We started at the Egyptian Museum..the mummies!!!!
Lunch at the Mena House Hotel with a view of the Giza Pyramids...
Notice the rice...
The view from the top!!!
The view of the Nile from our Marriott Tower Hotel room..
City view...
Sakkara Pyramids, the oldest pyriamids in history...
Jake..making friends with a local boy, the boy is smiling because Mike just gave him some money because he was so excited and sweet!!
The view from the top!!!
The view of the Nile from our Marriott Tower Hotel room..
City view...
Sakkara Pyramids, the oldest pyriamids in history...
Jake..making friends with a local boy, the boy is smiling because Mike just gave him some money because he was so excited and sweet!!
In a tomb...
On to Memphis...Armed tourist police were everywhere we went, most places also had metal detectors..this just gives you that warm and fuzzy reminder that we are in the middle east and very close to Israel!!
Lunch in Sakkara..at a "local" joint...
Old Cairo..down the stairs...
Police dogs to sniff out all the cars coming into hotels..the boys had fun with them!!
Bye, bye, Cairo..on our way home! Did I mention traveling with these two is like traveling with Brad Pitt,?? Egyptians loved them and their blonde hair, Jett must have had his head rubbed a thousand times!!
The Oswald Boys
On to Memphis...Armed tourist police were everywhere we went, most places also had metal detectors..this just gives you that warm and fuzzy reminder that we are in the middle east and very close to Israel!!
Lunch in Sakkara..at a "local" joint...
Old Cairo..down the stairs...
Police dogs to sniff out all the cars coming into hotels..the boys had fun with them!!
Bye, bye, Cairo..on our way home! Did I mention traveling with these two is like traveling with Brad Pitt,?? Egyptians loved them and their blonde hair, Jett must have had his head rubbed a thousand times!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Into the Wild
On Saturday evening Mike and I decided to sit down and watch a movie, the movie was titled "Into the Wild." It is about a college graduate who runs off to Alaska..that is about as far as I got, as it was late and we had to get up for school the next morning. Mike stayed up much later, getting deeper into the movie. When I awoke and came down to start lunches and make the coffee I noticed something on the fridge next to our family photos..it was a hand written quote from Mike on a blank piece of white paper.
"The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences." -Alex Supertramp, Into the Wild
What??!!! This is SO unlike Mike, I am normally the philosophical one who runs around quoting authors....
With that said, by Sunday afternoon (after hearing Jake was having a three day weekend at school for the Prophet's Birthday) we were booked for Cairo, Egypt.
We leave tomorrow and can't wait!
"The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences." -Alex Supertramp, Into the Wild
What??!!! This is SO unlike Mike, I am normally the philosophical one who runs around quoting authors....
With that said, by Sunday afternoon (after hearing Jake was having a three day weekend at school for the Prophet's Birthday) we were booked for Cairo, Egypt.
We leave tomorrow and can't wait!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Shamal Shamazal
When I have heard the word Shamal I always have thought of the opening song to Laverne and Shirly…”Shameel, shamall, something, something incorporated..” Well, now I understand the true meaning.
Shamal is defined as..” a summer northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq and the Persian Gulf states (including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), often strong during the day, but decreasing at night.[1] This weather effect occurs anywhere from once to several times a year. The resulting wind typically creates large sandstorms that impact Iraq, although most sand is picked up from Jordan and Syria.” I suppose they forgot to mention the UAE, we are often combined in with Saudi Arabia.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, hot enough to not feel cold in the pool, a sunny warmth that reminded us all that before long dramatic heat and humidity will drive us to run from one air conditioned area to another. When evening fell the winds picked up quite rapidly, I went outside to feel the warm air blow in front of our villa. When I awoke this morning a thick layer of sand was dispersed through the air. It almost looked like fog or smog but has a warmer hue of brown to it. Well, shamal or no shamal our day continued…
Today was a big day, both a Valentine’s party and Field Day for Jake. Field Day is typically done at the end of the American school year, but here, it has to be done before the heat rises to the extreme!
It is such a joy to see Jake enjoy these activities. I worried so much about taking him from a home and friends that he loved to a new and strange culture in the Middle East. He has transitioned so well and like me seems to enjoy the adventure of it all. The photos below show his happiness throughout our sandy, windy day!!
The street in front of Jake's school, ACS...
Jake's Valentine's party, deliveries in progress...
Shamal is defined as..” a summer northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq and the Persian Gulf states (including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), often strong during the day, but decreasing at night.[1] This weather effect occurs anywhere from once to several times a year. The resulting wind typically creates large sandstorms that impact Iraq, although most sand is picked up from Jordan and Syria.” I suppose they forgot to mention the UAE, we are often combined in with Saudi Arabia.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, hot enough to not feel cold in the pool, a sunny warmth that reminded us all that before long dramatic heat and humidity will drive us to run from one air conditioned area to another. When evening fell the winds picked up quite rapidly, I went outside to feel the warm air blow in front of our villa. When I awoke this morning a thick layer of sand was dispersed through the air. It almost looked like fog or smog but has a warmer hue of brown to it. Well, shamal or no shamal our day continued…
Today was a big day, both a Valentine’s party and Field Day for Jake. Field Day is typically done at the end of the American school year, but here, it has to be done before the heat rises to the extreme!
It is such a joy to see Jake enjoy these activities. I worried so much about taking him from a home and friends that he loved to a new and strange culture in the Middle East. He has transitioned so well and like me seems to enjoy the adventure of it all. The photos below show his happiness throughout our sandy, windy day!!
The street in front of Jake's school, ACS...
Jake's Valentine's party, deliveries in progress...
Happy with lots of treats!
The grass field at ACS, you can barely see the apartment buildings in the background that are normally seem clear as day.
Jake with Charlie Cook to the left. Charlie is my friend Terri's son, he is thrilled as he just got a leg cast off earlier this morning!!
The grass field at ACS, you can barely see the apartment buildings in the background that are normally seem clear as day.
Jake with Charlie Cook to the left. Charlie is my friend Terri's son, he is thrilled as he just got a leg cast off earlier this morning!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Hoarding..An Expat requirement!
It’s been a couple of weeks from my last post, yes, we have been busy but I can’t tell you with exactly what. I think we have just been busy with everyday life here in Abu Dhabi, our routine is down and we plug along just like we did in the States.
School, gym, visiting with friends, homework, air shows, boy and girls nights out, Birthday parties, etc.
There are some major differences, but I have learned to accept them. For instance, the highlight of my day today was the grocery store. Jake, will only drink Welch’s white grape juice…..that’s it other than water, no other kind of juice will do. Just since we have lived here have they started carrying it in ONE grocery store. It is a mere $30dhs a bottle (about $8.00) very pricey..so I buy it occasionally for Jake. Today I burst out with joy when I came across the Welch’s white grape juice, as it was marked for only 9dhs a bottle!!! So, I did what any expat would do (or so I have learned since I came here) I hoarded! This word has taken on a new meaning since living here, when you find those unique things you have to have (especially at good prices) you literally clear the shelf. This rings true with goldfish, corn meal, frozen waffles and cheerios. Take what you can get, when you find it!! I learned this lesson the hard way when I had to borrow cornmeal from a friend for Thanksgiving!!
So I am now fully stocked with about 10 bottles of Welch’s white grape juice…oh there are also about 10 bags of goldfish in my pantry…..all I can say is thank goodness I have lots of cabinet space!!
Other than these small things daily life is pretty much the same. For instance, I finally got my driver’s license..the women behind the counter, although covered in abayas were just as unfriendly as they are at the DMV in the states. I registered Jett for 4-year old pre-school this week, I had to get up and wait in line just like I did back home.
However, after writing this I think about when we go home to the States this summer, I bet life will seem very easy there, after all this…I guess you just learn to live with what you have and since everybody else does the same, it seems normal...??
With all that said it is still shocking to me how easy our transition has been. There are stresses…VISA’s, housing, etc. but there are different stresses at home that we don’t have here. Overall, I am still thrilled at the opportunity to live here as a family, and if you told me I could leave tomorrow I would say no way..we still have too many continents to visit!!
School, gym, visiting with friends, homework, air shows, boy and girls nights out, Birthday parties, etc.
There are some major differences, but I have learned to accept them. For instance, the highlight of my day today was the grocery store. Jake, will only drink Welch’s white grape juice…..that’s it other than water, no other kind of juice will do. Just since we have lived here have they started carrying it in ONE grocery store. It is a mere $30dhs a bottle (about $8.00) very pricey..so I buy it occasionally for Jake. Today I burst out with joy when I came across the Welch’s white grape juice, as it was marked for only 9dhs a bottle!!! So, I did what any expat would do (or so I have learned since I came here) I hoarded! This word has taken on a new meaning since living here, when you find those unique things you have to have (especially at good prices) you literally clear the shelf. This rings true with goldfish, corn meal, frozen waffles and cheerios. Take what you can get, when you find it!! I learned this lesson the hard way when I had to borrow cornmeal from a friend for Thanksgiving!!
So I am now fully stocked with about 10 bottles of Welch’s white grape juice…oh there are also about 10 bags of goldfish in my pantry…..all I can say is thank goodness I have lots of cabinet space!!
Other than these small things daily life is pretty much the same. For instance, I finally got my driver’s license..the women behind the counter, although covered in abayas were just as unfriendly as they are at the DMV in the states. I registered Jett for 4-year old pre-school this week, I had to get up and wait in line just like I did back home.
However, after writing this I think about when we go home to the States this summer, I bet life will seem very easy there, after all this…I guess you just learn to live with what you have and since everybody else does the same, it seems normal...??
With all that said it is still shocking to me how easy our transition has been. There are stresses…VISA’s, housing, etc. but there are different stresses at home that we don’t have here. Overall, I am still thrilled at the opportunity to live here as a family, and if you told me I could leave tomorrow I would say no way..we still have too many continents to visit!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Mom and Dad Visit Abu Dhabi!!!
Well, after a two week visit in Abu Dhabi, I think, by the time they left, my Mom and Dad memorized a view of the basic rules:
1) Take short showers, hot water only lasts in the summer when it is 115 outside
2) Leaks are a regular thing around here, $8,000 a month rent in Abu Dhabi doesn't get you the swanky..all bathrooms work, no leak house, like it gets you in the states
3) Watch where you step, there are no safety regulations here, so pipes can be sticking out anywhere and holes can be right in the middle of a sidewalk!
4) Watch where you step around camels
5) Remember exacly where you are by landmarks and buildings, as nothing has an address here and cab drivers rarely speak good English
6) Leave time for figuring out Abu Dhabi events, signs are never in English that tell you where to go and what the schedule is and if you ask anyone a question..the answer is ALWAYS YES, even if they have no idea what you are saying!!
7) Locals only work when they want to, sometimes they show and sometimes, they don't!!
8) Always stock up on wine at the Duty Free in the airport, alcohol is hard to come by in Abu Dhabi and very pricey!!
9) Check your camel's saddle before you get on, make sure the girth is tight!!
The Camel Festival..thousands of camels, and a great event, however, since all signs were in arabic we had no idea what was going on!!!
Dune Bashing trip...camels stink!!
Dad riding a camel with a good saddle...Mike got on one and the saddle fell right over..ouch!!
During the Dune Bashing..at a camp in the desert..this is the coldest I have ever been since we have lived here!! This was right before Mom tripped over a pole and fell down, landing on her wine glass..lots of blood but thankfully no stiches were neccesary..the dune bashing made us all a bit dizzy!!
Dad, reliving his college days with the shesha pipe..ha, ha!
Mom and Dad with us on the Ferrari site visit...
Dad...trying to be funny with the workers..they just think he is crazy!!!
Our last day..Atlantis, where thanks to Mike.. we got the VIP treatment!!
1) Take short showers, hot water only lasts in the summer when it is 115 outside
2) Leaks are a regular thing around here, $8,000 a month rent in Abu Dhabi doesn't get you the swanky..all bathrooms work, no leak house, like it gets you in the states
3) Watch where you step, there are no safety regulations here, so pipes can be sticking out anywhere and holes can be right in the middle of a sidewalk!
4) Watch where you step around camels
5) Remember exacly where you are by landmarks and buildings, as nothing has an address here and cab drivers rarely speak good English
6) Leave time for figuring out Abu Dhabi events, signs are never in English that tell you where to go and what the schedule is and if you ask anyone a question..the answer is ALWAYS YES, even if they have no idea what you are saying!!
7) Locals only work when they want to, sometimes they show and sometimes, they don't!!
8) Always stock up on wine at the Duty Free in the airport, alcohol is hard to come by in Abu Dhabi and very pricey!!
9) Check your camel's saddle before you get on, make sure the girth is tight!!
The Camel Festival..thousands of camels, and a great event, however, since all signs were in arabic we had no idea what was going on!!!
Dune Bashing trip...camels stink!!
Dad riding a camel with a good saddle...Mike got on one and the saddle fell right over..ouch!!
During the Dune Bashing..at a camp in the desert..this is the coldest I have ever been since we have lived here!! This was right before Mom tripped over a pole and fell down, landing on her wine glass..lots of blood but thankfully no stiches were neccesary..the dune bashing made us all a bit dizzy!!
Dad, reliving his college days with the shesha pipe..ha, ha!
Mom and Dad with us on the Ferrari site visit...
Dad...trying to be funny with the workers..they just think he is crazy!!!
Our last day..Atlantis, where thanks to Mike.. we got the VIP treatment!!
Ferrari World Site Visit
Finally I was able to go see Mike at work!! They do not allow children anywhere near his worksite but when my parents visited last week I finally arranged enough time without the kids to go see him!!
Many friends that I have not spoken to in sometime ask me what brought us to Abu Dhabi...well this is it! Sometime ago Mike got into the theme and water park business (the business I was raised in). About a year ago he was approached by a consulting company based out of Tustin, CA that he had gotten to know over the years. This company, ProFun has the pre-opening operations contract for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The first ever Ferrari theme park that is being built on an island called Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. There is also a Formula 1 racetrack being built on this island, shopping, housing, hotels, etc. Mike is on this pre-opening operations team, consulting on the contruction of the park from an operations prospective. He will also oversee the water park and potentially the Warner Bros park that will be built on the island as well.
Below is the model of Yas Island. The circle in the middle is a large mall, the red structure is Ferrari World, over to the left is where Warner Bros and the World's largest waterpark will be.
Mike..showing us the overhead photo of the island...This island is located about 20 minutes from the city center of Abu Dhabi.
There are about 40,000 laborers involved in these projects..they all live in these work camps..or trailers. Most are Indian, that have come out here to work, leaving their families behind and sending them their earnings. See the rows of stacked trailers...
Grandstands for Formula 1 racetrack...
In the Ferrari World building...
Still a long way to go, but amazing progress considering one year ago this was all sand and dirt!!
Many friends that I have not spoken to in sometime ask me what brought us to Abu Dhabi...well this is it! Sometime ago Mike got into the theme and water park business (the business I was raised in). About a year ago he was approached by a consulting company based out of Tustin, CA that he had gotten to know over the years. This company, ProFun has the pre-opening operations contract for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The first ever Ferrari theme park that is being built on an island called Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. There is also a Formula 1 racetrack being built on this island, shopping, housing, hotels, etc. Mike is on this pre-opening operations team, consulting on the contruction of the park from an operations prospective. He will also oversee the water park and potentially the Warner Bros park that will be built on the island as well.
Below is the model of Yas Island. The circle in the middle is a large mall, the red structure is Ferrari World, over to the left is where Warner Bros and the World's largest waterpark will be.
Mike..showing us the overhead photo of the island...This island is located about 20 minutes from the city center of Abu Dhabi.
There are about 40,000 laborers involved in these projects..they all live in these work camps..or trailers. Most are Indian, that have come out here to work, leaving their families behind and sending them their earnings. See the rows of stacked trailers...
Grandstands for Formula 1 racetrack...
In the Ferrari World building...
Still a long way to go, but amazing progress considering one year ago this was all sand and dirt!!
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Dune Bashing January 2009
The Oswald Boys
About Me
- Sand Diving
- Born in Branson, Mo, lived in Tennessee, Canada and spent most of my life in California. Spent the last five years in Birmingham, Alabama and moved to Abu Dhabi, UAE in July. My husband and I are high-school sweethearts and have been together for over fifteen years. We have two handsome, sweet and very active little boys, ages three and six. They love mud, running and generally trying to drive us crazy with activity!! We are very excited for our family adventure in Abu Dhabi! So far, so great!!