First week in Abu Dhabi

Hi All!


Well we've arrived in Abu Dhabi! Safe, sound and hot:)

This is our new blog while we're here in Abu Dhabi (and wherever else life takes us).

First we'll start off with our flight on Etihad Airways:

We totally recommend this airline. The staff was GREAT. The plane was large and spacious. The food was surprisingly excellent (only for David, Mal didn't eat the entire 13 hour flight). We sat behind 1st class, so we had a choice for all of our meals. We had a variety of TV shows, movies, games, and other things to keep us busy on individualized screens. There was also a camera that projected our flight departure from in front of the plane. It was different but was a great experience, especially being able to view the mountains below while in flight. The flight was long as expected and we arrived right on time in Abu Dhabi.

Once we arrived at the airport, ADEC (David's employer) met us at the gate and directed us where to go from the plane, customs, baggage, then to our shuttle buses. We were taken to the Rotana Beach Hotel, where we've been since our arrival.

The first day we went to a popular mall here called the Marina Mall which is on an island. While we were at the mall we were looking for a hijab for Mallori to wear during Ramadan. It is not required but she thought it would be appropriate and respectful. We asked a few people where we could find one and didn't have much luck. Finally, Mal saw a few girls in line and they were all wearing hijabs. She asked them where she could find one and they were nice enough to actually walk us to the store. As we were walking they shared that they actually insisted on buying a hijab for Mallori. So to make a long story short, three very nice young ladies bought Mallori a beautiful 350 dirham hijab (about $105).

Our days have basically been filled with sleeping, anticipation, and exploring Abu Dhabi. The people are a mixture of Emirates, Asians, Pakistanis, Australians, Germans, Jordanians, Bengali's, Indians, and a few Americans and Canadians.

We are still waiting to find out where we're living and where David will be working. Tomorrow is David's first full day in orientation, so we're sure we'll have more information end of day tomorrow.

We'll share more thoughts this week. Our first individual impressions, our current thoughts about the city, the heat, the food, etc.

Internet is not as easy to come by for us right now. Our hotel is lovely, but expensive.

However, please follow our blog so you're up to date on what is new with us here in Abu Dhabi.


Peace and Love,

The Steele's