Heritage Village

For some reason I am unable to download all the pics that I wanted to post. This is starting in the middle.

Grace had a class field trip to Heritage Village last week. She told us all about it. We decided to visit as a family last Saturday.

Heritage Village is a living museum. It is a replica of what life was like here in Abu Dhabi up until the 1960's, only 50 years ago. They have camel rides, a small farm with animals, irrigation system with a water buffalo, houses made from various types of vegetation, a tiny souq, beach, a cultural museum, glass blowing, leather goods, and various trades exhibited. We spent a few hours here. The kids - of course - spent most of their time on the beach front and riding the camels. I am amazed at the contrast of "now and then". The museum draws no comparison. But you walk out side the village or onto the beach and view the skyscrapers and see the cars, even types of cars, and all that is available to all the residents now. It is mind boggling.
All this in almost my entire lifetime- (no, I am not 50), but in such few years a major city is erected. I am not saying it entirely functions as I would like :), but the fact that we can pretty much replicate our lives from the USA is amazing to me.
Today we don't, but almost everyday we have running water. We can get cheetos, Hagaan Daaz ice cream, there is even a special "pork room" in some grocery stores in case you have that craving for bacon and salami. We can shop at The Gap, IKEA, Guess, Body Shop, Toys R us, Ace Hardware, etc. We have the options of eating out at Pizza Hut, La Boulanger, Fuddruckers and even Taco Bell. We have a swimming pool in our backyard and a great clubhouse with squash court, tennis court, sauna, steam bath, gym and pool. We have internet in our home and the electrical outlets all pretty much work. I even get bottled water delivered to my home for a very small fee.
The only things I can not seem to find is a crock pot and a steady supply of Campbells Cream of Chicken soup.

Here are a few pics of the day.


Audrey at the well.

The souq- small market with your typical touristy type trinkets.
Embroiderd Slippers
In case you are taking up belly-dancing.




Yes, I cut Sullivan's hair this morning after posting this...

Grace inside a traditional woven hut. The thing she is holding is to cover food.

Sullivan and Hazel tormenting the ducks.

Hazel- I can not believe how much she has grown!

View from the beach. This is the type of contrast I am talking about. An Emirati teenager in traditional dress out riding a jet ski. Awesome!

Abu Dhabi skyline in the background.

Quin and I. The sun was brilliant that day.

Audrey finding crabs - of course!

Weather

Hazel and Sul bundled up for a winter morning walk.



Morning view from our back deck.

All I can say is "Ahhhh...".

Now I understand why people live here.

The weather is absolutely amazing right now. Actually it has been since the middle of November and continues, so far - through January. Back in September, we arrived to a smothering sticky heat. Now we sleep with our windows open, snuggled deep in downfilled comforters. Mornings are cool and full of fluffy clouds. The kids wear their school sweaters and eat hot oatmeal for breakfast. By lunch the day is warm - around 75-85 degrees. We still make our way to the beach and pools. I don't mind sitting in the sun reading a book, or playing at the park. Sunsets are the best - full of orange glow and cooler temps. I had Quin grab a few long sleeve jackets for the kids and myself while he was at home last week. I wish I had brought more socks.

I was anxiously awaiting all the rain everyone was predicting for January. I miss a good rain storm. We have had a few over cast, misty mornings. There was one day of rain - but that's it so far. We had a letter posted to our front door warning us to have extra towels and plastic sheets ready to drape over furniture in case of heavy rain. I guess these homes were not made for sealing out moisture. And even if they were, the heat of the summer bakes and cracks all the seals. So far we've stayed dry.

Today was a bit warmer. Maybe like 90 degrees. I felt myself stifle a panic attack - remembering the blazing heat of the past. A good reminder to get out and enjoy what is left of these "winter" days.

Ice Cream

One thing I am really missing is decent ice cream. Dryers, Bryers, Costco vanilla, and Blue Bell - okay I know you can only get Blue Bell in certain privileged southern states :), but I really miss a good quality ice cream. Something that doesn't taste of freezer burn, or feel whipped and made with ice...or perfume. For some reason ice cream here tastes fragrant - like I should be wearing it instead of eating it. We have Baskin Robins here, but I am not yet willing to fork over about ten bucks a bucket. Yet.

Audrey and I were at a new grocery store scoping-out the frozen treat isle. We saw Igloo brand, which is one of the better ice cream brands available in the UAE. The flavors of choice were chocolate (does not taste anything like chocolate), vanilla - the kind we always get here, butterscotch, mango, lychee and cheese. We took our chances on the Lychee. Hum...the result is in the photos.

Maybe we should have opted for the cheese.

Christmas

It actually all started with my birthday. Quin and the kids gave me a kindle (YES!) and a deep fryer! A big one! One that I kept showing Sullivan on our weekly, actually daily, grocery shopping trips. I told him "This is what Mommy really really wants if Daddy asks". A deep fryer you say? Really? Yes!


This is me and the kids on my birthday- surprise, surprise! A deep fryer!

Christmas Eve was spent with our friends, the Franks, at their apartment downtown. This is one of their daughters, Lucy. We took the deep fryer and made beef wantons and fried rice. We spend a fair amount of time with these guys.

The kids after popping their Christmas Crackers! Enjoying their prizes and crowns.

Christmas morning at our house. there were two scooters and two plasma cars on the other side of the room! We have used them everyday since Christmas.

My book of Utah- missing everyone and all the National Parks
and green grass, trees, mountains, etc. Don't get me started.....

Quin's UAE and Oman off-road books- we are anxious to get out and explore!

I just had to buy these! They are actually really cool. Unlike most toys here they are quite good quality made. "Jamila" has henna tattoos on her hands, arms and feet.

Sullivan really loving his cars from Roseanne and Crew!

Grace after unwrapping her watch! She has begged and begged and had written to Santa....

Hazel and her plasma car! And a kitchen I found used in the classified ads. A bargain!

Audrey and her multi-hair frying crimper. It's a pretty nice one and has like 10 different plates. She has been experimenting on everyone's hair, even Sully. She now wants to be a hair stylist and a nurse.

Sullivan and a remote control truck.

If you squint you can see Quin and the girls on a scooter ride around the complex. A beautiful Christmas Day.

Our pad after opening gifts. I had to get pretty creative to find things. It was hard to find gifts that wouldn't break after one time use. I also wanted to give them some outdoor exercise type toys.

Audrey at work....

New do's for Sullivan and Grace.

And after all that we spent the rest of the day at the pool.

And this is how the day ends. Hazel falling asleep at the computer. Quin and the kids played a round of tennis and then came home for deep fried fries and turkey sandwiches. We read of Christ's birth from the Bible and then all went to bed. I'd say a great Christmas!

So my thoughts at the end of the year-

So greatful for many, many blessings. I miss and love all of our friends and family that we have back in the USA and Canada. You are all welcome anytime.

I am enjoying this new adventure, amazed at my wonderful family, greatful for good schools, Quin's job, strawberries from Egypt, decent mattress pads that make sleeping here better :), Abu Dhabi winters, letters in the mail - yes, our PO BOX works (PO BOX 63305, Abu Dhabi, UAE ), books, gardenias, hair conditioner, and the knowledge and meaning the gospel brings into my life.

Wishing you all a great 2011 with much love and peace.