Random Monkey Acts

Yesterday we went on a brunch cruise along the Abu Dhabi corniche. I didn't get sea sick and I had a lot of fun!

They served us champagne the whole time we were cruising and I drank a little too much - I had to come home and take a nap. Good thing Sassafrass was driving!

I decided to try some shrimp from the buffet. It tasted good, but I had a hard time peeling back the feelers and eyes, maybe next time I will ask them to do that for me - ewww!

Sassafrass bought a new ring the day before and she wore it on the cruise. This is my favorite one - I wanted to steal it for myself!

This morning we went for breakfast at Mugg & Bean. Coffee was great for my hangover, but I couldn't decide on the sugar - white? brown? or Sweet N Low?

Dubai for Pepe

Pepe's recent adventures in Dubai. He's one crazy monkey!

Checking out the hotel rooms - these beds are nice. What should I write home about?

Hanging out by the pool, even though the sun had set it was still relaxing.

Now it's time to hit the sauna - why are we in here when it's 105 degrees outside with 75% humidity? I just don't know.

At the Dubai Museum learning about the history of the United Arab Emirates. Where's the monkeys?

Their doorways are so small for Sassafrass, but I'm good!

Dubai creek - filled with Abras (water taxis).

Riding the Big Bus to see the city sites, it's cool in here, but hot outside!

Wafi Mall - everyone will think I've gone to Egypt!

Brunch at Planet Hollywood. I saw Lawrence of Arabia's dishdasha! Sweet! [Oh, and there he is behind me!]

Single and Dancing

Okay the title is a little misleading... yes, I am currently without my husband AND on Thursday night I saw some great flamenco dancing!

I realized today that being without my husband has been a little weird and a little nice too. I have never lived on my own, so the two and a half weeks without him was quite the experience. Even though my mom is here I still feel the difference of being temporarily single.

I looked at my bed today. I don't make my bed in the morning (I know - shame for shame) but it's funny because half the bed is still made. I have tugged a little bit on the top blanket but for the most part it is laid out and smooth! Also, I did some laundry and I placed it on the bed to be put away, but I never did get back to it and there it lies still! If Levi had been here I would have put the laundry away, but it's in nobody's way and it's so convenient for me. Oh dear! What have I started?!

For two weeks I also did not have to worry about: what's for dinner? what's for lunch? what do you want to do today? It was all about me: I'm hungry now and I don't feel like cooking much so I will have popcorn for dinner or just a small sandwich. I think I will just lounge on the couch today or I will have lunch with a friend impromptu.

Even though I have enjoyed my time alone and do not want to give up what I do have with Levi. I am starting to miss him terribly and I still have 7 weeks until we see each other again... I hope I can survive!

On a lighter note, my mother and I went to see the "Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Company" at Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage. I was very entranced by the dancing - it's so amazing! There were 2 male dancers and 1 female along with 3 guitarists, 1 percussionist, 1 female singer and 1 male singer. There were so many ways to rearrange this amount of people that it made it fun. Even though the male dancers were performing most of the time it was still fun for all of us. The female dancer did accompany one guitarist on castenets, but not while she was dancing (what a beautiful sound though).

In the end we all felt how amazing the whole performance was and we were glad that we could participate in such a great, FREE event!!!

Teachings of the Quran

Today I was talking with a co-worker. The discussion started because she wants to put Red Crescent (yep, just like Red Cross) collection banks in each classroom so the boys will learn to give what they can to the poor and others in need. She started to tell me about what the Quran says about giving to the poor and then the conversation went on from there. I learned quite a bit and I thought that I would share a few things:

1. The Quran states that after you have paid your bills you should give 2.5% of the leftover amount to the poor.

2. It contains detailed information on how a fetus grows from conception to birth.

3. It gives detailed instructions on how inheritance money should be split among a person's relatives/survivors/community in the case of their death (no will needed!)

4. It states that a man must give his wife an allowance even if she has plenty of her own money to spend.

5. It states that a man can take many wives only in dire circumstances (i.e. the other wife can no longer have children (or never could); the other wife does not desire other children and the husband does; the first wife agrees to another marriage).

6.The Quran also states that anal sex is a no-no because of the health risks.

7. It says that married women are allowed to go and visit her parents without her husband's permission.

8. It also says that married women should have their independence to run businesses or seek other endeavors without their husbands looking over their shoulder all the time.

9. Lastly, (of the things we talked about and that I remember) people should not eat any type of meat from pigs because they are dirty, foul animals.

Remember the Quran was written over 2000 years ago. I was amazed at the detail that it entails and the strict guidance that it gives. As in any religion there are those people that use the words to their own interpretation and give everyone else a bad name (uh like the Taliban). I respect those Muslims that follow the Quran with all their heart, but I still am fully convinced that the Bible is the book to help guide my life.

Men and Women

Today I did something that I usually never hesitate to do at home - I passed on an elevator because only 2 men where getting in with me. Both men entered and one waved me on but I just shook my head and waited for the door to close. At home it seems that this would never be a problem, although we women should be cautious there too, but today I was very conscious of it.

Visas

Well I think after 8 months of waiting that I may finally have my residency visa!!! When I first arrived they asked for quite a bit of paperwork and I have to admit that I was a little slow in turning them in, but 5 months later the paperwork has been processed. We are in the last few days of the process, the final papers are being filed and within a few days I will go in for a blood test. Once these things are complete then I will be an official "temporary" resident of the United Arab Emirates.

The visa will last for 3 years and allows me to work during that time for my current employer. I believe the visa can be continually renewed until a person is of retirement age. Once you retire you are kicked out back to your home country - even if you were born here! (Okay let me explain that one: a co-worker's parents came from India, he was born here, but is not a UAE national, so when he retires he will be kicked out and must return to India, a place that he has never lived!)

After 8 months of running for the border I will no longer be obliged to go out of my way to update my visa. This will really help me to move onto other worries that are bothering me....

The Toilet - Everyone needs it

When we were young my sisters and I always knew where the bathrooms were in every store or restaurant that we visited. I guess as a kid it was like an adventure to see the bathroom and know where it was at; now that I’m older this has not really gone away.

In Abu Dhabi everywhere I go I know where the bathroom is or I find out very quickly. Here I have found that there are many types of bathrooms and I have learned to not be surprised by what is behind that female bathroom sign.

Most women here use the sprayer instead of toilet paper, so I know that the majority of bathroom floors will be covered in water, but I always hope that I can find one without it. Many mall bathrooms have a cleaner that walks around and mops the stalls, keeps the towels and soap filled, and wipes down the counters, so in general the bathrooms are clean. The great things about the restrooms (no matter where I have been) are the stalls – they are fully enclosed! This means that the walls are tiled and solid, the doors close all the way (no cracks for people to look through) and they are almost floor to ceiling; there is so much privacy I wonder why we can’t have these at home!

While visiting Oman I have seen different types of bathrooms. My first experience was during my first visa run – the one where I became very ill and almost passed out due to lack of water. The Omani visa check-point was packed with people and when I visited the restroom I also found it packed with people and the floor covered with water; the toilet had no seat and there was no toilet paper. This put me right out of my comfort zone, but I survived! My other experience was more recent, while wandering at a new visa check-point we stopped at a gas station; I knew that the toilet would be a hole in the floor and it was, but I also survived that.

Even at work the bathroom is a constant issue. Without going into too many details I have found that the teachers are very messy and the toilets back up frequently. A few weeks ago they had to hire a plumber to come out and unplug the drains due to the back up and I thought we were without a bathroom (at least for a few days). While nursing a full bladder one day I wandered into an unused part of the school building and found a hidden restroom! It was meant to be and even though they have cleared up the other bathroom I still insist on venturing to my “off-the-radar” bathroom on a daily basis.

I know that this is an unusual topic, but it is something that stays on my mind while venturing in and around Abu Dhabi. I hope you found it interesting.