It's hot. It's dry. It's hazy. It's Dubai.
I've been here for the better part of a week and so far I'm extremely pleased with my decision. I flew overnight on United Airlines from Toronto through Washington and then into Dubai. For $200 I upgraded my seat from peasant to second class which got me more leg room, an empty middle seat, and better bathroom access. Sleeping on the plane was a pipe dream that I fooled myself into believing when I upgraded my seat. Instead, in the process of blowing up my neck pillow I jammed my thumb through the seal, turning my hopes and dreams into garbage. Probably for the best because the lack of sleep made me into a zombie which made sleeping all that much easier when I got to my apartment.
My school arranged for airport guest services to meet my plane and guide me through the entry visa process. My guest services rep was a young man who was star struck... not by me, but by a famous actress from India who was riding first class on my flight. When I asked if he asked her for a picture or autograph he blushed and said no. I was ushered through customs and luggage screening and then to a comfy couch where I was to wait for the school driver. Unbeknownst to me, I was travelling with another new hire teacher from my school. I met Anna at guest services and we made fast friends on the way to our new apartment.
Driving in Dubai is interesting. There is very little police presence. Instead there are cameras located at intervals all over the highways that send you speeding tickets if you are even slightly over the posted. They range in price according to the severity of your offence. There are also random speed bumps located everywhere that will quite literally bottom out your van if you take them at any speed. Yesterday, I watched a sports car take a speed bump practically sideways one wheel at a time. Driving seems totally within my ability and a terrible idea both at the same time. People are aggressive, swearing and hand gestures will land you in jail, and I'm still working on the optimistic driver approach where I wish people luck and safety on their journeys home... I'm successful most of the time.
My school is incredible! I've never been treated so well by an employer. All the new teachers were flown in a week before actual orientation so that the school could help us settle. We started Monday morning at 9am. A bus was sent to pick us up at the apartment building. Turns out there are 25 new teachers. We were brought to the new school, fed breakfast and given a tour. Then we spoke to the insurance rep, private computer and internet rep, and various other people who were there to answer all our questions. The school then fed us lunch, and took us on a shopping excursion to one of the insane malls in Dubai. This entire week has been set up in this format. Tuesday we learned about Dubai then went to Motor City to do some grocery shopping, and yesterday we went to Ikea. They actually hired an extra bus to carry all our purchases back to the apartment. I've never been treated so well in a new job :) Our principal does not believe in wasting time. So much so, she cancelled Thursday's orientation day because she didn't want to waste our time. Some people decided to head to the beach and other decided to come to the school and steal their internet. I sided with the latter. I walked to school today and on my way I snapped some photos.
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| The view from my apartment. This is the International Cricket Centre. |
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| These are my nearest neighbours and the view from my window. The Cricket Stadium is just right of the construction. |
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| My apartment building: The Bridge Dubai Sports City. |
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| Another shot of the Cricket Stadium from ground level at the front of my building. |
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| There is an incredible amount of construction in Sports City right now. After the crash in 2008 a lot of the more ambitious building programs were postponed. They are facing the decision now about whether to knock the partially constructed buildings down or to continue building. This building to the left of The Bridge is going through with the construction. |
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| On the walk to school |
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| Other buildings in my neighbourhood |
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| The school's neighbour. |
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| My new employer :) |
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| Walking in the front door at Bradenton :) |
As requested, I will be posting more pictures of both my condo and the school. I will try to have them posted for tomorrow.
