Episode # 12 - Yachting and Rugby- a proper weekend.

To celebrate Jenn's birthday, and the birthday of a few other DAA teachers, our amazing ES counselor Scott Lasey organized a day out on a yacht in Dubai.  The trip began in the Dubai Marina.  The marina itself was the brainchild of a development company that cut a huge channel into the coastline where you can drive in one side and out the other. Surrounding the marina is huge sky scraper type buildings.  We were upgraded to a 86 foot boat eventhough we didn't have the right number of people because the seas were a bit rough and it would be a smoother ride on the big boat. We cruised out, went around the Palm and the Atlantis hotel and then over to the burj-al-arab sail shaped hotel.  It felt like we were in a rap video. sipping cocktails, and dancing on the roof of this enormous boat.  The best part was the fact that when it got rough and everyone was spilling their drinks, there was a guy who followed us around with a mop to clean it up! 

That night we had a mini-bbq at our apartment which was lots of fun.




On Friday we boarded a bus with 30 other DAA teachers to see the Rugby 7s tournament.  The rugby sevens is and international tournament that features teams from all over the world, along with a big tournament for local teams of all ages.  The 7s is super exciting as they only play 7 minute halves with 7 a side. So the players are big, fast, and score quickly. 
As a spectator event the day was amazing. We watched all the big rugby teams play from NZ, Australia, Fiji, USA etc.  Upon entry you can buy tokens for drinks where they hand you a twelve pack , a small cooler, that is filed with ice. People dress up in all kinds of fancy dress, matching costumes, and all sorts of crazy outfits. 

It was a fun weekend, but one that left us pretty exhausted. 

Only 10 days left until winter break!  The school year is going fast already!

The man made marina . On the way out.

86 footer.

Da Burj

living large. who knew teachers could live in such style.

Ruby Sevens is a tournament that takes place in a bunch of cities around the world with international teams competing

Some DAA teachers enjoying the sun. Lively Zimbabwe fans behind us.

Hulk-a-mania

During the intermission parade, multiple parachutes came flying into the stadium.

Read Closely.  HA!  Official merchandise on sale this year. Go Cananda

Episode # 11 - Fear & Indulgance in Dubai- A friday Brunch at the racetrack

There are a lot of things to do in Dubai. One of the favorite expat pastimes here in friday brunch. These generally take place in hotel restaurants (hotels are the only places that serve alcohol) and are equipped with massive amounts of food. Our friendly history teacher organized a group of teachers to last friday's brunch at the horse racing track called Meydan.

I have never been somewhere that A) stretches the real meaning of the word brunch as it starts at 12 noon and goes to 4pm  or B) disguises an all out drinking event with the innocent sounding name like "brunch".  Needless to say it was a good time.  Everyone was dressed nicely as we sat overlooking the horse track, even though there was no races going on.  The place was packed with mostly British expat families, and given there was a bouncy castle and a cotton candy machine, it seemed obvious that it was designed to keep the kids happy while mom and dad downed as much booze as possible.  It really did feel very indulgent. Eating shrimp, English roast with  Yorkshire pudding (not as good as yours mum) and every possible type of sushi and desert.  The real indulgence hit me when our australian friend, without blinking or showing any signs of remorse, waved the waiter over and said.. "can I please have 12 more mohiotos please".   The table was filled with drinks the entire day until they cut us off at 3:30, which is when the bravest began mixing the ends of random drinks into glasses, playing the game "I bet you can't guess what I used to make this drink". This was around the same time that members of our party sauntered down to the grassy race track and did some sprint trial races until they were ushered off.

Later in the day, we headed over to Bur Dubai area of town to watch the UAE take on Korea in a World Cup qualifier that really meant nothing to either side. UAE were already eliminated and Korea already through.

Getting into the stadium was the first challenge. A few hundred Korean fans were outside the gate and weren't allowed in, even though there was space in the stadium. I use the term stadium loosely. I've been in high school stadiums that were bigger. We paraded as UAE fans and were granted entry into a back gate. The ladies with us were the only ones in this section and got an awful lot of stares as we found our seats In the stands was a sea of white dishdashes, some banging drums, most sitting, chewing sunflower seeds.   The Korean fans who were limited to a small section of the stadium were going nuts the entire game. At half time, the whistle blew and a few seconds later, the mosque which was attached to the stadium began the call to prayer. Outside on the practice pitch a huge group of locals lined up and began praying... wish i would have had my camera!  In the end, UAE were beat 2-0 by a much stronger Korean side.  For us, what an awesome experience. Watching the sun set over the skyline of Dubai, the crowd of locals cheering on their team, planes landing nearby, and the distinct sound of the call to prayer. There are moments here where you could be anywhere in the world, but this one, we truly felt we were in the middle east. 

Here's a few pics from our day...

The Meydan Hotel at the racetrack

Jonathon (a fellow Ithaca Bomber) his wife Ann, and Jenn

Chest hair display.

Face painting for kids.. and adults. Nice one Neng.

Counselor Scott and Jenn.

GO UAE!

Episode # 10- Eid Mubarak

 

It feels like it's been a long time since we've had a break.  Eight weeks of school plus two weeks of orientation.. it's been a whirlwind.  And now all of a sudden it's NOVEMBER!  hard to believe.  So the way it works for the Eid holiday is when the moon is sighted the Eid holiday can commence but this is a non scientific process; Therefore it wasn't until the middle of last week that they announced that we would have Sunday Monday Tuesday off this week.  So basically its a 5 day weekend for most everyone.. and a well deserved break for the students and teachers who have been showing major signs of fatigue.

We didn't plan any major travels for the Eid break given that the amount of time off we were going to have was uncertain. But many of the teachers have jetted off to some interesting places including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and one adventurous group flew to Georgia...  the country not the US state.

We decided on Thursday (which is our friday) to rent a car and keep it for the next month just to try out driving and see if we like or need to have a car.  Our first adventure was driving on friday morning to the beach for my first surf session on my new board.  Jenn hooked me up with the best birthday gift ever... a gift certificate to the local surf shop.

On Saturday we headed south east to the city of Fujairah and the nearby beaches for some camping. We ended up on a long stretch of beach with mangroves about 300 yards back.  We were within walking distance to the Oman border but couldn't cross since you can't take a rental car across.  We spent a really nice day on the beach. The water is the perfect temperature.  Although the bugs spoiled our dinner time, we ended up dragging everything down to the waters edge and slept next to the crashing waves.  Hopefully this will be the first of many camping adventures in the UAE and Oman.

Now tonight, we are headed to a beach bar to watch Fulham play Tottenham. should be a good time.

Happy Eid!

Here is a random assortment of pictures from our recent adventures.

This is at the Dubai Mall when we were waiting for the "Belagio-like" fountains to start.

Waiting for the fountains with Uzay, Adam, and Ella Ashton

During our desert safari the guide took us to a heritage village in Hatta.

At the heritage village.. when you enter it's all dark and the lights are motion sensored.. so when the light goes on.. this is the first thing you see.  Creepy!

Also during our desert safari. We went to a Wadi, a small canyon that holds water year round.

As you leave Dubai rocky mountains appear

This is at the Hatta Dam during my birthday desert safari

beautiful big long beach with lots of sea birds

We went with two other couples to for a quick camping trip near the Omani Border. The black car is Tilda our rental car.. she's a little rough around the edges but has been reliable so far. 

Surfing next to the Burj al Arab. small waves but lots of fun.

Episode # 9 - Hosting the Building Party

The two of us recently hosted a party for all the teachers who live in our building (Rabwah).  We were all ready for a cold drink after a week long inspection from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau in addition to report card completion.  Robbie and I got together some appetizers and our new friends gladly supplied 5 gallons of sangria.  These teachers were thirsty...parched.  We had a fun night meeting the teachers who live in our building and celebrating Robbie's 33rd birthday!  The party retired to a local bar for some dancing to a classic Dubai style cover band.  The next morning we had people stop my our apartment looking for missing shoes, a phone and keys.  Surely an indication of a good party, a great time was had by all.

 

Happy Birthday!

 

Happy Birthday to Robbie and Amy!

 My TA Sandy had a special birthday cupcake made for Robbie!

 Jenn baking in Dubai!

 

Sandy (my great TA) and I

Zumba-thon

Dubai supported many Breast Cancer Awareness activities in October including a Zumba-thon!  Some ladies from my Zumba class and our friend Lucy joined in the fun!

Episode # 8- I fought the bureaucracy

Moving to any new country involves the usual frustrations. Today i fought the bureaucracy.. and I may have won this round.  

During the our orientation our excellent superintendent said  "you will reach a point in your stay.. after the honeymoon stage, when you start to get annoyed about how difficult things can sometimes be". Why must I wait in line for 20 minutes to use an atm?  why is it so difficult to buy beer at the store? and why do you need a 4 passport photos and an expensive eye test for a drivers license?  To myself I thought.  That won't be me.  I will be calm and level headed.. there are cultural differences that are part of the "way things are" and you just have to deal with them. 

Flash forward 6 weeks. I had just been on the phone with HSBC bank for about the 10th time explaining that it was impossible for me to transfer money on my online banking. This, after patiently waiting in the line at the bank, handing my documents over, completing the "transfer approval form" etc. etc.  after yelling into the phone.. my colleague Amy, possibly the nicest person on the planet says to me "problems with the bank?"  she must have heard me yelling through the walls.  uhhh, yeah... i have to go to the branch again... this will be trip #5.   deep breath. 

I apologize to all the lovely phone operators for HSBC bank who are in India and kindly put up with my upset tone.. I may have been partially annoyed by the fact that I went to the Drivers license place last saturday after checking the website 3 times to see that they would be open... Closed.  90lb security gaurd from pakistan... I didn't mean to look so disgusted when you kindly wiggled your head in a strange yes/no motion ...  and said "closed... open tomorrow"   

So I went to the bank today... and after 25 minutes of sitting at the desk. The man fixed my bank account... YES.. I am winning. Ha.  4 days and it will be working. 

Next, I went to pick up my "alcoholic drinks license" This is the little card I must carry with me in order to buy alcohol at select discreetly-located stores. The card allows me to buy a certain value of alcohol every month. This value is measured by how much I earn. I suppose this is to stop you from spending your ENTIRE paycheck on booze. But they don't ask to see the card at the hotel bars.. therefore it IS indeed possible to spend your entire paycheck on booze.   Jenn is not allowed to have a little red card. Being that she is my wife, I must be with her (with my little red card) for her to buy alcohol.  This will stop my wife from going on wild drinking sprees without me  :)   

Dear gentle Ethiopian man at the liquor store.  I did not mean to be ornery and look so upset when you said you could not find my little red card...I brought my passport photos, work permit, passport copy, letter from my employer, and 100 dirham fee several weeks ago.   Someone called me 3 days ago and said you would have it here waiting for me.  I was merely admiring your fine collection of expensive alcohol .. I don't care that it's taxed at 30%... so close... yet so far. the cooler full of ice cold australian beer was mocking me. what do you mean you don't have my little red card?   I just need the little red card.  Ahhhhrrgggg.

Sir?  is your name Mr. Robbie? 

Yes, you can call me Mr. Robbie. 

Ah.. yes Mr. Robbie. It is here...

and then suddenly from a worn file folder hidden behind the counter.... it appeared.

victory..


 

Sweaty lads in the desert

Last Friday I played in a 6 v 6 soccer tournament and after losing in the group stage. We went into the conciliation round and ended up winning the 'plate division"  on the final penalty kick. However, the plate looked more like a tea saucer.  played seven 20 minute games starting at noon ending at 7:45pm. never sweated so much in my life, or drank so much water.

It was pretty hilarious watching how seriously many of the teams were with full uniforms, coaches etc. Our team managed to get 5 yellow cards... one of which was during a game we weren't even playing in!  During the Cup final top division we laughed at a guy who was called for diving... and subsequently he scored, ran over to the sideline where we were sitting and pull his pants down and mooned us while dancing the emirate jib....for which he was given another yellow card. HA! 

  We celebrated our victorious day with KFC, rum and beer.   attached is the rag tag crew post victory. well played lads.

All is well otherwise.  We just skyped with Minh (jenn's maid of honor) and she and micheal are coming to see us in May for 4 days.

Episode # 7- The start to the school year.

The school year has gotten off to a fast start.  On the first day cavalcade of SUV's lined the road leading to the school and 2,300 students joined DAA for the first day of school.  There was a definite buzz in the air with lots of hugs in the hallways as students,(most of who spent the summer in their home nations) met up again and shared stories of their summer adventures.

The students at DAA are literally from all over the world and Jenn and I feel happy about being at a school that is truly an international school, whereas some "international schools" are made up of a mostly local students etc. There seems to be a good amount of students from Lebanon, Holland, Pakistan, and of course the US.  Most our dual passport holders and speak another language at home but have been studying in English their entire lives. 

Given that I do counseling at the school, part of my duties is scheduling students into their classes. So starting on day one to about the middle of the second week, our office had a line out the door of students waiting to get their schedules changed. I therefore met about 45 kids a day for 5 or 10 minutes and got a quick synopsis of their lives in Dubai and family background. 

Our weekends so far have been filled with dinners out at really nice restaurants with other teachers, getting sorted out with bank accounts and "alcohol licences", and other paper work stuff that needs to be done, and occasional trips to the shops to get our apartment set up.  Getting internet at the apartment has been a big step for us... it's amazing how addicted we are to checking email and looking things up on the internet.   We also got cable television in the apartment..but after about 10 minutes of scrolling through, we realized that most of the channels are in arabic and feature lots of strange music videos.  Purchasing the channel that gets the English Premiership soccer will double the rate on our cable. ugh. oh well, I guess i'll be forced to go to the local hotel bar which shows the games.

We have been doing a little bit of training for an upcoming 10K in Abu Dhabi which we are looking forward to in November. We did make the mistake of running at about mid day last weekend and almost melting into the pavement. bad move.  This was the moment when I wished I was at Indian Lake with cool air and the leaves changing colors.

All in all, we are really enjoying our new lives here.  The school is great and it's so incredibly convenient living so close to school and the shops that surround us here.  We can go surfing at the beach, skiing on the fake mountain, eat at a nice restaurant, or lounge by a pool all within a ten minute walk or taxi.  It's easy to see why so many of the teachers have stayed here at DAA for so long. It's hard to leave a good thing I think.  There is also a buzz to Dubai that holds similarities to London or New York.  It's exciting living somewhere where new buildings are popping up, great restaurants are constantly opening, and of course... living tax free adds a degree of happiness to everyone here. 

Other than our plans for Abu Dhabi, we are also planning our holiday break to Thailand where we'll be meeting Jenn's mom for 2 weeks traveling in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.  very excited for that. 

That's all for now.  We miss everyone back home and hope all is well.

hold the phone..

we now have internet at our apartment!  this is good.

Episode- 6 - A brief tour of Dubai

Jenn and I have been working away at getting our selves organized here in Dubai.  This past week all the returning faculty and staff arrived. Many of them were arriving from lots of interesting places.  A few younger guys had shipped their jeeps to South Africa and spent the summer driving from Capetown to Kenya.

The school has been buzzing with workers and staff getting the place in order for the 2300 kids to show up on Sunday (the weekend is Friday, Saturday here).   I was meeting with students and getting them put into their correct classes.  Even with all our hard work in the counseling office, we will still have a long line of students on the first day of school trying to sort out their schedules.  Jenn spent the week arranging her classroom and going to opening meetings.  Thursday night was the first DAA faculty happy hour in a bar called "Apres" which overlooks the ski slope at SKI DUBAI.  huge windows look out at the skiers and from most angles you can't tell it's an INDOOR ski hill.   It's pretty incredible. The happy hour was fun and then we headed to party in our apartment building with many returning faculty who were giving us the inside scoop on what to do in dubai. 

Here are some pictures from our bus tour of the city and also of jenn's classroom.

Jenn on the beach near the Burj al Arab, which is about 2 miles from our apt.

Where's Waldo?  This was a holiday so all the indian and pakastani workers were on the beach.

my first dip in the arabian gulf. nice and warm

us at Atlantis hotel at the end of the man made  Palm island

A fort in old town Dubai built around 1860's

loving the aviator glasses.

near the spice souk in old town Dubai. 

the street and the Creek.

Old school ships line the Creek. 

quick ride across the creek towards the gold souk

Bling.  There was about 100 of these stores selling gold.

gold souk

waiting for the fountain show.

my fav shot.  This is in Jumeirah Madinat, a shopping center that is kind of Disney esque but has great bars on these canals.  Very pretty. This was the end of our day tour of Dubai. 

Who's ready for kindergarten.  Jenn will have 20 kids from 13 different nations.

love the little tiny couch in the reading corner.

sunsets on the pond near Burj al Khalifa.. the tallest building in the world next to the largest mall in the world.