Ahlan, Abu Dhabi!
March 30, 2022
As I write this, I’m lounging with the windows open to a breezy Wednesday morning in Abu Dhabi. My second-story patio in my temporary housing provides a great overlook of the neighborhood and the familiar songs of local birds almost make me feel like I’m still in D.C. (without the persistent traffic on North Capitol St., however!).
Quiet morning neighborhood views
I arrived in Abu Dhabi late Tuesday night, after what can only be described as a long slog to the finish after the movers finished packing up our home. In my last post, I sang their praises due to their efficiency and efficacy in getting our things packed. While those attributes are still true – they may have been a bit too good at their jobs: against explicit instructions, my ‘at all costs hand-carry these things with you’ carry-on luggage was all packed in my HHE (household and household effects) shipment, not to be seen for 4-6 months (if I’m lucky).
After a minor meltdown on Thursday night after realizing the mistake, Josh and I gameplanned the next several days to ensure that I still had everything I needed to get on a plane Monday night. Thank heavens that my passports, visa, and the pet paperwork was not packed, but many other Very Important Things were packed which necessitated a very expensive trip out to Virginia to try and replace everything that had been packed up.
By this point, our dear Sable and Orpheus definitely knew something was up but gamely played along until early Monday morning when the pet shipper retrieved them for their flight to Abu Dhabi. In the words of the charming British driver who picked them up, “Sable was a total sweetheart, Orpheus would have preferred to stay home.” I’m eagerly awaiting their arrival this morning, and looking forward to getting them (and myself) settled before reporting for my first day in the office tomorrow.
Aforementioned preferred homebody.
After pet pick-up, Josh gamely chauffeured me around Virginia and D.C. as I ran last minute errands before we finally departed for Dulles. Tusen takk to a lovely AirFrance attendant who allowed me to check 3 (!!!) pieces of luggage, before Josh and I settled into a bistro lunch to spend a few more moments together before I went through security. Anyone who’s known me for a length of time can tell you I am absolutely awful at goodbyes, especially those with any trace of uncertainty. Josh will be coming out to Abu Dhabi (inshallah) as soon as he secures a job, but we don’t know when that will be exactly. A kind family was sitting next to us at the restaurant and asked where we were headed, and before I could even eke out a response I could feel my eyes welling up.
We finally made our way towards security and after more PDA than Josh is typically comfortable with, I was off and desperately trying not to sob through my mask on the way through TSA.
Hoping the TSA agent doesn’t misjudge my red eyes
The AirFrance flight to Paris and connecting Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi were nearly empty – likely a consequence of France and the UAE still having fairly restrictive COVID travel policies. I didn’t mind at all having an entire row to myself on each flight though, and actually managed a few hours of sleep on each leg.
God bless the French and their sensibilities - champagne before meal service, pear liqueur as a digestif
Upon my arrival and after clearing customs, a kindly motorpool driver picked me up and transported me to my (temporary) residence, a lovely Villa in a Spanish/Mediterranean inspired gated community. The two-story, three-bedroom residence feels comically large for just me (and eventually Josh!) but I’ll enjoy the space while I’ve got it. It boasts three separate walk-out patios which I intend to enjoy thoroughly before the summer heat kicks in.
First day in the office on Thursday! Wish me luck.
