Week Two....

So my second week has brought new experiences in this journey. I am slowly finding my way around the city as I have been driving for about 4 days. I have got lost often and using round-about take some major adjustment in driving. However, U-turn locations are quite common or going all the way around the a round-about helps in that I can go back to my starting point or it give me the chance to branch off into another direction. Most traffic jam/rush hour here occurred after 7pm as folks are out and about as it is much cooler. Many stores and the malls close between 11pm-12 am.

The weather has been great--hot during the day and cooler in the evening. The present temps are great for talking a walk or just sitting outside, especially in the evenings. This past week had some humidity, so it has been sticky for a couple days, even though it has not rained. The heat can be draining and drinking lots of water is a must. I have even taken a nap or two after been out in the sun during the day.

Experiencing the culture of separateness for men and women is interesting and learning experience. The "abaya" which is black robe-like covering worn by national women can be very plain or decorated most with embroidery, lace, or beads. Additionally, since there are Muslim women here from many other Islamic nations, the practice of covering varies quite a bit and can be very different in styles, fabrics and colors.

My new phase of adjusting begins on Sunday evening after work, when I start taking beginning Arabic. I think my classes will be 3-4 weeks for 4 days a week and session are 90 mins each day . As present, I know about four Arabic words. I am hoping to learn a few more.

I have visited both malls and I am not missing anything from home. The store names are different and there is blend of items/things are very traditional to the region and culture and other that are more contemporary and western. So making my home feel like home will not be a challenge. There lots of great places here to find things for the house and great decoration from the simple to the ornate and fancy. Shopping for household items/goods will be quite simple even though many of the brands are European. I have seen some familiar brands, but they tend to be more costly. There are lots of my shopping will be done in Al Ain. I will take a trip or two to Abu Dhabi or Dubai when needed.

For fun and things outside of work,

This weekend-(Oct 26-27): I went to worship on Friday, a movie on Sat and earlier in the week, I did a pamper moment of having a pedicure . I will get my hands/nails done this coming week. Additionally this upcoming weekend, one of the hotel here, plan and host a Thanksgiving Dinner (with all the trimmings) for US and Canadian folks and I will be going that event. They plan the event half way between the Canadians and US Thanksgivings, which make it good for both groups.

Last weekend-(Oct 19-20): I explored a couple other places last weekend. I visited the Al Ain Zoo and it is a nice and would rival any of those I visited in the US. I got a tour of the Vegetable/Fruits and Meat Souk. This is a traditional market. It instantly reminded me of the markets (like Linstead Market) at home in Jamaica. The souq or souk had section for fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, fish, etc. I plan the shop there regularly in the future for my fresh produce and some other items.

Well...that all for now...now to get rest and off the the office in the morning and a new day of driving (Day 5)

Learning More...

What’s different or the same:
Work Week: Sunday to Thursday
Weekend: Friday-Saturday
Driving: Right side of the road
Malls: the hub of activity for teens

Traditional Dress:
Here is what I learned/figured about the clothing culture in the UAE this far. I hoping to explain all accurately, if not please place a comment on the blog to educate me more…
In the Emirates the local people are called Emirati. Some Emirati may choose to wear western attire, but most men will choose to wear the dishdash (dishdasha). Women adopt various forms of dress including western style, with many choosing a varying degree of covering up that ranges from having some headwear to full burqa, which covers from head to toe including the face.
Women: The abaya is a long dress that covers from the neck to the ground with the arms covered below the wrist to the back of the hand. It is worn with a hijab or a sheila (shay-la). A hijab is a sort of fitted scarf that is pulled over the head and the sheila is a shawl like scarf that is arranged to cover the head and the neck. Wearing either is ‘wearing hijab’. When women’s faces are completely covered the way of dress is the burqa – ie. a woman wears burqa or is dressed in burqa (she is fully covered).
Men: The dishdasha, which is also known in some countries as a ‘jalabah’, is generally a long white or cream garment, though other colours seem to also be fashionable. They also wear a ‘ghutra’ on their head – these are red and white in colour or they can also be plain white or the colour of the dishdash. The ghutra is secured by an igal which is a double black cord and is worn over a tagiyah, a small skull cap that stops the ghutra from falling off.

Layout of Al Ain: The streets are well laid out and mostly fairly rectangular, joined by roundabouts of all sizes. The roundabouts are for traffic management to keep the “lots of drivers/cars flowing here and not create traffic jams. They are also very good at confusing as your typically do not know which direction you are traveling in. After driving around a few roundabouts, you can get lost quite easily! Yes, there are street signs, but the pace of traffic and the locations of the signs does allow for you to read them.
The roundabouts are great landmarks as most have centerpieces or have names. They are decorated with elaborate items such as gazelles, horses, deer, flamingos, fountains, mountains, water falls, coffee pots and jewelry boxes – I will eventually take picture and make a collage. I think might be a common project for expats in Al Ain! The city is brimming with lovely gardens and fountains. There are lots of trees and flowers in the center median of streets. Trees also tend to line sidewalks and the years of my homes.
Little to no Skyline: The town itself is rather spread out as there is a height restriction on buildings. I don't know the exact restirctions, but it seems the city buildings are limited to three or four stories and the residential areas are no mor than 3 stories. It gives a lovely feeling of spaciousness and also allows the minarets and domes from the mosques to stand out against the skyline, giving the city the definate feel/look of Middle Eastern enviroment.

The Mountain: The most natural landmark is Jebel Hafeet, which is a mountain on the outskirts of town, and in the daytime, it is usually not usually visible for a haze (or for dust). I hoping that during an upcoming weekend I will venture up there during both day and night. I heard the views are absolute great and you can see for miles around!

Crossing Streets are your own risk… as pedestrian safety can be challenging. At home, a pedestrian crossing is a place where people can generally be assured of a safe crossing of a street. The traffic is typically compelled to stop for people using the crossings. In the UAE pedestrians must be constantly on the alert. Drivers pay not attention to crossings. You are risking your life in your hands at every crossing of the road whether there is a pedestrian crossing or not. So far...only the I notice that only the crossing that and part of a traffic light get a little respect, but event their, look right, then left , then right and left again before stepping out.

Traditional Souq (the tradtional shopping area/markets)
The souqs in the Town center offer a fascinating insight to an aspect of the daily life of Al Ain residents. Visitors to the Central Meat, Fish and Vegetable souq will discover a fascinating friendly atmosphere amid a kaleidoscope of oriental colours, noises and spice smells.

It is all about learning…..more to come.

Culturally Adjusting

So I have been about getting connected in as many ways as I can. I have meet several colleagues in my department and others departments. As a result, I will be getting involved in some activities in the area. I have joined a couple online expat communities and plan to have lunch or coffee with some of the folks from these groups. I have met a couple co-workers who are introducing me to groups and activities in the city.

I have been around the city a little...a mixture of old and new with lots of construction cranes...the evidence that the city is growing. This includes the university that will be building several new buildings over the next two years.

I have heard that the Al Ain Mall is a hub of activity especially in the evening. I am going to experience this tonight with another new colleague and her daughters. Give a report later.

So other observations to date:
**Mobile: I now have a mobile phone. Your mobile is your lifeline here. Since there are no street addresses, you are mobile number is your address, thus you are “intimately” connected.

**Food: Meals in general are eaten later what was normal to me. The food is rich, spicy and very tasty. I have been trying almost everything as long as it seems recognizable to me. Sometimes, I have no idea what I am eating, but mostly eating lots of lamb, fish, fruits, vegetables and varies rice dishes w/ nuts. The new cuisine is a part of the adventure, which is a blend of Arabic, Indian, Mediterranean, etc

**Car: Many of the car windows are tinted so dark…I wonder how they see so drive.

** Taxicabs…Let us just say NYC taxicabs driver are great driver compare to the one here. There is not sense of common road courtesy or even the “rules” of the road that they abide by at anytime. The only “rule” they seem to abide by is the red traffic light and everything else is subject to their interpretation. Most drivers only speak a few words of English (but they then to understand the major landmark/locations) and can be very rude to you even while driving you somewhere.

**Smoking: It is everywhere. Unlike the US where there is “now” a big push for smoke-free environments from hospitals to restaurants not so here. Second-hand smoke…no fun.

Well…that is all for now…more updates on the way

The Journey begins...

My day started 3:45 am EST in North Carolina on Monday, Oct 15th. The first leg of my journey to the Al Ain, UAE began with a flight from NC to JFK, then the second leg from JFK to Abu Dhabi arriving at 7:45 am on Tues., Oct 16th. So with two flights, a 3 hrs layover at JFK and a 8hrs time different, it still the same day for me. My 12 1/2 non-stop from JFK to Abu Dhabi went faster than I had anticipated with a meals, movies and sleep.

I arrived to lots of fog while landing in Abu Dhabi, but that disappeared quickly into a nice, bright, sunny, 36 degree (97 F) day. Since, I was having a good conversation with my colleague and I was excited; the drive from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain did not seem long (1hrs 45 mins). Al Ain is a very green city fill with lots trees/flowers and round-a-bouts that are 2-3 lanes wide w/ speeding traffic. Driving will become a completely new experience for me.

Let’s see there are a couple things I will have to learn really fast…the metric system (for everything is in metric) and adjusting to the currency and its value (not thinking in US dollars). Time to recall or our use a friendly website until my memory improves about all the metric things I learned decades ago.

My first day was quiet, checked-in to my hotel, relaxed, had a good lunch, sat by the pool and read my book. This is my moment of feeling like a tourist for one day as I start orientation on Wed for work.

I am tired and sleepy, so because I needed to stay awake for a few more hours until it is late night for bedtime which should help me reduce my jetlag…I decided this was good time to create my blog and post my first message.

Thank you everyone…I miss you all