Time for some fun...especially for E and friend or Frick and Frack as they are now being called.

Play time at Fun City in Marina Mall...all the malls have large play areas for kids.

Then, off we went to the ice rink for bumper cars. I couldn't wait!

Next, we explored the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Domed courtyard in the Emirates Palace

After dinner at Al Mushrif Mall, we made our final stopped at Cafe Noir for strawberry ice cream and crepes. I should not have had that latte. It is 2:48am and I am still posting pictures and blogging...I better go to bed.

By Thursday, it was time to get the laundry done. We are waited inside the lobby for our taxi instead of going out into the sauna.

The view on the way to Marina Mall which is close to our hotel.

Marina Mall has a hypermarket called Carrefour  in the basement (this has been our grocery store while staying in the hotel) along with plenty of retail shops, restaurants, and ice skating rink on the upper floors. We went today in hopes of catching the shuttle to Ikea, but we happened by during their break. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Under one of the Marina Mall tents

Looks like a fun place to come for dinner in the near future.

After a 2 hour nap and hanging out at the hotel, we took in a late dinner at 9pm. We decided to skip the rush hour dinner time at sunset for all those fasting and go later. We ended up at the Lebanese Flower.

Some things are almost the same wherever you go!

 Since our apartment is unfurnished, we have been doing quite a bit of comparative shopping. We have AED 20,000 or approximately $5,000 to purchase everything from kitchen to bed and bath. We were a bit worried, but we have found very good prices on all items.

After getting a recommendation on a store that had good discounts on beds and sofas, we think we found one possibility. Can you guess which one we may go with out of the three?

On Tuesday, we had no obligations, so we headed out to the Grand Souk. Great design ! We negotiated the purchased a couple of poufs for the apartment (we are going to eat Emarati style at home...on the floor), checked out the perfume and spice stores, and bought some food to eat back at the hotel. No eating, drinking, or gum chewing out until sunset, since it is Ramadan.

Grand Souk 

Mosque across the street from the Grand Souk.  Mosques are everywhere.

Windows inside the souk.

Corridors in the souk

E's photo of items he liked 

Finally, we arrived late Saturday after delays and having been rerouted through London!

The view from our room at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The view from friend's room (Emirates Palace Hotel is in background).

Monday... almost time to leave our hotel  for a day trip to Al Ain (our placement) to check out our accommodations. I do not know anything about my school assignment as of yet.

Fadi rode up front in our bus for  the leg room.  He didn't know he would be of  help later when our driver was left behind by the lead bus. Yes, we were lost and literally driving around in circles. Fadi was able to talk to the organizer on the phone. We had to wait for someone to come and lead us to Mawaiji Village. There was much waiting around on the bus this day. Did I mention it was about 120 degrees?  

                                                

     

The trees and dunes as we near Al Ain.

Our building is on the right.

Front of our building with other EMTs (English Medium Teachers).

Our kitchen has no appliances, so we will budget our housing allowance very carefully. I opt for a hot plate and toaster oven instead of a stove and oven. I am sure that doesn't surprise many of you. 

Here is one of the two bedrooms in our apartment. They are both a good size. We will  need  wardrobes, since there are  no closets.

Two and a half baths...yea,  no sharing!

Off we go...?

Packed and ready to go! We fly to Chicago, then to Amman, and finally into Abu Dhabi.

Here are some of our new family members that we are getting to know very well. A truly super group of teachers who are hanging well together through delays in ATL and a missed flight in Chicago. Now, we waiting for a flight to London , after that... Abu Dhabi.

Au revoir! Arrivederci! Auf Wiedersehen! Adiós!

We have said our goodbyes over the last month with our family and as many friends as we could possibly fit into our schedule. If we missed some of you, please forgive us.  As of this evening, our visits are complete and some sadness has hit. We are so blessed to have friends and family who love and support us. Thank you.

Our departure is less than 48 hours away. And, yes, we are all leaving together on Thursday which was a surprise. A week ago, I received a change of itinerary, so we have been busy finalizing everything. A few things to do tomorrow, and then we're off!

Preparations and News

Summer has been jammed packed with activities in preparation for the move to Abu Dhabi.  On Saturday, a small group of AD teachers gathered for a second meet and greet with their families at a drive-in theater for some camaraderie and Madagascar 3. We had much to discuss, especially after attending an ADEC Predeparture Webinar the day before. Now, we know that most of us, those who had all the authenticated paperwork completed and in before the May deadline, will be departing somewhere around August 8-12. Six more weeks, instead of 5 to get everything done... yea!


On the home front, the townhouse is almost completely packed, one of our two cars is sold, and some furniture has been sold. The townhouse has not rented yet, however, it is good to be able to stay in our house as long as possible. Much of the remaining summer will be spent visiting with our family and friends, and the three of us will finally have some time off together in July.


Even though I would like and did request that Fadi and Emile go with me to Abu Dhabi from the start, more than likely they will not join me for a month or more as suggested by Teach Away and ADEC. This is due not only to the fact that I will be going through medical exams, orientation, and getting setup in a new school, but I just learned I will be the one applying for their residence visas once I have arrived and received mine. Otherwise, they would go on tourist visas that are only valid for 30 days, and this could mean border runs to Oman to renew their visas. Thankfully, these two guys are willing to do whatever needs to be done!


For now, I will keep moving forward with the things that need to get done,and wait to receive my itinerary and ticket which will be the next time I blog.