Abu Dhabi

When I woke up this past Friday morning I had butterflies in my stomach. I was a bit scared to fly somewhere so different. What would Abu Dhabi be like? Would I get there and just want to go straight back to Salzburg? I wasn't sure, but I had the desire and the curiousity to try.

Kerstin, a German friend of mine that lives near Salzburg, had invited me to come with her and visit her parents, who live in Abu Dhabi. So on that Friday we met in the afternoon and took the train to Munich, where we flew out to Abu Dhabi.

The flight in itself presented me with culture shock when, as we took off, words in Arabic appeared on our tv screens as a man said them out loud. "They are praying for a good flight," Kerstin explained. All I could think of at that point were suicide bombers. I clearly had my own prejudices.

Upon arriving at the airport Saturday morning after not having slept, I exhaustedly followed Kerstin. We went to go and show our passports, and noticed that there were two lines: one for the regular people, and for first class passengers. Kerstin flashed one of the Arabi men a smile, and he allowed us to go to the first class line. Apparently that is how things work around here....

Kerstin's parents met us at the front of the airport and then drove us to their home. I slept for about 7 hours as I was very exhausted, and then we went out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. I had steak and drank wine. I felt very sophisticated.

On Sunday Kerstin took me to Heritage Village, which is basically a recreation of the old outdoor markets for tourists. It was really cool, with a little museum showing old artifacts and women's wear on display (the different veils women wear, etc). There was even a man wearing one of those things wrapped around his head, sitting on a camel. I definitely took a picture of that one.

Then we headed to the mall, where I saw the native people for the first time. Men with things on their heads, women wearing veils covering everything except their eyes, some women showing their entire face, others choosing to wear no veil at all. And then the loud speaker came on and something was chanted in arabic. Kerstin explained that the Muslim people were being called to prayer. Even in the mall there are prayer rooms for this purpose. I was very surprised. In movies I have seen they just kneel down wherever they are and pray. Oh Hollywood.

That evening, as we took a walk along the beach overlooking the Persian Gulf, I was surprised to see kids with their parents playing on the playground. It had to have been 10 at night, and it was dark. Kerstin explained that the kids sleep part of the day because it is so hot, and then stay up later at night.

On Monday Kerstin, her mother, and I got manis and pedis at the new place across the street. For a mani pedi it only cost 90 dirham, or 25 dollars. As I sat there, being pampered, I was able watch Friends on the big screen. It felt like home :-) Later in the day we went to the mall, where I spent way to much money on a Banana Republic sweater. I couldn't help it. I loved it.

In the evening Kerstin and I went out with her brother and some friends to a local outdoor hookah bar. I haven't smoked that in several years, as it makes my stomach sick, but I enjoyed the company and the conversation. While sitting there I was a bit freaked out. There are picture outside everywhere of the current king. That just creeps me out. It somehow reminds me of Not Without My Daughter starring Sally Field.

On Tuesday we went to Dubai where Kerstin's mom wanted to meet up with a friend. We saw the tallest building in the world, took pretty tourist pictures, and went shopping. Esprit is so much less expensive here since the people don't have to pay taxes on anything. I got a pair of jeans and a jacket for 200 dirham, or 50 USD!

Today we went to a beautiful mosque, where we had to put on veils and robes provided by the mosque just to get in. We also had to take off our shoes and leave them in a pile with the others. The mosque is beautiful and we enjoyed looking around despite the Asian people taking pictures of everything, including the floor---haha :)

At one point at the mosque we joined a tour and listened to the question and answer portion. It was great. I could tell who was in the group-everything from Germans to Dutch to English people were clearly evident by their accents, clothing, and behaviors. All different, but all interested in this culture that is so different from their own. Everyone was allowed to ask the Arabi guide questions. Nothing was taboo. And he answered them gladly. If only US political leaders would go on such a tour, perhaps they would understand the culture instead of just pointing fingers without all of the facts.

Thus far my trip has been quite enlightening. More to come.

-Molly