Pre Departure Webinar

I sat in on our pre departure webinar on Friday with much anticipation.  It was scheduled for an hour and a half so of course I was prepared with pen in hand for all of the important information to come.  Unfortunately I knew absolutely everything they covered from my research over the past few months.  ADEC is planning for all 600-700 teachers to arrive in Abu Dhabi between August 8 and 12.  We will find out our exact flight information via email which will arrive from a travel agency with an eticket for the flight.  We will not find out if Russ will receive a ticket to go with me on the initial flight until it arrives.  I requested that he fly with me rather than waiting the 4-6 weeks until my visa is processed so we will wait and see.  We will arrive during the holiday of Ramadan  which will be a new experience.  During this religious holiday Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours.  While we are not required to participate, non muslims are not allowed to eat or drink in public.  We will have to eat in our room or specially located areas in the hotel.  Even water bottles need to be carried conspicuously in bags with drinking out of site of others.  I am excited to learn about such a new and different culture.  We will not be required to be on campus until September 2 so the new teachers will have plenty of time to investigate this new country while preparing for our first year of teaching.  I am becoming more excited each day!