All Is Well...at a Five Star Hotel!

First and foremost I thank God everyday and I often find myself saying "Wow!" I am in Abu Dhabi! Recently I was relocated from my apartment to the Yas Viceroy Hotel due to an unforeseen freak accident in the courtyard of the building I live in. The courtyard collapsed into the underground parking garage. No one was hurt.  Now that's God! Plus I got my picture in the National, a newspaper here, not front page...second page though.  I actually put my head down because I was not trying to take a picture since I didn't have my MAC compact with me.  You know how I do.  I did have on my bedroom slippers straight from the Beach Rotana Hotel where I stayed for the month of August.


So now I am at the Yas Viceroy Hotel, a Five Star hotel and it is unbelievable!  I am well taken care of despite the situation.  Tonight we watched BMWs being test driven on the racetrack that surrounds the hotel! We are moving to new residences soon. I will keep you posted. But check out my current residence for now!

Whats App!

Hey, I just downloaded WhatsApp Messenger on my Android. It is a smartphone messenger which replaces SMS. This app even lets me send pictures, video and other multimedia! WhatsApp Messenger is available for Android, iPhone, Nokia, Windows Phone and BlackBerry and there is no PIN or username to remember - it works just like SMS and uses your internet data plan. Get it now from http://www.whatsapp.com/download/ and say good-bye to SMS! Email me at satirahg@gmail.com to let me know you want to add me! Text you soon!

Sleep is for Suckas

I have been busy this week. I had to move into my new apartment. Plus I began my first week of teaching in Abu Dhabi! I don't have the internet connected yet so I am trying this new blogger app on my phone. I don't have cable service so my TV has been staying off. To get in touch with me you will have to email me at my gmail or you can text me on my Google Voice number. I won't be able to receive calls through Google Voice because the little phone I have does not support google voice calls. But I can text internationally like crazy for free! I have been staying up every night this week waiting for furniture and appliances. Last night the curtains guy decided to come at 9 o'clock PM! when I told him that it was getting late and he can just come tomorrow he refused and said he was coming last night! so now I have my brand new beautiful curtains... Custom made... 10 feet by 10 feet... Sleep is an option this week. I am waiting on my refrigerator to be delivered right now. It was supposed to come yesterday. So for now enjoy the pictures of my new place and my new look for work! Check out the Yousef style abaya I am now rockin to work! I hope I can go to bed early tonight!

Welcome to Abu Dhabi!

I took the Big Bus City Tour of Abu Dhabi a few days ago.  It was awesome!  I was able to see the major landmarks of the city and also learned my new city a little better.  I have seen pictures of these places online, but nothing beats seeing it for yourself.  Check out some of the places I was able to finally see with my own eyes.  Enjoy!

Seaside view of the Arabian Gulf by the pool.

Big Bus Tours...great deal too!

Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi

The entrance to the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Chillin on the Big Bus!

Yes that is a real building!  The architecture around Abu Dhabi is off the charts.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

I saw a picture of this park before I went to Abu Dhabi and got to see it with my own eyes! How cool!

Tallest flagpole in the world.  400 feet tall!

Me and the crew...

Walking the streets of Abu Dhabi

On the bus striking yet another pose...

Heading to the Central Souk! Yep...shopping again!

In the hotel lobby...

Why do I hear the music to "Brick House" in my head every time I see this picture of me?... Lawd!  I am so losing 20 lbs by December.  LOL! *Kanye shrug*

What in the world?

Abu Dhabi has been quite the city so far and I am learning new things everyday about this new culture I have encountered.  For example, if you look at the picture of my hotel bathroom, you will see some things you don't normally see in a bathroom in the United States.  No, I'm not talking about the chrome flush button above the toilet.  Look on the right side of the picture.  No I'm not talking about the phone on the wall either.  That's another blog entry on the whole phone in the bathroom thing.  LOL!  I am referring to the "other toilet" on the right.  Yeah I know!  I said the same thing when I saw it too.  What in the world?  For those of you who aren't familiar, this is called a bidet.  It is used to rinse your bottom after you have used the toilet.  I know.  What the world?  Yes, there is tissue here so don't get alarmed.  However, it is not the preferred method of getting yourself together after you have handled your business on the toilet.  This would be after numbers one and two.  Yes, I did try it!  LOL!  Actually it's a neat little contraption that you basically just sit on after toilet usage and turn the water on to the temperature of your liking and get to rinsing!  Hey don't knock it til you try it! :)  

A Week in Abu Dhabi

 I have been in Abu Dhabi for over one week now!  Here are some pictures to show you what I've been up to.  Enjoy! 

In the hotel lobby just capturing the moment.  Behind me in a statue of a deer.
Did you know that Abu Dhabi means  "Father of  Deer?" 

 According to Ask Ali,   http://wwv.ask-ali.com/main.asp?pageID=527 ,  a man who used to chase Dhabi [deer] was named the "father" of the animal and the name caught on.  

And that was your free history lesson...thank your teacher! LOL!

At the Abu Dhabi mall...stuffed camel in the background.
I will find a real camel later and post pics! :)

Coach is in the building!! - Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi

St. Regis Hotel Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi...Nice...Real Nice!!!

Balcony view at the St. Regis Hotel...This is the Good Life up in here!!

This was our Spa tour at the St. Regis Hotel. This is the "Boo Room" (name credits to Arr Pii...LOL)...where you and your "Boo" can go to get a couple's massage.  :)

Balcony of St. Regis Hotel suite

Entrance to the Women's Locker room at the Spa at St. Regis Hotel, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

Ooo Oop!! :)

I'm thinking..."Daaannnng!! It's hot out here! Turn the heater off somebody!"  And yes, I'm about to melt...smh

Yummy lentil soup, but not like the lentil soup you buy out of the can in the U.S.  This was authentic Lebanese grub!  Check out the spread below!

Pickles and olives

Falafel

Hummus

The Main Course...Shwarma Chicken...quite delicious!!

The menu at the Lebanese Flower Restaurant, Abu Dhabi...no I did NOT partake in the "Grill or Fired Pigeon"...LOL!  Maybe next time!

The Emirati people LOVE to shop!!

Window shopping at the Mercedes Benz dealership inside Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi!  

What?! No bootleg around here!

Yep!  Rolex is here too!

Taxis are everywhere in Abu Dhabi and are usually silver Toyota Camrys , Toyota Corollas, or Nissan Altimas...not sure why.  Get in one and experience the roller coaster ride of a lifetime complete with neck jerks and fast driving, with arrival to your destination in record time!  The driving around here is CRAZY!  o_O

The Beach Rotana Hotel - Abu Dhabi: This is where I live right now in the center of downtown Abu Dhabi City.  I am going to be sooo spoiled when I leave here and have to make my own bed, clean my own room, and fluff my own pillows, I am going to be pouting.  Everytime leave and come back, my room has been cleaned and I have fresh bottles of water waiting!! What the world?!  This place is FABULOUS!!

 

View from my balcony at Beach Rotana.

This is what I wake up to every morning in Abu Dhabi at the Beach Rotana Hotel!  

I'm loving this place!

Gorgeous view of the Arabian Sea (aka Persian Gulf)...Wow!

Another view of the Arabian Sea

This is at the Monte Carlo Beach Club on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.  We actually felt the wind blow as we stood on the boardwalk on the beach, which was something new.  And yes it was a HOT wind because it was over 100 degrees outside.  But who cares?  The view here of the Arabian see was absolutely mesmerizing!!