One Year, One Month, and 9 days

That's how long it's been since I've even touched this blog. How embarrassing. I found that while I really wanted to use this format to keep in touch, I still prefer emails and phone calls. I feel that my expressions come across more clearly. However, when it comes to photos, only a blog will do!

I've really been lucky to be placed in Al Ain. It's a suburban town (albeit a 130km drive -- that's 80 miles to the US people), with all the amenities that a small city carries, while still rich in the Emirati culture in a way that perhaps Abu Dhabi and Dubai are disconnected from. You drive into Al Ain, surrounded by the uniquely rust-colored sand dunes, and enter into an oasis. Literally. That being said, the city that holds my heart is Dubai. The feeling there is electric and energetic, a cosmopolitan capital in the middle of the desert -- it feels like home crossed with New York. Which only makes sense in my head.

Here are a few photos of the UAE I've captured since I've last blogged.

Camels!

I actually have a song I sing under my breath when I see camels in a truck. It is entitled, "Camels in a Truck"

Camels being taken back from the racetrack

View of Al Ain from Jebel Hafeet 

Mercure Hotel -- Jebel Hafeet Al Ain

Mercure Hotel at Jebel Hafeet -- Al Ain

Sunset over the Date Palm Farms

The Al Ain-Dubai Road

 

The Mosque by my home at night

Camel Crossing

The Camels (and goats) that would be crossing by the roadside

Dubai Skyline (Under Construction)

Living in Al Ain

Sorry I've been so silent! I keep meaning to blog, and then life and work overwhelm me. Besides, I've been pretty laid back. I've moved to the beautiful city of Al Ain, which is about a 1 1/2 from Abu Dhabi and the same from Dubai. Al Ain is called the Garden City, and rightfully so! It's green and lovely (I'll do a photo post this weekend) and charming. One of the unique things about Al Ain is it's roundabouts, which are numerous -- I've been told 746 total in the city, the most in the world! They are treacherous to navigate, but each one has a beautiful themed green space in the center, either a fountain, or statues, or a simple lawn with palm trees.

My apartment is lovely, a 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath with a small balcony off the office/2nd bedroom. It's no where near furnished, though. I have my kitchen setup, and my bed, dresser, and two couches.

Once I'm finished I'll do a virtual tour!

My love to you all!

A Day in The Desert

Before I move away from the luxurious disconnect of the hotel, I thought I would indulge in some tourism of the land I will call home for at least the next two years.
A group of teachers found a wonderful tourism group that takes you out on a desert safari. We were picked up from our hotel, placed in big, white SUVs (the national car here, I think), and driven deep into the desert.

First, we stopped at a Gazelle farm, where the leader of the UAE raises the animals (we just saw them through the fence), they seemed so tiny and fragile.

Then we began the exciting sport of DUNE BASHING! It's off-roading, basically, but where you climb dunes up to 200m tall (our guide told us that they were small compared to elsewhere) and the driver takes you up and down, side to side as if you were on a rollercoaster. The desert scenery makes it even more lovely and when you look at how small you are in comparison to the sand dunes, it's humbling.

We stopped at a camel farm, where the Bedouin farmer allowed me to snap his picture.

We continued our rollercoaster ride for another half hour until we got to our desert camp. It was lovely, inside there were tents, blankets and pillows for us to lounge on, and outside, there were camel rides, ATVs, and sand surfing (it is totally a thing, and fun!)

We had a delicious authentic dinner, with lamb, grilled chicken, lentil curry, hummus and bread. Once we had eaten our fill, we had arabic coffee and smoked sheesha.

It was a magical day in the desert, and an experience not to be forgotten.

Getting Settled, but still not quite there

So, I've been in Abu Dhabi for 2 days, although it feels like much longer, and yet shorter as well. I realize that is a pretty confusing statement, but it's true. The time change as well as the fact that the hours kept here are much different (in part due to Ramadan and in part due to the heat) has thrown my schedule for a loop. I look forward to exploring more when I have the chance.So far, I've slept, attended orientations, and went to the Marina Mall, which is frankly HUGE. We're so insulated from the culture here I haven't felt much differences.  I still haven't received my housing assignments, but I'm not too worried (okay, yes I am, it is me after all), and I should know where I'll be by Wednesday.

I can hear the call to prayer in the distance, which is amazingly beautiful and song-like, it echos throughout the city (all the different mosques provide a call to prayer). The hotel is lovely, beyond lovely, and everyone so kind.

Here's a few pictures I've taken so far.

View from the Hotel Room

LLots of Construction going on

The Emirates Palace is in the distance. It's a hotel, not an actual palace. 

This is the Marina Mall (The humidity fogged up my lens and this was the best shot I was able to get)

And away I go!

I'm leaving in less than 12 hours for the UAE. I'm so happy, and overjoyed that it's finally happening, although there is a slight bitter-sweet quality to my departure. I have some wonderful friends in my life, and I will miss them and my family dearly.

Last Saturday, my parents had a barbecue in my honor, with a few family friends in attendance. That was a blast -- although I had told my mother I didn't want any kind of party, but she sprung it on me, and it was worth it, and we sat and talked about life, teaching, and politics (in my father's company it's unavoidable).

Today, I got to spend a wonderful day with my mom, running the last few errands necessary to make the trip that much more bearable. Then I dropped by my favorite place in the world, The Yarn Garden. Yesterday, they had a bit of a farewell for me, with cake, and gifts. The most touching thing was when everyone went around the room and said something funny or memorable about me -- apparently, I am much more quirky than I had thought. I have some amazing friends.

I have a great life, and it can only get greater with this next stage in my life.  Clear blue skies ahead.

10 days before Goodbye California, and Hello UAE!

My tickets to Abu Dhabi have arrived, and I leave on the 11th of August. I'm thrilled to have everything settled (or nearly -- the documents are in process from the State Department, but are actually in process this time) and ready to be on my way.

However, I'm in the process of saying goodbye: to my family, my friends, and California. I can see myself missing home more than I have before. The beautiful blue skies, the soft breeze, the almost idyllic days of high Summer fading into Fall. The weather has been a gift, really, and it makes me laugh to think I'm willingly subjecting my skin to desert heat when I burn if I think too hard about the sun.

I dragged my parents this weekend to the Getty Villa. I've always loved the Getty Center, which is modern and angular, yet amazingly peaceful - a place to rest, to watch, to absorb stillness.

The Villa, styled after an actual Roman villa, has a very different feel. It is more formal and structured, and you don't feel as if you can truly sit and observe as you can at the Getty Center, however, its hallways are meant to be to strolled, to talk with friends and marvel at the ancient wonders housed within, the little glimpses into the ancient Roman life.


I, of course, headed immediately to the gardens. I have an affinity for plants and flowers, and feel that the true heart of a home is in its garden. The Getty Villa does not disappoint. Two large courtyards, called Peristyles, are the heart of the gardens (although there are a few others as well) --long pools framed with flowers and statues keep the area cool and inviting, while columns and corridors with murals keep the indoors connected to this outdoor room.

We were surprised that morning as we came in from Santa Monica by a rain shower, and it was still raining when we arrived. It rained a short while, just a light sprinkle, and then we were rewarded by a glorious blue sky. When we finished with the Getty, we drove up the coast, up to Oxnard/Camarillo and its famous strawberry fields, and had a lovely late lunch before heading home. It was a wonderful day and so much more precious for the simple fact that I will not be able to have one like it for another two years.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

That's all I'm doing lately. I have to wait for my documents to come back from the State Department, to wait for city assignment (Abu Dhabi or Al Ain?), wait for my e-ticket. All this waiting makes me nervous for what can go wrong. This great adventure is just on the horizon, and so until I leave in August, anxiety just hovers.

In the meantime, let's talk yarn.

I have a never-ending love of nice yarn. Wool, silk, alpaca, I love them all. I indulged in a subscription to Madelinetosh's Sweater Club AND Yarn Club, which pretty much meant I have been on a yarn diet otherwise. Of course, like real diets, they're made to be cheated on...which leads me to my dilemma. I have a great LYS, , which due to unforeseen circumstances had to be temporarily closed. If I buy yarn elsewhere, I feel terrible, but I can't stop myself! So far, I've got 5 skeins of Tosh Merino Light in assorted colors, and plan to get more before I leave. (I'm actually using one of my bags for my knitting accessories and part of my stash)

I did manage to knit into my stash, though. I'm using Bugga! by the Sanguine Gryphon for a pair of socks, as well as a Clockwork shawl/scarf thingy.

It's gloriously soft, squishy, and a dream to workup!

I just finished my first sweater (Tea Leaves Cardigan)in Tosh Merino DK(The Tea Leaves Cardigan), and love it!

More yarn pics to come (when I take some good shots!)