ENGLISH : DAY ONE

Well, here I am! Day 1 in Abu Dhabi! After a flight with a screaming toddler next to me, we arrived somewhat unrested in Abu Dhabi and got a stamp on our visa paper. We're in!

P.S. Just to clarify! Many people think I live in Dubai! But that's not the case. I've moved to Abu Dhabi, one of the seven emirates.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of seven emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the capital and the largest emirate, while Dubai is the most populous. Dubai focuses on trade, tourism, and real estate with a cosmopolitan flair, whereas Abu Dhabi is more focused on oil and gas, with recent steps towards financial services and tourism. Dubai is known for its luxury and modern lifestyle, while Abu Dhabi is more traditional and strongly emphasizes cultural heritage, with initiatives such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Both cities feature large development projects, but Dubai is known for its ambitious and striking projects like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah. Abu Dhabi takes a more measured approach, focusing on sustainability and cultural integration (but still featuring bizarre architecture!). Dubai attracts tourists with its spectacular architecture and events, while Abu Dhabi draws visitors with its cultural attractions and natural beauty. In summary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are both key centers within the UAE but differ in focus and atmosphere.

After getting a phone number at the airport, we quickly found our driver who took us to our hotel. Our “home” for the next month. It's a fine place, huge bed, huge shower, and two meals a day. There's also a swimming pool and a gym. It's all going to be fine once I get the hang of the air conditioning control.

After a shower and a nap, it was time to explore. A taxi to the “Marina Mall,” a shopping center still decked out in Christmas decorations, and...wait, what...a Mammoth!? A round through the supermarket, where they sell camel milk powder and a thousand types of dates, a delicious chicken kebab, and an expensive cup of coffee so strong I could feel it in my hair, it was time for some movement, a walk along the Corniche, a neighborhood by the water.

It was late afternoon, so the sun was beginning to set, and the weather was delightful, making for a beautiful walk. Bizarre skyscrapers, and beautiful vistas. Hard to believe that there was nothing here 50 years ago! Becky had already spotted a few birds, and we also got acquainted with the many cats that roam around here. There are a lot of street cats, but there are also food plates for them everywhere. I feel like many of them used to have expats as owners. Quite sad...

After a tasty ice cream on the terrace (unfortunately, beers are not served publicly as far as I've seen), we walked for another half hour, and after 16,000 steps, we decided to take a taxi “home.”

Dinner at the hotel (buffet), a to-do list, the first episode of Wie Is De Mol, and 1000 texts later, and the day was already over. Trying to fall asleep early for the introduction tomorrow! I'm curious.