New Year, New Apartment

With the new year came another change. I had to move right before I went to my ACTive course because our contract on the house had ended and the other 2 girls were moving out so I did not want to be in a big house all by myself!! My roommates moved out because one got married so she got a place with her husband and the other was transferred to another location in Mexico. I was sad to see them go because they both are great friends and it was fun making dinner and having movie nights with them!!

I did not really have much time to find a place but with luck one of the older engineers in my group was being transferred and she lived in an apartment 5 minutes from the base. When I was at home for Christmas I told her I would move in there sight unseen so she set that up with the owner!! When I got back from Christmas I meet with the owner, signed my contract and saw it for the first time!

The apartment is a loft style apartment, so a very open floor plan which I like. There is a small kitchen, living and dining area, and full bathroom on the ground floor, and the bedroom, half bath, closet, and area to do laundry (outside) in the upstairs. It is a perfect size for me (possible a little to big) and works well for what I need it for! Another positive is that I can walk to work in the morning (I get a ride back at night since that would not be too smart to walk in the dark) . . . I get exercise AND I do not have to get a taxis!!

Right now I do not have much in the apartment. I have a bed, hammock, tv, and a dining room set that I bought from the engineer that lived there before. I also bought a washing machine from her which is nice to have!!

When I moved in I realized that I am living by myself for the very first time in my life!! It has been nice because it is my space and I do not have to worry about disturbing anyone but it is hard because now I am in charge of now of paying all the bills!! It is hard to sometimes pay the bills because I cannot get my online banking to work for my Mexican checking account and I have been offshore like crazy this year!! In my first 4 months in the apartment I have actually only slept in my apartment for 15 days (stories about that to come)!! Evidence of my not living in my apartment came when my first electric bill came . . . it was only $4!!

 

 Picture of my empty apartment which to date is still the same!

Thanks Lizzie for the hammock . . . it has come in handy since I have no furniture!!

Oh man for Oman . . . part 2!

After a full 1st day in Oman, we decided to pack in lots the 2nd day as well! We slept in for a little bit then hit the ground running! Since Saturday is a normal workday there (weekend is Friday and Saturday in UAE and Thursday and Friday for Oman) we were on our own the first part of the day while Salim worked. We went first to the grand mosque of Oman located in Muscat. It was really interesting going to another mosque to see the differences in the architecture and design. The grand mosques of UAE and Oman are very different. The mosque in Oman has more wood and ornate ceilings with lots more color than the grand mosque in Abu Dhabi. I also did not have to wear the full traditional garb but still had to wear a head scarf in Oman. The grounds are also a lot different too since the gardens are more green and complete in Oman.

Jeff, myself, and Rolando in the gardens of the grand mosque in Muscat.

The ceiling in the main prayer hall. The picture does not give justice to the detail and color!

After spending a couple of hours at the mosque we worked our way down to the marina/port in Muscat. The port is surrounded by mountains with forts on every peak. The main fort was also there since just over one mountain is home of the king or sultan of Oman. On one of the peaks is also the largest incense burner in the world. Unfortunately it was closed for maintenance so we were not able to climb on it. We walked around more around the area and climbed up to some of the fort outposts and the main fort. I am not completely sure we were allowed to do this but there were no signs or locked doors that prevented us to go up on them!! Many moments that day God showed his face . . . the beauty was unbelievable and it was so different than anything I had ever seen.

Largest Incense Burner in the world

Jeff and I in front of the principal fort at the port which we later climbed up on.

Checking out the beautiful view on top one of the fort outposts. The water was so blue . . . I could spend hours looking at the contrast of the smooth, blue water and the rough, tan dirt of the mountains.

Rolando checking out the floor of a fort which is on a cliff that is starting to recede into the water.

After a late lunch we hung out a little, resting and cooling off while until Salim arrived. While waiting for him Rolando and I (while Jeff took a little nap) had some VERY interesting conversations with a Pakistani and Omani that just stopped talking to us!! I wish I had a video camera to record all that was said . . . I can't even start explaining all the random things that were conversed!! Once Salim arrived with his wife we went to a museum about the city and Omani culture that was very interesting. After a couple hours at the museum we headed to the other side of the mountains to palace of Oman. The palace is where the sultan of Oman lives and many Omani's take a pilgrimage there to touch the gate that enters the palace.

Jeff and I showing off our height compared to Rolando outside one of the gates to the old city of Muscat where the palace is located.

 Outside the Sultan's Palace

The 2 women of the group, Salim's wife and I, outside the gates to enter the palace.

After a quick trip to the palace it was dark so we went to a place in the city to see fireworks that were going on for a week long festival of the Omani culture. At the fireworks we had to say goodbye to our great hosts and headed to the airport to get back in time to be in class in Sunday.

Thank the Lord for such an awesome experience in another interesting culture. It was a quick trip but I can not wait to go back someday and really get to dive into what Omani's and middle eastern culture is really like. And thank-you Salim for taking time away from work and your family to take a group of westerners around for a couple of days. It was fun seeing being around someone that truly loves their country and is excited to show a piece of it to us and let us in on the secret that is Oman. You were an unbelievable host and even better friend!!

Oh man for Oman!!

The last free weekend of my course Jeff, Rolando, and I decided it would be fun to go to Oman. Jeff originally was supposed to work there but then he was changed to Saudi. He had already done a lot of research and knew quite a few people there so the whole course he was asking if anyone else wanted to go. I wanted to go because when else would I get a chance to go to Oman . . . one because I did not have any visa issues like many of the other people in the class and two why not!! Rolando also decided to go since we had a visa to work in the UAE. Normally Mexicans only have a visa to enter UAE once but since he had a work visa for UAE it allowed him to leave and return to UAE without any problems.  

We fly to Muscat on Thursday night and when we arrived one of Jeff's friends picked us up and went for dinner. The next day we met up with the cousin of one of Jeff colleagues in Saudi. He was kind enough to be our tour guide for the day. He drove us to the out skirts of Muscat where you can see forts on every hill and mountain. Oman looks so much different then  UAE. There is actually mountains though they are dry and have no plant-life on it. The mountains were so different then I was used to I kind of fell in love with them . . . especially when an oasis of palm trees sprouted from nowhere. After a couple our drive we arrived toan older city that had a large market and fort in it. When we first entered the city (which was walled and gated like you here in the Bible) there was a large market. Since it was the weekend everybody was out selling their goats and sheep, birds, guns, you name it. It was soooo much fun because I finally felt like I was really experiencing Middle Eastern culture. It is different in UAE, it is all about what you have and is very modernized. I could have spent hours walking around this market and just soaking the people, smells, and culture.

Veggie market with Omanis in traditional dress. (they do not wear scarfs but have really cool hats)

 Awesome shop in the old city!! At some moments I felt like I was in Biblical time!

Camels ready to be sold at the market.

 The gang with the best tour guide and friend ever, Salim!!

Salim and Jeff ready for battle.

Jeff and me at the top of the fort.

Normal "fastfood" meal on the road. Rice and lamb with your hands!!

Hiking on a river bed that at the moment is completely dry!!

 Just one day in Oman and I love it and can't wait to see more!! I wish pictures could give justice to the beauty that I saw!!

Weekend in Dubai!

The second weekend of my course everyone in the class decided to go to Dubai since many had never been before. Oh course I went as well though I had been before, because who wouldn't want to go to Dubai. It is such a different and interesting city. The first day we a couple of us walked around the "old city" which is located in the middle of the city in the midst of towering modern office buildings. The "old city" had a market place and other cultural places to visit. Gustavo and I had a fun time trying on different traditional garb. We both ended up paying some head scarves, and I bought these really awesome handmade shoes . . . I was sooo surprised that they actually had my size!!

After a very fun time walking around the "old city" the whole group went to on a desert safari!! I had wanted to do this since the first time I went to Abu Dhabi for school but never got a chance to until now!! You ride in this pimped out Toyota SUVs and go dune bashing/4wheeling. Then you have time to take pictures of being completely surrounded by the desert . . . just you and sand and the beautiful sunset!!

Group shot . . . we were almost all jumping at the same time!!

Two middle easterners talking it out?! Nope just a normal conversation for an American and Mexican

I'm the king of the world!

Finally got to ride my camel too!!

After a very full and fun first day, we went more for a relaxing day the next day! We went to one of the beaches for a couple of hours. It actually was not warm enough to really go swimming. Go figure that would ever be the case in UAE when temperatures can exceed 120 F. After that we went to one of the huge malls which was great for me becasue my camera just happened to die during the trip :(. After almost 5 years of having it and traveled to 10+ countries it was sad to see it go. Thankfully it did happen in a place that cameras are readily available for purchase!! I ended up not being camera-less that long so I did not miss any of my adventures in traveling!!

Picture of the fountains at the mall with my new camera . . . not bad I say so myself!!

After another very fun weekend in Dubai, it was unfortunately time to go back to work! Good times with great people . . . God is good!!