Surviving the First Week

Above - Al Jimi Mall, the big one in Al Ain. Everyone seems to go there at night. Has everything you could think of.

Above - One of 3 bathrooms in flat.

Above - View of the street out the fron of the flat.

Above - Dining room.

Above - Front door and some of courtyard.

Well, i made it through week one..fewwwu. I hope that is going to be my hardest week, regarding the homesickness and feeling lost. Already i feel better about things, at least for the remainder of the 3 months posting.

I'm still based out of the Hotel Massa, whilst the hotel is nothing to write home about, it does give me somewhere to rest the head and is only 10 minutes from the office. I have attached some photos here of the flat my hosts have organised. It still isn't furnished yet, but i have been applying some pressure for this to happen, and was told to make a list of the furnishings i needed..sounds like a good opportunity to get that plasma wide screen. I want to get into the flat asap, i really think it will help me to get even more stability and a sense of 'home away from home'.


There are 46 stations on the TV, 2 have English languages, the BBC, which has 24 hour updates on all the war-torn fighting in the middle East and Channel 2, which is the movie channel, playing the very average 'B' films from the 1980's. I did stumble across a 3rd channel which had CSI just finishing (series from 4 years ago) and the 2nd episode from series 1 of McLeod's Daughters. this reminded me of FS.


I'm still hardly eating, just with the way the days go, i probably eat once a day and it is usually the Arabic and Lebanese wraps or chicken, very tasty though. The boss here is a very big fella (wide), and loves taking meals at 10pm, at pizza hut or Maccas. I'm trying to turn down his of offers of dinner together as politely as possible, whilst 2 other guys here are always heading to the Ramada Hotel at 11pm for a couple of drinks and to watch the Colombian singers. I went once, 2 beers cost me 40 Dhs or $16 Aus. I have decided that i need to get straight to bed when finishing work, or i am too trashed the next morning...funny, nothing changes.


I was really excited yesterday, i used Skype to call home and was able to have a good chat with Fs and the kids and we could see each other with the web cam. It was pretty good, in that there was bugger all delay, and the image was good too. It was so good to see the family. B1 and B2, are more talkative on the skype than the phone which is nice. B3 was excited and talked about a concert and really wanted me there (FS later told me there isno concert), but he was excited and loved telling me he missed me and loved me. B4 was smiling and calling Dadda the whole time, i could see him trying to jump into the computer where my image from the webcam was displayed.


I joined the gym at the Hilton yesterday also. Whilst i have no idea when i will get there, i am going to try to structure my days a little better to allow time to get there for a swim, pump iron and look at myself in the mirror...that is what you do right? i am also hopeful of meeting some others through the club also.


I am heading to Dubai for a meeting this evening, and have tomorrow off work (Friday weekend) and also the Saturday for a change, it is the Islamic New Year. not sure what i will do, although i will probably try t catch up a little at the office, but am hoping to go out to the Al Ain, sand golf course, apparently a full sized course, all sand...i should be used to the sand from my efforts at Longy G.C. Speaking of which, i am missing not being near the surf, but was glad to see on the realsurf website that it has been very flat, sorry guys.


There are so many interesting things about the UAE, Al Ain, mainly the people. there are over 161 different nationalities living in the UAE. Everyone calls me Mr Nick and all are so friendly. I may shake hands and say hello to the same person 5 times a day in the office, such is their politeness and friendliness.


Weather here at this time of year is great, very sunny, mid 20's everyday. All the locals have complained about how cold it is, and the local Al Ain Times, ran an article about how shivering everyone has been and reminding people to put their heaters on at night. putting it into perspective, i have been wearing nothing more than a collared shirt.