Well it was very strange having Christmas in a Muslim country due to the fact that they don’t celebrate it and not having family around or being on holiday. I celebrated with some teachers at the school and their families who were shouted over - $3000NZ return from NZ so a little too much to do the same. We had a really nice buffet lunch at the Movenpick (Dutch chain) Hotel and it was only about $60 dollars. Kind of strange having a clown and a bird thing as well as Santa but oh well. I also went to a Christmas Eve gathering and a New Year’s Eve buffet at the Hilton Hotel again with some teachers from work. All were very good experiences and made the time of year better than it could’ve been. The weather is fantastic here at the moment - sunny and low 20's everyday (apart from the day we had sports day) wouldn't you know it! There are always lots of people out on the weekends having bbq's on the grass near the beaches. It is also the time of year when people go camping out in the desert. These are very big events. My principal is going with about 120 of her extended family! The photo above is of 360 Mall - a new mall in Kuwait. It also contains an Imax theatre.
Last weekend I went to Abu Dhabi to attend a European Tour Golf tournament. I had a great time and saw a number of great golfers – 8 of the top 14 in the world in fact. The golf course was amazing as was the clubhouse and there were many fun activities to do off the course. There were not as many spectators as in NZ golf events so you could get very close to the action. I even talked to Mark Brown (kiwi) and asked how he was doing. Also saw Danny Lee who alos just missed the halfway cut. It is interesting to note that the population is made up of only 20% Emirati so not the cultural experience you get from living in Kuwait. Only a few in dishadashas and abayas and no loud call to prayers or mosques on every corner. After the golf I went to my hotel and then into the city for a quick look around. Everywhere you look is new or under development. The shops/malls are similar to Kuwait - big and flash! My hotel was on Yas Island which is also a new development. Nothing is complete except for some hotels and the Formula 1 track. I had wanted to visit Ferrari World but that also was incomplete. With this in mind I would like to visit Abu Dhabi later in the year to see the changes that are currently taking place.
School Corner
School has been busy as usual although the extra afterschool support has now finished. Reports were handed out last week and I am pleased with the progress the students are making as were the parents judging from the interviews I had on Thursday. I have signed on for another year. I like the school and am coming around to the curriculum despite all of the testing we end up doing. This picture is from Hijiri New Year.
Now I’m on holiday! Been a long time coming – September in fact since we had more than 4 days off in a row. I’m off to Muscat for 10 days with another teacher to explore the city and surrounding beaches and wadis (canyons). I’ve heard great things from people who have been and only a 2 hour flight and about $250NZ return. Will report back after the trip. Have a great start to the beginning of the year teachers and let me know if you want to have an email exchange between classes -I have 18 Grade 3 (Year 4) students.
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