The Tulip Inn/Al Rahba Days 4 & 5

Sorry for not updating yesterday, the internet was not cooperating so I gave up and went to bed!

Day 4

Yesterday we just stayed around the Tulip, and didn't really venture out.

Day 5

Today was the most interesting by far, we went to IKEA (the one here is way more awesome than the one in Houston!) and had lunch/did a little shopping.  Then after we got back we took some clothes to the cleaners across the bridge in Al Rahba, and I finally drove! Although it's pretty terrifying to drive here, they drive like maniacs! But we got there and back in one piece, and no close calls so I'd call it a good trip. :)

I finally tried some ice cream, it's definitely different but still really good.

I also had my first experience in washing stuff by hand, since there are some things you cannot take to the place that does your laundry.  That was not so fun.

Today has been, all in all, pretty chill.  Also, over the past couple of days I have gotten the chance to read for fun, which never happens anymore. So that's been nice.

Tomorrow will, hopefully, a little more exciting!

Love,
Brittany

Day 3 - Hotel & Al Rahba

Today we didn't really do much, mostly just hung out around the hotel until Mr. Mercurio came out and had lunch with us and went over a few things for work.

Later on we headed into Al Rahba, right across the bridge, to look at the grocery stores and see if we'd need to go into Shahama to get food or not.  We will definitely be driving to Shahama to get food, the stores nearby have some food (see below some things I tried) but not enough to be able to skip eating here at the hotel.

Some food that I tried today:

 You may be saying, well that wasn't very adventurous. The chips DO NOT taste the same as in the US, but they are still pretty good.

Teeny Tiny little snickers bar, this was also different but still really good.

Chocolate Milk: definitely not as good as in the U.S. Drinkable, but not even similar to real milk

Capri-Sun:  pretty good, they definitely had a different taste for fruit than I do, but these are still ok.

I think tomorrow I will be driving into Shahama, so wish me luck! People drive like mad-men around here, so I should have exciting stories tomorrow! lol

شكراً لكم و نراكم بكرة

بريتاني

Day 2 - Dubai

Today we got to venture into Dubai, since Mr. Mercurio was nice enough to take us there.

We went to the Ibn Battuta Mall and wandered around.

This is ms. Buford and I in front of the Ibn Battuta statue that they have inside the mall.  The people were very friendly, and while I've been warned that a lot of people would probably stare, etc. I've yet to have any problems while I've been in public.  I guess we'll just have to see how things go once I start working full time. 

We also went to another souk in Dubai, which was also pretty neat. I have been shockingly surprised at the fact that the shopkeepers/salesmen are not super pushy (think the complete opposite of Tunisia, Katie).

We drove around the city as well, and got to see the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world).  I will definitely be going back to do a tour soon!!

*Random building being built

Today we just got a taste of Dubai, and I definitely plan on going back when I have a little more money $$$$.

So far my experience in the UAE has been fabulous, and I'm really looking forward to the next few months out here.  It will be really difficult to adjust to all the changes, especially being so far away from everyone I love, but I will come out of this stronger and with an experience of a lifetime.

~Brittany

Abu Dhabi -Day 1

We got to the hotel late last night, so I didn't have time to write a whole update.  We got in pretty late to the hotel last night (10:30/11 ish), so most of last night was spent meeting a few of the people who are already here working. 

The flight from Germany to Abu Dhabi was good, but I definitely am not looking forward to having to sit on planes for that long again anytime soon.

So far everyone is really friendly, even the hotel staff.  There is one night staffer who, now that he knows I know some arabic, asks me a question/phrase or teaches me a new phrase everytime I walk by. 

They absolutely do not use MSA here, at all. I've been corrected so many times from things that we are taught in class is the right way to say it, but it's all a learning experience and I'm enjoying it.

Today we went into Shahama to get cell phones and see one of the grocery stores we may be able to buy food from once we get on base.  Right now we are waiting for the phones to get activated, but in the meantime we got to get a driving tour of Abu Dhabi. The city is really nice and there are so many shops, etc. to go look at.

Tomorrow we are probably going to go into Dubai for a few hours.

That's all I've got for now!

Shukran :)  (Thanks!)
Brittany

Abu Dhabi

Well, we finally got to abu dhabi and got all checked in!  Our hotel is crazzzy nice, and tomorrow we are gonna go get phones! 

I slept like crap on the planes, somewhere around 2 hours of sleep in the past 32 hours. So it's time to crash!

At the Airport

So it's official... I refuse to ever fly economy again.  Business class is where it's at! lol

Right now I'm sitting in the lounge waiting for to board. I am so incredibly nervous/sad... but I am also really excited.

Mom and Nick dropped me off about an hour ago, and it was really hard not to cry when I had to go through security by myself.  But I did it, and I'm holding up ok.

I'll try to post again when I get to Frankfurt, but who knows if there will be a computer I can use.

~Brittany

Last Day With CCS (Until August!)

So at this time next week, I will be on a plane bound for Germany and then on to Dubai.  Which means it is my last day here at CCS until August :(


While I'm really excited to be going to Abu Dhabi, I'm definitely going to miss everyone here!  I've been here 4 years, it's going to be weird to not walk in the doors of the JBC everyday for work and to not see Mrs. Karen, Mrs. Dana, Monica, and everyone in the office.


I don't think it's really hit me yet that I only have a few days left here.  Most of those days are going to be filled with exams, last minute shopping and packing, and trying to see everyone I can before I leave.  I'm not excited about having to say bye to everyone, that's probably going to be the hardest part.

Lastly, I know going to Abu Dhabi is going to be a great adventure.  I am very much looking forward to going, but right now I'd be lying if I said I am not nervous.  It's going to be just like the first day of school all over again, and I'm going to have to adjust to life over there.

I'll try to update again a little closer to time to leave, so for now I'm going to get back to studying and packing for my trip!

                                                        بريتاني