I have never used a blog before. Nor have I read many blogs. So, I'm just going to wing it and write rough drafts of whatever comes to mind. My arrival in Abu Dhabi was an exciting one. After landing I was informed that they did not have my visa (even though it was issued and I even had a copy of it!). So, I was required to wait it out in the airport until the original was found. This worked out ok because they ended up putting me in a private lounge that had a buffet of local food and a fully stocked bar. Additionally they did the favor of fetching me my bags while I waited. So while all the other teachers on my flight were busy tracking down their baggage and cramming into shuttles, I was sitting in the lounge chowing on some local food and enjoying a tonic beveridge! I wasn't complaining, especially after nearly 19 hours of travel, including a two and a half layover in Amman, Jordan.
There are many differences in the UAE compared to the U.S. that are immediately obvious. First is the weather. It is hot and humid more so than I have ever experienced anywhere. It's been the norm to shower at least 2 to 3 times a day. Also, I arrived in midst of Rammadan, a month long Muslim holiday. During the Holiday the Islamic people fast all day, generally from first prayer (usually around 4:30 A.M., and there is a minimum of 5 prayer times a day) until sunset, around 8:00 P.M. The fast includes food, water, tobacco, etc... To be respectful of the culture, it is expected that nonmuslims do not partake in food/drink consumption in public. Another major change is the conversion to the metric system. I still have no idea how fast I'm going (in mph) in cars! They also use Celcius instead of Farebheit. I have no idea what the relative temperature is, except HOT!
There are many differences in the UAE compared to the U.S. that are immediately obvious. First is the weather. It is hot and humid more so than I have ever experienced anywhere. It's been the norm to shower at least 2 to 3 times a day. Also, I arrived in midst of Rammadan, a month long Muslim holiday. During the Holiday the Islamic people fast all day, generally from first prayer (usually around 4:30 A.M., and there is a minimum of 5 prayer times a day) until sunset, around 8:00 P.M. The fast includes food, water, tobacco, etc... To be respectful of the culture, it is expected that nonmuslims do not partake in food/drink consumption in public. Another major change is the conversion to the metric system. I still have no idea how fast I'm going (in mph) in cars! They also use Celcius instead of Farebheit. I have no idea what the relative temperature is, except HOT!
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