It has been a while since my last update, and back then I shared how much my flat has changed.
We’re wrapping up the term now, so it’s all the marking, admin, and the usual rush that comes with closing things off. Add a bit of staff development into the mix, and the schedule stays full.

Still, I managed a small adventure this past Saturday. I made my way to the World Trade Centre towers here in Abu Dhabi. They really are quite remarkable, and as I understand it, they’re the tallest actual buildings in the city. Next week I’ll be heading to Dubai—mainly for training—but I’m hoping to sneak in a detour to the Burj Khalifa.

The highlight of the trip was the Souk integrated into the World Trade Centre. It’s a beautiful blend of old and new, with the remnants of traditional markets offering everything from spices and carpets to the most intricate chess sets I’ve ever seen. The Souk itself was an experience. I picked up some incense, a burner for the flat, and a very decorative Turkish-style lamp.

The shopkeepers were relentless. The more I explained that carpets weren’t in my current budget, the more impressive the discounts became. One gentleman spent a good 45 minutes trying to convince me that I had some deeper emotional and spiritual connection to his carpets. They truly were stunning, but I stood firm—literally and figuratively!

The mall surrounding the Souk is also impressive. It leans toward the exclusive, but still has enough to keep an ordinary teacher entertained. One feature that caught my eye was the longest indoor slide in the world, so it claims. I’ll have to return and try it out. Fortunately, the lift takes you to the top, so no stairs required.

After all that, it was back to reality for some weekend grading. Thankfully, it’s under control. School remains the core focus, of course, with the kids being as energetic as kids always are. Exams here feel very similar to those back home. I have yet to meet a child—here or in South Africa—who enjoys sitting quietly to study for two hours before an exam.

Marking works a little differently here, but it’s easy enough to adapt to. I quite like the marking software; once the assignment is uploaded, it can’t magically “go missing,” which is a lovely bonus. I’m sure we have similar systems back home, but they require a willingness to engage… and a bit of money to register.

Getting around Abu Dhabi has become easier, especially now that the weather is cooling down. I can walk comfortably at night. I often stroll from the doctor’s rooms to my flat. Medical check-ups for my warfarin are taken very seriously here, so I pop into the local clinic or hospital every two to three weeks. The free coffee while you wait is a pleasant touch.

That’s enough rambling for now. I fly home for a short break on 6 December, so I’ll greet as many people as I can then.

Ciao,
Mike