This isn't Kansas or Walking the Fine Line

The adrenaline and excitement running through my veins while I drove home three hours after my interview and basic knowledge of knowing I would be offered the job. 

One of my first calls wasn't to brag to anyone, or share my great news. I called my brother. We aren't close, we talk, but it is all just "polite" conversation, most of the time. 

He was in the military for the majority of his adult life and just retired. I had one question for him. 

"How safe is the UAE?" 

"Safer than where you are living today." 

was his answer. 

If you are friends with me on Facebook, this is a post I shared of my thoughts on safety in the UAE. 

Excerpt: 

In the UAE, I have hitch hiked and thought nothing of getting a ride with a complete stranger somewhere and they thought nothing of picking me up. I surmise it is very much like living in the United States in the 1950's. I can leave my purse in my basket at the store and not worry. If I lose something in a taxi it is quickly returned with pleasure. The people are friendly, respectful and will help you with whatever you need, regardless of what it is. They open up their homes to you and offer you a meal or tea/coffee. 

Sitting in the passenger seat of a comfy and decked out pickup a few weeks ago, I started questioning my sanity. 

"Are you insane? Why are you in a pickup?, with an Arab man you do not know?, who is taking you to a hospital way out in BFE (almost literally) that you don't know where is? What made you think it was ok to get in a vehicle with a stranger that has driven for more than 30 minutes toward the desert?" 

Then I got out my mobile and asked a friend via text where the hospital was located. 

Sure enough, it is BFE and this wonderfully kind man offered me a ride (even after learning where I was going). 

We arrived on time, he was nice and expected nothing in return. It was over 50 AED to get back after my appointment. 

How did this happen? My thought was to leave my accommodation to catch a taxi to the hospital since I didn't know where it was. Takes the stress off of driving around in circles to find anything here. So I was walking to the nearest taxi stand and a man on a white horse rode up beside me in a white pickup pulled up beside me. He asked if I was ok and if I needed a ride. My hair is blond in the back (as I am letting the gray grow out) and I have a feeling this might have been part of the reason, but I still was happy to have a ride in a pickup (rarer than the SUV here unless it is a workers vehicle). 

I didn't think twice about getting in the truck or that he wouldn't do what he said he would. 

Of course, I have lived in the western region and went walking for exercise and was asked if I needed a ride somewhere. 

I have never felt safer. That being said... things do happen here that are not what an American would think are safe or fair. 

My advice is: 

Watch your behavior when out in public. 

Don't be impolite or fly the bird to anyone. Follow the road rules which is to let the locals drive as they want and stay out of their way as much as possible.

 Keep your expletives as I do, to myself in my car and who ever else is riding with me. 

If you choose to indulge in cocktails, watch your behavior and who you talk to. 

Don't turn into Natalee Holloway only older. 

Choose to have parties at home or take a taxi going to and from gatherings at local hotels. 

IF YOU WATCH WHAT YOU DO AND SAY AND DRESS WITH PRECAUTION or like me, you are an older woman with no desire to have children, you will be fine. 

This is not your country, they don't have the freedoms you may have taken for granted in the past. When in Rome... 

Things we see as injustices here are due to the laws and beliefs of the nation, and not our home nation. 

The closest thing to something that "smelled" like a scary situation was someone in a parking lot trying to fence stolen mobile phones. Even that happens here. 

Hope that helps. Stay safe and be happy that you can shop here like it is the 1950's... you can leave a bag anywhere and it will be there when you get back. 

Orientation- You Can Bank On It

In the first few days in the hotel, you will be made aware of a meeting or two. One will be to welcome you. One will be somewhat informative. Another one to help you get things in order, such as banking, phone, housing assignments etc. 

Meetings here are usually short, once they begin. If you know Mañana Time, then you will understand Insha'allah time. 
The idea of orderly fashioned lines and progress from one area to the next is really a new concept. It might be better than when I arrived. I will say that two years ago, it was so frustrating for the Type A, strong personality of order and common sense, in every hotel someone took over the mic and started directing people to different areas. It was quite humorous to watch. Part of me wanted to be the one with the microphone and part of me just wanted to go back to the room and nap until the chaos passed. I chose the latter. 
One of the tables will be to get your banking set up. They use one bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi. Some people have had trouble with NBAD, and have had their banking switched to another one. I haven't had any trouble and am still banking with them. One of the main questions people ask is about sending money home. 
As with many things, banking here is a personal choice and your transfers are as well. Many people transfer money online and pay a lower charge than if they went into the bank to do it. I have always used my happy, sweet teller, that was on Delma Island, because I could get all my banking needs taken care of at once. I have already learned that in the city, the service is not as "small town friendly" as it was in the west. 
Some use the exchange places to send money home and say it is cheaper. I have only used them to exchange currencies when traveling. Some of them offer better exchange rates than others. Recently exchanged at Lulu's for my trip home and was really happy with the exchange rate there. 
As far as your bank in the US. Check their rates and charges for overseas transfers. Make sure you have their info and IBAN numbers. I have two accounts in the US and am switching them both when I am home this time to a local bank and one that doesn't cost me money to transfer. It is a personal choice, so choose what works for you. Transferring money home is easy, painless and can be done without costing you more money. I transfer, then I use bill pay for bills at home or transfer money to my college age children. Easy peasy. 

Along with your bank account set up, they will have someone asking you to sign up for a credit card. First, I will say I don't have any credit cards in the states, and am glad to be debt free. I didn't want a credit card, but it is imperative to have one to rent a car, so I did sign up for it. 
It works best to pay it off each month when you get paid, so that your car rental, if you choose to have one, will be paid and not add up. 

One of the tables will be wanting you to sign up for a sim card from the main mobile and internet company, Etisalat. There is another company here, but if you don't know your location assignment yet, it is best to go with the one mentioned. The coverage area of the other one is not as vast or as strong in all parts of the emirates. 
Personally I waited for almost a month, when it was requested of all of us to have a mobile number, then I purchased one with a phone. I am not a phone snob, I just want one I like and has the features I need. 
So I didn't bring an "unlocked" phone with me. As much technology as I have, I am very low tech in some ways. 

Electric Company

Today I arrived at the electric co. 10 minutes before they opened and this is the line in front of me. Actually, it is just part of the line, as when they did open, 4 guys standing behind me bum rushed me and got their number for the Queue in front of me. I was number 9. 

This location is in the basement of the mall closest to my flat. It is very convenient. 
It took an hour to get my number called, get my service cancellation info and my refund deposited (sometime in the next week) back into my bank account. 
This evening I was visiting a friend and explained where I had been today. Her comment was 
"That was quick! Every time I am there it takes 2-3 hours to have my business taken care of."
So even if I hadn't found the most fantastic crafter/artists' shop, checked on my abayas being tailored to fit and writing of a post, I did succeed with ONE important accomplishment. 
Schway schway (slowly slowly) patience is the way. 
ps. the man in the kandoura was the sharpest dressed man there. The national dress can be very becoming on a man, so take note gentlemen. 

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... 

How I Came to Play in the Sandbox

In 2009, I moved from my home and job to live closer to my mother whose health was deteriorating. The only teaching job I could find was 100 miles away from her house, but in my hometown. I took it. Two weeks after moving, it was Labor Day weekend. A weekend that I will never forget. Long story short, it was when we learned my mother had 3 tumors in her brain about the size of golf balls, and she had "weeks" to live. Which was exactly true. 
I stayed at the school for the rest of the year after she died. I thought I wanted to move back to San Antonio, and I searched for a job there. Finding a job when you have 15+ years experience isn't easy. So... I took a job I thought was my dream job only to have it turn into a nightmare along with a relationship ending. 
A bit in tatters, I took a job as a nanny, as the money wasn't an issue at this point. I had no debt, because I had sold my house and paid everything off while in my hometown. ... Skip ahead 6 months... 
When my "boss" wanted me to work on Mother's Day, after the original agreement was that I would have major holidays off, I was more than a bit peeved. 
When I reminded her I should have the day off as it was a holiday, she had the nerve to ask if I was going to spend it with my children, because if not, she would like me to watch HER CHILDREN while she did something with her husband (riding horses, practicing Polo). 

So... because I lived on the property, out on their ranch, I felt forced to leave for the day. I drove into town and sat at the Starbucks cruising the internet and having coffee. My children were not near by for me to spend the day with them. 
One of my friends had sent me an email, as a joke, with the Craigslist ad for Teachaway wanting teachers in Abu Dhabi. 

Remember how angry I was with my current situation? I decided to click on the link just to check it out. 
I filled out the online questions and submitted it with my email address. In less than an hour, I had a response asking for more information, and I submitted it with a bit of surprise. 
Shortly after that I left to return to the ranch for the rest of the day, that was MY HOLIDAY. 
The next day, when I checked my email, a request to call me on the NEXT day for a phone interview. 
I responded with some very keen interest. 

After the phone interview I was asked to an in person interview 3 hours away, on Friday, just 3 days later. 
Well, I dressed as professionally as I could with a black dress and a jacket and drove the 3 hours and when they interviewed me. I was dumbfounded that I was only asked 3 questions and were trying to send me home. I explained I didn't drive 3 hours one way to be asked only 3 questions and then drive home. With a smile, the interviewer said he would be happy to ask me more questions but I would be offered a job. I have since learned they rarely tell anyone in advance, but they hire most everyone too. 

I wanted to keep my current job as long as I could in order to get my life in order. You see, I had a great deal of time every day while the children were at school. My employers also allowed me to house all my worldly possessions in their garage and the one bedroom apt. I was living in on their property. 
So I started sorting the stuff in the garage and packing it in good boxes with content labels. 

Then I rented a storage unit in the nearby small town, as it was much cheaper than the ones in the larger city. I paid a year in advance. As I put things in the storage, I created a map so if anything happened to me and my children had to deal with the storage, they would be able to tell what was in it and where to find things. 
To help with the cost of gas to and from the storage, I answered an ad on Craigslist to pet sit two wonderful bulldogs. I went to see them twice a day, once right before I went to drop off a load and in the evening when I was dropping of another load. It more than paid for the gas and helped with the cost of the boxes. 
When my bosses noticed the garage was emptying, I said I sold a good deal of it, which was true as far as school materials went. I had way too many materials for teaching Kindergarten. 
The woman in the next small town who ran a child care center bought them and actually paid me twice as much as I asked for, due to the three pickup loads she hauled away. 
One of my best friends needed a bed and I offered to give him my bedroom suite if I could stay at his house the last week or so before I would fly out. It was a very sweet deal, as I always have a place to stay when I am in the big city. 
I gave my two weeks notice, which was the 1st of June, and started making my plans for what I would do with my car and how to spend some time with my friends who were more like my family than my real family. 
The last week of June I took off trip across Route 66 

all the way to the Santa Monica Pier... so now I have had the pleasure of traveling and enjoying the sights of Route 66 from Amarillo, Texas to the end of the line in California. 

Then it was up Highway One to the top of California. I love the beach, if you haven't figured that out by now. 

Enjoyed more than a few interesting signs and people, along the way. 

 The best thing about Oregon was the fact they still pump your gas for your there. Plus I drove my car through a tree... literally, it is a roadside attraction and I marveled at the trees and knew I needed wide open spaces. 

One week was just the drive from Texas to California. The second one was Highway 101 and then once in Seattle I spent a week with my son before flying back to Texas. 

Once I returned to the Alamo City, my best friends and (now neighbors) "adopted" family came to enjoy the local sights. I love this picture of their son and his buddies at Sea World. 

We spent a week at a very nice hotel hanging out and seeing the other local sights, and then they had to return their world in my hometown. By this time it is the end of the 3rd week of July. 
Time to pack, download all cd's to my computer, and wait for the email. 
Spent the days at Jose's house, downloading all my music, reading posts on Facebook and packing (and repacking) my cases. Finally, others were posting they were receiving their itineraries and tickets but still nothing for me. I wasn't in the first group. Then around the 8th of August, I received the email I would be leaving on the 12th. 
Several teachers from Texas were planning on tying a yellow bandanna on their luggage, so I did too. The other wonderful woman who was leaving from San Antonio at the same time had a different flight at a different time. 
After finally leaving more at Jose's than I wanted to, having my hair done for the last time in quite a while, putting my cd's in storage and packing for the final time, it was time to go to the airport. 
I flew out of San Antonio to Chicago. There I changed from a domestic flight to an international flight on Royal Jordanian. While waiting for the plane I saw several teachers waiting for the same flight. The flight was not comfortable, there was an issue with the AC and it was very hot on the flight. The flight attendants would not do anything and avoided our section like the plague. I knew I would not fly them again and I haven't. 
The rest is history and the coming days will give you more insight as to what happened when the final flight landed. 

What's in Store(s), the Grocery Store

Someone asked me about shopping in the UAE. We have mega stores, that look like HEB Superstores or Wal-mart on crack if you aren't familiar with HEB (It is a Central Texas thing). 

The prices are varied, in that some are higher and some are lower. Let's have a mini-maths lesson. I know, you think I have a typo with a -s on the end of math, but no, that is the Brits way of saying math... get over it, I did. 

For every dirham you spend, it is like spending roughly 27 cents. so 10 dirhams or AED for short, are about $2.70 USD. 100 AED is 27 USD, etc. 

So these pine nuts, from Turkey by Gyma are  30.75 AED. In my head I know that is about 7.50 USD if I count 2.50 USD for each 10AED. 

By the way, this is a very popular brand and they carry all kinds of spices, seeds and nuts. I like things from Turkey personally and pine nuts are readily available and good in many local dishes. 

 However if you prefer to buy in bulk, they have a place for that at the local Lulu's. (Where all these pictures were taken)

It is the first few days of Ramadan, which is a very important time of fasting, praying, giving of gifts and forgiveness. It is a great concept, somewhat like the idea of Christmas but not for the birth of someone. Dates are everywhere here, and here is a special kiosk just for Ramadan. A little local flavor I thought I would throw in. 

If you like different flavor syrups in your coffee, you have come to the right place. My favorite is chocolate chip cookie, or something like that but you can tell they are not in-expensive. 

The other day I posted some pictures on a Facebook page and someone pointed out that it is cheaper to use local brands instead of the name brand imports from the states. This is true, but many of your name brands are produced more locally than you think and are not imports from the USA unless they have a sticker on them stating so... in Arabic of course. 

Here is a few samples of the cleaning supplies aisle. 

 One reader asked specifically about two items, and I looked while I was out today. One was an apricot facial scrub and 

One was asking if Nivea was available here... uhhh 

yeah, it is 

Which brings me to the check out aisle. By the way, the Nivea was about 10 or 12 AED for the cream. 

Look familiar? 

These are my purchases for today. Cashews for a snack, cheese for some potato concoction I am trying along with sour cream. The Skyflake crackers are the closest thing to a Zesta Saltine I have found here and I like them very much. The green goodies in the front are something a friend turned me on to,and they are like a chocolatey-mint crispy cookie wafer thing.... heaven in a wrapper. Not too far from a Thin Mint. 

I CAN Attest to the Paper trail and Photo-Op

You are about to enter a country that likes to have a paper trail and things are officially stamped and signed before they are "officially official". 
Not an invisible, you know it's there, but you don't see it, paper trail. 
A real, do you have that paper in your hot little hand and can show it to the person in charge(?) paper trail. 
Bring your attested papers in a special neon colored something-or-other (folder, book, envelope), have it scanned and on a hard drive of your laptop and put it on a flash drive. Make copies and make copies of your copies you can whip out at a moment's notice. I brought 20 and I wish I had more. Even after you are settled here you will wish you HAD made more copies. Because whipping out the original, scanning or simply printing another one uses up precious (yes, it is here) ink that you wish you had for other things your classroom needs. 
Bring a good camera. If you have one, great, if you don't, please don't buy a pricey one. You will want to have a camera to take pictures of any and all important visitors you have to your classroom. Sometimes It is always good to have a camera to document the wonderful teaching you are doing in your classroom. Nearly everyone has a camera on their phone but if you buy the cheap burner phone until you get your bearings or know you are going to stay, you may wish you had a camera. If you are teaching KG or cycle 1, there is a technology expectation of the students being able to use a digital camera. 
I have two here, and I have let students use them to take pictures while I am teaching. This is when it is good to have a few extra memory cards. Plus, you will be wanting to take pictures of all those lovely experiences you have when you arrive. 

Somehow, your proof is in the pudding. If you can produce an official page or a picture, it is better evidence than your notes or spoken word. 
Your attested paperwork that you took all the time and effort to have prepared in the prescribed manner will need to be shown, again and readily on hand. You might not get it out for another year, but know where you put it last and it will save you some angst and stress in the long run. 

Oh and passport photos. I brought 10, I have 1 left and I had to whip another one out just two months ago. I might get some more taken while I am home. You can get them done here too, but so much easier to not have to worry about them. 

So... to go back to the "stamped and signed" comment. If you take a day off because you are sick, you have to have an "official" note from the dr. office to take a sick day. If they have the "new system" up and running, it is easy peasy. They fill out the paperwork, hand you a printed and stamped form, you scan it and enter it into the ERP system on the website (ERP? I don't know what it stands for, maybe Electronic Reporting Program? ... someone else will know, I don't fret over such trivial-ness). Then it goes for approval to your principal and then two others before you are granted the day. Sounds a bit hairy, but it isn't really. 
If you aren't lucky, you have to take your paper to the health authority to have it stamped after you have been to the dr. office, then scan and upload. 
So when I say things are paper trails driven, you have an idea of what I meant. 
You will get a taste of the idea of the camera  use from the very beginning I think, but to give you my personal experience... a short story. 
At the very end of the year this year, I went to my school to give the Arabic speaking teachers (all Egyptian, except one) a small gift to "remember" me by. They wanted to know all about my new school, where it was, what it looked like, how nice it was etc. They think that Delma is behind the schools in Abu Dhabi and the schools are nicer than our school is, which is not the case, it is a school by school case. Some are newer, some are bigger, some are older, some are not as pretty, etc. 
I explained it was nice, the outdoor patio area was enclosed and made a part of the classroom so the rooms were big. 
Then.... dun dun dunnnnn ... one of them asked the magic question ... 

"Pictures? Miss Cindy, you have pictures?" 

Uh, no I didn't take any pictures

"No pictures Miss Cindy? You like taking pictures..." one of them said, with a befuddled look on her face... and then my main co-teacher said to them

"Portfolio, she takes pictures for portfolio". 

She gets it. I document for my professional portfolio. 
I also take other pictures for pleasure, but no, I didn't think to take pictures of my new school to show them. 
They take pictures in every meeting to document the meeting and they get the sign in sheet stamped and signed and make copies of it... for... their official paper trail, the professional portfolio. 

What is in the portfolio? oh don't worry your pretty little head about that right now. Your plate is full. It will come in time. It may be a dinosaur and extinct before you would have to worry about it. 
Schway Schway, slowly, slowly...