Hi All:
Today is our three week anniversary in Abu Dhabi...it has gone quickly. I am just getting around to sending some pictures off my camera. They seem very playground oriented, but our time has been split between shopping to complete our household needs and getting to know the kid sites. I would say the kids are adapting. They are excited about being in school at the Canadian International school. Rafi also started ballet in our complex and Trace started tennis. Both will begin swimming lessons tomorrow. We live in a great complex for amenities so it is nice not to have to drive, but walk less than 5 minutes to the clubhouse.
Driving is its own story. I just got my license last week and have driven the kids to school, which is about 15 minutes away. I have also driven to Fujairah, where my practicum site is. That was a 2 hour 20 minute drive. I am just starting to drive around the actual Abu Dhabi city. It is confusing and not well marked. Worse is the crazy drivers. The speed limits on the freeway are decoration, but at least there are many lanes. However, in the city, it feels more chaotic. The roadways are strange too as there aren't enough overpasses so often you have to drive past a place you need to get to, find an exit and return back to your destination. U-turns are also legal and used often in the city to help with this problem...there are official u-turn lanes. Let's just say, I hope to find a job close to home!
I have sent some pictures of the corniche or beach area here in Abu Dhabi. We actually haven't been on the beach as believe it or not, it has been cold....colder than anyone can remember with quite a lot of wind. Today was very pleasant though so we went and discovered a huge park with about 7 different playground structures (nothing here is done on a small scale) and they all were busy!!!! Friday is the religious day and a big day for picnics. Families get together and BBQ in the parks.
The night pictures are from last weekend when we went to Dubai for part of the shopping festival. Actually much more hype than sales. Anyway, there was a night carnival on the water for the kids. They got henna tattoos, rode some rides and of course had cotton candy...yuck I say, but their night wasn't complete without it. Dubai is absolutely huge and we got lost finding the hotel because of my poor navigating:)
I have also included a pic of our villa. The front yard so to speak was just landscaped. My mom will be so proud...look at all my flowers!!!! We also left the natural sand and made a sandbox for the kids. They think the sand is great, but it is funny as a local family lives across the street and hate the sand. They have all grass planted so their little boy who is the twins age runs to our sand area every time he sees us outside to play in it. We are also lucky that another 4 year old boy lives right next door to us and goes to the same school. They are from Australia and his parents are both teachers. Unfortunately, it sounds like this will be their last year here as they have already been here for 4 years and have to go back to retain their positions in the school system back in Australia. Very nice family though.
I will be back in Canada with the kids Feb 7 - Feb 16th because of school, which has been crazy, but at least I am on the countdown. My practicum I think will be very interesting as I will be working with all local college girls. What a cultural experience to say the least. The college is so strict it is like an institution. Only 10% absent rate allowed or kicked out, can't leave campus, must eat and break at designated times, and they are to take two years of English before they can actually start a degree, which is all in English. Many come only speaking Arabic so I can't imagine. Oh, and did I mention that girls must be back in school one week after giving birth, which of course is common or 2 weeks if a c-section or otherwise expelled. Same
timeframe for a marriage. I will have a translator with me in sessions if needed, but that is not encouraged unless necessary as confidentiality is a huge issue. The locals are known to spread rumours or tell the family...both of which can have serious consequences for the client. It sounds like I will be co-facilitating some groups on relationships and empowerment. The female doctor on staff also wants me to do some follow-up with the women who are pregnant or have given birth given my last practicum. I guess eating
disorders are also common due to the strict family control among other things, so it sounds like I will be working with girls suspected of anorexia or at least with very low body mass indexes to see what is going on. Not an area I am really knowledgeable of, but the need is there and my supervisor has a lot of experience in that area so I will be doing some major learning.
Here is hoping this leads to a counselling position in an Abu Dhabi university or hospital! I have included a couple of pics from the vehicle the first week I was driven to Fujairah to show the desert and mountain
landscape. It was quite unique and with the sun just rising which very picturesque.
Well, that is my update.
Hope all is well and keep in touch,
Carmen
