DUBAI
Okay, picture this if you will...five ladies, one Mitsubishi Lancer, no map, no gps, and no plans...heading to Dubai for an adventure. Needless to say, we got lost once we entered the city. We went round and round and back and forth on the infamous Sheikh Zayed Rd trying to take the right exit ramp. We circled the Rotana hotel probably 5 times--and laughed each time. We were exhausted and had to stop to get some snacks, water, and most importantly, directions.
We searched for a reasonable hotel to stay in and when we found one we thought we could afford, we were rejected because we didn't all have our passports. Who knew you had to have a passport to check into a hotel? Fortunately, one of the ladies in our crew had her passport so she was able to check into a single room--which we later found at another, less expensive hotel--The Ibis. There we got settled into our rooms, put on our dancing shoes and went to the disco.
We met some professional hip-hop dancers who showed us some cool dance moves and we danced the night away--mostly with each other (the ladies I mean). The next morning we got up and headed out to discover the city.
We ended up on a street facing the beach with a view of the famous Atlantis hotel where we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant (I had the grilled fish and shrimp with rice and steamed vegetables--fabulous! Followed the meal with a Mexican coffee--tasted like it had cinnamon in it---yummo)
After lunch we headed to the beach. mind you we weren't dressed for the beach--we didn't have a plan, remember? We just wanted to see it and walk on the sand. It was packed with beautiful people and chubby tourists (like us). Never have I seen such blue water. Their was a strong breeze and the familiar smell of salt in the air. We soaked it all in and when the sun's heat became unbearable we decided it was time to leave.
We had to hurry home because on of the ladies in our group had an engagement scheduled for that night. So after getting lost only once - we made it on the raod back to al ain.
Pictured are Leah, Beverly, Marta, Isabella, and, of course, me.

Finally, I’m reactivated! Well, actually, I decided not to use NOT having internet as an excuse not to write. So, I’m writing in Word and saving to thumb drive to post to my blog whenever I get the opportunity. Today’s installment is about getting settled into my new apartment, which is furnished by the school system I work for. Pictured above is the lobby in my apartment building.
So, I live in a very large apartment complex called Hili Complex. It’s brand new and consists of about 25 buildings each containing eight stairwell entries—though they are referred to as buildings. I’m in the 53-60 building on the fourth floor—which is actually the fifth floor because they count the ground as its own floor. Some have six some have seven floors, and yes, we have elevators. There are two apartments on each floor.
The front of the complex directly faces the Oman border (Jim, don’t have a cow) and the back of the complex, which my living room balcony faces, is a brand new mall. In fact, I’m really close to about 4 gigantic air conditioning units—woe is me when they start running. The mall is unfinished, so we hear workers banging away until dark. On one side of the complex is the road to where I work and on the other side is a small shopping center—containing many industrial type services, and a small camel farm. Yes, camels.
I have a master bedroom-really big with a balcony, a bathroom, a second bedroom, and a small bedroom with a bath—this is supposed to be the “maid’s quarters”. There’s a really small room (or big closet) across from this room where I do my ironing, a larger entry way, living/dining room, and a reasonably-sized kitchen with an odd room off to the side of it (could be a pantry I guess, but looks like it should be the laundry room). There’s also a half bath near the kitchen and front door. So, let’s recap—that’s 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths – for one person. Egads! It’s really a lot to clean, and if you know me. . .well, I don’t want to put my business out on front street, but let’s just say I may hire a maid from time to time to help me out. They are really affordable. (Mom, don’t get mad) :-)
My apartment was completely unfurnished when I moved in. The only thing I had was electricity, water, and keys. I have three keys for each main room including the front door—even the kitchen has a lock and key-I guess that’s to keep sleep-over guests from raiding your frig at night.
It was really strange starting from scratch—and somewhat daunting. The apartment—called a flat over here—is wired for gas, but I’m funny about gas, so I checked out the electric stoves—a little out of my price range (I’m trying to save money here, not spend it all), so I went with a two burner hot plate and a large toaster oven. This thing is big enough to roast a chicken. It even came with a handy-dandy rotisserie attachment. I haven’t tried that yet—I’m buying my rotisserie chicken from the grocery store—it’s probably tastier than anything I could make and not half as messy. :-)
The education system I work for provided us with a furniture allowance of 20,000 dirhams (1 US dollar is equal to 3.65 UAE dirhams—give or take a dirham). Furniture is a little less expensive over here. With that I purchased my toaster oven, burner, coffee pot, rice cooker, and microwave , silverware, dishes, glasses, and frig (which also has a lock and key – I guess to keep you honest during Ramadan when everyone’s fasting). I got a washer that supposedly dries up to 60%, but it really just has a long spin cycle. This is also in the kitchen because that’s where the water hook up is. It fits right under the counter like a dishwasher. All my clothes have to hang dry once I remove them. I had a couple of friends stop by one evening after my furniture arrived—we like to walk around checking out each other’s apartments—it’s cheap entertainment. Anyway, the one guy in the group asked to use the bathroom. “Sure, no problem” I tell him. I forgot that I had about five pairs of really big granny panties and two orthopedic-looking bras hanging in there drying. Oh well, Cest la vie.
I also purchased a couch/sectional, bedroom set, futon, for when guests sleep over (sleeps two—any takers?) a few rugs, a desk, a flat screen tv, a sound system, bathroom rugs and shower curtains and rods, lamps, bedding, drapes, and bamboo shades., and a partridge in a pair tree.
The walls are made of concrete, so nothing goes in easy. I thought I could handle it—I am woman, hear me roar—well, after making a really big mess of one little bitty hole, I ended up hiring a retired spouse of one of the teachers in my building to put up the rods for the curtains and shower curtain in the extra bedroom bath which is small and required a rod with corners. He did a splendid job and even plastered up the cavernous hole I made.
There’s a water tank on the top of each building that sometimes gets empty, so there have been times when I get up to shower and brush my teeth and run out of water in the middle of my morning routine. As you can imagine, this does not help me start my day off with a positive attitude, but I’m trying to apply the local mindset which is reminiscent of the illustrious philosopher warthog’s attitude. As Poomba would say, “Hakuna Matata”. The Aussie in my building says, “no worries”, and most locals say “no problem” or, and this is the most popular one—Inshallah (basically “Lord willing and the creek don’t rise”,SBT—Southern Baptist Translation). Those phrases can be applied to just about every situation. That’s because there are lots of glitches in the matrix over here, so I guess one has to develop that sort of attitude to keep from going postal. And the post office! Oh my, don’t get me started, that’s a “whole nutha’ level”.
The floors are tile throughout—shiny in the living and hall, matte in the rest of the rooms. The dust and hairballs settle in the corners, and there is a lot of dust, as you can imagine. I’m in the middle of a desert for crying out loud!
I bought a few plants to have another life form in my apartment besides me—still trying to fill that need to nurture I guess. Josh—they are alive, you would be so proud. I miss my dogs :-)
I’m posting a few before and after pictures. Funny, I watched so many HGTV design shows when I was stateside, but still, I struggle. I like so many different styles, and well, you can see for yourself—It’s a little A.D.D. (no offense to those of you who suffer—I too am overcoming an attention deficit……..not really, that is, I've, uh, never been formally diagnose, uh, but...I am scatterbrained)
I’m getting sleepy and have gone on long enough for one entry.
I leave you the words of the timeless voice of a generation- Don Cornelius-
“Love, Peace and . . .Soul!”
God Bless!