Dubai it where?
So, having been here for five or six weeks now, I thought it
was probably time I started to post some photos and let people know how I have
been getting on.
Things have been slowly starting to fell into place, but as
everyone says, until you have your Emirates ID here you don’t exist. So, I have
no Internet, no home phone, and no driving license… but yesterday my ID card
arrived! Things might now start to move forward. Although based on yesterday’s
conversations I am still not convinced that things will happen as fast as I
would like. 
I was thinking ahead on these things, so I have already
submitted my forms, completed the eye test and provided multiple copies of my
visa, passport and photos with glazed eyes, white background and 18mm head to
the driving license authority, no objection letters (these are a joy unto
themselves). All I need to do now is
turn up, show my ID card and take another photo. Easier said than done! I have to go to a
center that is only open between 8:00am and 2:00pm on Sunday to Thursday-
nicely in the middle of my workday then.
I know I work in a school, but this is a school in the middle of the
desert- with no address. One bit of desert looks much the same as another to
me. I have not yet perfected the art of directing taxi drivers (who do not want
to pick me up from the middle of the desert) to my particular sand covered
area. I do not have high expectations for a Sunday resolution… 
I am also discovering that while some things are just like home, some phrases seem to get lost in
translation. So, again in my usual
organized manner I have done all the prep work for the Internet connection. I
have no choice in provider. There are only two Etisalat and Du. Etisalat have taken
control of/ been allocated/ cabled my building so I have to use them. I have provided all the photos, passport
copies, visa copies, no objection letter (letters from your employer- needed
for everything from using the internet, driving, having a bank account and
probably eating; to say they don’t mind you doing/ having these things.) So, I
was feeling positive when I phoned them up to see when they could come and set
up the Internet. The conversation went something like this:
Me: You have all my forms, letters and documents now. Do you
need anything else?
Etisalat: No madam.
Me: When can you come and install the router and turn on the
Internet?
Etisalat: Maybe at the weekend, maybe next week, maybe the
week after. Some people are waiting a month or more. You might be lucky.
Me: (Channeling my mother) but I need to be able to connect
to the Internet and have a phone. I will speak to you every day until you set
up an appointment and come and fix it for me.
Etisalat: Ok madam, we I will talk to you tomorrow.
Hang on- that was definitely not the response I was looking
for there! I don’t want to talk to you everyday, that is not supposed to be a
treat or the objective of this…. Live and learn.
Obviously being Dubai there are a huge number of positives.
Huge shopping malls, each with there own special features, including inside
skiing in the desert, aquariums, skating rinks, sky diving, dinosaurs, dancing
fountains, miles and miles ad miles of shops and restaurants. All of which have working lights and running
water. The water does take a bit of getting used to- but I can work with the
desalination aspect. 
Work and general settling in have been taken up most of my
time recently. I have been very excited to get my nails done, and to eat in a
few old favorite places- Cheesecake Factory being one, try a few new places-
the food can be amazing here and I am sure I will be piling on the pounds if I
am not careful. However, I have a few days off in October for Eid so I have a
short trip to Abu Dhabi planned and a night in the desert booked; I feel like I
am starting to be able to get out and about and make the most of being here,
having new experiences and exploring again.
Now all I need to do is make sure I have my driving license sorted out
so I can get there.
So, thank you Starbucks for use of your Internet. It is
unfortunately timed based on the number of coffees you buy, not unlimited, and
there is only so much coffee I can drink! So for today, I am done. More to
follow after more adventures.
