Reflections

I was killing time on the internet and decided to look and see when the last time I wrote an entry. Considering how consistently I wrote my first year here in the UAE, I was appalled that I had not wrote anything of note.

Two things occurred to me.

The fairly obvious thing is, that things do not surprise me as much anymore. However, the sadder reality is that I am not doing anything exciting enough worth documenting. When you first move somewhere you want to explore as much as possible. You go out on the weekends to all the new places that are part of your new home. I know that is what I did.

Coming back for another year, I haven't done any exploring. I have still only been to three of the seven emirates. I have not been to Oman of Qatar which are right next door. I keep telling myself that I will get there someday, but it has yet to happen. For better or worse, Liwa has become home for now. I know my way around and have explored the beautiful, yet limited, sites to see.

Recently, a friend got a fancy camera. What I mean by that is he got a Digital SLR. Explaining to him when I use mine, how to use his, and the quality of pictures, has made me want to get back out and explore more. Go to the dune and try to climb to the top this time. Find a local with a buggy to ride the sand dunes. Go up the mountains in Al Ain. Go to some of the other costal towns in Abu Dhabi.

I don't know how much of this to do list I will be able to accomplish. Though life is pretty laid back here, it isn't like I can take off work to explore. I still have to work and study. However, what I do know is whether or not I manage to see all these places and do all these things-- I need appreciate what I have while I have it. I don't know how long I will have this job and the ability to travel like I have been. I have to remember that and make the most of the time. It may feel like I am just back for the same old gig, but I need to remember there is always something new and exciting out there if I look hard enough to find it. 

A New School Year

A new school year has begun. I have kissed so many cheeks and gotten everything from hugs to handshakes. I am less of a stranger now. I may still not know most of the Arabic, but I have an idea of how things work.

When I think back to my first impressions and experiences this time last year it is hard to remember all the details. Struggles and triumphs throughout those first few weeks stick out the most in my head. The daily ups and downs are lost in the blur of new news, new faces, and new language.

This year I returned a seasoned veteran ready to take on any challenge thrown my way. As I read posts stressing over getting to the first day of school, or what grade they might teach, I would smile and remember not to judge too harshly because that was me just a year ago. The major difference is they have someone to answer their questions. When I think about the fact that we did everything by trial and error really, I am amazed at what I accomplished last year.

With plenty of rest, a year behind me, and new brilliant ideas, I cannot wait to truly get rolling. I'm sure ADEC will throw a few curve balls my way throughout the year, but at least I am prepared and can hopefully see them coming, and duck out of the way.

Since this may be my last year in lovely Liwa. I don't know where life will lead me next, but I plan to the most of the time here and continue to grow the relationships that have come to mean so much to me in and out of the classroom.

Coming Back

It is hard to explain being back in Virginia for the the past month. Things are still familiar and I know my way around, but it is not the same place that I left, nor am I the same person. Midlothian, Virginia will always be my childhood home, but it isn't where I currently call home. I know that some say that home is where the heart is and I am not saying they are wrong, but I think that your heart can be in more than one place. I love my family and friends, but a piece of me and my life are in Abu Dhabi. For all its quirks that is home for me, at least for one more year. 

Being back in the states has been a lot of fun. I got to catch up with long time friends, make plans for the future, and get some much needed rest-- sometimes. While a month seems like a long time, it was just enough for me. I have some good memories to take back with me. The wonky house we rented at the beach for a week, the silly laughter with family and friends, and my bed-hog of a 96lb. dog. 

I wish that I could say that I want to stay, I am sure it would make my friends and family feel much better, but it would be a lie. It was really nice to come back, but it is not where I am supposed to be right now. Home is Abu Dhabi for now and I don't know where my next home will be . . . I am living my life moment to moment for now, and I kind of like it that way.

Santorini and Athens

Santorini is the island that I was looking forward to since I planned the trip back in March. Formally a circle formed by a volcano, it is current a crescent moon shape with an island volcano nearby. The volcano is sleeping, but active. It has three main areas on the island. The northwest end where there is the city of Oia. The southeast end with the black sand beaches and last the middle where the capital Fira is located.

Our villa was located nearby the capital in an area called Firostephani. Built on the cliff side the only way to access our rooms was through a series of steps. Lots and lots of steps. Thankfully, we did not have to take these steps with our luggage, but the steep stairs were exercise enough.Despite the work involved, it was the most luxurious location and room we were in the entire trip. Each of us had our own queen size bed, I had a jacuzzi and shower, we even got a free bottle of wine, which of course was drank. Outside we had a breakfast nook and lounge chairs. I couldn't have asked for anything better. From our hotel villas we had a clear few of the Mediterranean and the volcano. It was such a beautiful and relaxing place that I was ready to look into getting a flight out of Santorini and skipping Athens completely. In the end, logic won out and I made the best of the two days I had, but it is somewhere I will want to go again.

There was nothing officially scheduled for us by our original tour group, but we arranged a tour through the hotel and spent a whole day touring Santorini. It started with a visit to the highest point on the island. The view from there was exquisite. It was a almost cloudless day and you could see for miles. After taking time to get all the bet pictures, we headed back down the cliffs to the port.

An an old style pirate like ship, we made our way across the seas to the volcano. It was much steeper and taller once you got up close. Though considering my only view before that was from up on the cliff side, I guess a up close view it would have seemed larger now matter what. Looking back, I should have picked up a rock or two, but seeing as I didn't know how to fit the things I had already to bring home, rocks would have been difficult to fit--not to mention the weight they would have added. As much as I wanted to explore the volcano and enjoy going around Santorini, I also didn't want to end up exhausted and sore the next day. Traveling is never fun if you are in pain. I went half of the way up the volcano to the first set of craters, but opted out of going the full way up.

After the volcano it was time for a swim! I was excited. It was in the Hot Springs near the volcano, but we had to leave the boat a fair distance away. This made for a nice swim. You could slowly feel the heat increasing in the water as you got closer to the hot springs. They were not as warm as I thought they would be though. I have never swam in hot springs, but I expected it to be much warmer then it was. I guess some are warmer than others maybe. All I know is that my bathing suit, even after repeated washing, is stained a coppery color in some areas from that swim. Something that will always make sure I remember it, not that I won't. For the brief time I was able to be in the water . . . it was one of the highlights for me. Though I have always felt more at home in the water than on land. So explain to me why I am so happy living in the desert? That is a discussion for another time. I am veering of topic.

After the swim we stopped for lunch on a island nearby, once originally part of the circular island of Santorini, called Thissira. Once again, a long winding path was the only way up. I choose to remain down near the port because we had more steps to climb later in Oia. There was the option of a donkey, but I was more concerned with getting my stomach satisfied. It was a nice break after our swim. I was able to take my time and explore the port area a little before it was time to head back to the boat to make our way to the main island.

Oia, was the area I was most looking forward to visiting. Known for it traditional style buildings and charm, people flock the northwest end of the island to see the beautiful sunset. Since we can see the sunset from our villa, I chose to take the time to shop and explore the city a little. To get to the city I took a donkey. It is one experience I don't think I will forget. While others were less well-behaved mine was chill. It was like he could sense my attitude. He kept up with the rest, but just ambled from side to side as he criss-crossed his way up the winding stairs. I am glad that I took the donkey because it is an experience that is unique to the islands. Plus, those steps would have been killer. I found more jewelry, took some great pictures and soaked in the atmosphere. It was a wonderful way to end our time in Santorini.

The next afternoon, it was time to make our way to the port to get on our last ferry to Athens. As was the trend with all the ferries that we had taken since leaving Turkey, this one was late as well. We arrived in Athens very late, where we once again found out that taxis were on strike. Luckily, our agents had gotten us a car, but the guy did not seem pleased that our ferry was late. He wasn't very friendly and then on top of it, dropped us at the wrong hotel at first. We did make it to the right hotel, but by then it was nearly midnight and I just wanted to crash in bed. We had a full day of touring the next day and I already knew it was going to hard to get up.

I did get up though, begrudgingly. So what do you go and see in Athens . . . the historical sites of course. The Acropolis, Olympic Stadium, Zeus' Temple, and various others. Those are the ones that stand out in my mind. As much as I love history, I honestly could have done without Athens. Though I am glad that we went, and I really enjoyed the dinner and show we saw our last night, I am not a city person at heart. Athens was too much of a city, what I mean is that the charm was lost behind graffiti, and traffic. The Plaka area was the only area I felt I could walk around and truly get a feel for the city. I realized that the current politic issues in the country could have had a large effect on the atmosphere of the city, but it just wasn't that highlight of the tour for me. The views from the Acropolis were wonderful and I enjoyed getting to see the detail of the structures.

At night we got our reward for the trouble in Samos in the form a dinner and show. It totally made up for the struggle in Samos, and it was the perfect way to end our tour. I would have to say that it was the best display of culture, new and old. If not for that food of entertainment and good food, I am not sure I would have left feeling positive from Athens.

If I look back at the time spent in Greece, I can smile. It has always been somewhere that I have wanted to visit and I am glad that I was blessed to have the opportunity and means to be able to see that dream fulfilled. Did it meet all my expectations? Yes and no, but even when the expectations were not met, I was pleased with the experience nonetheless. It has given me memories to last many lifetimes (sorry for the cliche) and if given the chance to return, I would glad make my way back to experience it all again.

Samos and Mykonos

The Greek part of our adventure got off to a not so great start, but fortunately went uphill from there.

It all started when our ferry decided to take us into a smaller port on Samos instead of the main port. The plan was to stay one night and get on a ferry to Mykonos in the morning. The hotel was less than one kilometer from the port so our travel company did not arrange for anyone to pick us up. That would have been the case if the ferry had come into the correct port. Upon arrival we did not know that there was more than one port. We assumed we were where we needed to be and started walking to try and find our hotel. We walked maybe four blocks down and realized that something was not right. Asking a nice looking man we found were given a double dose of bad news.

Bad news one: We needed to get to Samos Town on the other side of the island.
Bad news two: The taxis were on strike so our only option was a bus. The bus station was up the hill a few streets.

Despite this bad news, which of course I didn't take so well at the time, I guess things could have been worse. We got to the bus stop, paid the cheap fare and made ourselves comfortable as we wove our way across the island. It was actually quite pretty as the sun was setting, but at the time I was tired and pissed off. I had two very heavy bags and the bus driver did not even help us get them in and out of the bus. Secondly, he refused to travel just a little further down the road to get us closer to our hotel. Dragging our luggage behind us, we weaved in and out of pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks. First passes the hotel and making it all the way to the port, we backtracked and found the place we were looking for. Apparently, the ferries were having all sorts of problem that day because when we arrived we were fed the next piece of bad news.

The ferry we were supposed to leave on the next morning was in an accident and it was unsure whether it would be running the next day.

Isn't the saying that bad things happen in threes. At that point I was pissed, tired, and just ready to get some food and rest. After getting our bags into the room we headed to the roof for a lovely late dinner. I got to eat a delicious salad and PORK. I love Greek Salad! It was a nice end to a very long afternoon and evening. Though thinking back, I am not sure I was as nonchalant about the whole thing at the time. Looking back at it now, traveling always has its bumps and this one got us an extra treat our last night in Athens. I still enjoyed the trip, bumps and all, that is the part that matters.

The next morning, well rested and fed, we checked out and dragged ourselves the one block to the port. After sitting around in an empty port for a while, I decided to check in with the offices nearby. Though we were told the night before by our agents that the ferry was running as usual, that was not exactly the case. It was delayed--significantly. It was supposed to leave at 9AM and didn't leave until closer to 3PM. It worked out better in the end because that allowed us to explore Samos while we waited. The best part was being able to dump our bags in the travel office so we were able to walk around more freely. After some lunch, and wandering through shops, we were able to waste enough time until the ferry arrived.

Mykonos' arrival went much smoother than the one to Samos. Things were looking up. Though arriving much later than we planned, we had someone waiting for us, and he helped with our bags.

The Princess of Mykonos Hotel was more an elaborate maze of suites and villa like rooms. Now I am not saying that is a bad thing, but the name hotel doesn't have the same meaning on the Greek Islands. We had a beautiful room with a sea view, its own balcony--not that we were there to use it--and comfortable plush bed. It was the first time we were in a room that was bigger than a closet. We had space to move around and spread out a little. Too bad we were not staying that long. We enjoyed our time while we had it though.

After a bus into town and a short walk through the labyrinth of streets, we found the bus to the beaches. Not what I expected, but then I am not sure I expected anything but beautiful blue seas. That much I had. The only thing I didn't expect was the cold water. I wasn't able to stay in the water very long. Maybe five minutes at the most. The sand was less sand and more pebbles, but there were comfortable lounge chairs that I was able to rent and just lay back and enjoy the nice weather.

There is a nice charm to the Greek Islands. Each one is different, but have similar aspects. For one, it is laid back and stress free. As I wandered the streets I had no idea where I was going, but I just kept walking anyway. Took a turn here, another there, and in the end I was able to get where I wanted to go each time. I am not sure I would say that Mykonos was my favorite of the island, but there wasn't one I didn't like. It would have been nice to spend some more time there and explore some of the other beaches and town some more, but what can you do. You just have to make the best of the time you have, and that is what I did. The two relaxing days passed quickly and it was time to drag our bags back to the port to skim across the water once again towards Santorini.