Our first big day of orientation was on Sunday. It was a lot of information to take in, and a lot to put out there too. I've finished paperwork for banking and HR, and found out about my placement on that day too. Initially I was placed in Liwa (about 16 km from Saudi Arabia) with a ppp school. Needless to say I was very disappointed as I was told during my interview that I would not have to live in the middle of nowhere. I spoke with a couple people, and yesterday I found out that I was being moved to Al Ain (as I was originally promised). I didn't push the issue and I think that I was fairly diplomatic in dealing with the situation.
The strange thing is, I was just resigning myself to the fact that I would have to live out there when I received the alternate placement. So today is technically the first day of school and I am still sitting in the 5 star hotel in Abu Dhabi. I've sent a few emails and made a couple of calls, but still don't know with 100% certainty that I will be getting to Al Ain today. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Worst case scenario: I stay in the hotel!
So it may be a few more days until I get online again. . . . not sure what the internet situation will be like where I go. For now, here are some more pictures from the hotel and an interesting evening out in downtown Abu Dhabi with a few other LTs (licensed teachers). Five of us ate this interesting dinner at a local restaurant for a total of 34 dirhams (less than $10 USD). It was also my first experience of a hole in the floor for a toilet.
Oh and one more thing -- there was a huge meeting with over 6,000 teachers at the National Exhibition Centre. They mentioned that after the presentations there would be a lunch. I couldn't believe it when it was a white linen, full-on buffet.
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