Telephone Banter

Papa has been in New York all week and today we finally got to talk to him on the telphone. As soon as I heard his voice I asked, " So. . . . what's the weather at New York?" He told me it was raining. My next question was, "Where are the bathrooms to go pee and poop at New York?" He explained there were many bathrooms - there was one in his hotel room, at the conference, and at our friend Jenny's house where he had dinner last night. I was relieved to hear that.

Later I explained to Mama haw the time difference meant that when it is morning time in Abu Dhabi, it is night time in New York. When it is night time here, it is morning there.

I explained another opposite to her today - when we were playing on the see-saw (a.k.a. teeter totter). I said that when she goes down, I go up, and when I go up, she goes down. . . . because that is how the seesaw is made.

Homemade Playdough

some might think my mom's nuts for bringing cream of tartar across the world from Boston to Abu Dhabi. I'll tell you what - it's the key ingredient to perfect playdough!

Playdough Recipe
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
food coloring

Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat until the dough is pliable. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in an airtight container - the stuff will keep for months!

Burqinis Galore

So, what to do if you're a devout woman looking to cool down in the swimming pool or beach? Don a burqini, that's what! These handy swimsuits are designed with modesty in mind. You can take a plunge and need only expose your face, hands and feet. Awesome. All the rage here in Abu Dhabi. 

Afternoon Fun

 We are so lucky to have all this fun stuff right here at the hotel!

40 °C / 105 °F

25 °C / 78 °F

max humidity 31%

"Our Father Zayed"

Notice the image on the spare tire of that white SUV? That's the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (a.k.a. Our Father Zayed) the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. As ruler of Abu Dhabi he founded the UAE in 1971. People dig his image, and plaster it everywhere. They also like to hang portraits of other leaders - and there is a specific protocol to doing so. If there are 2 portraits, the most significant one (inevitably Sheikh Zayed) goes on the right. If there are 3 portraits, the most important goes in the middle, with second place on his left, and third place on his right.

Lunch Break

43 °C / 109 °F

25 °C / 78 °F

max humidity 58%

Ladies Only. . . Parking

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

40 °C / 104 °F
24 °C/ 75°F

max humidity 54%

Souk Al Quryat

Papa and Mama

enjoying weekend togetherness 

Cars

39 °C / 102 °F

21 °C / 70 °F

max humidity 88%

Today in 15 Steps

Today we faced the "find a park you can actually play in" challenge.

Step 1. Go to the series of playgrounds on the Corniche that you've been eyeing from the car for weeks.

Step 2. After wondering why there are no cars in the parking lot on this beautiful day, notice that there is one truck. Notice that the truck has a thin hose coming out of it. Notice that at the other end of that hose is a man with a respirator.


Step 3. Decide that inhaling pesticide is no way to start the day. Feel thankful that you never got out of the car. 


Step 4. Head to another park.


Step 5. Remember that Abu Dhabi Mums' toddler group is meeting today at the playground on the corner of 30th and 15th. Drive there. 


Step 6. Feel pleased about finding a shaded, unmetered parking space. Notice in the rear-view mirror that the park is suspiciously surrounded by a temporary wall. Read "Park Closed" sign.


Step 7. Head to another park.


Step 8. Arrive at Khalidiyah Park. Park the car. Purchase the 2 Dirham ticket for one hour of parking and place it in the front windshield of the car. Enter the park.


Step 9. Get over Andrés' comment, "There aren't enough toys here." Try not to let on that you totally agree.


Step 10. PLAY! Eat (sandy) snacks.


Step 11. Stop by market for cold milk to drink and pick up some cool mack trucks.


Step 12. Drive home.


Step 13. Baths for everyone


Step 14. Eat lunch (again)


Step 15. NAP!

Room #2 Clear Day View

Presidential palace with grassy helipad and boat / jet ski launch Dhow parking, contruction staging, worker buses

Emirates Palace

ATMs

are different here in the UAE

They Call it Fun City

And it is!

34 °C / 94 °F

22 °C / 72°F

max humidity 73%

Lunch at IRENA

Today we had lunch at Papa's work. He showed us how to measure using a ruler.

33 °C / 93 °F

24 °C / 75°F

max humidity 73%

I'm SO Ready

to go to school!

This was a visit to a nursery school that we didn't like so much. The playground equipment was nice, though!

Room #3 Hazy Day View

Feeding Pau his yogurt in the window of our new room at the hotel.

By the way, this is our third suite at this hotel. . . . . I am ready to find a real house and I keep asking when we will, and why it is taking so long. Mama and Papa say it's because they are very picky and that we need a yard or patio, which is very difficult to find here. Please send us good luck on our housing search!

30 °C / 86 °F

20 °C / 68°F

max humidity 83%

Abu Dhabi Nightline

as seen from the beach at Heritage Village.

31 °C / 86 °F

19 °C / 67 °F

max humidity 78%

Cheap Thrills

These little machines kept me happy for about an hour while Papa and Pau did the grocery shopping. It was a total deal at 1 dirham per ride (about 27 American cents).

32 °C / 91 °F

18 °C / 64 °F

max humidity 78%

Bathing the Baby