Playing Tourist

This last week was a busy one! Covered a lot of "touristy" things (some for the first time, some for the second). A friend from the States flew in on his way to Munich and we covered a lot of ground in one day.

First on our agenda was touring the Grand Mosque. This was my second time there, but I was still in awe. It's such an amazing sight, hard to believe that it is still consider brand new. I asked how much the mosque cost to build, but apparently no one knows, as they are still building it. A quick Google search and I saw numbers upwards of 3.2 billion (not sure if that was USD or AED, huge difference). After the tour of the mosque, we headed into town and went to the Emirates Palace. A must if you need to hit the gold atm. Yep, an atm that dispenses gold bars. The Palace is a hotel, complete with some of the best nightlife and restaurants in the world (I loooove Etoiles). After taking some touristy pictures, we drove over to the Marina Mall (because who doesn't want to see a mall with a ski slope and ice skating rink in the middle?). The malls in Abu Dhabi do not even compare to Dubai Mall, but there is still fine shopping and sights. From there, we headed to Heritage Village and Lulu Island. Heritage Village is set up like "Old Abu Dhabi" complete with straw huts, handmade crafts and camels! Lulu Island offers an amazing view of the Corniche of Abu Dhabi (the beach area) and all the buildings. Not to mention, the bluest water I've seen in a long time (I'm looking at you Jax Beach...). 

After I worked that day (YEP! I work here, not on a permanent vacation like so many believe) we went to the Left Bank, which is a bar at the Souk and then down to Cedar Lounge at the Fairmont to smoke shisha. Shisha is most commonly known as hookah in the States and also as hubbly bubbly. Lots of fun, good conversation and amazing views of the Grand Mosque at night from across the Grand Canal. Not to mention, we were at the Fairmont, which is basically my favorite place in the world. 

Was planning on going out this weekend, however I never did. Did a Skype happy hour with my girl Katie and then fell asleep. Oh technology. Saturday morning, my boss, the girls and I woke up super early and met some friends to go kayaking in the Abu Dhabi mangroves. It was so much fun. My arms, back and shoulders are killing me now though! I haven't uploaded the pictures and we didn't see much, but it was still a fun experience to "escape" city life for a few hours and get some exercise, while having fun. 

Hoping to hit up a rain party this weekend. Since it doesn't rain here too often, we bring the rain to us. Should be interesting and if I do make it, I'll be sure to take lots of pics! Happening at the Aloft Hotel in downtown AD. (Jo or Sahar, if you're reading this...I'm looking at you to boogie down there with me!)

Sidenote: 1 month 'til I'm home for Fl-Ga weekend! Only in the States for 6 days, but planning to make it well worth my while! Can't wait to see everyone!

XXOO

Britney, Janet and Metallica...OH MY!

The last few days have been quite exciting here in Abu Dhabi dooooo. I joined a few Meetup.com groups and went to my first event on Friday (shout out to 'New in AD'). About 20 of us met for lunch at Jones the Grocer's (best coffee in AD!). Had a wonderful time and great conversation with people from the UK, Canada and Lebanon (there were probably other parts of the world represented as well, but this was just my end of the table). Already making plans to get together this upcoming week for shisha and drinks (shisha = hookah). 

That night, the family and I went to Frankie's at the Fairmont Bab al Bahr (my absolute favorite hotel in the world). Frankie's is an Italian restaurant and it is amazing. I was planning on going out afterwards, but jet lag got the best of me and I was out cold before 11p. 

Today, we went to IKEA (which happens to be the largest one in the world, Abu Dhabi has to do things BIG and blow everyone else out of the water) to get some things for the villa. And it was HUGE! It took us about 2 hours to walk the entire store. 

This upcoming week should be a fun one! I have a friend visiting from the States and we'll be touring the Grand Mosque, Corniche, Emirates Palace, Yas Island and possibly hitting Ferrari World, should we have time. I may take a trip to Dubai next weekend and have dinner at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant, Verre. Looking forward to getting together with my new Abu Dhabi friends, as well. 

Side note: Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Metallica have all been announced as performer's leading up to and at the Formula 1 in November. I'm pretty sure I am going to Britney and Day 1 of the F1 races, which is something I didn't get to do last time I was here. Very excited about that! There are still 2 big concerts to be announced for days 2-3 of the Grand Prix. Last year, the concerts were Kanye West, Prince and Linkin Park. 

I like the UAE?

I knew coming back to the UAE would be significantly easier the second time around, but I didn't expect to actually really like being here again. Last year, I was in a long distance relationship, had NO idea what to expect when I got off the plane and everything (from the drivers to the grocery stores) irritated me. This time around, I'm single, knew what to expect and things either seem to or actually have gotten better. Even the cable improved...I even get (although limited) NCAAF, NFL and MLB games!

Say a prayer the chosen game on Saturday is the FSU-OK game, GO 'NOLES!

With all that being said and the current state of the USA, I've officially taken the first steps in possibly calling Abu Dhabi "home" for a few years. Nothing is set in stone yet, and we all know how I change my mind every day. As my mom says, just let us know when the decision is absolutely final and you're on the plane. I'm exploring a few different options, teaching, PR and hospitality, but am very excited to see where this is headed. 

This week has been rather unexciting. Just trying to kick the jet lag (still not there yet, thanks for entertaining me at 3am UAE time Lisa!) and get back on a routine. Started my marathon training (26.2 baby!) and am loving being back in the gym 5 days/week. Going out tomorrow night to my favorite restuarant, Frankie's, and then out with a girlfriend I met last year. I love going out here, the people watching is amazing and I love meeting all sorts of different people from all over the world (can't do that in Jax Beach, although I sure do miss the Ritz). I'm sure there will be some interesting stories from tomorrow night and I'll be sure to post them when I roll out of bed on Saturday afternoon, haha! 

Last year, out with my friend, Sahar, at Etoiles in the Emirates Palace for my birthday! 

Don't flip the bird in the UAE.

So this first post is sure to be the most uninteresting, as I am completely new to this whole blogging thing. Using this as a way to keep my friendos in the States up to date with my day-to-day (ok, I know for certain I won't do this every day) life in the United Arab Emirates.

Let's start with the basics. These are my FAQ that I get.

1) "Do you have to wear those things?"

No, I don't. I'm not Muslim. I had to wear one once last year when I toured the Grand Mosque out of respect for their religion. And those things are called abayas and shailas. Abayas are the black, often decorated, robe-like attire that Muslim women wear to cover their clothing. Shailas are the headscarves, which cover the face. There are 3 ways a headscarf can be worn; covering hair only, covering the entire face, or covering just the nose and mouth, leaving only the eyes visible. 

2) Where is Abu Dhabi?

Located in the United Arab Emirates on the Arabian Peninsula. Sandwiched between Saudi Arabia and Oman, the UAE is made up of 7 states (Abu Dhabi - the capital, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al -Quwain. Yes, I had to Google 3 of those. 

3) "Be safe over there."  (Not a question, but a comment I get a lot.)

I feel safer over here than I did in the States. I mean, hello, I lived in the murder capital of Florida for how many years?? I've personally never been a victim of crime or witnessed anything, although I know things happen. 

So, now that I've addressed those, feel free to send more questions. It's late, I'm jet lagged and can't remember every conversation I've had in the last 9 months.

As for the title of this blog, take the advice if you ever visit/move here. You can be deported. Just a little tip I learned during my last trip here (no, I was not deported). 

Peace in the Middle East. Until next time...