Finally I have my new car - so happy! It's a Dodge Caliber 2008 and is lovely. Has awesome interior, MP3 dock, chiller for my drinks, lovely handling and is just a great car to drive. Despite my early fears I'm loving driving here. Yes you get cut off - especially at roundabouts and everyone drives fast, but hey when in Rome, do as the Romans do! (Just kidding - still practicing my safe driving skills!) It's very reasonably priced so the monthly payments aren't going to affect my travel plans - especially not with the shocking NZ dollar at the mo!
I'm annoyingly excited today because Kalala and Tui fly in tonight - am so very happy! Will be at the airport to pick them up and will spend the next couple of days at the hotel with them before they move into their new 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom and maid's room apartment!
Doing a border run this Saturday - some of our staff's families haven't had their visas come through yet so need to head to Oman to get extensions. Only people who own cars can take people as rentals here don't have insurance for Oman whereas we have. So will attempt to get some interesting pics of all that!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Ok, ok...
...so I wouldn't win a prize for most regular blogging but I can assure you if I'm not blogging it's because I'm working too hard and having too much fun!
Another week down! Time is def going quick - soon I'll have been here for 3 months - so hard to believe! Work is busy, busy, busy - this week we have a monitoring agency visit to look at us and teh school - so lots of paperwork, lots of meetings this week and in the middle of it all, Kalala and Tui arrive! That's so cool though - I am really excited!
So they fly in Wed night and hopefully I'll have my car by then. I know - I was hoping for it last Thursday too but only one person here (within my bank) deals with car finance and she's been away sick. Will call her today to see how things are going - maybe tomorrow it'll be sussed - inshallah!
No new pics sorry! The camera lives in the bag but no time to get it out.
Hope everything is going well with you all - am home in Jan for two weeks so any requests, let me know!
Another week down! Time is def going quick - soon I'll have been here for 3 months - so hard to believe! Work is busy, busy, busy - this week we have a monitoring agency visit to look at us and teh school - so lots of paperwork, lots of meetings this week and in the middle of it all, Kalala and Tui arrive! That's so cool though - I am really excited!
So they fly in Wed night and hopefully I'll have my car by then. I know - I was hoping for it last Thursday too but only one person here (within my bank) deals with car finance and she's been away sick. Will call her today to see how things are going - maybe tomorrow it'll be sussed - inshallah!
No new pics sorry! The camera lives in the bag but no time to get it out.
Hope everything is going well with you all - am home in Jan for two weeks so any requests, let me know!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Catching Up
Firstly apologies for not having Martin's blog link properly set up - it is now. For those of you who don't know who Martin is - he was my principal at Paremata School and is currently working in this part of the world.
Secondly sorry for not having blogged all week - it's been a busy full on one. Last weekend I had a friend's two wee girls to stay - lots of fun but was knackered at the end of it. The funny for me was when we were in the taxi and Anja - the 3 year old - took the money out of my hand, gave it to the driver and thanked him in arabic. She continued to do this for each and every ride afterwards.
The highlight of this week was that I finally got my passport back with my residency in it - for 3 years. Now on Sunday I get to go to Dubai for my driver's licence. As our sponsor is based in Dubai we have to do admin things there like that - DL, car registrations and the like. So once I have my DL I can have my car so hopefully this time next week I'll be driving around and independant.
The other night a friend and I went up Jabal Hafeet - it's a large mountain made out of sand and is lit all the way up. Hard to explain but amazing to experience. Heaps of people were up the top - there's a huge car park, cafeteria and seats everywhere - just incredible. Also up the top were lots of cats everywhere - they depend on the visitors to feed them. Attached is a pic of Al Ain from the top - next time we'll stop at a car park partway up and get a pic of all of Al Ain - it's actually a lot bigger and more spread out than I realised.
Last day we had a company dinner at the Hotel Rotana - the invite said bbq - well not at all like what we do in NZ - but it was a huge buffet meal that was absolutely divine. It was so good to catch up with everyone - if people aren't in your building or school, you tend to not get to see them much - however when I get my car it'll be easier.
Only another 6 weeks until I head to London - very excited about that!
Secondly sorry for not having blogged all week - it's been a busy full on one. Last weekend I had a friend's two wee girls to stay - lots of fun but was knackered at the end of it. The funny for me was when we were in the taxi and Anja - the 3 year old - took the money out of my hand, gave it to the driver and thanked him in arabic. She continued to do this for each and every ride afterwards.
The highlight of this week was that I finally got my passport back with my residency in it - for 3 years. Now on Sunday I get to go to Dubai for my driver's licence. As our sponsor is based in Dubai we have to do admin things there like that - DL, car registrations and the like. So once I have my DL I can have my car so hopefully this time next week I'll be driving around and independant.
The other night a friend and I went up Jabal Hafeet - it's a large mountain made out of sand and is lit all the way up. Hard to explain but amazing to experience. Heaps of people were up the top - there's a huge car park, cafeteria and seats everywhere - just incredible. Also up the top were lots of cats everywhere - they depend on the visitors to feed them. Attached is a pic of Al Ain from the top - next time we'll stop at a car park partway up and get a pic of all of Al Ain - it's actually a lot bigger and more spread out than I realised.
Last day we had a company dinner at the Hotel Rotana - the invite said bbq - well not at all like what we do in NZ - but it was a huge buffet meal that was absolutely divine. It was so good to catch up with everyone - if people aren't in your building or school, you tend to not get to see them much - however when I get my car it'll be easier.
Only another 6 weeks until I head to London - very excited about that!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Where does time go?
Hi there - sorry to those of you who check this regularly and have started to grumble to me that I haven't updated it! The honeymoon period at work is definately over and it's all go! Just can't believe that it's the end of the working week already!
Was good to be at work and see the teachers - after a month you feel like part of the "normal" scene now and that you're developing great friendships with them all - which is important to me - after all who I am to come to their place and "tell" them what to do? Of course I don't do that but I can imagine thinking "What do you know about our country and what we do?" if the roles were reversed. However have suggested a few things (schway schway) and nice to see theose ideas taking effect. Also everyone is not as tired or grumpy now they're not fasting - and I'm loving being able to drink water when I like! People who have been skyping with me will know that I just can't get enough water - it's def the right climate to drink lots of it.
Also have been busy with the gym this week - go and work out after school - otherwise if I go home and sit on the couch, it'll be all over red rover. So by the time I've been to school, worked out, been for a swim and found a taxi to get me home, there's not much day left to do much else.
Yes - still at the mercy of taxis - most of my group got their passports back this week with their residency - however since they "lost" my photos two weeks ago and "forgot" to get me to sign my UAE Labour Contract until Saturday, mine's a little behind the 8-ball. No idea when I will get it but am pleased for the others that their process is moving along - people with families and who need to sponser their partners, maids, etc have much more to sort out than me - mine's all about the car! (Ie - freedom!) Anyhow Inshallah I'll get it back this week.
Have a quiet weekend planned - lots of paperwork to do as we have an inspection agency coming end of Oct - bit like ERO for those of you in NZ. Am also babysitting a friend's wee girls and getting in some practice for Kalala's wee ones. (Not long now - yipee!)
Sorry there's no photo updates - have been very slack about getting the camera out of the bag - but will make more of an effort from now - promise!
Was good to be at work and see the teachers - after a month you feel like part of the "normal" scene now and that you're developing great friendships with them all - which is important to me - after all who I am to come to their place and "tell" them what to do? Of course I don't do that but I can imagine thinking "What do you know about our country and what we do?" if the roles were reversed. However have suggested a few things (schway schway) and nice to see theose ideas taking effect. Also everyone is not as tired or grumpy now they're not fasting - and I'm loving being able to drink water when I like! People who have been skyping with me will know that I just can't get enough water - it's def the right climate to drink lots of it.
Also have been busy with the gym this week - go and work out after school - otherwise if I go home and sit on the couch, it'll be all over red rover. So by the time I've been to school, worked out, been for a swim and found a taxi to get me home, there's not much day left to do much else.
Yes - still at the mercy of taxis - most of my group got their passports back this week with their residency - however since they "lost" my photos two weeks ago and "forgot" to get me to sign my UAE Labour Contract until Saturday, mine's a little behind the 8-ball. No idea when I will get it but am pleased for the others that their process is moving along - people with families and who need to sponser their partners, maids, etc have much more to sort out than me - mine's all about the car! (Ie - freedom!) Anyhow Inshallah I'll get it back this week.
Have a quiet weekend planned - lots of paperwork to do as we have an inspection agency coming end of Oct - bit like ERO for those of you in NZ. Am also babysitting a friend's wee girls and getting in some practice for Kalala's wee ones. (Not long now - yipee!)
Sorry there's no photo updates - have been very slack about getting the camera out of the bag - but will make more of an effort from now - promise!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Back to school...
Ok so back to school tomorrow - having this past week off was great but am looking forward to more time off when I have a passport and wheels.
Ramadan is now finished for another 11 months - thanks goodness it's like Xmas and only comes once a year. Although the time is very important to the locals' religion, I do think they're glad it's over for now - a month is a long time! Shop hours are now back to normal and you can get a taxi anytime again - ie not having to worry about iftar or crazy driving because they're hungry - no, now it's just the standard mad driving! The best part for me is being allowed to drink water again anywhere at any time - in a taxi, in a mall and best of all - at the gym! So now I can have water, I've started going regularly - have a personal trainer who's a little scary even though she's young and half my size!
Been just hanging out the last few days - catching up on paperwork and housework (although my cleaner starts this week!) A friend who works with me has gone home to NZ - her dad died unexpectedly - so there was a rush trying to get her tickets and make sure everything was sorted or covered while she's gone. Soooo much to think about when you have to leave the country quickly.
Anyway like the title says - back to school tomorrow - looking forward to it - will be fun to see the teachers and find out what they got up to for Eid and they'll all be wearing their new dresses they brought for it. Will be good to get back into the swing of it - although now the hard work really starts!
Ramadan is now finished for another 11 months - thanks goodness it's like Xmas and only comes once a year. Although the time is very important to the locals' religion, I do think they're glad it's over for now - a month is a long time! Shop hours are now back to normal and you can get a taxi anytime again - ie not having to worry about iftar or crazy driving because they're hungry - no, now it's just the standard mad driving! The best part for me is being allowed to drink water again anywhere at any time - in a taxi, in a mall and best of all - at the gym! So now I can have water, I've started going regularly - have a personal trainer who's a little scary even though she's young and half my size!
Been just hanging out the last few days - catching up on paperwork and housework (although my cleaner starts this week!) A friend who works with me has gone home to NZ - her dad died unexpectedly - so there was a rush trying to get her tickets and make sure everything was sorted or covered while she's gone. Soooo much to think about when you have to leave the country quickly.
Anyway like the title says - back to school tomorrow - looking forward to it - will be fun to see the teachers and find out what they got up to for Eid and they'll all be wearing their new dresses they brought for it. Will be good to get back into the swing of it - although now the hard work really starts!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
PS Explaining the toilet sign
Have had a few requests from people asking me to tell which is which on the toilet sign - the white outline is the mens and the black is the womens - this shows a man wearing his white dashdash (I think that's what it's called) and a lady wearing her black abiya. But takes a while to work out when you're busting let me tell you! So then you look on the door for just one of these images and you're in the right place! Very different from our stick figures!
Aw shucks guys...
Thank you so much for your emails and comments about my last blog – you’re so sweet. I’m just going through what sounds like you’ve all experienced – appreciate that most of you knew how I was feeling.
After re reading the blog on Monday and realizing feeling a little down is just not me, I jumped on last minute.com (love this site) and booked myself for two nights in a 5 star hotel in Dubai. It was only $260 NZ a night and sounded great.
So now I had a place to stay and had packed my bags, I needed to get there so I caught a taxi to the bus station! A wee experience all in itself – the bus station is crazy! As soon as I got out of the taxi, all these drivers rushed up to me trying to take my bag and telling me they’d take me to Duabi for 150 dhs. Well was I confused! Finally saw someone wearing a bus uniform, who directed me to the ticket office and got a ticket for 20dhs (much better price). Problem – bus was full – so I thought I’d have to wait for next one but no because women must only sit in the first two “rows”, they moved a young guy off the bus and gave me a little seat to myself – not too far away from the driver – which turned out to be a good thing coz he’s frown or shout at any guys who tried to talk to me. I just put my ipod on (thanks again for that amazing present you guys!) and watched the desert roll by.
Got a taxi from the bus station to the hotel – I was staying in downtown Burj Dubai. You may remember a while ago an email circulated with an amazing (and scary!) view from the top off a new building being built in Duabi? Well it’s called the Burj Duabi and my gosh it is TALL! It’s not finished yet but you can’t miss it.
When we pulled up at the hotel – I just laughed – couldn’t believe I was staying there. It’s called The Palace, Old Town and is just like a palace. When I found out what it normally costs to stay a night there, I can see why I was out of place in my shorts and t-shirt! Beautiful place, amazing room and lovely service – I wanna go back!
So I settled in, got room service and then headed to the Mall of the Emirates. Now this is the biggest mall in Duabi and has so many amazing shops. My credit card was smoking after that visit. It also has a massive ski field in it – my picture will not do it justice I’m sorry.
It was here at the mall I was reminded just how small this world is and how some people are meant to be in your life. A friend of mine Iain (who’ll love this story!) had hooked me up with a friend of his on Facebook who he used to work with in the UK – he’s now moved to NZ and she’s living in Dubai. So Rochelle and I had touched base when I got here, then she’d invited me to a hen’s party Friday night but I couldn’t go due to work and tiredness so I said to her I’d catch up with her when I was there this week. However I realized I’d left her phone number at home when I arrived in Duabi and was kicking myself. So I was in Boots (one of MANY shops in the mall), went to leave, couldn’t get down the middle aisles, went to the far one and headed down and walked past this person. Thought to myself ‘hmmmm she looks familiar”, then walked past a guy who also looked familiar (her partner Scott) so took a chance and said “Rochelle?” Now bear in mind I’ve never met this person – only seen her pics on Facebook. It was her – and she knew it was me once I’d said her name – what a laugh! Out of all the places either of us could have been that night, we ended up in the same aisle of Boots recognizing each other from photos. Needless to say we swopped phone numbers!
Tuesday morning I woke up and the clock said 11.30 – now I must point out I didn’t realize it was morning and thought to myself how strange – I went to bed after 11.30 – clock must be wrong. Imagine my surprise when I checked my phone and yes it was 11.30am! Darn dark curtains in hotel room! I’d missed my massage at 11am but the spa was lovely and moved it to 2pm. Got some pool time (fab pool), had a hot stone massage and then went sight seeing with the hotel driver. Yes girls I could go on and on about the amazing spa clinic and massage and treatments and freebies and service and ultimate pampering – but I’ll tell you about it when the boys aren’t reading! (Kalala – you and I are going here for a weekend- start preparing Tui!)
Went for a sightseeing drive – saw Burj Al Arab which is iconic for it’s shape – if you google an image, you’ll know what I’m talking about – it’s the one that looks a bit like a sail to me. Also went to The Palms – obviously you don’t get the same effect from the road as you do from the air – but the houses! The centre part is all apartments where you can stay (ie not permanent homes) and then out on the palms themselves are the most incredible places. Shudder to think what they’re worth. The World is still being built but am sure it will be even more extravagant. Reclaiming the land in such a design focused way is very typical of here.
Met up with Rochelle, her partner Scott and their friends Kirsty and John for dinner last night – went to Leftbank which was very trendy but relaxing. Then we realized it was Ladies Night in Dubai – which means free drinks – so jumped in taxis and went to a few places, collecting 2-4 free drinks at each. Fantastic! Ended up at an Irish bar which was great – very relaxed and crowded – lots of interesting people.
Was still tired when I woke up this am but needed to check out and get on the road for home – had a fab time away and so nice to make new friends and see new things – will be doing a trip back to Dubai as soon as I have my own wheels!
Am going to relax this afternoon – and unpack all my hotel goodies! Have the gym and other appointments tomorrow, work to do Friday, heading to Abu Dhabi with Dave on Saturday and back to school Sunday. But feeling a lot better – getting out and doing new things always helps!
After re reading the blog on Monday and realizing feeling a little down is just not me, I jumped on last minute.com (love this site) and booked myself for two nights in a 5 star hotel in Dubai. It was only $260 NZ a night and sounded great.
So now I had a place to stay and had packed my bags, I needed to get there so I caught a taxi to the bus station! A wee experience all in itself – the bus station is crazy! As soon as I got out of the taxi, all these drivers rushed up to me trying to take my bag and telling me they’d take me to Duabi for 150 dhs. Well was I confused! Finally saw someone wearing a bus uniform, who directed me to the ticket office and got a ticket for 20dhs (much better price). Problem – bus was full – so I thought I’d have to wait for next one but no because women must only sit in the first two “rows”, they moved a young guy off the bus and gave me a little seat to myself – not too far away from the driver – which turned out to be a good thing coz he’s frown or shout at any guys who tried to talk to me. I just put my ipod on (thanks again for that amazing present you guys!) and watched the desert roll by.
Got a taxi from the bus station to the hotel – I was staying in downtown Burj Dubai. You may remember a while ago an email circulated with an amazing (and scary!) view from the top off a new building being built in Duabi? Well it’s called the Burj Duabi and my gosh it is TALL! It’s not finished yet but you can’t miss it.
When we pulled up at the hotel – I just laughed – couldn’t believe I was staying there. It’s called The Palace, Old Town and is just like a palace. When I found out what it normally costs to stay a night there, I can see why I was out of place in my shorts and t-shirt! Beautiful place, amazing room and lovely service – I wanna go back!
So I settled in, got room service and then headed to the Mall of the Emirates. Now this is the biggest mall in Duabi and has so many amazing shops. My credit card was smoking after that visit. It also has a massive ski field in it – my picture will not do it justice I’m sorry.
It was here at the mall I was reminded just how small this world is and how some people are meant to be in your life. A friend of mine Iain (who’ll love this story!) had hooked me up with a friend of his on Facebook who he used to work with in the UK – he’s now moved to NZ and she’s living in Dubai. So Rochelle and I had touched base when I got here, then she’d invited me to a hen’s party Friday night but I couldn’t go due to work and tiredness so I said to her I’d catch up with her when I was there this week. However I realized I’d left her phone number at home when I arrived in Duabi and was kicking myself. So I was in Boots (one of MANY shops in the mall), went to leave, couldn’t get down the middle aisles, went to the far one and headed down and walked past this person. Thought to myself ‘hmmmm she looks familiar”, then walked past a guy who also looked familiar (her partner Scott) so took a chance and said “Rochelle?” Now bear in mind I’ve never met this person – only seen her pics on Facebook. It was her – and she knew it was me once I’d said her name – what a laugh! Out of all the places either of us could have been that night, we ended up in the same aisle of Boots recognizing each other from photos. Needless to say we swopped phone numbers!
Tuesday morning I woke up and the clock said 11.30 – now I must point out I didn’t realize it was morning and thought to myself how strange – I went to bed after 11.30 – clock must be wrong. Imagine my surprise when I checked my phone and yes it was 11.30am! Darn dark curtains in hotel room! I’d missed my massage at 11am but the spa was lovely and moved it to 2pm. Got some pool time (fab pool), had a hot stone massage and then went sight seeing with the hotel driver. Yes girls I could go on and on about the amazing spa clinic and massage and treatments and freebies and service and ultimate pampering – but I’ll tell you about it when the boys aren’t reading! (Kalala – you and I are going here for a weekend- start preparing Tui!)
Went for a sightseeing drive – saw Burj Al Arab which is iconic for it’s shape – if you google an image, you’ll know what I’m talking about – it’s the one that looks a bit like a sail to me. Also went to The Palms – obviously you don’t get the same effect from the road as you do from the air – but the houses! The centre part is all apartments where you can stay (ie not permanent homes) and then out on the palms themselves are the most incredible places. Shudder to think what they’re worth. The World is still being built but am sure it will be even more extravagant. Reclaiming the land in such a design focused way is very typical of here.
Met up with Rochelle, her partner Scott and their friends Kirsty and John for dinner last night – went to Leftbank which was very trendy but relaxing. Then we realized it was Ladies Night in Dubai – which means free drinks – so jumped in taxis and went to a few places, collecting 2-4 free drinks at each. Fantastic! Ended up at an Irish bar which was great – very relaxed and crowded – lots of interesting people.
Was still tired when I woke up this am but needed to check out and get on the road for home – had a fab time away and so nice to make new friends and see new things – will be doing a trip back to Dubai as soon as I have my own wheels!
Am going to relax this afternoon – and unpack all my hotel goodies! Have the gym and other appointments tomorrow, work to do Friday, heading to Abu Dhabi with Dave on Saturday and back to school Sunday. But feeling a lot better – getting out and doing new things always helps!
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