So, it is the end of the first school year here in the United Arab Emirates. I have learned a lot about myself, our family, and other people.
I am a very touchy person. I like to touch people. When I'm talking to you, I like to put my hand on your arm, smack you if you're being silly, goose you if I'm feeling sassy, or hug you because I want to. I have had to make a conscious effort here to not touch people when I am talking to them. It makes me kinda lonely in a strange way. I miss touching people.
I am a very flexible person. I can roll with the flow, even when it is illogical and a waste of time.
Jason, the girls and I are pretty rad people. We love each other (even when Ava is on my VERY last nerve and Landry is yelling). This adventure is bringing us closer together, and we can depend on each other. We've been able to ride camels, go dune bashing, visit the Grand Mosque and central souk in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Mall, ski Dubai, the Burj Khalifa fountain, Global Village, Gulf of Oman on the beach in Fujairah, watch a meteor shower in the desert, drive up Jebel Hafeet, see remains of a village from the Bronze Age at an official Unesco world Heritage site a few kilometers from our apartment, and go to an Easter sunrise service in many different languages with people from all over the world.
We're seeing new people, new places, new cultures, and some of it is good and some of it makes us appreciate the United States more. Talking to people from many different countries and hearing their stories and choices in life makes me see how fortunate we are. Watching the cleaners and nannies and service workers deal with disrespect and low wages and realizing that this is better than their situation in their home country is saddening. Almost every service worker or nanny that I have spoken with has a family in the Phillipines or Pakistan. Their low wages and disrespect here are still better than the money and conditions at home; so much so that they leave their children and send money home to them. Maybe people look at me that way.
I've met people with so many different accents and dialects of English that I am making a list of new English words that I've learned that are indigenous to other native English speaking countries. My top favorites are: rubbish, dodgy, fek, eejit, and keen.
There are more expats than Emiratis in the UAE, but Al Ain has a higher proportion of locals than other large cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I have weekly conversations with a local mother of 5. We share a commonality in our children, and get along very well. I don't think that many expats make it a point to get to know locals.
We are fortunate and say a prayer of thanks daily for our blessings. Alhamdulillah!
Ma Salamah!
