I've touched on this briefly already, but I'm currently ensconced in a furnished studio apartment. Which is fine, it's rent free and I have until the end of September to find a place to live. The only problem right now is it's Ramadan and life truly slows down here. The work day is shortened to 6 hrs and some people actually work split shifts. They may work from 9am - 12pm and then work from 7:30 - 10:30pm. It's just different. My boss wanted to meet with a gentlemen about some sports possibilities and the options he had for an appointment were 11:30am or 10:30pm. So seeing places to live has been tough.
I did look at one place that provided furnished apartments. Three bedrooms completely furnished, maid service, cable etc... Within walking distance of my office and the Downtown Campus classrooms, but they want just a little too much. Here you pay the whole years rent up front and in the case of NYU employees the school pays that for you as part of your housing allowance, but this place would have cost me money out of my own pocket and even though it's convenient and I wouldn't have to worry about furniture I decided to pass on it.
The few places I've seen are all pretty modern, marble floors, big windows, possibly great views of the water. There really aren't too many places that are old here since most of the buildings have gone up in the last 40 years.
I went out last week with some friends to the Carpet Souk which is essentially a couple of long buildings with maybe 30 carpet vendors in their own separate shops in each building. As we pulled into the parking lot they all started waving to encourage us to come into their shops. The four of us got through about 5 of the 60 or so shops. At that point the couple that wanted to buy a couple of silk rugs ended up making a deal with a guy for two Belgian silk rugs about 12' x 15' for AED 600 (which is 600 dirhams). So each rug was $163. We believe that is a relatively good price.
Interestingly enough across the street from the carpet souk was the slaughterhouse and as we were driving by we saw people walking out with dead goats in wheel barrels. Certainly a strange sight.
Next stop was the Fish Market, which I'm sure you can find in most cities right on the water and needless to say it smelled fishy and they had all the fresh catch of the day there and you could get it cut anyway you wanted.
I think it's starting to cool down a little here because I don't start sweating as soon as I walk out the door anymore. This past week we made the move over to our offices in Sama Tower where I live temporarily. So my commute is a ride on the elevator from the 17th to the ground then up a different elevator to my office on the 4th floor.
Next blog is about shopping again.
Stay cool,
Wayne
Monday, August 9, 2010
Living and Working during Ramadan
Ramadan starts this week. It is the holiest time of year for Muslims. Things change dramatically during this month. We go to 6 hour work days out of respect for some of our fellow employees and our host country. So some time starting this week I'll only be at work from 9 - 3 and it will be that way for about a month.
A major part of Ramadan is prayer and spiritual reflection, but it's also about friends and family. Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown. Others are asked not to eat or drink in view of Muslims during the day, even water. If you're going to you, you are asked to do it behind closed doors out of respect for the their sacrifice. Once sunset hits though the fast is broken, usually with dates and juice or water and then 15 minutes or so of prayer and feasting will begin each night. The feasts are called Iftars and are held throughout the city and are usually free to everyone.
Muslims fast from about 4:30 am to 6:30pm which means no drinking anything and no eating. Obviously not everyone here is Muslim, but a majority of the Abu Dhabi population of approximately 1.7 million people are Muslim. An interesting side note is that there are many Christian churches here with the Catholic Cathederal boasting 100,000 members and they celebrate over 30 masses a week. Not all in English either.
In our little cafeteria they put up screens or room dividers along the inside of all the windows so if any of our Muslim employees walked by they would not be offended seeing us eating and drinking. If I went out to buy a sandwich and wanted to walk back here with it I'd be expected to keep it covered so it couldn't be seen. This is a serious issue here and literally people can be arrested for flaunting the rules of Ramadan. You definitely don't want to be walking down the street eating or drinking in public. All women are also asked to dress more modestly by wearing long sleeves and showing less skin. Imagine that in 110 degree weather?
I actually worked a little later than we were supposed to today and was in the office from 9 - 4pm. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the other 17 hrs. I will actually take care of a few of those in the early morning hours tomorrow with 9 holes of golf in 90+ degrees from 6:30 - 8:30. Long pants are mandatory though.
What's the future hold? I'm working on getting my drivers license changed over so I can lease a car and I need to get my alcohol commission card so I can buy alcohol. I'm also starting to look at places to live.
I'll let you know how all that goes.
Wayne
A major part of Ramadan is prayer and spiritual reflection, but it's also about friends and family. Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown. Others are asked not to eat or drink in view of Muslims during the day, even water. If you're going to you, you are asked to do it behind closed doors out of respect for the their sacrifice. Once sunset hits though the fast is broken, usually with dates and juice or water and then 15 minutes or so of prayer and feasting will begin each night. The feasts are called Iftars and are held throughout the city and are usually free to everyone.
Muslims fast from about 4:30 am to 6:30pm which means no drinking anything and no eating. Obviously not everyone here is Muslim, but a majority of the Abu Dhabi population of approximately 1.7 million people are Muslim. An interesting side note is that there are many Christian churches here with the Catholic Cathederal boasting 100,000 members and they celebrate over 30 masses a week. Not all in English either.
In our little cafeteria they put up screens or room dividers along the inside of all the windows so if any of our Muslim employees walked by they would not be offended seeing us eating and drinking. If I went out to buy a sandwich and wanted to walk back here with it I'd be expected to keep it covered so it couldn't be seen. This is a serious issue here and literally people can be arrested for flaunting the rules of Ramadan. You definitely don't want to be walking down the street eating or drinking in public. All women are also asked to dress more modestly by wearing long sleeves and showing less skin. Imagine that in 110 degree weather?
I actually worked a little later than we were supposed to today and was in the office from 9 - 4pm. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the other 17 hrs. I will actually take care of a few of those in the early morning hours tomorrow with 9 holes of golf in 90+ degrees from 6:30 - 8:30. Long pants are mandatory though.
What's the future hold? I'm working on getting my drivers license changed over so I can lease a car and I need to get my alcohol commission card so I can buy alcohol. I'm also starting to look at places to live.
I'll let you know how all that goes.
Wayne
Friday, August 6, 2010
Running On... Running on Empty
It's hot and muggy here. Did I mention that in a previous post? It's even hot and muggy at 6:35 am. I headed outside today for my first outdoor run. It wasn't a mistake, but it's hot and muggy at 6:35am.
It took me 6 minutes to get down to the Corniche and then I was able run along the water on a wide brick walkway without having to worry about traffic. Another nice thing is that at most major intersections and even sometimes halfway down a busy street there are pedestrian underpasses that you can simply use to get across the street. The one this morning had some nice paintings on the walls, camels and horses...go figure.
I ran down the Corniche at an easy pace because it's hot and muggy. I still didn't make it all the way to Cold Stone Creamery, but did run into another Baskin Robbins right on the beach along with a beach supply store and a frozen yogurt place. The sand looked beautiful with chairs already set up for all the beach goers of which there will be few because it's so hot and muggy during the summer.
Had a grand total of 30 minutes of running today and it felt like 60 minutes or more because of all the sweating going on.
It will be back to the treadmills for me. Looking out the windows on the top floor early in the morning I can watch the sunrise in the east as it slowly tries to burn through the haze (which is four letter word for "brutal humidity").
Stay Cool, I'm trying, but it sure doesn't seem to be working.
Wayne
It took me 6 minutes to get down to the Corniche and then I was able run along the water on a wide brick walkway without having to worry about traffic. Another nice thing is that at most major intersections and even sometimes halfway down a busy street there are pedestrian underpasses that you can simply use to get across the street. The one this morning had some nice paintings on the walls, camels and horses...go figure.
I ran down the Corniche at an easy pace because it's hot and muggy. I still didn't make it all the way to Cold Stone Creamery, but did run into another Baskin Robbins right on the beach along with a beach supply store and a frozen yogurt place. The sand looked beautiful with chairs already set up for all the beach goers of which there will be few because it's so hot and muggy during the summer.
Had a grand total of 30 minutes of running today and it felt like 60 minutes or more because of all the sweating going on.
It will be back to the treadmills for me. Looking out the windows on the top floor early in the morning I can watch the sunrise in the east as it slowly tries to burn through the haze (which is four letter word for "brutal humidity").
Stay Cool, I'm trying, but it sure doesn't seem to be working.
Wayne
Malls
The work week here is Sunday - Thursday with Friday being the day of rest or holy day, much like Sunday in the US. So after work on Thursday is the big night for going out to eat or bars or anything having to do with entertainment here.
Since I am such a wild and sociable guy I went out walking again last night after taking Wednesday night off. I ended up in the Madinat Zayed Shopping Center which is air conditioned as almost any place here is that wants to attract customers. I would say it's more of a Middle Eastern shopping center with a lot of textile (clothes and materials for making clothes) stores, jewelry stores, perfume stores etc... than a westernized mall.
So I wandered around for a while and hit the streets again heading back to my apartment. I can walk almost anywhere in any city so that's how I learn the lay of the land and I like being able to stop and look at something if it interests me as opposed to flying by in a cab. I'm kind of fortunate because Sama Tower where I'm living is easily the tallest (50 stories) building in the area so it's easy to spot and it's tough to get lost.
Today (Friday) I got up late because I stayed up late watching an old movie, Swordfish, with John Travolta, Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry. The cable tv we have in the tower only offers about 5 - 8 channels with english language programming and that's usually old stuff. But I digress, I worked out, had breakfast, read for a while, took a nap, read for a while then finally headed out to the Khalidiyah Mall. It was about a 25 minute walk in the 3:15pm heat of the day, probably 105 or so.
It is a much more modern and westernized mall. Not quite the biggest or most upscale on the island, but very nice and cool once I got inside. Again jewelry stores, textile stores a huge Krispy Kreme restaurant along with a Starbucks. The food court had the following options along with many others; McDonald's, Burker King, Subway, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Hardee's, Dunkin Donut's and Chili's. There were teenagers all over the mall, families with young kids, old people and a 10 screen movie theater.
After a meatball marinara sub, chocolate chip cookies and a coke I took in a movie, Jonah Hex, in English with Arabic subtitles. They have assigned seating so you pick your seat when you buy your ticket and I believe the location determines the price. I spent 30 Dirhams for mine which is a little under $10. All the same movies you're seeing at the theaters back in the states.
After the movie it was a stop in the "Department Store" which is a good name for it because it was a typical department store, electronics to toys to clothes to appliances. Then a stroll through LuLu's a grocery store to pick up anything I needed. Many American brands with a very crowded and large fruit and vegetable section along with a bakery, a bulk area and anything you'd see at a WalMart or Meijer at home. I have Kellogg's cereal and Nutri Grain bars in my apartment along with Kraft cheese, Nesquik and Oreo's.
Not that I'm sticking with everything westernized, but for now it's what I'm comfortable with. I'm here for a long time so once I get settled into my own place I'll find myself venturing into the unknown more and more.
Tomorrow is another off day and I hope to get up early to head out to the Corniche, the area along the Arabian Sea for a run before it gets too hot.
Stay Cool,
Wayne
Since I am such a wild and sociable guy I went out walking again last night after taking Wednesday night off. I ended up in the Madinat Zayed Shopping Center which is air conditioned as almost any place here is that wants to attract customers. I would say it's more of a Middle Eastern shopping center with a lot of textile (clothes and materials for making clothes) stores, jewelry stores, perfume stores etc... than a westernized mall.
So I wandered around for a while and hit the streets again heading back to my apartment. I can walk almost anywhere in any city so that's how I learn the lay of the land and I like being able to stop and look at something if it interests me as opposed to flying by in a cab. I'm kind of fortunate because Sama Tower where I'm living is easily the tallest (50 stories) building in the area so it's easy to spot and it's tough to get lost.
Today (Friday) I got up late because I stayed up late watching an old movie, Swordfish, with John Travolta, Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry. The cable tv we have in the tower only offers about 5 - 8 channels with english language programming and that's usually old stuff. But I digress, I worked out, had breakfast, read for a while, took a nap, read for a while then finally headed out to the Khalidiyah Mall. It was about a 25 minute walk in the 3:15pm heat of the day, probably 105 or so.
It is a much more modern and westernized mall. Not quite the biggest or most upscale on the island, but very nice and cool once I got inside. Again jewelry stores, textile stores a huge Krispy Kreme restaurant along with a Starbucks. The food court had the following options along with many others; McDonald's, Burker King, Subway, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Hardee's, Dunkin Donut's and Chili's. There were teenagers all over the mall, families with young kids, old people and a 10 screen movie theater.
After a meatball marinara sub, chocolate chip cookies and a coke I took in a movie, Jonah Hex, in English with Arabic subtitles. They have assigned seating so you pick your seat when you buy your ticket and I believe the location determines the price. I spent 30 Dirhams for mine which is a little under $10. All the same movies you're seeing at the theaters back in the states.
After the movie it was a stop in the "Department Store" which is a good name for it because it was a typical department store, electronics to toys to clothes to appliances. Then a stroll through LuLu's a grocery store to pick up anything I needed. Many American brands with a very crowded and large fruit and vegetable section along with a bakery, a bulk area and anything you'd see at a WalMart or Meijer at home. I have Kellogg's cereal and Nutri Grain bars in my apartment along with Kraft cheese, Nesquik and Oreo's.
Not that I'm sticking with everything westernized, but for now it's what I'm comfortable with. I'm here for a long time so once I get settled into my own place I'll find myself venturing into the unknown more and more.
Tomorrow is another off day and I hope to get up early to head out to the Corniche, the area along the Arabian Sea for a run before it gets too hot.
Stay Cool,
Wayne
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Windy City or Abu Dhabi?
Took another walk tonight and headed north towards the Arabian Sea. Walking down the street I passed a Baskin Robbins, but I was actually on a mission to get to the Cold Stone Creamery on the Corniche which is the main walking, running and biking path near the beach and water.
After crossing a few main streets and through a park I ended up on the path I was looking for on the edge of the water.
Seriously if I didn't know any better I could have easily thought I was in Chicago on a very hot summer night. a beautiful lighted wide brick pathway, people walking, running and biking on it, a busy road right next to it, then a park like area with fountains in different places and some really large, really tall buildings. The only giveaway was that I was sweating bullets while I was walking.
Never did get as far as the Cold Stone Creamery, but stopped at the Baskin Robbins on the way back and picked up a double scoop in a cup and that was dinner. I actually live closer to that Cold Stone Creamery than the one in Portage my kids used to go to.
I did a little skyping with daughter #3 tonight, Sarah in Chelmsford, MA. She appears to be doing fine. She gave her two week notice at her job because her boss was serving alcohol to one of her fellow employees that was under age, Sarah had refused to serve him. She stood up for her principles, which is nice to see, but I sure hope the job she's now looking for will pay for expenses.
I was a little concerned about mail service, but I changed addresses on two of my magazines the week before I left and both of them showed up on my desk Monday at work after being mailed to me through a PO Box in NYC. So I'm happy and I have stuff to read therefore I have to go for now.
Stay Cool, (I'm trying to)
Wayne
After crossing a few main streets and through a park I ended up on the path I was looking for on the edge of the water.
Seriously if I didn't know any better I could have easily thought I was in Chicago on a very hot summer night. a beautiful lighted wide brick pathway, people walking, running and biking on it, a busy road right next to it, then a park like area with fountains in different places and some really large, really tall buildings. The only giveaway was that I was sweating bullets while I was walking.
Never did get as far as the Cold Stone Creamery, but stopped at the Baskin Robbins on the way back and picked up a double scoop in a cup and that was dinner. I actually live closer to that Cold Stone Creamery than the one in Portage my kids used to go to.
I did a little skyping with daughter #3 tonight, Sarah in Chelmsford, MA. She appears to be doing fine. She gave her two week notice at her job because her boss was serving alcohol to one of her fellow employees that was under age, Sarah had refused to serve him. She stood up for her principles, which is nice to see, but I sure hope the job she's now looking for will pay for expenses.
I was a little concerned about mail service, but I changed addresses on two of my magazines the week before I left and both of them showed up on my desk Monday at work after being mailed to me through a PO Box in NYC. So I'm happy and I have stuff to read therefore I have to go for now.
Stay Cool, (I'm trying to)
Wayne
Monday, August 2, 2010
Just like home?
Tonight after work I went for a walk, something I've been trying to do in my first nights here to get a feel for the neighborhood and surrounding area. It's hot as heck out, but I went further than usual, down some alleyways where there are never ending shops selling never ending stuff. I don't know who's buying all the stuff they have in their stores, but they seem to be doing business. From that perspective Abu Dhabi still reminds me of a third world country, but from other perspectives it's way beyond that.
I was sitting in a Burger King, eating a #1 value meal, which is the same as at home. Whopper, fries and a drink. I was reading an English language newspaper watching traffic at a major intersection, the corner of First Street Zone 4 and Hamdan Bin Mohamed Street and watching all the the foot traffic. There is a movie theater down the street showing Book of Eli, Invictus and some movies in Arabic and Hindu. Not much different than sitting in Boston, NY or Chicago except for the look of the people, the street signs and the business signs all being in English and Arabic. Oh yeh, Burger King, Subway and all the food places deliver right to your home or apartment.
So after a few days of somewhat spicy food I broke down and went for the Whopper. On the way back I wandered through a Home store to take a look at furniture since I'm going to have to outfit an apartment or condo in a few months and I wanted to get an idea on price and style. It was a lot like Art Van in Michigan where the sales people seem to swarm you like mosquito's. I did see two other NYU employees in the store and talked to them briefly.
I'm told it will be hot and muggy through September then the weather gets nice all the way into April. No snow for me this year unless I go to Dubai (100 kilometers down the road) to go skiing. There is actually an indoor ice rink here too and if I wanted to play hockey I could on a team.
If you're interested, you can spend some time looking around our website www.nyuad.nyu.edu to get an idea what this school is all about. It's exciting being part of a start up academic institution. It's exciting being around people who love coming to work because they love their jobs and what they are doing.
Stay Cool,
Wayne
I was sitting in a Burger King, eating a #1 value meal, which is the same as at home. Whopper, fries and a drink. I was reading an English language newspaper watching traffic at a major intersection, the corner of First Street Zone 4 and Hamdan Bin Mohamed Street and watching all the the foot traffic. There is a movie theater down the street showing Book of Eli, Invictus and some movies in Arabic and Hindu. Not much different than sitting in Boston, NY or Chicago except for the look of the people, the street signs and the business signs all being in English and Arabic. Oh yeh, Burger King, Subway and all the food places deliver right to your home or apartment.
So after a few days of somewhat spicy food I broke down and went for the Whopper. On the way back I wandered through a Home store to take a look at furniture since I'm going to have to outfit an apartment or condo in a few months and I wanted to get an idea on price and style. It was a lot like Art Van in Michigan where the sales people seem to swarm you like mosquito's. I did see two other NYU employees in the store and talked to them briefly.
I'm told it will be hot and muggy through September then the weather gets nice all the way into April. No snow for me this year unless I go to Dubai (100 kilometers down the road) to go skiing. There is actually an indoor ice rink here too and if I wanted to play hockey I could on a team.
If you're interested, you can spend some time looking around our website www.nyuad.nyu.edu to get an idea what this school is all about. It's exciting being part of a start up academic institution. It's exciting being around people who love coming to work because they love their jobs and what they are doing.
Stay Cool,
Wayne
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Work Day
Sunday the 1st of August was a pretty productive work day for me. Got my computer and blackberry squared away had a couple of meetings and realized that NYU employing me the month prior to my arrival is paying dividends for them. If I hadn't been doing things from home for them I would have been starting at square one today trying to learn a lot of things and this way I was able to jump right into my job.
I'm up on the 17th floor of the 46 story high rise I'm living in temporarily looking out the window as I type at all the traffic below. I can see more cars from this window than you'd see in the lot at the Casino on a Saturday night. Parking is at a premium here.
If I haven't mentioned it yet, it's hot and muggy here. Seriously hot and muggy. It's so hot and muggy I don't even walk the 1/2 mile to work. If I did I'd look like a drowned rat when I got there.
For now I'm living in a big studio apartment alone. I have about 60 days to find a place to live and I'm looking for 2 - 3 bedrooms near some water or a golf course. I figure I need a little extra space for the adventurous types that want to come and visit.
It's been a long day. I woke up about 2:45 am and had trouble falling back to sleep. I did have my usual toast, cereal with a banana on it and orange juice for breakfast though. It's nice to be able to keep some routines no matter where you live. For those of you wondering, it was Frosted Flakes cereal. Got to keep those cereal workers working.
I'm learning to use my Blackberry, but word came out today they may be banned in the U.A.E starting October 11th. Not sure if I'll invest too much more time in that little gadget.
Stay cool,
Wayne
I'm up on the 17th floor of the 46 story high rise I'm living in temporarily looking out the window as I type at all the traffic below. I can see more cars from this window than you'd see in the lot at the Casino on a Saturday night. Parking is at a premium here.
If I haven't mentioned it yet, it's hot and muggy here. Seriously hot and muggy. It's so hot and muggy I don't even walk the 1/2 mile to work. If I did I'd look like a drowned rat when I got there.
For now I'm living in a big studio apartment alone. I have about 60 days to find a place to live and I'm looking for 2 - 3 bedrooms near some water or a golf course. I figure I need a little extra space for the adventurous types that want to come and visit.
It's been a long day. I woke up about 2:45 am and had trouble falling back to sleep. I did have my usual toast, cereal with a banana on it and orange juice for breakfast though. It's nice to be able to keep some routines no matter where you live. For those of you wondering, it was Frosted Flakes cereal. Got to keep those cereal workers working.
I'm learning to use my Blackberry, but word came out today they may be banned in the U.A.E starting October 11th. Not sure if I'll invest too much more time in that little gadget.
Stay cool,
Wayne
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