Hello all! Okay already . . . I apologize for not keeping up with my blog after I left the Tilal Liwa Hotel. Since we left and moved into our spanking new apartments, life has been a freakin’ whirlwind. I mean, I literally felt like I was in an Arabian Tornado. I am even confused as to how to write this blog; should it be about my new place, my new job (and all that comes along with that experience), or the past few social outings I’ve had the pleasure of partaking in? The thought of writing three, or maybe even four separate blogs gave me a headache. On top of all that, I am struggling on how to word the blogs, so my loyal readers can truly appreciate this travelling experience of mine. The reason for this is due to the fact that some of the events, actions and experiences that have gone down in the past month cannot be repeated (at least online for the world to read) or will offend several people. One of the weekends I had to swear, what felt like, an ancient Arabian code of secrecy as to not get anyone in trouble or disowned. Therefore, I hope you all understand why I’ve been lacking in my travel blog duties.
What all of that being said, I’ve decided to just deal with it and write a few posts this weekend. How about we start at my new town, shall we? This way, you are not lost after the 12th paragraph of me explaining exactly what I am living in. J
The U.A.E. is a country with seven emirates (‘states’ by U.S. standards), the richest of which is Abu Dhabi – not Dubai, like many believe. Within the Abu Dhabi Emirate are several regions, cities, towns, etc. When I first arrived, I stayed in Abu Dhabi city (well, just outside, on Yas Island). I am now in the Al Gharbia region (a ‘county’ of the Abu Dhabi Emirate). The town I live in, in Al Gharbia is called Madinat Zayed, or as the locals call it, ‘Beda Zayed’. It is a lovely desert town bordered by the Empty Quarter and the Arabian Gulf. The Empty Quarter is the largest expanse of desert in the world reaching into Saudi Arabia. The Arabian Gulf is what we Americans refer to as, The Persian Gulf. Although I am about 2 or 3 hours through the desert to the gulf, so don’t get too excited. If you’re actually interested in the UAE, check out this link: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html
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| The United Arab Emirates |
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| The UAE in comparison to the Middle East |
Oh, the lovely sprawling metropolis of Madinat Zayed…how do I describe you? Ummm, I don’t know where to begin. Well, it is the largest town in the Western Region of Al Gharbia. The population? No idea. I am going to have to compare it to Collegeville, PA (the town next to where I grew up). The ONLY thing I can compare it to with Collegeville, is the population (and I may even be overestimating at that). No, we are devoid of minivans and soccer moms in there soon-to-be foreclosed on, McMansions and pharmaceutical brat husbands (Dottie, you are not included in this bitter description—you’re normal). We are actually devoid of about 99% of what Collegeville has. We go have a gas station . . . a supermarket (two actually) . . . and a shopping facility they call the ‘City Mall’. I wouldn’t categorize it as a mall, but they love their malls and from the outside I guess it could be perceived as a mall. Oh, and they have a stall in the mall that sells, just corn in a cup. I mean, that is genius, I tell you! Anyway, by Western Regions, we are lucky. Along with the gas station, supermarkets and the mall we have it pretty good compared to the other towns spread across Al Gharbia. We have the Tilal Liwa hotel about 30 minutes away with a bar (important as there are no liquor stores here) and pool. We also have a few awesome shwarma and falafel stands, an amazing Greek restaurant called Al Nafoora, an ‘Industrial Area’ with furniture and carpet shops (catering to the Arabian tastes, if that is how you roll), a few bakeries, a couple schools, a mosque every 2 blocks, about 4,000 speed bumps and a beautiful park/garden. In the evenings, which are cooling down to a less excruciating 85 degrees, something happens which I am still getting used to. The town swarms with men of the Pakistani/Indian/Bangladeshi/Phillipino origin. When I say swarm, I am not exaggerating. They come out in droves! I swear, one of these nights I am going to drive through this one particular area by the Co-Op (supermarket) with a hidden video of the masses of men.
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| Men at Mosque |
Before I came to the UAE, the organization I went through, Teach Away, warned us of the whole ‘culture shock’ we would experience. Now, I have travelled around the world before, but never lived anywhere overseas for longer than a few months. So, even this was new to me. Needless to say I am in the second stage of culture shock called ‘the adjustment period’. It is too hot, they drive too fast (the locals, that is), they have little to no concept of personal space, they scream at their children, it takes four to five tries to get anything accomplished here, you get stared at like you have a duck growing out of your head, this whole covering up thing is getting old, there are no good-looking men out here, you don’t dare draw attention to yourself and this entire emirate is under a constant state of construction. However, the people are generous, they have an actual interest in what you have to say when they ask how you are, they get excited when you try to speak Arabic, it is not what the media makes the Middle East out to be – especially for us Americans, the scenery is breathtaking, chivalry is not dead here, many Arabic women do not feel mistreated as many of us think they are and it has been the experience of a lifetime that I will never regret. So . . . the good, with the bad.
Anyway, with all of that being said, it really is okay. I think I may be progressively leaving my second phase of culture shock (internet, Glee, and a cooperative co-teacher help, too). There are a few good places to eat, the ‘people watching’ is hilarious (or should I say, people watching me) and my apartment is nice. I’ve made it my home and I can’t really ask for too much more. I am also lucky to be at the school I’m at. It is a school that is more reminiscent of a third world country, by the people make up for it in spades. I have a nice staff I am with and the principal is sweet, but strong. Overall, things are okay. When (and if) things change, you’ll be the first to know. Enjoy!
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| Camels at a dead end |
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| Camels Hangin' Out |
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| More camels chillin' |
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| It never gets old... |
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| Main road heading through town |
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| Some stores |
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| Some more stores |
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| Main drag |
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| Little park in town |
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| Mosque near mt house |
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Whoever the engineer is, has a serious OCD condition regarding speed bumps!
They are everywhere to slow people down, when really, they are there to slow the locals
down. No one else can afford the speeding fines and the locals do not have to pay the
fines anyway! So, in actuality they exist just to piss me off... |
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| My building from distance |
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| Oh, the joys of construction in the desert. |
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| My neighborhood, once of the main road |
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If you go through my roundabout (another obsession of theirs) and
keep driving, this is the view |
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What most local homes look like. This is still being built, but
they are all surrounded by big concrete walls. |
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| In and out of Madinat Zayed |
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| Fish and Veggie Market in town |
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| Dunes I am surrounded by |
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