Moving In . . . Settling In

It feels real! I have a UAE Driver's License, Emirati ID card is in progress, and I have my very own apartment. Getting there was long and sometimes stressful, but I am finally settled--for the most part--and ready to explore my new home.

I had to take a day off to get the driver's license because it is a multiple step process. First, you must apply for your Emirati ID card. I am not entirely sure why I have to have one, but I was told I need it for everything. I guess we shall see. Once you get the application typed and then get fingerprinted you get a receipt. The card takes a month. The receipt is what allows you continue the process of getting the license. Step Two, get your license translated into Arabic. This step would be less difficult if there were places to get this done other than Abu Dhabi. You go into the heart of the city and wander around a few blocks of shops and find a translator. This part was actually very smooth for me. It was the ID that was rough. Afterwards, you head back out of the city to turn in everything and pay for your license. Within about five minutes, you leave with your UAE license. As I sit a write this process it sounds so simple and straight forward. It was a long day though, not to mention expensive! (570 dirhams!!) I'm glad that it is a process that has to be completed only once.

Thankfully, I have not had to take a day off for the moving process--- at least not a full day. Here is the trouble with moving. You, of course, need water and electricity accounts set up. Simple enough to go the office and get that done. Well, it is when you have hours of work that you can go. The office opens at 8 and closes by 3. As a teacher, I am at work all day! NOTHING ever seems to be open when you need it. Solution, go in late or leave early. The principals are very understanding about this---most have been through it themselves.

Then, there is furniture. Cannot really move in until you have a bed, but you need to clean and organize and such. It was some late nights last week and I am glad to say that I can sleep in some tomorrow morning. It will be nice not having to travel an hour to and from work. Though I am not sure what I am going to do with all my free time. Maybe I will get really skinny. ; ) The furniture process is almost done. My wardrobe didn't have the hardware to be installed,  but otherwise everything else is clean and shiny!

I have more space than one person needs, but I am not complaining. I still sometimes cannot believe the experience that I have been lucky enough to be a part of. Though to be honest, I have hit phase two of culture shock. The culture here is so different that a lot of the time I feel like I am living on another planet. I ask myself, why is this so difficult? Why can't I do this? Why aren't they open later? I vent and steam for a little while, then find something to do and all is well. My school and the people here help keep me sane. There are times that I don't know what I would do without good friends around. I know I wouldn't have a working washer or stove---that is for sure.

Slowly, things will fall into place. Schway, schway---words to live by.

Being a Woman

I do not claim to be an expert or know what life is like in every middle east country. However, I can speak of my personal observations and experiences since arriving in the UAE. I hope it will shed some light and help educate those who think they know what it is like for a woman in this culture.

For starters, as a non-Muslim I am not required to wear a burka or sheila. Of course, there are a few exceptions where I need to wear a head scarf, but for the most part I am free to wear what I choose. When I went to the mosque and the boy's high school I had to cover my head, but those are the only two places that I have ever had to do that.

As a side notes of sorts, being blonde tends to attract more attention. Strawberry blonde with freckles makes it that much more interesting. You would think that I might want to cover my hair to avoid the attention, however, I have never felt truly skin crawl uncomfortable. Sure I get stares and the men will follow me with their eyes, but I find it no different than the creeps you encounter in any major city around the world.

I have a car, which I drive. I can ride with many women and I do not have to have a male escort. Yes, in some situations having a man with you makes it that much easier, but I can get around and function just fine as a single female. I know that not all middle east countries allow this freedom, but I wanted to make it clear that stereotypes do not fit the bill one hundred percent of the time.

I am not trying to pretend that women are considered equal here, but you cannot always say that is the case in America. I know we all want to believe our country is perfect, but it isn't and neither is theirs. I have found that there are benefits to being a woman no matter where you go. Here lines are shorter. When you are the minority sex, you tend to be able to get things done a lot faster. No lines for the bathroom and shorter lines everywhere else. It helps that most public areas are divided into men and women sections as well. One particular instance that comes to mind is the night I stopped at the bank. When I arrived there were at least 10 to 15 men in line for the ATM, within seconds a group of about 30 or more filled in behind me. I wasn't happy about the wait, but I thought I had no other choice. Less than a minute later a man gestured me to the front. He said something in Arabic to the men ahead of him and before I know it, I am at the head of the line and done in 5 minutes. Now, I know it might have had something to do with their discomfort of being around a woman, but I choose to see it as a kind gesture. We may not have as many rights as men, but we are treated with respect and class a large majority of the time. To find people willing to open doors or carry bags for no other reason than they can, is something you don't find very often in other societies around the world.

Because of the language barrier I am sure there are deeper things at work I do not understand, but as a whole I have had a very welcoming experience in the UAE. I have never been rug shopping and treated so well before. I was offered a seat and then a drink. He sent an employee to buy us sodas from a store a few doors down. Then all we had to do is point and each rug was rolled out. I was allowed to take off my shoes and walk around and test it out. Once I chose to buy, he was ready to fold it and bring it to the car. I could get used to this type of treatment. They are a very hospitable society and I find myself learning something new everyday. I am thankful that I am able to be here and be a part of this culture for a time.

Work, Training, Bed, Repeat

Life is pretty hectic right now. When you are living in a hotel, working, and trying to get settled it is difficult when things are only open for certain hours, you only have so much room to store your stuff, and half the people cannot really understand what I am saying.

I am not saying that I regret my choice to come. I have grown so much in the past month and a half that sometimes I do not even recognize myself sometimes. Sure things are crazy right now and fighting off a cold while trying to get settled is not fun, but despite being tiring, life is good. The title to this post implies that I do the same thing everyday,  but in a lot of ways that is not true. There are elements that remain the same day to day, but each day is new. Whether it is when I learn a new Arabic word, or learning that one more thing that needs to be taken care of with my "paperwork", or I find a new restaurant to eat at . . . I am slowly exploring this new world that is home for a while.

Desert Lessons

Since arriving in the desert I have learned a few, sometimes humorous, lessons.

Lesson One: When you think you have drunk enough water, drink another bottle. You don't feel the thirst all the time, but your body goes through so much water out here. I drink at least 5 or 6 bottles a day and I still feel like I am not drinking enough. I guess it is something you get used to after a while because it seems like the native teachers never drink anything, except tea. I will have to get back to you on this one.

Lesson Two: Roundabouts are confusing if you are not paying attention. Too many exits can lead to getting lost. Luckily, you can just get back on the roundabout and go around again.

Lesson Three: No traffic way out here and if there is . . . just drive on the side of the road or in the sand. People still drive crazy high speeds, but there are not as many on the road in this area. The only time traffic is stopped is when the camels are coming or going from the track.

Lesson Four: Animals in the desert have strange eating habits. I will leave the rest up to your imagination and save you the details.

Lesson Five: It can get humid in the desert. Fog and humidity do exist. How and why? I will have to get back to you. Though still not as bad as the city. Driving in it can be interesting, but is possible. Slow and steady isn't that how the phrase goes.

Lesson Six: Sometimes the people you meet half a world away remind you of those you left behind. My new group of friends makes me feel at home. One person who I became fast friends with is Juli . . . weird coincidence or just wierd? Sometimes I wonder if these things are planned in advance for entertainment. Yes, I am talking about God having a sense of humor.

Lesson Seven: You can get past a language barrier and hold a conversation with someone, you just have to put forth the effort.

Lesson Eight: When reading a menu, you have to remember where you are. Chili here means the actual chili pepper and thinking otherwise can lead to an interesting experience. I didn't know that you lips could burn from eat something too hot.

Lesson Nine: There is no point in washing the car very often. As long as the windows are clean that is all you need. The sand is going to cover it within in day anyway.

That is all that I have for now. I am sure there will be more to come, but that is the beauty of an experience like this, you never know what you are going to learn next.