Mosque

Abu Dhabi

Since my first and ONLY post to my Blog...I am learning the real meaning of  PATIENCE!!! I am learning that there is no need to react to anything out of the norm here in the UAE! Since my arrival I've lived at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi for 1 month! I enjoyed living right next door to the Abu Dhabi Mall and all of the ethnic Restaurants nearby! It was Ramadan during most of our stay at the Hotel. Ramadan is the 9th month (Holy Month) when Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. We had to go to our rooms to have a drink of water and wait to eat until after iftar. (break of fast) I've made many new friends while staying here and look forward to reconnecting after we settle into our new locations. The Beach Rotana was very beautiful and had all the amenities that a 5 Star should have! Wow....I feel very lucky to have stayed in such a great place! Abu Dhabi is a crazy city! The entire city is under construction....no kidding!! When you look at the skyline all you can see are cranes and unfinished skyscrapers!  Driving here is NOT something I am looking forward to at all! Most people drive VERY big and luxurious vehicles and they drive very fast! I feel bad for the people driving the small, gutless cars...they don't stand a chance. There are on the average 7 car accidents per hour in the UAE! The buses and taxis are looking really good! I went to a Lebanese Restaurant with a group of teachers and had a huge feast! I am definitely NOT a lamb fan.  We tried smoking from a 'Hubbly Bubbly' also called a shisha after dinner.It was great! I tried the apple flavoured tobacco......hmmmm....I might have to buy a shisha for myself! Our group staying at the Hotel went on a tour of the Grand Mosque.  I was awestruck by the total experience! The weather is very hot and humid with temperatures averaging in the high 30's and low 40's C. Needless to say, I only go outside when I absolutely have to! Looks like ADEC will be moving me to the Western Region to teach in a Coed School. School starts on September 12th if the moon is spotted in the correct position....seriously! I'm learning to hurry up and wait for EVERYTHING!!!

Beach Rotana Hotel