Abu Dhabi

I keep finding myself stepping back and thinking "Holy Crap.  I actually live here.  I am living in flipping DUBAI."  I'm sure the novelty of that will wear off soon, but right now it's extremely fresh.  The nice thing about a place like Dubai is that everyone here was once the new person in a strange country, so people are more than willing to make new friends and invite you along to social events.  So far I've met quite a few really nice, fun people.  I went out for "ladies night" Tuesday night and had a blast.

Monday I went to Abu Dhabi with the AWA for a trip to view the Treasures of the World's Cultures exhibit.  We all met at the Ibn Battuta Mall (which I have to check out next time I'm in the mood to shop) and took a bus to Abu Dhabi.  Once we arrived, we discovered we couldn't quite go in yet because a Sheik had just shown up and wanted to tour the exhibit.  We have no idea which Sheik, but still very cool!  Well, except for the part where we had to sit in the bus for a bit, but that wasn't too bad.  After they let us go in, we had lunch at a really adorable cafe in the museum.  The food was delicious and they had the best chocolate ice cream I've ever tasted in my life.  I might have to make a trip back there with Ryan, just for the food.  The exhibit was very interesting and featured ancient and modern art from all around the world.  Photography wasn't permitted inside the museum, but I took some outdoor shots.  From what I gather, Abu Dhabi is much more into the arts, culture, and conservation.  They are opening a group of new museums soon, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which will house a spectrum of modern and contemporary works, and the dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.  They are all part of the Zayed National Museum and you can read about it all here so that I don't mess up any facts.  I'm really interested in the history of the UAE, ancient and current, so I'd like to find some good museums with that information.  Also, I learned that there is an excavation site that is as old as the pyramids, and isn't too far from where we live.  I'll definitely have to check that out!

The Zayed National Museum.  We didn't see this as I don't think it's open yet?

Our table set all pretty for us.  NMF people - gave me NBTI nightmares ;)

The entrance to the museum

My last bit of news is that I've agreed to chair the 2013 AWA Charity Gala on February 8th.  Since I learned of the AWA, I assumed that I'd volunteer to help with the gala - it just made sense with my event planning background.  But it turns out they really needed a chair so I said I'd do it.  I'm hoping I can live up to their expectations!  The event looks like it was beautiful last year and I hope I can keep up that tradition.  

Irony and the Post Office

After a month off from training, Ryan's back at work and actually flying the Boeing 777.  He's still in training but is almost done, which is really exciting.  The 777 is a million times bigger than the CRJ he was flying back at his old job and he's actually doing international flights.  So far he's been to Pakistan, Cairo, and Jakarta.  We're hoping that once he's done with training I can go with him on a few of his longer trips.  I really haven't been anywhere outside of the US other than the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and Mexico with my sister.  Part of our reason for taking this opportunity with Emirates Airline is that we will be able to travel the world.  Any recommendations on where to go?

Ryan had the day off yesterday before having to go back to work today, so we decided to get out and run a few errands.  I had wanted to do some shopping for the apartment, but this is Dubai and things always take longer than expected, so we got a few things done and then headed back home.  We started out at the Emirates Headquarters to pick up our mail.  The mail service here is pretty iffy, and most homes don't even have real addresses, so all employees get a PO box at HQ.  I have been expecting a few envelopes and a package for a while now so I was pretty antsy to see what had arrived.  We discovered a package had been delivered but was being held at the main post office downtown.  So we searched our iPhone maps, found what we thought was the post office, and headed there.  Am I the only one who finds it funny that we were unable to find an actual address for the POST OFFICE?  

Anyway, it turns out that since it was a package and not a letter, it had to be inspected by customs.  After the agent went through each item, put it through an X Ray machine, and we paid our DHS 2, we finally got the package.  It actually didn't take too long, so that was good.  And the extra trip was well worth it because we picked up a big box of goodies from my family!  

YUM

It's funny what being so far away from home will make you crave.  I mean, Oreos are always a thing for me, but I haven't seen Reese's since I left and for some reason I just needed some.  Dubai doesn't seem to be a big coffee drinking country and I was having trouble finding coffee that didn't taste like dirt, so I was ecstatic to find a giant bag of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.  

After the post office we headed to the Dubai Mall, which is right near the Burj Khalifa.  The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and it seriously makes you dizzy with how giant it is.  I love that we've lived in two cities that are or have been home to the world's tallest building.  We went outside of the mall to take some touristy shots.

The sun was making it difficult.  If you squint you can tell that I'm in the photo - right next to the fat horse.

Closer photo where you can actually see me.  I'm ready to stop taking pictures so we can get out of the 110 degree heat.

A giant fountain in the mall.  I should have written down the name.

In addition to our little photography session we had some lunch at the mall.  We played rock, paper, scissors to decide between PF Chang's and Red Lobster.  Ryan won for PF Chang's, but since he's such a nice husband, he gave in and we gorged on Red Lobster.  In hind site, we should have tried something new, but RL has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid.  I mean, it was always my birthday restaurant, and I just felt like a bit of home.  It was pretty good, but somehow not the same.  And I even ordered the Ultimate Feast.  I was talking with a new friend I met through the AWA the other day about going to restaurants that we loved back home and how they are always a little disappointing here.  She thinks it has to do with the fact that we love those places less for the actual food, and more for the memories associated with them.  And while it's nice to revisit those old memories, you can't really recreate them in on a completely different continent.  I think she's onto something. 

After we left Red Lobster we walked by one of those cute little sushi restaurants where you choose your dishes off of a conveyer belts that goes by your table.  We're definitely going to have to try that next time!

I'm getting excited for my Abu Dhabi trip on Monday.  Think I'll see Nermal?

Insha'Allah

Today I went to an American Women's Association of Dubai event at the Wafi Mall.  Wafi, which is an Egyptian themed mall, is shaped like a giant pyramid and is about 20 years old - which is pretty ancient in Dubai standards.  Ironic that it's a pyramid, no?

A really pretty, ornate glass ceiling at the Wafi Mall.  It's hard to tell, but it's the point to the pyramid

Three stores in the mall hosted our group for little shopping hours with discounts.  I got a really cute kimono top and an awesome bracelet at a cute boutique called Oasis.  Success!  One of the stores also hosted us for coffee at cafe in the mall.  While having coffee I learned about the phrase Insha'Allah, which basically translates into "God willing" or "If it is God's will."  From what I understand, people don't really like saying "no" here so instead they use this phrase.  Basically, it'll happen if it happens.  No promises because you never know what God wills.  Oh boy.  For those of you who know me well, this is going to be a really tough thing for me to deal with.  I am not a go-with-the-flow person and I really like to know definitely "yes" or "no."  On the bright side, maybe I'll emerge from Dubai a much more relaxed, easy going person?  Ryan laughed really hard when I mentioned this thought to him.


Unfortunately, I think I may be getting sick.  My throat has been killing me the last few days and it's getting worse.  I can barely swallow.  I stopped by the pharmacy on my way home from the mall to see what I could pick up and they recommended these things.  

They are seriously the most disgusting things I've ever tasted.   But they have helped numb my throat a bit, so I guess that's good.  Another thing I learned today about the UAE is that you can buy antibiotics over the counter without a prescription.  I thought about buying some Amoxicillin but chickened out.  Anyone know if that's a super bad idea or if I should just be a grown up and go to the Emirates Airline clinic?  For someone who worked at a hospital for six years, I'm sure bad at going when I should.
Next week I'm headed to Abu Dhabi with the AWA.  I'll try and remember to take lots of photos and blog about that trip. 

In the meantime, I think Ryan and I will be doing a lot more of this:

Just get out there

I'll be completely honest and say that I've been pretty homesick lately.  It has hit much earlier and harder than I thought it would.  I think our issues with Renard have made it worse in that his separation anxiety is rearing it's ugly head again.  Ryan and I really can't leave the house for that long at the same time without our poor upstairs neighbors being subjected to his constant and extremely loud barking.  We are really working on it as best we can.  We're taking him to a doggy daycare that will also help train him 2-3 times a week.  This is in part so that I can actually leave the house when Ryan is gone and also to help Renard have some much needed playtime with other dogs while hopefully getting some obedience training.  We've invested in chamomile calming collars, no-bark collars that buzz when he bars (as opposed to shock), chamomile calming pills, etc.  We are also just working on training him not to bark by leaving the house and going to the pool where he is still somewhat within ear shot.  We can then check on him and see if he's barking.  Basically, whatever the training books and websites are telling us to do, we are doing.  If it doesn't get better we'll have to opt out of company housing and rent a villa.  We really don't want to do this because company housing is so convenient.  We don't have to pay any bills or worry about landlords.  It's all pretty much taken care of and we actually like our apartment and our neighborhood.  But we'll see.  Wish us luck.  And any advice is appreciated!

Anyway, I've gotten a little off track with the dog rant.  Sorry about that.  I miss my family and I miss my friends.  Summer in Chicago is just about the best time of the year ever and I'm missing it for the first time.  Rooftops, taking Renard to dog friendly restaurants with patios, Sunday Fundays.  I've been reading about it all on Facebook and seeing the Instagram pictures and I'm super jealous and sad.  Surprisingly, you don't really meet that many people while sitting on your living room couch in Dubai.  So yesterday I decided to contact the American Women's Association of Dubai and ask about membership opportunities and upcoming events.  It turns out that I had missed the deadline to RSVP and pay for the final meeting of the summer, which was today.  But the ladies I emailed with were so nice and helpful that they got me in last minute, and I'm so glad.  The meeting was held in a restaurant attached to a hotel in the Dubai Marina.  From the second I walked into the room every woman there was extremely kind and welcoming.  They hold a ton of events during the summer and non members are able to attend, so I'm going to do my best to make it to as many as I can.  I exchanged emails with a few girls and hope to continue to get out and meet people.

I'm a pretty shy person and not great in social situations where I have to mingle with a bunch of strangers, but I'm so glad I got out and went to the meeting.  Basically, this entire entry is to future Rachel.  Hey future Rachel - don't be a baby.  Quit feeling sorry for yourself, turn off the Drop Dead Diva marathon, and go talk to some damn strangers.  It can be pretty awesome.

Since this entry isn't that exciting and lacks the photos I promised I'd include in all my blog entries, I'll end with the photo below of me, in the desert, standing near a super skinny camel.

Driving

Today was a big day.  I woke up, got ready and... went out by myself.  


I've been pretty terrified to drive here for a few reasons.  One being that the other drivers are kind of crazy.  Also, the roads here are extremely confusing - and there are no addresses, just references to main roads, buildings, etc.  Finally, I'm just not a very good driver.  I went five years in Chicago with almost never driving.  But I do have to leave the house occasionally when Ryan is away for work so I guess I'd better get a grip and learn how to get around.

Our car has satellite navigation, which will be super helpful.  The city is growing so fast, though, that the program can't keep up with it.  Sometimes it appears that we're driving through the dessert when we are on a road in town.  I find that pretty amusing.

But I really shouldn't complain too much since driving really is a privilege here.  A lot of other expats have to take something like 40+ driving lessons and a really difficult driver's test, where Ryan and I merely had to show our Visas and  US driver's license.  Well, and I needed a permission letter from Ryan, of course.

Thanks for letting me drive, Ryan!

Yeah, the permission letter was kind of a shock and a weird thing to have to do, but I have to remind myself that I am not in the US.  I am a guest in another country and have to abide by, and respect, their culture, customs, and laws.  And I'm lucky to have such a nice husband who will let me drive (ha-ha!)

In case any of you were wondering, I went to the Mall of the Emirates.  It is seriously HUGE.  And has some of my favorite stores - H&M, Gap, Sephora, Zara, Zara Home, Marc by Marc Jacobs, TopShop (coming soon), etc.  And it has a giant Carrefour (a kind of Kmart type place with groceries and home goods) and a really nice movie theater.  The shopping here is fabulous - worth every second of my scary drive.

It's been a week

I've officially been in Dubai for a little over a week.  We've been eating off paper plates and making due with one pot, one pan, two spoons, two forks and plastic knives.  Hopefully the shipping container with our belongings from Chicago will be delivered today.  It will be so nice to have all of our cookware, some different clothes, and the remainder of our furniture so that we can begin making this place a real home.  Right now we are in a three bedroom, three bathroom apartment and it's pretty nice and big.  The complex has a little gym and a pool, both of which I finally used yesterday.  We may look into renting a villa thanks to Renard and his constant barking, which understandably upsets our upstairs neighbors.  

Other than visiting dozens of furniture stores, I've spent a lot of my week noticing all of the little things that makes Dubai and its inhabitants different from Chicago and Nebraska, as well as some things that remind me of home.  

Before I moved here I was really nervous about the food.  I'm still trying to figure out my way around the grocery stores (food here is extremely expensive, and anything imported from the US is even pricier.)  But there are a ton of restaurants and fast food places from home.  Burger King, Subway, Carls Jr., McDonald's, Chili's, PF Chang's - just to name a few.  Now, I totally believe in branching out and eating at the more local places that Dubai has to offer, but when you're feeling homesick a Whopper can go a long way.  However, nothing comes with any pork product of any kind.  You can get pork, but it's all hidden in a back room of the grocery stores.  So no bacon double cheeseburgers.  

Also, they LOVE Kit Kat bars here.  Which is awesome because I LOVE Kit Kat bars.  Unfortunately, I can't find any diet Dr. Pepper to go with it, but they do have a ton of different flavors that I had never seen before.

Kit Kat Senses - with hazelnut cream!

Kit Kat Caramel Chunk!

Both are extremely delicious and totally worth noting in this blog.

On Friday, Ryan and I met some of his classmates and their wives for dinner.  We went to the Shangri-La hotel for their buffet.  The food was awesome and I had a really great time meeting everyone.  One couple is from the US and the others are from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil.  They were all super nice and fun.  Dubai is truly an international city with a population from all around the world.  It's been quite an experience meeting people from so many different countries and cultures.  I've learned a lot so far, mainly that I am completely horrible at understanding accents.  Like, really, really bad.  I feel like I'm asking people to repeat themselves more times than I'm actually engaging in conversation.  Hopefully my accent understanding skills improve with time.  :)

In addition to accents, they use a ton of different words and phrases here that I find extremely cute and charming.  They call shopping carts trolleys!  Elevators are lifts and everyone says "cheers" for occasions other than prior to drinking.

Ryan just got the message that my VISA paperwork has been approved!  So my next steps are to get my passport and VISA back, get a UAE driver's license, get my name on our bank accounts and our alcohol card.  So I'm off to do more paperwork.  Hurrah!

Ch-Ch-Changes

Well, Renard and I made it to Dubai in one piece.

The month I spent in Omaha was so much fun.  I am so happy that I was able to spend time with my mom, dad, and sister before I left.  Plus, I got to see my aunt Kim, Grandma, and cousins, Carsen and Alex, in Spokane, WA.  It almost made it harder to leave, but I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

Some highlights:

• Running a half marathon with my dad.  My dad, who is an avid runner, talked me into running the St. Louis Go! Half Marathon.  I really (thought) I hated running, but was determined to train and finish the race.  I ended up realizing that I actually kind of like running.  And it was the perfect stress reliever during such a challenging time (thanks, Dad!)  I haven't run for a few weeks now and I'm really itching to get back into it.  I finished in 2:01:52.  Not too bad for a first timer?

I didn't even trip!

• Seeing a bunch of movies in the theater.  That sounds so silly, but Ryan and I never go to movies in Chicago.  I saw Titanic in 3D, Jeff Who Lives at Home, The Five Year Engagement, Hunger Games, and 21 Jump Street.  It was fabulous.
• Seeing Ryan's parents, Jess and Sheri, his brother and sister in law, Mike and Becca, and Ryan's adorable neice, Ivy.  I missed Ashley, Jed and Henry, but will hopefully get to see them soon!  
• Visiting old haunts in Washington.  My sister and I spent all of our summers there.  We'd fly from Hawaii to Seattle, where our grandma and grandpa would pick us up and drive us to Cheney, WA for a few weeks/months.  I have so many great memories of those summers.  It was fun to revisit Lake Chelan, a really cute little Bavarian town called Leavenworth, and most especially eat at this amazing wonder of a fast food place called Dicks.  Best. Food. Ever.  Oh!  And the best thing about fast food places in Washington is fry sauce.  Look it up.

 Try the Whammy.  And FYI, the pizza takes FOREVER.

• Shopping with my mom.  She's the best shopping partner ever.  We went to Target like a hundred times.   She really helped me develop my new Dubai style (inside joke.)
• Vampire nights with my sister.   Red wine, Vampire Diaries and the Twilight Saga (and a Costco documentary thrown in for good measure.)  
• Renard's favorite part of the trip was definitely hanging out with my parent's cat, Ned.  They were seriously BFF's.

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

So now Renard and I are in Dubai, reunited with Ryan.  I can't believe we went three whole months apart.  I miss my family and my friends so much (Pam and Jenny - hi!)  I'm still trying to process everything.   (Driving here scares the crap out of me.  There are no left turns!  I miss my Chicago grid system.)  And I'm still super jet lagged.  But I'm beyond excited for our new adventure here!  I'll post again soon with some tales of Dubai experiences.