Those Syrians...

First destination... Damascus for a short break with my Aussie pal, Ashleigh!

The majority of our stay was spent in the capital roaming around the 'Old City' soaking up the history. To think I was walking along the cobble streets Jesus once walked!

The Syrian's are so hospitable and Ashleigh and I have never received so many free gifts on a holiday. We stayed at a fabulous hotel call the - Al Madinah Hotel. You know you're staying a great place when they give you a gift for staying, even if it was a mother of pearl, wooden box.

Politically incorrect food

Discovery 2 - Non slip baths mats work!

Shortly after recovering from the sprained ankle, I decided to add another scar to my collection. I've never been a fan of bath showers and it was on the last day of March I learned why. They're really slippery when wet. After attempting to reach the hair conditioner, my foot slipped letting gravity do its business where my chin landed perfectly on the rim of the bath... it wasn't long until I realised there was a hole in my chin. Thank goodness I bought those packet of band aids a month earlier. 

With my chin strapped up, ice pack in hand and my Irish lifesaver (Eithne) to guide me, we made our way to the emergency department in Rashid Hospital. God's grace and the male nurses description of 'Chin Trauma' got me quickly through a busy waiting room. In and out after 1 hour, free of charge and the 2 cm gash in my chin glued I was ready to take on the world! Well... certainly Pizza Hut, we were starving! 9 days later the steri-strips peeled away to reveal a Nike trademark 'Just do it' scar under my chin. Never a dull moment!  

Discovery 1

Since I was in a new country I thought I would embrace new things. Well little did I know I would fall into the world of RUGBY. All I knew about the sport was that the ball had to be thrown backwards and even then I struggled to get that right.

During the whole experience I met a group of fantastic girls who will forever be known as the 'Toa girls'. They welcomed me in with open arms and patiently gave me tips as I kept asking 'How the heck do you play this game?' Even after a jarred finger and sprained quad I endured until I would have that day on the field.

That day arrived, 2 months later when the Kuwait team were down a player at the tournament our team was hosting in Abu Dhabi.I anxiously agreed to step in and get my first few minutes of play on the field. Wow! it was a thrill, getting to tackle and attempt to barge through the opponents. Unfortunately by the 4th game I was hobbling on my ankle (an old war wound... that party of '99) The next week was spent experiencing my first doctors/hospital visit to Dubai. Little did I know my adventurous streak was going to cost me a small fortune.
One week on crutches and a hefty medical bill was enough to cure me of committing to contact sport any time soon.

Bringing in a New Year

It was a much needed change to see the New Year starting in a completely different geographical location. Seeing the Burj Khalifa (The tallest building in the world) light up at the stroke of midnight, signified a start to many new discoveries this year - culturally, spiritually & emotionally.

Realising how I would cope in a new place where I didn't know anyone turned out pleasantly well. When you're living in a place where 80% of the population are expats, it makes meeting new people that little bit easier. From day one there was someone there to offer me a helping hand, whether with advice about the UAE culture or catching up outside of work for a chinwag.

Immediately I had to do some of the touristy attractions -  The Dubai Mall. That is a world in its own.

• 1200 stores
• Aquarium
• Indoor waterfall
• The Gold Souk
• Outside fountain shows and much, much more.

Then the other mall - Mall of the Emirates. Seriously, having an indoor ski park is outrageous,  a crazy sight in the middle of the desert.

I did have a reason to check out the malls - I needed to deck out my new apartment.

Before I knew it the 4th January rolled around and I was at work. teaching a class of international students - American, Indian, Pakistani, Jordanian, Lebanese, Emirati, Palestinian, South African, German... An experience!

5 months later...

It was 5 months today that I stepped onto the sands of Dubai so I thought it would be quite fitting to finally start my blog. Better late than never!

Dubai certainly is in a league of its own and nothing quite compares to this place.

I guess I should start at the beginning...