21 hours, new friends, and a journey...

Sat. August 14, 2010
9:30am, Austin, Texas

I was awakened no later than 8:00 am, got ready, and added the last minute things to my suitcase.

My dad ran up to the local Taco Cabana to grab breakfast tacos...yummy!

We no sooner loaded up the car and left, around 9:40am.

My parents were dropping me off at the airport, and since it is halfway out to the farm, they also had the car loaded so they could go straight to Flatonia. The car was loaded to the max....

3 dogs, my parents belongings to take out to the farm, pulling a trailer of barbed wire, fencing, and a cow feeder....my luggage was tied to the end of the trailer.

I gathered my luggage at the Airport curb, hugged my dad goodbye, kissed my puppies for the last time, and headed inside with my mom. We waited in line, for what seemed forever. Of course, one of my bags was 4 lbs over, and so i had to remove two pounds or pay $200.00. So, in the middle of the airport, I am frantically pulling things out of my suitcase to give my mother (which she will need to ship to me). I was eventually checked in, hugged my mom goodbye, and off I went.

While sitting and waiting for my flight, I met a husband (Jason), his wife Dee, and then Dee's father Azlan. Jason is a teacher, and had the same flight schedule as I did. Thank goodness...I had some travel buddies!

First flight
12:25 pm
Austin to Chicago
United Airlines Express

I think this was the smallest plane I have ever been on, in my life! It was terrible! I felt like a salted and packed sardine!

Sitting next to me was a man from Vermont, that lives in Austin part-time also. He owns a beautiful, I mean BEAUTIFUL home in Vermont (he showed me pictures) that he lives in part time, when he isn't in Cedar Park in his apartment. He was just a simple business man, on his way back home for a couple of weeks. We talked the whole time...he was very interested in my travel...wanted to know lots of details of which I couldn't really tell him. So, the conversation made the flight a lot easier and faster.


Arrival to Chicago

Thank goodness I had met Jason and Dee....I don't think I could have navigated through the Chicago airport alone...it was HUGE! We had a hard time finding our way to the international terminals. It was a long walk, lots of asking, and lots of wandering. Once we had arrived to terminal 5E (through walking, shuttle, and more walking) and checked in, this was the last stop we had to grab a bite to eat. By the time we got to our terminal, waited in line for food, and ate....we were pretty pressed for time. We immediately headed for our gate and waited for a little while. This was the HUB for teachers....we met several teachers and families that were Abu Dhabi bound.


Second flight- 8:30 pm
Chicago to Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways

Where to start! The plane was of course, as lavish as a plane could be. Each person had their own personal TV that they controlled. You could play video games, watch movies, just about anything.

I had a window seat, which is what I wanted. I could see out, which was nice. My seat mate, a guy from India, was SUPER nice. He was very funny....your usual funny guy! He was a big help, in getting me through the plane ride, explaining everything to me, etc.

This was, by far, the LONGEST flight ever!! It didn't seem like we would ever get to the UAE! However, overall, it was a great flight. The people were very nice and helpful, decent food...in fact, I felt like that is all I did was eat. :) It was a pretty smooth flight. I didn't sleep much, maybe 2 hours max....I just can't sleep on planes. So, you can only imagine how tired I was.


Landing in Abu Dhabi
Sunday August 15th, 8:30 pm

I never thought this time would come! But, we finally landed and exited from the plane. Out of the terminal, there were ADEC representatives waiting for us. From there, they walked us through customs/immigrations to our eye exams. This was STRANGE!! They take your passport to scan it, and then take a picture of the pupil of your eye...strange! Then, off to baggage claim, where the 41 teachers each had help getting their luggage...I didn't even have to touch my own luggage!

As we walked out of the airport, there were more ADEC representatives waiting for us, and they handed us a freshly cut rose.

We were then escorted to our bus, which would take us to our hotel. We arrived at 9:30/10:00 pm, immediately stepped off the bus and were greeted with a warm, lemon scented towel that felt wonderful on your face (keep in mind, we had been on a plane for 21+ hours) and then a glass of mango juice...to die for. It was so fresh and yummy...nothing like in the states.

We each labeled our luggage, so that it could be delivered to our room, which is lavish in itself. Our beds are made every morning and turned down for us in the evening. Bottled water is supplied free, fresh fruit, and dates (I haven't worked up enough courage to try these).

Being so late, and having orientation the next morning, the bed was calling my name. A plush bed, feather comforter and pillows, I felt as though I was sleeping on top of a cloud. I can't remember the last time I slept so well.

Everyone is very welcoming here and accommodating. I feel like a princess....served and given everything/anything. The Arabs def. have high standards...from airlines, to hotels, to buildings, and cars. One major frustration so far, not knowing the language! As with an foreign trip of mine, communication is hard. Everything is in English....they all pretty much speak English, but the mere fact that I CAN'T understand what they are saying = irritating. But, it is a reality and I have to deal with it.