Abu Dhabi

So it’s been more than a week since I got here and there are so many things I want to talk about but I guess it would all be too much for one post.


Let’s start by Abu Dhabi itself. I’m starting to like this place; maybe some people might think it is very similar to Bahrain but I assure you it is not that similar from my current perspective. I think during my stay here I will be learning more about the lives of expatriates living in the GCC which I have thought of.


The other thing that I am starting to really like is the Abaya. For some reason I feel very comfortable wearing it; there were a couple of nights that I dressed up to go out but I ended up wearing the Abaya on top. I have always had the thought of becoming metahajiba/covering up (which I have already posted about) and I guess maybe with this experience I will have a clear opinion and understanding of what it is going to be like.

My mother calls me every day; her excuse in the beginning was because she was bored since my father was not in the country; but now that my father is back her excuse is that she wants to know if I’m still alive. It’s clear she misses me and wants to check up if I’m comfortable or not.

Last weekend, I met my family in Dubai and it was loads of fun. They were very excited to see me and so was I. Some of them came all the way from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi to see me and it felt so good. I spent most of the time at home with the family and didn’t want to go out. The next day we were invited to Ibrahim’s (one of the local Alumni) house who for lunch and then a gathering with all the AIESECers in the evening. Unfortunately I didn’t get to hang out with the @ers since I was busy learning from the MCs; but I did get time to spend with Ibrahim’s family at lunch and it was really nice. We talked about the reality of the country and about poverty in the country and how different it is from Bahrain. Exciting stuff; real eye opening conversations!!

The best thing in Dubai for me was Noora. She was one of my second cousin’s daughter and she is one sweet, bright & fun girl. She was shy in the beginning but once she got to know me better we had loads of fun together.