Can you believe it’s been a year?

One of the common themes of discussion here in Abu Dhabi, is time.  How long have you been here?  How long do you plan to stay?  When is your next holiday?  How long will you be gone?  And so forth.  The topic is much more common recently because, as I have previously mentioned, most people vacate the premises over the summer.  Particularly in July and August.  It was during one of these conversations over the weekend that I suddenly realized I had been here a year.  Almost to the day.  I am amazed, and more than a little grateful at how much things have changed since that day.  A year ago when I stepped off the plane I was truly unsure if I could do this.  I mean, heat is one thing.  I grew up in Phoenix for goodness sake!  I know I don’t like heat, and have a rough time dealing with it.  BUT, I felt like I could handle it for a few years, take a hit for the cause so to speak.  How bad could it be?   I had been 100% certain everything was going to be fine.  Right up until the moment I took that step off that plane and into the soul sucking, mind numbing heat and humidity that is relentless in July and August in Abu Dhabi.

FYI – We are in the red (where there aren’t any numbers) from end of June through August – avg humidity 70-90% and temps 90-110

I mean, think about it.  I knew exactly 1 person here – my husband.  He works a 4 on/3 off per week over 3 hours away.  That means that I spend 4 days per week alone in a city I don’t know, surrounded by people I don’t know, filled with a heat unlike anything I have ever experienced.  So… yes I admit it.  I allowed my head to fill with serious doubts.  But that’s the thing – I allowed it. The situation was not the issue, I was.

When you add to all of this the stories people tell of wives (or ‘trailing spouses’ as we are called here) that did not stay.  There are many who have left after just a few weeks and not returned.  Others who have stuck it out longer but ultimately could not stay and returned home.  There are many, many stories of failed marriages as a result.  What I am saying is that regardless of how it may look, this is not easy, even with the most awesome and fantastic husband in the world at your side.  Those of you who really know me, will understand that I am not an extrovert.  I prefer to stay at home rather than go out somewhere, and I would rather not spend time anyplace that involves crowds. I also know that sitting home alone for long periods of time is not conducive to good mental health.  I need to get outside, and I have to literally force myself to go and meet new people.  The sad part of the beginning of this adventure here was the timing.  Getting outside in this weather is nearly impossible.  Meeting anybody at this time of year is equally so.  Even when you are trying hard.  So after only a month and a half I was thankful for the break that Ayurveda classes and India afforded me.  That my friends saved everything for me, because I returned to an entirely different Abu Dhabi.  When I came home in mid-October the weather was downright nice and there were people everywhere!  My amazing husband had gotten us memberships into The British Club, and we were off and running on a much more positive note.

Fast forward to now, 1 year later… Same horrifying weather, same deserted city as when I arrived.  I can’t get to India this time because of the boat delays.  But everything is going to be OK.  What makes it different now?  I know the city and I know people, a few of which are actually staying over the summer.  I understand how it all works.  And my marriage has gotten even better (as if that was possible) as a result of the challenges of the past year.  Here we are, we have made our first whole year and can now really be considered Expats.  We’re doing it, and we are doing it right.  This is home now.  We came with few expectations, lots of hopes, some goals and a loose timeline.  God willing we will continue to be able to make it all work.  That said, my fellow expats always smile when anybody talks about timelines over here.  The ones who came and persevered to make it through the test of that first year also had timelines.  Without exception, they have stayed past them, some as long as 15-20 years (stop panicking dad, we definitely won’t be doing THAT!)  Life here is not easy, but it is good.  I am told it gets even better with time, and I have no doubts that is true. I’m counting on it!

So for those of you who have been reading and keeping up with us this past year – thanks for hanging in there.  The comments here on the blog and those on social media, as well as the personal notes we have both gotten have really helped.  One of the things you find out when you are so far from home is who your true friends are, and who fades away when you aren’t there.  We know we are very blessed and we are grateful for you.  Thank you.

Now for some updates….

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UPDATE 1:  The ship transporting Tao 1 has made it to the Suez canal on its long journey here.  It is finally free from the clutches of the French and we have been given a window of roughly July 18-23 for arrival.  Exact arrival date will be given 3 days out (once it leaves the port prior to Dubai).  So stay tuned for that – if you are actually in town this July, look for the ‘boat warming’ invite!

UPDATE 2:  I know I never posted the final installment on our Phuket vacation.  I couldn’t get it right.  So – Here are the good parts;  We rented a scooter for a day, and decided that one was not enough for both of our butts (although I am sure it made great comedic relief for a few locals.)  So we rented 2 scooters for 2 more days.  We rode them all around the island sampling restaurants with a budget of $5 per meal. We were not disappointed.  It seems Thais are born able to cook.  Thai food = YUM!  We also spent a bit of time investigating Thai massage.  The massages were 300 Thai Baht ($8.75US) for an hour.  We were able to test and disprove the theory that any massage is a good massage (but they aren’t necessarily absolutely horrible either – just weird.)  We also posted a few beach pics on FB, but here are a couple more…

And more photos of where we stayed…

and a better shot of they picture they took of us the night they cleared the bar for a private dinner for us – so we could celebrate Larry’s birthday a month early…

Life is good indeed.