Hotel Life

The hotel you are placed in upon arrival is any one's guess. However, you will probably be provided with a buffet breakfast as part of your stay. The spread at the Intercontinental was European and Arabic. Keep your mind open when you see beans, fish and rice at breakfast. Of course there will be some cold cuts, cheese, bread and yogurt as well. They will also have eggs and beef sausage and beef bacon and pancakes (probably). To save money, many people took some of the rolls and cold cuts to their rooms for later. The hotels caught on to this practice and pretty much shut it down early. 

My suggestion would be to take a taxi to the closest Lulu's, Carrefour, Spinneys or Abu Dhabi Co-operative to pick up some ready made food, either in the deli or the bakery area. They will have food from all over the world, Indian, Arabic, fried chicken, barb-b-que etc., ready to eat, and hot if you want it heated up and it is very reasonably priced. Pick up some cheese and crackers or things to snack on in the hotel room. 

The hotel concierge will be happy to tell you the closest store. If you can share a taxi with two or three people and split the fare, it will be very inexpensive. 

One night after you have been here, it will be suggested to you to visit the local lebanese restaurant for an Iftar meal (the meal after breaking the fast in the evening during Ramadan). It is good, but it isn't the BEST Lebanese place around. It is rite of passage to visit the Lebanese Flower, so go, enjoy and feel a bit more acclimated. 

In the first few days in the hotel, you will recover from jet lag, experience the hotel and all the amenities available, and venture out to a few places to take care of a few needs. 

Eventually people will be discussing all the touristy type activities they want to try out. The big bus tour, a dune bashing drive with Iftar dinner complete with camel rides, a trip to the Grand Mosque and more. 

Honestly, the only one if these I chose to try is the Grand Mosque. It is a beautiful mosque and air conditioned. 

Don't worry if you don't have an abaya, they will provide you with one. They will want you to wear a shayla (phonetically) as well. 

I can't even describe how hot it was and to have an abaya on over my street clothes was outrageously hot. 

My advice: DON'T DO IT! 

You are going to be here for at least one year, and hopefully two. It will be cooler in October and in the winter months, the weather is so pleasant. Any of these activities and many others will be much more enjoyable then. 

Go to the malls. Pay attention and take notes as to what stores you really like and want to return to. In the two years I have been here, I have not been to all the malls. If you want to see Dubai, take the bus and go to the malls there. 

Stay in the hotel and hang out at the pool while getting to know some of the others you are sharing this wonderful adventure with. 

Then, when it is cooler, go to the souks, the western region to see the beautiful and amazing sand dunes and resorts, the touristy attractions and all this wonderful place has to share with you. 

In fact, when I get back from holiday, I will come and hang at the pool with you... 

One Hotel at a Glance

 The glorious Intercontinental Hotel, my home for 3 weeks upon arrival: 

The lobby

The view from my window

My hotel room had a couch and a coffee bar

 The view of the pool from my room, a great place to spend the hot days, but in the water, not in the sun. 

My comfy King sized bed that is quite European with just a bottom sheet and a duvet cover, no top sheets here... it is a new experience. 

 The lovely sink in the bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub, luxury at it's finest. 

De Plane De Plane... No Really, What to Expect When You De Plane

3 flights, 2 plane changes and a layover in Doha in the late evening hours, the plane touched down in Abu Dhabi. Sounds like the hard part is over right? And now all the fun begins. 

First you will either ride a shuttle or walk until you think you can't walk any further, there may be stairs involved. Please keep in mind you will be dragging a carry-on along with you. 

It is a bit fuzzy as to what happens in what order, so forgive me. 
You will stand in a line to have your eyes scanned and it isn't a big deal, but you can't wear contacts for it. 

 You will stand in a line to have your passport stamped. 

Someone from the company they have book the flights will meet you and give you your copy (temporary) of your work visa. 

They will ask you to meet outside to get on a "van" to travel to the hotel. 

I walked right outside, but many people took the time to visit the duty free shops. Honestly, I didn't even think about it. 
Decide what is best for you. 

When you approach the sliding doors to the front of the airport and toward the "bus', prepare yourself. 

Have you ever walked into a steam sauna fully dressed? You will soon. 

Then some guys will be loading your luggage, along with the luggage of a hundred or so others, into a huge open truck. They cause me to wonder how they can stand out in the heat, in the middle of the night and load a truck with heavy luggage. 

You will climb into a bus-like van vehicle with others who are going to the same hotel. The person who gave you your visa will probably also give you a name tag and it will have some way to communicate what hotel you will go to. 

Get to know you fellow teachers on the bus. Enjoy the ride.
When you get to the hotel, they will sweep you in, offer you a juice drink and will have your key to your room ready so you shouldn't have to really wait for anything. 

This might be a good place to say that the people here do not do "lines" or "waiting". Things are improving but most of the time, people will just crowd around and think they should be waited on next. Your first experience with this concept, or lack thereof, could be at the airport. 

When you unlock your room door, I hope it is as nice as when we arrived two years ago. If it is, you will want to take pictures. jump on the bed, and basically do the Happy Dance. 

Enjoy it while it lasts. 
Calm down til you can rest. If you aren't sleepy, then unpack and prepare to be in the room about 3 weeks. 

The first week will be like a vacation. 
The second week it will feel like a second home. 
The third week you will be ready to have a "real" home. 

or then again, you might not ever want to leave. 

If you can't sleep, Spinney's is a grocery shop, a bit pricey, but mostly Expat products, and they are open all night. Take a taxi and take a look around, use the atm and buy some snacks for the hotel. 

Tips: 
If you wear contacts, have your case and solution close, or wear your glasses.
My carry-on's are now backpacks or have a shoulder strap and/or wheels
Go to the restroom before the plane lands. 
Check with the front desk about internet usage and make a deal for it. 
If you need copies for any reason, ask the front desk before everyone else does. 
Ask them to empty your mini bar so you can use the fridge for other stuff, but remember it won't be cold enough to keep food good, will  just keep it cool. 
Most of the hotels will send a bucket of ice to your room for free.