One month ago....today....

...I woke up in my apartment in my new city and country.  It's hard to believe it's been 4 weeks already.  So much has happened in four weeks - the majority of course - school related.  But today I finally got out - really got out to explore some of the parts of ABD that I really wanted to see.  The souks on Al Meena island were wonderful and there are so many more to explore, which I'll probably do when it's not so blessed hot and humid.  The fish market was insane...so many different types of fish and shark...real, baby shark.  I have to say that's the only one I had a problem with.  It's hard to describe why - but I just didn't like the idea of buying baby shark.  I've had shark fin soup - it's delicious...I just found it hard in my gut to justify.  The rest of the fish?  Amazing.  The parrot fish with it's brightly colored skin - wow!  I want to snorkel or scuba dive to see one in the wild - I bet in the crystal clear water of the gulf they are stunning.  The men at the fish market?  Hilarious.  My friend, B and I, were clearly tourists...cameras out - not buying fish, asking millions of questions.  The fishermen/vendors were generous and kind - playing with the fish and humoring us when we asked them questions.  One gentleman apparently took to B so much that he followed us out of the souk, got in his car and followed us in his car behind our taxi.  With a quick loan of my wedding band for her to flash to him and point at - he got the hint and drove away.  He wasn't scary at all - just apparently very interested in her.  It gave us something to giggle about as we drove to the carpet souk.

After the fish market we drove to the flower market.  Shop after shop of amazing and beautiful flowers and plants, both indoor and outdoor.  I'm already thinking about what I want and where to put them.  I think I'll get an indoor palm...maybe a cactus to remind me of home...maybe an orchid too.  We also saw an elephant - an elephant topiary that is :)  Getting a couple of plants will definitely help make my apartment feel more homey.

After the flower market we headed over to the carpet souk...which was a peddlers nightmare.  I've not seen such aggressive sales techniques since the county fair! ;)  There were some carpet salesmen who wanted to sell us carpets today for sure!  And to be honest - the first place we walked in will be the one we got back to when it's time to buy runs and carpets.  The guy was genuinely kind and willing to haggle on price.  I've already got a couple of rugs picked out!  Now I just need to get paid and go back.  It was very fun and some of the fabrics were amazing.  We went into a couple of shops which had the most amazing fabrics for pillows...but the fabric was from Syria.  ugh.  I just couldn't bring myself to buy it.  But the fabric was gorgeous.  So, if Syria could get their government figured out so I could continue my capitalist ways, that would be great ;)  (I'm kidding - rather I'd like them to quit using chemical weapons on their people - but that's a whole other discussion.)  We also learned how to tell the difference between a hand made rug and a machine made one. :)  The hand made ones are obviously more expensive, but wow!

Our last stop was Saadiyat Public Beach.  Since I've arrived I've wanted to put my feet in the Persian Gulf...not an inlet...but the actual ocean-for-miles gulf.  So today we decided we would do that.  We didn't originally intend on swimming...but once we got there...we couldn't help it and went in fully clothed :)  It was breathtakingly beautiful.  We are already planning our next day at the beach...complete with swim suits, a cooler and food :)

first step in the gulf :)

throwing up the Duck "O" 

post swim

drying off before catching the cab

pre-swim...it's so beautiful

Today I felt like I finally was no longer a slave to school.  I still have schoolwork to do tonight to be prepared for tomorrow, but I finally got out and saw things...explored my new city and it felt so good.  Next weekend it's a birthday weekend in Dubai for a couple of my new friends.  I'm extremely excited for that adventure as well.  One more new adventure in what is turning out to be a crazy, beautiful life here in the UAE.