in the Gulf.
FNC debates anthem lyrics
The unofficial lyrics
Sheikh Khalifa selects design for Adnoc’s new 75-storey head office
Canadian urges tax on fossil fuels
Judges debate deportation order for indecent gesture in public
Abu Dhabi public beach opens. We've not yet seen how much of the park is really open for business.
New town to keep heat at bay
Operation stereotype
