Some experiences

Ramadan as you may have guessed is an interesting time for us. Yesterday on the way to look at villas in Al Ain, which come to find out we can't get, we stopped off at a gas station/mosque for the Islamic men on the bus to get off and pray. It only took five minutes, but I thought it made the day interesting.

Today, as I was waiting for the dr. to get back from breaking his fast, I walked around the block to find somewhere to eat also, and saw a restaurant I recognized. At first I hesitated to go in because I was a woman alone, but finally after sweating up and down a few blocks I went in. I sat in the back at a long table, near the wall. Later an Arabic woman came and sat down next to me to eat. These were cafeteria style tables and the food was a buffet so you pick what you want. I had some salads, and bread and some schwarma chicken. I recognized most of those and knew they were safe. The woman beside me spoke to me in broken English and pushed her bowl toward me to taste. I said, "chicken"? and she said, "same, same,". People here are extremely friendly, and I didn't want to be rude so I fished out a squiggly piece of something and chewed quickly and smiled. It was actually pretty good and did taste like chicken, but the shape had me worried so I pulled the waiter aside later to ask what it was. He said lamb and pointed to his thigh and then said, stomach. I knew it. I had eaten lamb meat in intestines. Surprisingly I kept it down. It really didn't even taste like lamb. So a new experience for me and a great example of the friendliness of the people here.

Of course, I was very hungry. My poor stomach just doesn't know what to make of this new diet.

So, when I get back I find out we're leaving this hotel on Thursday and moving to one in Al Ain, where we will be presented with our keys to our apartment. So much for finding your own accomodations, but actually the apts are okay, and I think as long as we don't shout it about, the dogs are good to go. We'll have four days to furnish the apartment then out we go.

The pictures wouldn't download so I'll try later.

Bazaar at the Expo center

Just so you know, I'm not being deprived. They make an excellent cappacino in the restaurant here. I have only gotten to Starbucks once because it doesn't open until 7:30 and who wants to drink esspresso then?? This is a Turkish? type dancer at the bazaar.

This is one entrance to the bazaar and there's another one on the opposite side

This woman is making perfume. They burn different kinds of wood then add perfumed oils. By the time I left I was feeling a little quesy.

This little boy was having fun at the amusement park part of the bazaar. Like a little fair.

This was a booth of bling. Lots and lots of bling there.

One of the many cloth booths. Very beautiful. This bazaar is very similar to the Christmas markets in Belgium and England. I bet you're wondering what I bought. Cheap shoes and some toys for my students.

Today, I'm going to exercise at the gym again and then hang at the pool. We're desperate to look for houses, but they haven't moved us to Al Ain yet and I don't really want to rent a car and drive. Maybe we'll go tomorrow. Today we may also try to find the teacher store. And for those of you reading this who don't already know, my brother has had his manuscript accepted at a publishing company so within the year should be an official publised author. Way to go Glenn!

and more mosque

What you see here is the place where the women go for their cleansing before going to pray in the Mosque. These are the guides who took us around the mosque and gave us so much information. Then they did a question and answer session. Yes, someone did ask what the men wear under the dishdasha/kandoura. As always excuse my spelling. I will leave the answer a mystery for now. The next picture is of the ceiling. You will see leaves and flowers. On the floor directly below, are identical leaves and flowers on the rug. Both the ceiling and the floor were made by two different people at different times, but somehow the measurements were so exact that it's a mirror image. Very cool. there's so much more to tell, but it's probably boring for you if you weren't there experiencing it. I can't wait to go with Wesley and any other visitors we get....hint hint.

More mosque

The chandelier is Swarvski crystal.

There's more to come, but I'm tired and I still need to shop. May I just add, I wish they had adopted the no smoking rule here like everywhere else. Oh well, change comes slowly, well, except for here apparently. Good night all, I'll add more tomorrow. It's our "Saturday"

The Mosque

As we entered the mosque we had a quide who took us through and told us all about it. The work you see on the large pavillion and the columns is all made up of imported stone and semi precious stones from all over the world. None of it is painted. The white stone on the large pavillion keep cool so even when it's 111 degrees out you can walk on it comfortably. The mosque holds 40,000 people. It is the only mosque here open to the public. Sheik Zayad, I hope I spelled that right, I don't want to insult anyone, who was the founding father of the UAE had this vision to build this mosque so people from all over could experience Islam and see how it is celebrated. He is a very revered figure in the history of the UAE. It was his vision that brought the UAE from tribes to the sprawling and wealthy place it its today. I know I sound like a guide, but you have to understand we've been instructed in the Arabic culture almost everyday we've been here. It's a very polite society and they want to make sure we don't embarrass them or ourselves.

I know, I looked scared. We all had to wear these in the Mosque. Not my best look.

This is the outside. There is only one other mosque that is bigger than this one.

All the wonderful food

Carmela and Tandy

So far we have eaten at an Indian, Arabic, Lebanese, and Brazilian restaurant. No telling what will be next. Here are some pics of my friends and the meat carver at the Brazilian restaurant. They carve the meat at the table and you use little tongs to take it and put in on your plate. We were joined that night be two teachers who taught here last year. Bless them both, we peppered them with questions but they were so nice to answer them all and relieve a few of our worries.

orientation continued

Yesterday we had a speaker called Ali, who has a book, radio program and website called "Ask Ali" He shared his knowledge of Arabic culture with us and reassured us that we would not be arrested if seen eating or drinking in public or if we were dressed inappropriately. But that it was considered polite to eat or drink in private during Ramadan and to at least have your shoulders and knees covered. That was a big relief to a lot of us. What he basically stressed was that the Arabic people are more aware of the importance of the social and religious rules. They aren't as worried about things like getting a ticket for speeding, but if they lose face by doing something against the religion it is a big deal. He was really funny and very informative.

Today we had more inservice training and arabic lessons. I think the thing that is going to be the hardest in teaching here is to get the students used to cooperative learning and problen solving. It's also going to be hard to convince the parents that students are doing well if they show improvement in skills. Parents want to see grades, and they are moving away from the importance of grades in the lower grades. Up until last year, even 1-3 graders had exams and their grades came, for the most part, from those exam scores. We are really pioneers in this country with the way we teach. It will take time for the native teachers to accept and use some of our teaching methods.

Wesley is taking good care of the dogs. Here they are with their new haircuts.

I am going to a bazaar tonight and may finally break down and buy and abaya. We'll need one to go to a Mosque tomorrow anyway and I don't want to wear one that they lend to tourists. Who knows where that has been!

I'm really enjoying our Arabic lessons and hope they will come in handy this year.

Arabic Schools

Orientation also included a trip to one of the model schools in AD. We had time to reflect on the mornings presentations and then we had Arabic lessons. I know I said we weren't supposed to learn Arabic, but I guess they realized we need some basic language skills. Not to mention it helps us relate to what the students will be going through when they are trying to learn our language.

The pictures are of a display in the school courtyard, the school courtyard, the side of the cafetorium, and two bulletin boards. The rooms were a little smaller than ours, but the school seems very nice. They have a real big center courtyard.

orientation

This is going to be a long one, so hope you don't get bored.

Our first day of orientation began in an auditorium in the hotel. We were given a presentation about Abu Dhabi and the new education reform. The basic reason behind the reform is to have the country in a place so that they are no longer dependent on gas and oil. They are aware that it is not a renewable resource and that they need to be prepared for the time when it is no longer available. The Crown Prince and his cabinet of advisors came up with the 2030 plan and one of the main parts of the plan is to educate their young so that they will be globally competative. At this point very few of their graduates continue on to universities. The speaker was the head of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili. One statement that he made stood out in my mind. "Teachers are the force behind the success of the children." Abu Dhabi is pouring money into the education system. 300 schools are going to be brought up to date technologically in one year. Hundreds of teachers are being brought in to teach English, math and science to the students in the schools. They want their children to become problem solvers.

There are 1 million people in AD right now and by 2030, there will be 3 million. To prepare for this they are moving into other areas of production such as technology, chemicals, medicines, tourism and other things. Right now they are the 3rd largest producer of the semiconductor, a chip that runs the electrical part of the engine. If you look around the city there are many skyscrapers that are in the contruction phase and they are all really interesting shapes. I would think any architects would find this place amazing. We were shown the future plans for AD including a metro system, shaded walkways, green areas. All plans for contruction include energy efficient cooling systems. They are very conscious of keeping the country environmentally safe. I was so impressed by all the plans.

After the presentation about the future of AD we had a presentation about Ramadan. It's a lot like our Christmas in that they celebrate and put up Ramadan Kareem signs and colored lights.
Other than that, not so much. Ramadan means dryness or heat. It starts with a new moon and continues until the end of the moons cycle, about a month. It is based on the phase of the moon so each year it's 10 days earlier. During Ramadan, Muslims fast, meaning no food, liquid, smoking or intimacy from sunup to sundown. They also refrain from inappropriate behaviors, both seeing or doing.

In the Islam faith there are five pillars of belief. One of them is fasting during Ramadan. the others are, 1st Pillar- Declaration of Faith, 2nd Pillar- five daily prayers, 3rd Pillar- Donation 2.5% of you savings to the poor annually, 4th Pillar- Fasting, 5th Pillar-Pillgramage to Mecca in your lifetime if physically and financially able.

The reason they fast is to help them relate to the poor and hungry, in addition it's healthy because it lowers blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and improves endurance, strength, and self discipline. I can attest to the fact that it lowers blood sugar. Sometimes we are out and can't eat or drink and we get so hungry. I get really dizzy, and others have mentioned that too. We can always eat in private, but if we're out doing something we can't. It's really hard. I honestly don't know how they do it. Women who are menstruating, pregnant or breast feeding are exempt as well as the unhealthy adults, children under 12, and adults who are traveling.

After Ramadan they celebrate for three days, feast, see relatives and give gifts as well as pray.

I thought that it was interesting to learn about Ramadan and to see the future plans for AD.

Hope you all learned a little something.

On the mend

Finally got out and about today. Still moving slowly and stomach still a little touchy. I spent a little time at the pool, then the long afternoon nap, followed by dinner at 8:30 and a trip to the mall. We left the mall at 12:30 am. It was really packed there tonight. I haven't been to the mall this late and there were people everywhere. As the pictures will show, you see everything from women totally covered to some barely covered. We err on the side of modesty of course.

At night the mall really comes alive. We saw Burt and Ernie having fun with the kids.

Tomorrow, those teachers placed in Al Ain travel by bus to see the city and what our choices of accomodations might be. I'm excited to see where we'll be living. The city is fun, but I think I've had enough for now. It will be awhile, maybe a week or two before we get to actually move there though. Next week is school orientation and we'll be traveling to some of the schools that teachers will be placed at. (sorry about the preposition) Another large group is coming in tonight. They will probably be housed in a different hotel. I think we have this one pretty well filled up. We will also be treated to some sightseeing.

Missing family and friends, but glad to be feeling better. I have made some really good friends here already. I wish they were all going to be in Al Ain too.

If anyone had told me I would be up past midnight consistantly, I would never have believed it. But the afternoon naps do help.

Thank you Immodium

Been in the room for two days now except for a taxi ride to the dr. and back. Got some kind of intestinal parasite I'm guessing. He gave me an antibiotic and some medicine for the two symptoms one gets with this type of illness. Hope to be up and about by tomorrow, the walls are closing in. So, no new pictures or info. Sorry folks. Maybe I'll have something to post tomorrow.

Barbie

Barbie and Ken Arabic style. They do however carry all other kinds and they are dressed a little more appropriately then the ones in Walmart.

Today was a kind of strange day for me. I was so tired because I had not taken a nap the day before so I would sleep last night, but we had a 6:00 am medical appt and I guess I must have been worried I'd miss it so I didn't sleep all night. The medical check went fine. We were a bit loud in the waiting room and had to be quieted several times, but there were over a hundred of us trying to go through the process. I finally got back to the hotel and breakfast was still being served for us. After eating I went to my room and slept until 6 pm. Now I'm really messed up. I went with another teacher to Carrefour and got some food to keep in my room.

I am experiencing a little homesickness and missing my family. I skyped with one daughter today. I'm sure I'll be fine and this is to be expected.

We are going to be placed in Al Ain which is what we requested. It's supposed to be a beautiful place, drier and cooler, well, at least drier. It is an oasis and a somewhat smaller city. I think we'll really like it there. Now, to sleep, perchance to dream!

Eating out- again

Dessert and chicken dishes. Lentil soup and some kind of juice.

Our group for the night and the name of the Restaurant

This time we had a guide. A teacher who lives here took us around. We ate at a real Arabic style restaurant. They treated us so great and kept bringing us things that we didn't order, like three different kinds of juice, one of which was, I believe, Tang. Our guide said it was popular here. The other two were some kind of purple juice. The food was great, very colorful and the dessert was so sweet and soaked in honey. I saw a lot of similarities to Greek food. They make a schwarma- which is like the pita's we used to get in Belgium. Then we walked he city streets, the indoor soulks, and the outdoor soulks. We walked down one alleyway which I call Abaya Alley because it's all fabric and abayas for sale. Another street is all jewelry stores, and there's a huge store for household items, similar to IKEA, only not so modern. Very nice night, ate too much and got a stomach ache of course, but it was fun.

Faculty meeting??

Yes, this IS how faculty should be treated. We were gathered together in the ballroom that looked like something out of the museums in Italy. Gilded golden ceilings and fancy wall hangings. Even though we had all just eaten another huge breakfast, they made sure we had refreshments. It was very kind of them because I'm sure most of them were fasting for Ramadan. The ADEC people shared some important information (hint, make a copy of everything!) and we filled out paperwork so we could get paid. Always an important thing to do. They were kind enough to answer questions for us, sometimes more than once. I'm sure we tried their patience but they never showed it. Health check tomorrow and the next day fingerprints. I spent a few minutes by the pool. The heat actually felt good because the pool was even a bit chilly. I'm so sleepy, up at 5:00 am again, but I don't want to nap. I want to try and sleep a full night tonight. We'll be exploring the Souks after sundown tonight. That should be fun!