Eagle Park entrance sign in Cache. Once a novelty amusement park, it’s now more of a graveyard for carnival rides and Quanah Parker’s deteriorating “star” house, which was relocated here from nearby Fort Sill in 1956. 

Yesterday (Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011) Gary took me to see the Grand Mosque here in Abu Dhabi.  It is the 3rd largest Mosque in the world.  The mosaics and general scale of the place were very impressive.  I had to wear an abaya (robe) and a Hijab (head covering) while at the mosque.  They are actually pretty comfortable, but I wouldn't want to have to wear it everyday.  The inside of the mosque is bare except for some amazing chandeliers and decorations.  One chandelier is the largest in the world.  Visiting the mosque was a unique and beautiful experience.

The view from our 21st floor hotel room is pretty amazing most of the day.  We even get beautiful sunsets!  I enjoy just looking out of the window and watching the traffic go by on a regular basis.  

Dubai Mall

Dubai -- November 19, 2011

Friday evening, Gary and I were treated to an amazing dinner at a place called Shangri-La by Gary's friend Joe and his wife Hanna.  The Stanley's then had us stay the night at their beautiful home so we could all get up early and spend a day shopping and sight-seeing in Dubai.  About 2:30, Gary's phone went off and, still dealing with a messed-up sleep schedule, neither of us could get back to sleep.  We got up and played around on-line for a bit.  After a while I thought I would try to get some sleep--one does need energy to shop after all!  Ten minutes later, Gary came in and excitedly told me that my dad and step-mom were on skype with him.  This was exciting for both of us as it was our first time to video conference with anyone back home.  Afterwards, we both tried to sleep again; Gary succeeded, but I did not.  So, with three hours of sleep, I attacked the day!  We stopped to get some much needed coffee at a gas station along the way, and I encountered my first public toilet in the UAE.  I had to get toilet paper from a roll on the sink counter before choosing a stall (thankfully, Hanna had informed me ahead of time).  There were two types of stalls:  the first were normal western types of toilets, but I never usually choose the first stall, so I continued down the line and was met with the second type of stall, which was little more than a hole in the floor with marked places for one's feet.  Needless to say, I returned to the first stall. The drive to Dubai didn't feel very long at all.  The drive is lined with large billboards and small trees (palm and olive apparently).  Driving into Dubai proper is awe inspiring to say the least.  Super tall buildings of all different shapes and sizes sprawl across the horizon.  The tallest building in the world, the Burg Kalifa, is a highlight not easily missed.  There was also a building reminiscent of the clock tower which houses Big Ben near Parliament in London and another very similar to the Chrysler Building in New York.  We stopped in an area where Hanna knew of some very nice purse stores.  These stores all seemed to have "secret" rooms where truly beautiful designer "knock-off" purses and sunglasses, jewelry and watches were sold.  I might have gotten some dream bags.  I was definitely impressed with the whole situation.  Walking between the stores was a bit daunting due to the men employed to entice buyers into their stores.  They were rather aggressive and a little frightening the one time Gary wasn't with me.  We went from this outdoor area to a place that is set up to look like part of an Irish town.  They had a garden area set up to house a band and a few stores next to the pub.  We stopped for a quick cider and then got back into the car to go to the wondrous Dubai Mall.  I was told that to see all of this mall would take three full days! What I did see of it was amazing!  They even have a full aquarium in the middle of one part.  After hitting the largest food court I could've imagined, doing a quick drop by H & M and Forever 21, the guys decided they were tired and so we headed back to Abu Dhabi.  It was dark by the time we got back to the hotel.  I went to take a nap; so Gary and I could go back out later to get some things from the local "Wal-mart" type store.  I never woke up.  I slept most of the night and have had a really relaxing day today while Gary is at work.  I need to get out and face the world tomorrow.  It is a little daunting to try to do without Gary, but I know it is just a matter of determination and trying before I get this place figured out and quit feeling quite so lost.  

Driving into Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Skyline

Flight, Arrival, and the Morning of Day 1 - Visit

The morning before our flight, I visited my friends back at Lawton High School very quickly, went back home and picked up my mom, went to Starbucks (peppermint mocha was amazing), and got the hot pink replaced into my bangs because it had faded badly.  (I now have a base color of auburn in my hair with two sections of bright purple, two sections of bright teal and my bangs and the bottom fringe of the back of my hair in bright pink...pretty!)  After getting re-dosed so I could be bright enough :), I went home and finished packing my carry-on bags and added final touches to the 4 giant, could-house-a -small-family-and-their-ten-dogs, black bags my husband and I were checking through.  Needless to say, one of my big duties for the day was fighting off a massive panic attack.  

By 12:30, we were on the road in a packed out mini-van courtesy of my mom and step-dad driving us to Oklahoma City; so we wouldn't have to pay for the car to stay there.  They were so much help over the last couple of days, and this kindness was the icing on the cake.  I have wonderful parents!  (My dad is scheduled to pick us up at midnight in a couple of weeks!)  Gary's military service allowed us to check in these 4 traveling-circus-on-wheels without even a rude blink of amazement from the airline personnel (or even an additional fee!)  Seriously, we had 242 lbs. of luggage, folks.  The flight from OKC was easy and comfortable...amazing!  We got into Chicago and had to change terminals, which is relatively easy except for the fact that you have to leave a secured area and go back through security again once you get to the correct terminal.  This system is completely inadequate and ridiculous in my opinion.  At least we didn't have to re-check the luggage, I guess.  After some confusion over the tickets (we had to go to the ticket counter and get them re-issued for the sister airline we were using) we got back through security without a hitch. 

Now, I love airports because of all the different forms that humanity takes passing by in one small space; plus, people always act like they are at home and do the most bizarre things.  As we await our flight's boarding call, I got to casually see this group of people with whom I would be living for the next 15 hours.  Beauty, color, lots of kids, and a cacophony of different languages surrounded me.  I already felt like I was traveling into a new world.  Boarding the plane was chaos.  The culture represented didn't seem to understand the need for lines or making room for people when their time to board was being called.  It was a free-for-all!  

We eventually made it on, worked our way toward the back of the plane (looking forlornly at the "pods" which house the first-class) and finally make it to our seats only to be met by a very unpleasant gentleman who informs me that I cannot put my carry-on in the empty bin above my seat because he is using it (even though he is sitting in front of me).  At this point, I have had 4 hours of sleep for the past two nights, been under crazy stress, and already been pushed and cut in front of just to get on the plane.  So, I look at this guy and laugh and say, "No, I have bags that have to go there."  He then starts to try to shove his bag over the seat in a rush to beat me to using the space. I shove his bag back down and say, "NO, NO!!!" as I quickly get my backpack into the space and move into my middle seat to sit next to a poor man who had to witness this whole ordeal.  Of course the guy is still yelling at me and I am whispering under my breath, "Yeah, well too bad for you buddy!"  Which is when my husband takes over dealing with the guy, telling him not to talk to me anymore.  The guy pulls out his inner 5 year old and argues that I spoke to him first.  Gary, says calmly, "No, you spoke to her first.  Here let me help you. I can help you find a place for your things."  The grumpy little man says, "No, I don't want you to help me, please quit helping me, I'm just going to sit here and hold my bag for the entire flight.  Don't talk to me anymore."  So, Gary sits down and lets the little troll figure out his own luggage.  (He didn't have to hold it for the whole flight.)  He did however slam his chair back as far and as hard as he could as soon as the seatbelt sign went off and spent the entire flight in Gary's lap.  Ahh, new friends.  Thankfully, the seats were comfortable yet small, and they had individual entertainment systems on the back of each seat.  Gary got to see his very closely! :) Gary also got to sit across the aisle from a Guinness World Record holder...the world's most unhappy 2 year old.  I don't think this kid quit screaming or crying for more than 10 minutes the entire flight.  It was unreal and almost purely amazing!  Gary even braved it without ear plugs.  I just giggled every now and again at the extreme absurdity of the people we had encountered thus far in this trip.

After the quickest day ever (like 6 hours of sunlight because of flying across time-zones) and the longest flight I have ever endured, we arrived at Abu Dhabi airport only a few minutes late, which was amazing since our take-off was delayed by an hour.  I had been nervous about bringing my medications through customs; however, my experience was very calm, fast, and easy!  The only moment of interest from the experience was when Gary caught one of the luggage inspectors staring at my colorful hair with a quizzical look on his face.  Gary was kind to the guy and laughed along with him telling him, "Yeah, it's very bright, huh!"  And that was it.  We walked on.  No questions, no searches, nothing.  We grabbed our luggage, went through the "nothing to declare" line and passed into a giant mass of chaotic people searching for their ride or loved ones.  

We were met by a very affable chap named Bennie.  Bennie is from South Africa, has a righteous accent, and works with Gary.  He is a very interesting, light-hearted guy who seems to be learning the Arab way of driving, which is a bit nerve-wracking to experience the first time.  Bennie has it extra hard because in South Africa they drive on the right side of the car and road, but he insists that at least here things are better because they won't gun you down if they don't like how you are driving.  Bennie sounds like he is grateful to get out of South Africa.  I can't wait to hear more of his stories, like the time he contracted Malaria!

The hotel where we will be staying is swank!  No other word to describe it really.  I could live here if it had a few more rooms!  There are tall ceilings, 1 and a half bathrooms, a kitchenette, large spacious room, 2 televisions with crazy programming, and more!  I'll try to get pictures that do it justice.  We got Mohammed the bell boy to deliver our monstrous bags; it took him two trips and I think he wheezed the entire time---I had to leave the room to avoid laughing in his face because I know how ridiculous they are, but still, wheezing, really?  We ordered burgers from room service which arrived on the classic, white-table clothed ,dinner-service rolling table; I called my mother to let her know we got in okay, and then I slept.  I slept until my husband's phone started ringing like he was a rockstar with groupies at about 3:30 am Abu Dhabi time.  It is still dark outside and my body is in shock not knowing why it is dark and trying to figure out if it should be tired or not.  I'll probably go back to sleep for a bit, but thought while I had the mental energy I would get this out before I forgot anything.

And that is how it started!

The Day Before Lift-off

I have been cleaning and sifting through my basement, closet, and room for the past 5 days trying to get ready for the house to be packed up and put into storage.  I hate the idea of packing up things to store that really should have been thrown away and finding them just to have to throw them away five years from now.  Gary has gone through the garage and his stuff in the basement as well.  

Today, I drove maniacally to Wichita Falls to get a last minute letter from my doctor so that I can take my medicines into Abu Dhabi.  Then I spent the rest of the day trying to pack as many clothes as I can (to leave over there as the beginning stages of the move) into two HUGE bags that are going to be sooooo overweight.  I guess it's cheaper than shipping everything in the long run.  I'm laughing at the idea that the poor baggage handlers are going to purposefully lose my bags because they are so ridiculously large and heavy!  

My brain is complete mush.  I feel so overwhelmed.  I just know that I am forgetting a million really important things despite the 10 lists I have made for myself today.  I seriously cannot seem to actually understand this move in its entirety right now.  I feel in some ways like this is just a really cool vacation, which it is...for the next two weeks.  I've moved before.  I've travelled before.  I've just never moved halfway across the world before.  I can't wait to get there!!!

timoelliott:

Abu Dhabi Rising

timoelliott:

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Hello!

Hi!  I probably won't post much on this until my adventures begin...because, well, that is the whole purpose of this blog!  :)  Gary (my husband) and I will do a quick visit to Abu Dhabi in mid-November.  I'll treat it like a prequel to the full adventure and start blogging then!  Please comment and joke about anything I post.  It is supposed to be interesting, entertaining, and pithy!  I would love any input!