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...