Spending Money

Hi All
5a Sunday, May 31


I'm taking today off and Christine and I will get over to the villa early for a swim then out for some more Spend-O-Rama. We are narrowing down the list as we tick off items. Yesterday was another big Ikea day. Bought a matching leather love seat and recliner as well as sheets, pillows duvet, towels, lamps and a few kitchen items. I knew all the bedclothes were not a cheap proposition but until we started looking - from thread count that you could see through to over the top and luxurious, I really didn't have any idea as to quality and cost. Glad Christine was along to guide me as she was in her element. I also stopped and picked up another wicker chair - sitting on the tile floor is not recommended.

Prior to the Ikea trip, we had gone out to the villa and in route I called the service desk as we had a few repairs - water leak and A/C. Well as I'm pulling up, so did the troops. Discovered that the water valve into the house was off and when finally located - in the kitchen ceiling and also found that all bathrooms have a zone valve too. So got the water on, and got the various leaks repaired when the pressure was built up in the line. The A/C guy fixed what ever the problem was for 2 of the bedrooms and also the maids room. Although this ate up about 1 1/2 hr's it was well worth getting it done before the big delivery day which is Tuesday. I also climbed to the roof with the technicians and saw all the A/C and water tank set up so am now familiar with that as well - but remind me not to do this in 105 degree temps again.

For the past few days Christine and I have also been looking for some good pots and pans. As most know I am a fairly decent cook and the tools are important to me. The most common here are cheap aluminium pots w/ plastic handles - none of which could withstand the temps and abuse a cook gives. We had seen some good quality Celphalon products at a speciality store and so after we had mule hauled the Ikea booty out to the car - parked in 115 degree weather, in the shade, we went back into the mall and purchased the the 8-piece set. We had the clerk help us out to the car with it and it was back to the hotel for a well deserved rest and cocktail. That accomplished, we went out to get dinner - a whole rotisserie chicken with flat bread. pickled veggies, hummus and labenth - a yogurt which is tangy. - all for $8.10 US. We brought it back and ate in the room. With moving out of the city, I am going to have to find all new locations to get food like this, dry cleaner, liquor store etc. - Yet another adventure.

Today's adventure includes more shopping for the smaller items on the list plus a trip to Toyota and the US Embassy. This is after we go to the villa , I have some admin stuff to work with the rental office and a nice swim. Tomorrow it's back to work but not really. I have to go to a meeting at another hospital that is 1 1/2 hr's away - in the desert - so Christine is going with me. The hospital driver is taking us so I will have him take her around town shopping and then come and pick me up when the meeting is over. We'll get back to the hospital for a few hours for me and I will have the driver take Christine over to the villa where I will collect her at the end of the day. This way I can get caught up on some emails before going back to work on Tuesday.

Well that wraps it up for today. More later.

Love to all.
Scott

Record Holder

My Villa, directly behind me is a small park.

Zone 8 Unit 80 - Front door, front bedroom, middle window is living area and back window is master bedroom .

The pool and clubhouse. Lower level is aerobic gym, upper floor has machines and weights. Locker rooms are are behind me w/ jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Two squash courts are also available and a game room with pool table fuzzball etc. In the distance are two tennis courts.

The pool wraps around the areobic gym and is 25 meters in length for a good workout - only one problem - no lane lines so the kids may get in the way - but after I mow them down a few times , they get the point !

The 23 hour ownership accident. Pisses me off.

Hi All,

5a, Sat. May 30,

Well yesterday was FANTASTIC Christine and I were up up had breakfast and out the door by 8:30. We drove out to Sas Al Nakhl Village and went to the clubhouse where we swam,( I got in 500 meters and am out of shape) sunned and met another American, Jay from Phoenix. He's here with wife and 2 daughters one(16) who was going to the Prom that evening so he had to run after about a 10 minute conversation. We left shortly after and went to the villa where we measured for curtains and got a better look at the villa . It needs a few repairs and that list was started.

We left there about 11:30 and headed over to Cary and Shauna's. They still have a few things to sell -curtains being one item as well as a computer desk, stereo, DVD/CD changer and a ladder. On the way there we drove past the US Embassy - It is quite an impressive building and we're going to go back on Sunday ( remember that is our Monday) to register in the country and to find out about taxes- Although it's tax free to live here , I still am obligated to pay some US taxes above a certain amount - so hence my inquiries. I don't want to be the guy who thinks he's smarter than the IRS and a few years later ends up owing more in penalties than the tax owed.

Now the Record Holder Story - Nine years ago Wesley ( our son) got his drivers licence on one day and the very next day, I got a call from Alex (our 2nd son) that some one had called him to report that Wes had spun out in his car and was in a ditch. By the time I got there, he had gotten a tow out and was gone. Had the caller not ratted him out, I doubt Wes would have shared this information with us. After leaving the US Embassy, we were at the traffic light , 3rd in line waiting at the light. Suddenly, the guy in front of me puts his SUV into reverse and slams into my front end. I had the car less than 23 hours and I'm already involved in an accident - ONE FREEK'N DAY My first word getting out of the car as the driver is approaching me were "One day , One day I bought this car yesterday. " Well the police were called, (Mandatory in the UAE as ANY repair work to your car requires a police report - even if you hit your wall in your own garage), he had us move the vehicles to a shady area and he collected the statements. LUCKILY the other guy admitted his guilt, and we were on our way in 1/2 hr. Bumper, grill and hood will need repaired/replaced. The Toyota dealer is right near the US Embassy and since I have to go to my insurance company to get it repaired, guess our Sunday plans just got more complicated.

Well we hooked up with Cary and Shauna(teachers at the American International School) - Actually I called Cary when the accident occurred and he walked over to assist if he could. We had a nice visit and ended up buying the aforementioned items and we arranged for delivery and install. Both Cary and Shauna had things to get done - Cary was playing tympani for the Abu Dhabi Symphony that evening up in Dubai and Shauna was going to act as a chaperon at the Prom that night - OMG we had just met Jay - could it be? Yes it was. Shauna was to pass on our hello's to Jay that evening. What a coincidence.

We left there, went to Carrefores bought a few more items - looking for some good pots and pans - they didn't have any, just the cheap stuff - then drove over to the Fish Market - Christine and I got some huge prawns and then drove around the dhow harbor - (the fishing boats) where we saw all the fisherman prepping for that evenings' run. They use a 2 meter wide x 1 1/2 meter high half dome wire mesh net contraption and all the dhows had them hanging from every surface.

It was back to the hotel, and the valet's immediately noticed the damage. They also knew I had just gotten the car. Christine and I relaxed with some cocktails and made seafood pasta with the prawns - which was delicious.

Today is to be a repeat of yesterday - minus the accident - ONE FREEK'N DAY ARGHHHHHHH - Tippy Toes, Tippy Toes(family code word for "Chill Scott)

Love to All

Scott

WOW What a Day

Hi All- Thursday, 10p May 28
Well the past week has been a whirlwind with Christine arriving , me ordering a car, getting the villa " warmed up" with utilities, cleaned. and on top of that, work has been screamingly insane with workload over the top. I was to get my car yesterday and had a nasty interchange with my sales rep who over promised and under delivered last night. Well today I get a call at 11:15a car is ready and come and get it. About 1 1/2 hr's later I pull into the hospital in my new 2009 Camary. Color White - too damn hot to consider any other color. Today was 46c or 114F hot but just beginning to be summer. Fear it? - I do.
I got back to the hotel at about 4p and picked up Christine. We drove over to Ikea and we bought a bed, 2 night stands, dining room table, 4 chairs, and a kitchen island. This on top of a dinnerware set and other sundries.
Next stop was Carrefores - Huge upscale Walmart where we bought stove , refrigerator, washer/dryer and microwave - I passed on the dishwasher until I can find what I want. Also got a flat screen TV and then went and got satellite TV service with Tivo.
Now all of this is going to be installed/ delivered on Tuesday June 1. Christine has the duty to watch over all this so before we left Ikea , she insisted on a wicker chair to rest in while the minions delivered and installed. I gratefully complied.
Following our shopping spree, and after dinner at Fudruckers (Christine was about to gnaw her arm off - or better yet, my head if I didn't feed and water her), we drove out to my villa - well I got lost x2 on the way there but finally got situated and dropped off all the booty. Came back to the hotel , paid the valet less than $4 and he will have my car ready for me at 8a in front of the hotel as requested.
Our plan for tomorrow is to go out to the villa, swim at the club house, return to town at 12 to visit Cary and Shauna and to buy their sofa and love seat, computer desk and other items. They are leaving for India soon via Colorado for a months vacation. After that it's back to the stores to get more booty to outfit the villa. As I said WOW what a day. More later
Love to all
Scott and Christine

Christine's Initial Impressions

Hi All , Christine here, Tuesday 8p May 26
Okay - let's get this clear: It is Hot, Hot and Hotter in UAE, the people and food are varied and wonderful AND things are done in a very specific and official manner. I arrived late on Saturday and immediately made a mistake (showed a copy of my resident VISA) ---- Oops, you go to the back of the line. I was taken from office to office, person to person and I was still in the airport! Ever heard of the Tom Hanks movie"Terminal"? One man finally took pity on me and let me thru, where Scott was waiting for me (surprise and so welcome a sight AND he brought me flowers...). I had to go back into the terminal and see the nice man and he stamped my real visa with a big stamp (stamps are huge here). Scott and I were driven to Abu Dhabi and then we took my first walk outside. This is a huge city - think NYC and you cannot understand a word anyone is saying. Just like NYC !

Sunday (work day for Scott) and I stayed in bed to relax. Scott took half a day to show me some sights. We went to a large and luxurious mall --- mostly I looked at the people. All shapes, sizes, colors and degrees of being covered. Many women are really covered from head to toe in black robes called abaya's. Before coming here I assumed that all the abaya's were solid black - NOT correct: they are embroidered, decorative stitched, embellished and beautiful. Many women have a head scarf and some have an attachment that covers all but their eyes. Lots of local men were a robe over their clothes - mostly white, but some other light colors. I commented to Scott that I noticed that the women wore the heat absorbing color! People, men included, wear mostly sandals. The malls and streets are full no matter when we go out and it is warm (very) even at 3:30a in the morning. Driving is crazy and fast; lots of taxis & many drivers want to talk with you. Food is so different - not at much meat and many spices. We have had something like a gyro two nights and a broasted chicken one night - The grocery stores have so many choices of fresh fruit (which I have been having for breakfast - mostly because someone else had to peel and cut it up).

Scott's villa is on track - saw it this afternoon. Big developement called Sas Al Nakhl - this translates to "area of trees" - Scott and I think it means the trees are on a purchase order and are on a boat somewhere and may be planted at some point in the future.... possibly. The cleaning crew (all men) was there this afternoon. We looked at appliances on Monday. Will have them delivered one day when I can be there for the installation. Heavy, sun resistant drapes will have to be installed. We also saw the Toyota dealer and Scott's white camry should be ready a little later this week - hope to have it for our weekend jaunts.

Went to Mafraq Hospital today with Scott. Had to have my medical exam. The doctor is of Indian descent but grew up and went to college in Michigan. We had 2 meetings (remember things are done in a specific pattern and all papers have to be stamped and made "official" We spent 4-5 hours getting the proper stamps on my papers for me to get my meds and appts for cortisone injections..... I still have neither!

Scott is a person to be dealt with here - people get up when he walks into the room! Swear he introducted me to half of the administrative staff at the hospital today. This is an uphill battle, sort of like the cosmos of "the way it has always been done' Scott has been using his combination of humor and tenacity to get things changed. Heard many positive comments about Scott's efforts to improve central stores AND he has an official stamp too!

After three days my utmost thoughts are how wonderful it is to be together and my luggage was on the same plane with me.
Love to you and thanks for your concern, Christine

A ADNOC petrol station - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company - the one and ONLY gas station brand in the country - owned by the government from the ground to the pump- hence the reason for no taxes.

Note the snazzy dressed attendants at the pump.

Even the lube oil business is a monopoly-unless you are a car dealership -there are no JiffyLubes

Shauna with 2 year old Athena - no picture of Cary - he's in the witness protection program - not really, he's just shy about pics

Never one to be shy - here I am with Shauna and Athena

Hi all,

Saturday 9 am May 16

Two wonderful - All American -experiences yesterday.

Experience #1

I walked over to the Abu Dhabi Mall - 2 blocks away- to buy a cooler to tote some beers to experience #2. Instead of taking my regular route, I exited the mall via a different entrance and was stopped on the street by a young man - about 28 - when he said - Nice Shirt!

I had on my USNA Class of 2010 t-shirt. I turned and met Brent Dial, West Point Class of 2002

He's the business development director for a defense firm in Columbia MD. Well we chatted it up for 10 min and I departed with a huge smile.

Experience #2

I had asked my pal Scott Hamrick for a friends email but he didn't have it but directed me to another friend from our college days - Peg. So I emailed Peg and she responded but also included that she knew someone in Abu Dhabi. Follow me here . Our Youngstown crew includes Ray Runge - who married Valerie ( never met her) who has a daughter who now lives here with her husband Cary and daughter Athena. Well We hooked up yesterday - I provided the beers we just had a great time telling stories about all the commonly known people. They are leaving the UAE for India via Colorado in 4 weeks and they are selling their car and some household goods so I looked them over too. Needless to say, It was wonderful catching up on my college friends thru the eyes of a 3rd party and just getting a chance to ask questions about living in the UAE. It was a great All American Experience.

Are You Experienced?

Love to all

Scott

Pictures in Dubai

The cheese counter in modern supermarket called Carrefours

Bulk spices

Hulk and I get busy at the Virgin Record Store

Tony ( son of Dr. who went on the trip with us) ( Egyptian) at the ice rink at the Dubai Mall Jumbotron is behind me. We had fun together while her mother( the docotr) and Noorand -the person who arranged the trip from HR - shopped

Old Dhow on the Dubai Creek - note the rudder and tiller set up.

More Dubai Pictures

Ski Dubai- when you have buckets of money - anything is possible - even indoor skiing in the desert.

Detail of the Water Wall

The Water Wall

Shaky picture of the aquarium - note the scale w/ people in for front.

Fake Date Palm tree complete with ripe dates which is actually a cell tower. note antenna and ladder on trunk.