So what have I been doing...
Friday I pretty much slept the entire day. Jet lag caught up with me big time.
On Saturday I went to the Historical Village which was very interesting. But probably not the best place to visit during the height of the days heat as it is all outdoors. I believe it was around 102 degrees when we got there. We also didn't plan the excursion very well as there were no taxis around when we wanted to leave. After melting in the hot sun for twenty minutes we finally just paid 200 dirhams ($50) and hopped onto a tour bus. We stayed on it for about two hours and got to see a lot of the city. We got off at the Central Market Souk which was really interesting but pricey.
Sunday we had a short orientation which provided general information. We set up our bank accounts with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and filled out some forms. The longest part of it was the Q&A session where people asked silly questions that had already been answered. Seriously, teachers are the worst listeners!!
Afterwards I went to dinner at the Lebanese Flower with some girls. It was amazingly good and super cheap. Definitely somewhere I would like to go back too.
On Monday we had our medical checks and ID card fingerprinting. I was in the first group that left the hotel at 6:00am. I'm glad I was in the early group because the later groups ended up waiting a while. The medical check is crazy thorough. They do blood pressure, chest x-ray, urine test, blood test, and physical. If they find anything wrong with you - you get sent home! The whole process took about four hours. That night we also got our school assignments. Which was exciting! I am very very happy with being placed in Abu Dhabi City. I truly thought I would be in Al Gharbia - the western region.
Tuesday (today) I had a blast! Seriously one of the most fun days I've had since I have been here. One of the perks of hotel living is the free breakfast buffet everyday. You learn to eat like a king at breakfast so that you don't need to spend money for lunch/dinner. We usually end up meeting in the restaurant at 8:00 and staying for a few hours. Yes - hours! That way you can turn it into two meals. Eat when you first go down, sit and chat, then eat again for "lunch" and you are all set until dinner. You have to stay in the restaurant because if you leave and come back you will have to pay for the "second round". Anyways, after breakfast we went to the Madinet Zayed Mall to look at a furniture store. Because our housing will be unfurnished we get 20,000 dirhams to set it up. They had lots of nice things - I'm excited to pick out my things.
I also bought my first abaya!!! It is really pretty and comfy! I totally understand why some EMT's (english medium teachers) wear them to work!
After that we went to the Marina Mall to have our driver's licenses translated. We had dinner and gelato and just walked around the mall. We had an INSANE cab driver on the way home. We couldn't stop laughing because it was so terrifying!! He would literally be inches away from the car in front of us and slam on his breaks. His little GPS thing kept saying "Slow down. You are driving too fast." I swear everytime it said that he sped up. Honestly the cabs are the one thing I don't enjoy so far.
So why was today the best day I've had so far? Because all day we just laughed. I was with three women who are the nicest people and we literally just kept laughing. It was a perfect day!
Tomorrow we have a long day of school orientation. Not sure what it entails but I'm sure it will be informational and interesting!
Sorry this was so long!! My next post will be all of the pictures I have taken so far!!!
Miss you, glad you are having fun and that you got the placement you were hoping for!
ReplyDelete