The rest of that first week turned out to be a series of days where we showed up at school, signed in, were told our laptop arrival was imminent and were then told we could use the day in whatever fashion we wanted to...but first there were the medical tests. One of our school assistants, Moustaffah, drove us to a medical clinic. There were literally hundreds of people standing on line, sitting in chairs, waiting for a technician to call a name. This was my Ellis Island. As they called out names and numbers, I thought of all the immigrants who had come to America, with different expectations, but probably expectations that were not unlike my own..."Please God, let me get through this..." When I went for my x-ray, the tech put me in a small changing room where I was to stay until called. This was the most wretched moment of my journey, so far. This small cubicle was disgusting, filthy and dingy. For a medical building, it was so far below American standards. I did hope I would never have to see this building, again... Alas.
The next few days were similar, showing up to work, released from work and finding a real estate agent who would take us around to see some apartments. However, after I had been at IAT for one week, Moustaffah came to collect me. "You need to go back to medical center." When I asked "Why?" Moustaffah merely shrugged his shoulders. After shuffling back through some long lines, I was told to go to Room 21. There I spoke at length with a practitioner who explained my lung x-rays were not approved. I would have to A. take antibiotics until the infection cleared up. B. undergo TB testing as they thought I may possibly have TB or C. I could explain what may be wrong and possibly get my records from home (A long while back, I considered bringing my medical records, but never thought of the x-ray problem at that time and I later discarded that thought)
So, I gave this lovely woman my "lung problem" history. In 2008, I had a bad bout of pneumonia, which the doctors had said was an "infiltrate." Even today, I'm not sure what that exactly means, other than the shadows are apparently still in my lungs, and I still have the cough from time to time. My options were given to me: I had to produce my medical records from the states within one week or go through additional testing for TB. (they also suggested the antibiotic again, as that would have made them feel better.) Keep in mind, this diagnosis and plan of care was all done without any stethoscope, blood pressure cuff or thermometer having been used. Apparently diagnosis in Abu Dhabi is done a bit differently.
A few days later, I received the med tests from the states, but by then it was the weekend, and following that, there is a mandatory holiday for the entire UAE so getting confirmation or any type of oversight for this problem is now delayed until perhaps Sept 1.
I mentally put the medical stuff on the back burner, as I knew that the worst that would come from that was a delay in my residency visa and THAT would mean I would have to make border runs to Oman (which is an ok place to go) or Yemen (don't worry, I'm NOT going THERE) to get my next 30-day visa stamp. And my front burner was now consumed with finding a place to live. I had seen housing options all over the area, and then that little picture of the white side by side villas in the Al Bateen area came up on Dubizzle, again. I had heard that two other folks from our school had already rented the top floors, but there were studio apts, and one bedroom apts still available. I drove out with Tim and Cindy and I was impressed with what I saw. I also liked the idea that I would have neighbors whom I already knew in the other apts. We spent the rest of the afternoon getting deposit money, signing some preliminary papers and working out the kinks. These apts were still in process of being finished, but I was running out of time, as our 5-day stay at the Aloft had come to an end and I had to make housing choices. Since the apts still had that Beirut, Lebanon decorator look of open doorframes framed in concrete blocks enhanced by crumbling concrete and piles of broken rubble. However, I had seen enough episodes of Trading Spaces and Design on a Dime to know that there was potential in this little apartment of mine. I will have a huge living room of 20'x20' and a smaller bedroom area of 13'x20' with an itsy-bitsy kitchen area and an adequate bathroom where I can put a washer/dryer combo.
So, now my days are filled with trying to find some inexpensive housewares in both new and used condition. I hosted my first impromptu dinner party with Jackie and Brandon on Friday night when the Indian restaurant where we chose to eat was lacking an exhaust fan and as the tears were running down my cheeks, we made the smart decision to move the party to my apartment to eat our Indian dinner. My new colleagues are quickly becoming my new friends. The next evening, which was last night, Brandon returned the favor by inviting a small group of us to his new flat for pot luck. I brought drum sticks courtesy of the hot food department of the local Carrefours store and one of those yummy looking cakes that has kiwi, peaches, and strawberries glazed on top. (yes, some things are JUST like the states) We met two new colleagues from our school who told their new immigrating stories. However, that will save for another day.
Oh, one last update...when my housing at the Aloft hotel ran out (5 days, only!!) I found a "deal" on Agoda for a 5-star room for only $69 per night for a small studio apartment/hotel. When I arrived, my room wasn't ready, so they upgraded me to a "Junior Suite" which is very comfortable. This is a lovely, older hotel with a gorgeous pool and exercise room on the roof. The staff has been outstanding. I like this hotel so much better than the Aloft, as it has a kitchenette and I have three wonderful rooms here. I would have chosen to live here, but it would have taken all my housing money, it's a 15 AED Dirham ride to school and the area is lousy. Other than that, I have the lovely bakery across the street that has the most delicious Baklava and Khanafa. Of course, due to Ramadan, I can only buy those at night, after 9:00pm.
More later on Ramadan and how it affects Westerners.
I am happy here. I am missing my family, but don't have the homesickness that sometimes plagues me in strange places.
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