Today's adventure started with me accompanying Joey to work...well, not really to his work, but the general vicinity! We woke up at 7am (still in need of a full 8 hour night's sleep fyi!), showered, dressed, had a little breakfast in our hotel's lobby (the service here at the beach rotana can spoil you rotten!!), hopped in a cab, then arrived in the north west area of Abu Dhabi, called Mamoura.
Joey went to work, then I went for a little stroll around. This region, like most of Abu Dhabi is under major construction. Lots of cranes. It's a little more spread out here too, which made my walk rather short. Well, that, and the fact that it's not really a pedestrian friendly city. They have sidewalks, but they kinda end abruptly where it doesn't make sense, then offer no crosswalks. Which is dangerous as there's a very bat out of hell driving mentality. Mind you they're pretty good drivers, but not very watchful of anyone on foot. They just expect for you to watch for them as they drive like maniacs. Always on the offensive.
After my leisurely stroll I decided to pop into a little coffee shop nearby.
Iced Mocha. Yum.
This was a perfect spot to sit, enjoy a coffee, and people watch. The diversity of culture here (atleast at this particular location) was really amazing. So many expats. Since the building with the coffee shop houses a bunch of temporary foreign businesses and also the emirati nuclear energy dept as well as other local MAJOR businesses, this was an excellent pick for my first official outing. So many well dressed professionals. From the suits to the abayas to the thawb. It was really beautiful to experience.
The abaya is most common in countries with large Salafi Muslim populations, as the entire body, including face and hands are considered elements of the awrah- that which should be concealed in public from males unrelated by blood or marriage.
Joey went to work, then I went for a little stroll around. This region, like most of Abu Dhabi is under major construction. Lots of cranes. It's a little more spread out here too, which made my walk rather short. Well, that, and the fact that it's not really a pedestrian friendly city. They have sidewalks, but they kinda end abruptly where it doesn't make sense, then offer no crosswalks. Which is dangerous as there's a very bat out of hell driving mentality. Mind you they're pretty good drivers, but not very watchful of anyone on foot. They just expect for you to watch for them as they drive like maniacs. Always on the offensive.
After my leisurely stroll I decided to pop into a little coffee shop nearby.
Iced Mocha. Yum.
This was a perfect spot to sit, enjoy a coffee, and people watch. The diversity of culture here (atleast at this particular location) was really amazing. So many expats. Since the building with the coffee shop houses a bunch of temporary foreign businesses and also the emirati nuclear energy dept as well as other local MAJOR businesses, this was an excellent pick for my first official outing. So many well dressed professionals. From the suits to the abayas to the thawb. It was really beautiful to experience.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters, and the women of the faithful, to draw their wraps over them. They will thus be recognised and no harm will come to them. God is forgiving and kind."
The thawb is the traditional Arab dress for men. It is sometimes spelled thobe or thaub. It is a tunic, generally long. The word is used specifically for this garment in Arab states of the Persian Gulf. There has been some debate regarding the correct length of the thawb. Shorter length represents modesty, while longer represents royalty, status and wealth.
It's amazing how normal it all feels. While the coffee started out as the only thing familiar to me, the rest seemed to find it's place.
Have a Good Night! The new job is going great still. Mom and Tyson are going house shopping today so keep your fingers crossed! I hope they hit the jackpot. I liked the interesting tidbits of knowledge in your blog. I look forward to reading more! Love and miss you!
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