Cassandra and I made it to church this morning. Last week we couldn't figure out where it was. When I asked this week about the church behind the Oasis Hospital everyone (the coinceirge and taxi driver) wanted to tell me about St. Mary's Catholic Church. That could have been an option, but that's not the one that we had heard about. We just told the taxi driver to take us to Oasis Hospital. He drove us there and to a fence in the back. We weren't sure what to do. All the buildings looked old and not at all church like. We saw a western lady walking toward the taxi and we decided to ask her. She told us to follow her and led us through the fence to a door which was evidently the church. The 9 am service was very small. I don't think I will be going back to that service. They have an 11 as well. St. Mary's and the Evangelical Church are the only churches in Al Ain so I don't have much of a choice. Today was communion and a message on friendship and the meaning of true friends. It was a good message and we got invited to the pastor's house for lunch after the second service.
Lunch was great! It was so nice to get out and meet some other people. We talked a lot about what brought us here and how things are going with ADEC. They gave us some good tips on furniture shopping and driving. Those are always handy tips!!! They said we could call them whenever we needed to. That is so nice! They know what it is like and are willing to help when things get difficult. It was wonderful to go to someone's house and have a meal. Made me feel more like I belong here and that I'm living here instead of just being a tourist.
I got my printer USB cable so I can start planning printing things to do on the first few days of school.
We planned our trip to Dubai!!! I am so excited. Leaving early tomorrow morning and we probably won't be back till late. The last bus leaves for Al Ain at midnight. Not sure if we'll stay that late, but we have our agenda!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Shopping and Zoo
I did some more shopping today. I went to put a deposit down for my bed!! I am so excited! I love it;) I have a queen (they call it a king) size pillowtop mattress just like I had in NC. So comfortable. I had to pay a bit more for it, but I know it's a good mattress and a fabulous length for me! I also bought a printer. It's a printer, scanner, copier and it's very nice. The only thing is when I went to hook it up I thought that I was going to have to take it back. There was no USB to connect it to the computer. That would do me no good. I had Cassandra come and check just to make sure I wasn't missing something and she verified that it was missing that USB cord. So I put it all back in the box to take back to LuLu. I planned on doing that tomorrow. I knew Natalie had bought a printer so I thought I would mention it to her. She told me that you have to buy the USB cable to connect it to your computer. How strange!! I am glad that I asked her instead of taking it back to LuLu. There would have been a big communication problem. I'm not sure how I would have gotten my point across. Lots of gesturing and pointing. There is definitely more of a language barrier here than in Abu Dhabi. I am going to have to learn the language. I plan on taking classes, but not until after I get somewhat settled. By settled I mean in my apartment and have an idea of what to teach when. That probably won't happen until end of October early November. I am sure I will learn some when I start teaching, but I want to learn the practical stuff like shopping and directions. I can do a nice conversation (Hi my name is Sara. What is your name. How are you? Fine thank you - Asalam a lakum issmee Sara. Shuismik? Kheif Halik? Zane.) That really isn't going to get me anywhere.
I went to the zoo tonight. Due to Ramadan the zoo is closed during the day but opens from 9-1:30. Natalie, Cassandra, and I got there at 8:40. It is very different being at the zoo at night. Mostly because it's dark!! I had thought that the zoo would really be lit up, but it's not. Kind of scary. I wondered what would happen if an animal got out and we couldn't see it. Turns out I didn't have to worry about that because all the animals are behind very thick glass surrounded by an electric fence. Yeah it could have happened, but quite unlikely. The zoo is very small. They had lots of monkeys, lions, birds, and some nocturnal animals. They have a reptile house, but we opted not to go in there! From what I hear there is a huge python that can swallow a deer in the reptile house. Glad I didn't see that!!! The best part of the zoo was the bird show. There were birds of prey flying over my head!! It was incredible! Falcons, owls, vultures, and hawks free flying from trainer to trainer and over the audience. Amazing! I would go back to see that. I had never seen those birds up close before. They are really graceful, and to see their wingspan is truly increidble. I would definitely go back to see that!
I went to the zoo tonight. Due to Ramadan the zoo is closed during the day but opens from 9-1:30. Natalie, Cassandra, and I got there at 8:40. It is very different being at the zoo at night. Mostly because it's dark!! I had thought that the zoo would really be lit up, but it's not. Kind of scary. I wondered what would happen if an animal got out and we couldn't see it. Turns out I didn't have to worry about that because all the animals are behind very thick glass surrounded by an electric fence. Yeah it could have happened, but quite unlikely. The zoo is very small. They had lots of monkeys, lions, birds, and some nocturnal animals. They have a reptile house, but we opted not to go in there! From what I hear there is a huge python that can swallow a deer in the reptile house. Glad I didn't see that!!! The best part of the zoo was the bird show. There were birds of prey flying over my head!! It was incredible! Falcons, owls, vultures, and hawks free flying from trainer to trainer and over the audience. Amazing! I would go back to see that. I had never seen those birds up close before. They are really graceful, and to see their wingspan is truly increidble. I would definitely go back to see that!
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| training falcon |
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
WooooHoooooo:)
Today was the day!!! I got my 5,000dhs pay advance! There was lots of celebrating in the lobby! The whole mood of the hotel changed instantly; it was so fun!
No more sandwiches for dinner! Susan, Cassandra, Natalie, and I went out for dinner and to do some shopping. It's funny how much different the mall is when you actually have money:) We went to a fabulous Indian restaurant and had a wonderful meal. I had a cucumber mint drink which was delicious. It tasted like a cucumber with just a little mint. Very refreshing! For dinner I had some chicken thing in a creamy tomato sauce. The menu said that it was a Northern Indian delicasey (sp?). It was so creamy and didn't really taste like tomatoes. It had a little spice to it, but not that much.
After dinner we went shopping. I got school supplies mostly. Now I can get something planned for the first day. I bought some books (I only wanted one, but I ended up buying 7!), crayons, pencils, paper, pencil sharpeners, and some other stuff. Now I am ready to get to work!!
No more sandwiches for dinner! Susan, Cassandra, Natalie, and I went out for dinner and to do some shopping. It's funny how much different the mall is when you actually have money:) We went to a fabulous Indian restaurant and had a wonderful meal. I had a cucumber mint drink which was delicious. It tasted like a cucumber with just a little mint. Very refreshing! For dinner I had some chicken thing in a creamy tomato sauce. The menu said that it was a Northern Indian delicasey (sp?). It was so creamy and didn't really taste like tomatoes. It had a little spice to it, but not that much.
After dinner we went shopping. I got school supplies mostly. Now I can get something planned for the first day. I bought some books (I only wanted one, but I ended up buying 7!), crayons, pencils, paper, pencil sharpeners, and some other stuff. Now I am ready to get to work!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
No Money
I am getting a little frustrated. I did not get any money today. The 36 hour timeline has come and gone. The only hope I have of getting money this week is that Eid doesn't start until Friday not Wednesday. Tomorrow or Thursday are still possiblities.
I am tired of shopping, or rather window shopping, and not being able to buy anything. Everything is on special now because of Eid so there are good prices for furniture and appliances and school supplies. I tried to buy my bed today (super comfortable and high:) but I had to put a deposit down and I couldn't do that. So I don't know if I'll get the 50% off that they're offering for Eid.
I am tired of hearing about the way people are treating Gavin and Richard because we don't have money and they don't have answers. Yes, I am frustrated and yes it is hard, but I know that I will get paid and they're not going to kick us out of the hotel until we have had time to furnish our apartments. I have to believe that. It was especially difficult today and I just had to get out. I went for a walk and did a lot of praying. I am praying that God will provide and that I will trust His timetable not mine. Just getting out of the hotel and not in a taxi helped a lot.
I am also bored. I need to be doing stuff for school, but I can't because I don't know what grade I'll be teaching. I can "assume" that I will be teaching 3rd grade, but it's all up to the principal and I won't meet her until the very first day of school for students. So I could walk in and be told that I'm teaching any grade from 1st-3rd. Hard to plan for that. Then there's the issue of possibly having no supplies. Which means I could walk into my classroom at 7:00 am Wed. 9/15 and have nothing other than chairs and desks. Or I could have everything I need. Which one is it? Who knows? I will just get paper, pencils, and crayons for the first day and go from there. Lots to think about and everything needs money.
I am trying to stay positive and enjoy the vacation. I love the pool so that's a plus. Breakfast, even though it's not as good as Abu Dhabi, is free is another plus. Sleeping in definitely a plus! Spending time with friends is a plus. So there are positives!
I am tired of shopping, or rather window shopping, and not being able to buy anything. Everything is on special now because of Eid so there are good prices for furniture and appliances and school supplies. I tried to buy my bed today (super comfortable and high:) but I had to put a deposit down and I couldn't do that. So I don't know if I'll get the 50% off that they're offering for Eid.
I am tired of hearing about the way people are treating Gavin and Richard because we don't have money and they don't have answers. Yes, I am frustrated and yes it is hard, but I know that I will get paid and they're not going to kick us out of the hotel until we have had time to furnish our apartments. I have to believe that. It was especially difficult today and I just had to get out. I went for a walk and did a lot of praying. I am praying that God will provide and that I will trust His timetable not mine. Just getting out of the hotel and not in a taxi helped a lot.
I am also bored. I need to be doing stuff for school, but I can't because I don't know what grade I'll be teaching. I can "assume" that I will be teaching 3rd grade, but it's all up to the principal and I won't meet her until the very first day of school for students. So I could walk in and be told that I'm teaching any grade from 1st-3rd. Hard to plan for that. Then there's the issue of possibly having no supplies. Which means I could walk into my classroom at 7:00 am Wed. 9/15 and have nothing other than chairs and desks. Or I could have everything I need. Which one is it? Who knows? I will just get paper, pencils, and crayons for the first day and go from there. Lots to think about and everything needs money.
I am trying to stay positive and enjoy the vacation. I love the pool so that's a plus. Breakfast, even though it's not as good as Abu Dhabi, is free is another plus. Sleeping in definitely a plus! Spending time with friends is a plus. So there are positives!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Scary
I forgot to mention that men are scary in this country. We were having an Iftar buffet at a restaurant and this guy kept staring at us; me in particular. Every time I walked by he would stare. Natalie and Susan said that he was staring while we were eating as well, I just didn't look at him. After a while I began to stare back. He would look away, but looked back later.
After dinner we left and the guy got up and followed us out!! Scary! We walked and he continued to follow us. I said real loud that I was going to call 999 (equivalent to 911). That didn't bother him because he kept following. We decided that it would be safer to put some distance between me and him so we walked in a line with me at the front. He just went to the other side and walked. He would stop for a while and then continue. I was going to call 999, but I found a security guard. I quickly walked to the guard and told him that the guy was following us. By this time he had caught up to us and said that we didn't have to worry because he was with the police! Yeah right! The security guard asked me if he was harming us or just following. I told him that he was just following, but it's not right. The guard believed us even though the guy kept saying that he wasn't following us. The scary man was escorted out of the mall!
Second time this has happened. I hope there's not a third.
After dinner we left and the guy got up and followed us out!! Scary! We walked and he continued to follow us. I said real loud that I was going to call 999 (equivalent to 911). That didn't bother him because he kept following. We decided that it would be safer to put some distance between me and him so we walked in a line with me at the front. He just went to the other side and walked. He would stop for a while and then continue. I was going to call 999, but I found a security guard. I quickly walked to the guard and told him that the guy was following us. By this time he had caught up to us and said that we didn't have to worry because he was with the police! Yeah right! The security guard asked me if he was harming us or just following. I told him that he was just following, but it's not right. The guard believed us even though the guy kept saying that he wasn't following us. The scary man was escorted out of the mall!
Second time this has happened. I hope there's not a third.
Lots of information
Orientation started again today. I was really excited to go; thinking that I would be getting information about my school. That didn't happen. Instead I got a whole bunch of information about living in Al Ain. I am sure that a lot of it will be quite useful, but it's really hard to pay attention when they're just reading things. A better way would have been to have all that in a folder with contact numbers and websites so we could resesarch on our own. I got information about hospitals, gyms, drivers licenses, where to get furniture, legal typists to translate documents, nannies (I don't need one of those but I still got the information), laundry services... and the list goes on. Lots to learn and lots to process.
It is so difficult trying to live in a foreign country. First of all I need my passport for just about everything from getting a drivers license to getting electricity turned on. I don't have my passport right now since they are still working on getting us residency visas. As soon as that gets done all of these places are going to get bombarded with expats trying to get services. Aaaaahhhh! Frustrating!
I met someone from my school today!! I happened to be sitting right next to her in orientation! She is going to live in Hili as well. She is in group 2 so I didn't meet her before today. It's great to know that I'm not the only new person going to Ammorriyah Primary School.
Susan and I hired a driver today. Neither of us want to get a car so we're going to try this for a while. We found a taxi driver that knows where he's going, drives safely, and speaks really good English. So we asked him if he would pick us up in the morning from our apartment and take us to school. Susan and I don't teach at the same school, but supposedly we're close by. He agreed and gave us his name and number. This will be a lot cheaper than getting a car. Plus I won't have to worry about the crazy drivers in this country. I'm going to try it and see if it works. If I decide that I really need a car I'll get one. I can't get one for 3 months anyway. That's the waiting period. Not sure why though.
Went furniture shopping today. I found some nice stuff, but I have to go back and measure the space so I know what will fit. Susan, Natalie and I are going back tomorrow after orientation. The only problem with a lot of the furniture here is that it's really low. I want a couch with a high back so I will have to pay more. I haven't seen a bed that isn't like right on the floor. I would literally fall into bed. Not good. I miss my bed:( I just have to keep telling myself it's only for 2 years and if I decide I want to stay longer I can get something better.
We are supposed to get paid before Eid. Eid is Wednesday and it's the end of Ramadan!!!! Yeah! I can eat and drink in public! They compare Christmas to Eid. Children get presents and there's lots of celebrations. It should be a fun time! So I should get paid tomorrow! Not holding my breath though:)
It is so difficult trying to live in a foreign country. First of all I need my passport for just about everything from getting a drivers license to getting electricity turned on. I don't have my passport right now since they are still working on getting us residency visas. As soon as that gets done all of these places are going to get bombarded with expats trying to get services. Aaaaahhhh! Frustrating!
I met someone from my school today!! I happened to be sitting right next to her in orientation! She is going to live in Hili as well. She is in group 2 so I didn't meet her before today. It's great to know that I'm not the only new person going to Ammorriyah Primary School.
Susan and I hired a driver today. Neither of us want to get a car so we're going to try this for a while. We found a taxi driver that knows where he's going, drives safely, and speaks really good English. So we asked him if he would pick us up in the morning from our apartment and take us to school. Susan and I don't teach at the same school, but supposedly we're close by. He agreed and gave us his name and number. This will be a lot cheaper than getting a car. Plus I won't have to worry about the crazy drivers in this country. I'm going to try it and see if it works. If I decide that I really need a car I'll get one. I can't get one for 3 months anyway. That's the waiting period. Not sure why though.
Went furniture shopping today. I found some nice stuff, but I have to go back and measure the space so I know what will fit. Susan, Natalie and I are going back tomorrow after orientation. The only problem with a lot of the furniture here is that it's really low. I want a couch with a high back so I will have to pay more. I haven't seen a bed that isn't like right on the floor. I would literally fall into bed. Not good. I miss my bed:( I just have to keep telling myself it's only for 2 years and if I decide I want to stay longer I can get something better.
We are supposed to get paid before Eid. Eid is Wednesday and it's the end of Ramadan!!!! Yeah! I can eat and drink in public! They compare Christmas to Eid. Children get presents and there's lots of celebrations. It should be a fun time! So I should get paid tomorrow! Not holding my breath though:)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Camel Market and Appliances
I went to the camel market today! So exciting! Something completely different. Not many people can say that they have actually gone to a camel market.
Cassandra, Susan, Natalie, Sue, and I had an early breakfast and left for the camel market at 8:30. It isn't too far from the InterContinental and it's right behind the Bawadi Mall that I went to yesterday. We arrive at the entrance to the market and the taxi driver says that we're here. I tell him that we can't be because I don't see any camels. He continued to drive and dropped us off right by a "cage" of camels. We could smell them as soon as we got out of the car. But, we ignored the smell and walked right up to the camel cage and started talking to them and trying to get them to come closer so we could get better pictures. They are so beautiful. I have never seen one up close before and I was very amazed. They have beautiful eyes and long eyelashes. Their coloring is beautiful as well. I thought all camels were dark brown; well I was wrong. Most of the camels we saw today were a very light brown. We saw babies and full grown camels. They keep the babies separated from the adults. Some of the adult camels had their front legs tied together. That is because they are kickers. A camel can kick in any direction (360 degrees). I had no idea that camels kicked in a circle. Kind of impressive. The camels didn't seem to have any problem walking with their legs tied. I guess they learn quickly.
As we're walking, a group of camel traders/sellers come over to us and tell us that we can go in the pen and pet the camels. All of this is in broken English of course. He walked in and got a camel by the rope and motioned for us to come in saying "is ok" over and over. So Susan, Natalie, and I bravely walked up to a camel and held its rope while we had our picture taken. This event cost us AED 100. I couldn't believe it. I knew it would be something, but not 100. Oh well, it was totally worth it. While we were getting our picture taken Cassandra and Sue found out that this camel market is the last in the world and they are slowly fading it out. The camels we got our picture taken with came from Sudan and cost about $12,000. That's a lot for a camel! There was a lot more to see so we left with AED 100 less but a picture to remember our day.
The camel market isn't just camels. There are a lot of goats. Dinner. Not mine of course, but someone's. There were also a lot of shops selling camel accessories (guide ropes, bedding, food, things to put on them...). They were neat to look at, but we didn't buy anything. In addition to the camel stuff we also saw a lot of rugs. This was in a different area that we were going to look at on our way out, but plans changed. We walked to the mall so we could cool off and then we planned on going back out and looking at the other stuff. Carrefour got in the way!
We originally went in Carrefour just for water. It was so hot and we were thirsty! Not that we could drink it in public, but we could go to the bathroom to quench our thirst. We ended up with more than just water. I got my appliances!!! I got a refrigerator, washing machine, and little electric stove/convection oven type thing. Well, I didn't actually get it because I don't have a lot of money but they're going to hold it until Thursday (I should have some money within 36 hours!!:) I am slowly working on getting my apartment furnished. Not that I can put it in the apartment yet because I don't have the keys, but that will change eventually.
Orientation starts again tomorrow! I can't believe school starts next week. I am so ready, but I am so not ready!
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| AED100 picture |
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| Camel Market |
Cassandra, Susan, Natalie, Sue, and I had an early breakfast and left for the camel market at 8:30. It isn't too far from the InterContinental and it's right behind the Bawadi Mall that I went to yesterday. We arrive at the entrance to the market and the taxi driver says that we're here. I tell him that we can't be because I don't see any camels. He continued to drive and dropped us off right by a "cage" of camels. We could smell them as soon as we got out of the car. But, we ignored the smell and walked right up to the camel cage and started talking to them and trying to get them to come closer so we could get better pictures. They are so beautiful. I have never seen one up close before and I was very amazed. They have beautiful eyes and long eyelashes. Their coloring is beautiful as well. I thought all camels were dark brown; well I was wrong. Most of the camels we saw today were a very light brown. We saw babies and full grown camels. They keep the babies separated from the adults. Some of the adult camels had their front legs tied together. That is because they are kickers. A camel can kick in any direction (360 degrees). I had no idea that camels kicked in a circle. Kind of impressive. The camels didn't seem to have any problem walking with their legs tied. I guess they learn quickly.
As we're walking, a group of camel traders/sellers come over to us and tell us that we can go in the pen and pet the camels. All of this is in broken English of course. He walked in and got a camel by the rope and motioned for us to come in saying "is ok" over and over. So Susan, Natalie, and I bravely walked up to a camel and held its rope while we had our picture taken. This event cost us AED 100. I couldn't believe it. I knew it would be something, but not 100. Oh well, it was totally worth it. While we were getting our picture taken Cassandra and Sue found out that this camel market is the last in the world and they are slowly fading it out. The camels we got our picture taken with came from Sudan and cost about $12,000. That's a lot for a camel! There was a lot more to see so we left with AED 100 less but a picture to remember our day.
The camel market isn't just camels. There are a lot of goats. Dinner. Not mine of course, but someone's. There were also a lot of shops selling camel accessories (guide ropes, bedding, food, things to put on them...). They were neat to look at, but we didn't buy anything. In addition to the camel stuff we also saw a lot of rugs. This was in a different area that we were going to look at on our way out, but plans changed. We walked to the mall so we could cool off and then we planned on going back out and looking at the other stuff. Carrefour got in the way!
We originally went in Carrefour just for water. It was so hot and we were thirsty! Not that we could drink it in public, but we could go to the bathroom to quench our thirst. We ended up with more than just water. I got my appliances!!! I got a refrigerator, washing machine, and little electric stove/convection oven type thing. Well, I didn't actually get it because I don't have a lot of money but they're going to hold it until Thursday (I should have some money within 36 hours!!:) I am slowly working on getting my apartment furnished. Not that I can put it in the apartment yet because I don't have the keys, but that will change eventually.
Orientation starts again tomorrow! I can't believe school starts next week. I am so ready, but I am so not ready!
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