How's the Internet Out Here?

I made a little picture to help explain it in better terms...

Crazy Cars and Crazy Workers

So two things happened today that I thought I should share.  Nothing super important, just stuff to put up here to keep folks informed on what I see out here. 

So the first thing is an Audi R8 (See picture).  I was perusing the Emirate Palace parking garage today and stumbled on this beauty on the first floor.  Pretty sweet!  Unique cars are all over the place out here, especially at the Palace.  Most of them just sit there collecting dust because some rich dude decided that he needs one of these in the garage just in case he would want to drive it one day.  I've seen an Aston Martin Vantage, this R8, numrous Bentley's, Mercedes out the wazoo, and then a whole bunch of crappy beat up Mitsubishi Outlanders and Pajeros :)

Secondly, my buddy Andre was at work today and stumbled on these two stooges doing work in the office.  Yep, that's a guy on a ladder, on a desk, with the other guy wearing his Redneck hat holding the ladder.  Some things you see out here are just better off left unexplained and this was one of those moments. 

That's all for now.  Might go play some golf this weekend and if I do, I'll definitely post something on that.  Take care.

Funny Stuff

So I had to post this.  I was driving home just now from a little hole in the wall Egyptian place (which by the way serves the best stuffed pigeon), and as I was sitting at a red light minding my own business, a car full of Emiratis pulls up next to me.  They look at me a few times and then signal to roll down my window.  At first I was like "Yeah whatever" and then I figured what the hell?  So I rolled my window down and the all proceeded to ask me "How are you?"

At first I was taken back by the unusual display of friendliness by an Emirati towards a foreigner, but then I responded back with a nice "Very well".  They all nodded, smiled, and drove away.

Hmmm...I guess after Ramadan, they're so happy to be eating again that they are friendly to everyone.  Just thought that was a little odd.

First Week Over

Well I just finished my first long run in Abu Dhabi.  Fortunately for me, running 20 miles today had to be done indoors due to Ramadan and the fact that you are forbidden to eat or drink in public until sundown.  1 more day of Ramadan and all will be back to normal (normal for here at least).  Also forbidden during Ramadan:

- Singing in your car or anywhere else
- Dancing
- Smoking
- Pretty much anything else that gives you some sort of pleasure

I have to say, I'm somewhat impressed that the Muslims fast all day for this long.  It's pretty difficult to not eat from sunup to sundown.  The funny thing is, that they normally sleep from about 1 PM till about 7 PM, then they get up and party all night and stuff themselves.  Still a feat though. 

It's funny to try and eat during the day out here.  I feel like I'm back in the 20's trying to find some speakeasy to dip in, give the secret password, and get some food.  And even if you get food, now you have to find a place to eat (in your car, between dumpsters in an alley, some quartined room in a building where no one can see, etc.)

While I was running today, I had the gym helper come by no less than half a dozen times during the four hours to ask me if I was OK.  I think he thought I was off my rocker for running that long on the treadmill.  When I told him I was running 32 kilometers this morning, he just kind of looked at me with a blank stare as if to say, "Are you F'ing nuts?"

Last night I had the pleasure of visiting a co-worker's house to chow down on some home-made lasagna, salad, and some swimming.  I have to say, it was a nice reminder of home that I needed very much.  I stuffed myself full of good food and headed home for the night.  Thanks Steve and Angie!

As for the rest of today, I'm going to order some room service, take a nap, and then get up and maybe head to Marina Mall to putz around.  That's about it for my "exciting" first week out here.  Pretty much work, eating, and the occasional crazy driver :)  Talk to you all later.

Shisha

So I'm sitting here in a cool little cafe on the water smoking shisha and drinking coffee.  its an awesome experience to see all of the locals, including women, puffing away on the intricate hookah pipes.  Very cool stuff.

For those who don't know, shisha is tobacco that has a flavored molasses in it. Its then place atop a big hookah pipe that has water in the bottom of it. When you puff it, the smoke is sent through the water and then out to the end of the hose, thus eliminating a significant portion of the "bad stuff" associated with smoking tobacco.

I tried the double apple flavor and its incredible.  That's all for now...just figured I'd update everyone while I'm sitting here.
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مرحبا بكم في أبو ظبي

Welcome to Abu Dhabi!  Woohoo I made it.  Just sitting here at the hotel getting all of my computer stuff running and realizing that even with billions of dollars invested in communications out here, the bandwidth is still crap. 

The flight was awesome.  I flew Etihad airways (the "official" airline of the UAE) and the business class seats were incredible!  They laid flat like a bed and had a great entertainment system.  They were like little pods that you sat in but were very private and comfortable.  This was probably the best plane ride I've ever been on. 

I started watching a movie when we took off (Fast and the Furious).  After that, I had dinner (fillet mignon with some veggies and coffee), and then took about am 8 hour "nap".  I'm still amazed that I was actually able to sleep for that long on a plane.  After waking up, I watched another movie (Xmen Origins), ate some breakfast at 6PM, and then landed shortly after.  What is interesting is that all of the movies are edited for content, so both of the ones I watched had really weird parts in them where a normal sex scene would have occurred. 

After touching down and getting off the plane, I went through customs which was a breeze and got my bags within 10 minutes.  The airport was great and the service there was really nice, except for the little baggage guy I paid $5 to help with bags.  I think I gave him half of his month's salary and he wouldn't leave me alone after that. 

As for the hotel, it's well...a hotel.  It's a nice place but nothing beats your own bed and house.  I took a little trip across the street and had some mutton tikka (awesome) or about $5.  I think it's going to be very difficult to actually spend the allotted per diem out here. 

Anyway, just figured I'd post on here and let everyone know it all went well and I've arrived safe and sound.  I'll be putting more pictures up when I get a chance to explore later this week.  Off to work tomorrow.  Till then...

The wonders of modern travel

Well I'm sitting here in JFK and figured I'd throw something up on the ole' blog (it's not even a week old and I'm using the word ole').  The flight from BWI to JFK sucked a big one.  Delayed half an hour on the tarmac (the flight itself is like 32 minutes).  Then we take off and some genius decides to use his cell phone.  Stewardess commences to rip him a new one, and all is well...Till we land.  Delayed again for 15 minutes on the tarmac due to no parking spots.  Really?  I figured the GPS system and all the modern tracking devices would have been enough for the morons at JFK to realize they have a huge airplane landing at their airport. 

Anyway, I'm now sitting here at "The Lounge" which is Etihad's business class resort and I'm finally enjoying my trip.  Comfy couches, TV, Internet, and good food.  I just scarfed down some tomato vegetable soup, and a cold roast beef sandwich with horseradish.  Made myself a nice stiff vodka and tonic and I'm good to go.  Now I just have to remember to get on the plane...

Almost There...

Well the day is almost here.  I'm leaving Sunday, which is only 3 days away, and yet it seems like time is moving VERY slow.  While I'm anxious to get over there and start my new gig, I still find my mind wandering in all different directions trying to figure out what still needs to be done before I leave. 

I was sitting at the MVA last night getting my license changed (yes, I finally got rid of the Fat Bart driver's license), and I started making a list of things to pack.  Three pages later, I decided to put that on hold and move on to a "To Do" list.  Another page later, and I was back to the first list.  This is what I am having to deal with right now.  I feel like a schizophrenic school kid hopped up on speed.  I'm all over the place right now. 

Anyway, I think I have things pretty much wrapped up.  Packing will commence at 1800 hrs. tonight and will last through Saturday evening.  How in the hell am I going to fit my entire life into two suitcases?

As for the running situation, Jill and I are up to 18 miles this Saturday.  Things are going well on that front, but I am dreading my two 20 mile runs in the desert.  Looks like I'll be getting up at 0400 to run for 3 1/2 hours for the next few weeks while I'm over there.  I'm sure the locals are going to stare and call me names but whatever.