Quiet Weekend-Valentines day in bed

Not what it sounds like......trust me, I hurt my back doing "nothing", really I may have twisted wrong or turned wrong, but anyway it hurts like #@$#. Art was kind enough to keep me fed and in pain meds. The few times I got up were regrettable. By this morning (Monday) I am feeling good enough to go to work.

Last week was all work and no play although we did spend some time looking at 'flats' as they call them here. We saw a real nice tower that is almost complete and the 2 bedroom is in our price range the only problem is that it is not within walking distance of the beach. It does have good 360 degree views of the sea in the distance and it is right next to one of the largest shopping malls in town. We are in no rush so we will keep looking for the perfect 2 bedroom. We are working with a realtor "Suzy" that Art loves...(young and beautiful of course) and we have another showing. Agents typically get 10% commission of the annual rent and here u pay the entire years rent at one time up front ! Our allowance is for around $73,000 per year and that only gets us a good 2 bedroom apt or Villa. Not the penthouse, but something pretty decent. The rents here are outrageous and some of the people here only get around $20 - $40K that gets them a barely rentable place that is old, stinky, and in the middle of town with no view. I want a good view for the next 3 years I will be here.
Work is the same, the process here is at least 10 to 15 years behind what I was used to in the USA and I am tasked to bring them up to date in the Patient Financial Services world. I enjoy a challenge and believe me this is pretty challenging. On the good side, I made my initial evaluation of the systems and processes here and documented what I believe we need to succeed and made my first presentation to Senior Management for lots of new staff and processes to 'fix' everything. It was well received and now the tough work begins as I fight to get everything I need to succeed and put it into production....

This week we get our Liquor License and our Drivers License...then we can get a car and some Wine. The driver for the CEO has been here for over 30 years and 'knows' people. Getting the licenses can take weeks, but he gets past the B.S. and by the end of day tomorrow we should be just fine. Perhaps we will get a used car by the weekend. We are learning that around here you 'have to know someone' to get things done. You have to look like you know what you are doing (and even if u don't , u need to look the part) and be assertive.

So...thats it. Goodbye for now

What I learn at dinner

This note is mainly about the wonderful opportunities we have to meet new and interesting people here in Abu Dhabi. We have been to several nights out with people we meet. Last night for instance we had dinner cooked for us by the gentleman who runs another department. He is of Chinese decent, from Canada, another guest was from the Philipines and yet another was from Palestine. We had interesting conversations and learned alot about their cultures. Most interesting was Fred from Palestine. He was actually born in the USA, his parents evidently went back to Palestine and he travels a lot. He tried to visit his parents recently, but they live in Israeli occupied Palestine and the soldiers would not let him in, even with a USA passport. So he had to carry his luggage around and between checkpoints to 'sneak' into the occupied zones..It was much easier to get in, then getting out...his stories were lively, I like him a lot as he 'gets things done', as they say here. One time he commandeered a truck that was driving in the parking lot of the hospital...He stood out in front of the poor driver, waved him down and insisted he load his pharmacy shelving into the truck and take it around to the other side of the large hospital facility and unload it into his retail pharmacy....he said the poor guys were'nt sure what to do, but is waving, and ordering about must have meant to them that he was some kind of authority (he's not), but anyway his stoires are amusing and we laughed a lot. Everyone here has a storey on how they came about to come here and just now Art got home in a taxi driven by a Nepalese driver who has been here only 6 days and did not know his way around. He already had been fined 500 Dhirams (he only makes around 700Dh / month plus tips. So Art tipped him well. All Taxi drivers want to go to America. Many are from Pakistan and 100% of them ALWAYS say "Taliban are bad and just kill people". The Mountain area is unsafe. Taliban must go".... Over and over we hear that from every Pakistani driver.. We don't ask, they just all tell us that once they hear we are Americans.

Yesterday we walked 7.5 Kilometers accross town. We were looking for a 30 story apt. building that was just completed and starting to rent flats. We never found it, got lost (kinda) but eventually found a mall that we had been to before. We had to rest before we took a taxi home. Today Art found the Apt. building way on the other side of the Island from where we were looking, actually just accross the street from the back of the hospital. We were so close all the time...Oh well, we all know how directionally challenged I am. It is a beautiful place, brand new and renting now. Tomorrow we will go have a look inside. They become available at the end of March and Early April . 30 stories, sea views from some, adjacent to a large shopping center and supermarket and liquor store and near a multitued of ethnic food establishments. And 1 block from the back of the hospital I work at. Art still does not have a job, he will apply at 2 other places tomorrow, my hospital still has not made him an offer after 4 interviews, we are not sure why....but there are several places here in Abu Dhabi for him to work. In the mean time he is a 'kept man'.!!!!. Here is a pic of the apts we are looking at, not a very good picture, but you get the idea. This was taken in August. They are almost done now, working on the interiors and finishing touches.

The Balloon Ride that didn't happen !

Woke up this morning (Friday) and discovered that the town has been swept up in a desert sandstorm. Not quite as bad as the one depicted in this picture, but you get a good understanding of what a desert blow can look like in a matter of minutes. The balloon company called the group leader late last night to call off the trip due to forcasted high winds and rain (a rarity for rain). So instead of getting high up on the balloon, we had a breakfast brunch instead. About 12 folks showed up and at least 12 bottles of champagne were consumed along with a lot of local flavors..An Eastman Inn Quiche, Indian Breakfast, dates, fruit and of course bacon and eggs. A good substitute for the balloon ride...although the headache will soon be arriving I am sure !!!

Dune Bashing, Camel Rides, Belly Dancing

This was our young driver who drove us up and down and around many tall tall dunes. We went down sideways sometimes and we thought we were going to turn over. He kept on trying to pick up on our young friend who was riding in the back seat. I wished he would keep his eyes on the dunes and not her.

This was my camel and he was pretty grumpy. Art tried to get on also but he would not get up with Art's weight. So I rode him alone. It was fun.

Art with a young camel we came accross in the desert. There was a herd of females that they use for milking out being walked and fed by their herders that morning

She was a friendly gal and once I started petting her, she followed me around. In the background are other people who went with us. Our group consisted of 8 people from the Hospital where I work

This is dune bashing, notice him coming down sideway on that steep hill, some hills were taller and steeper. The sand here is kind of red and VERY fine, when you walk, you sink in deep when going down a dune. However when walking on flat surfaces it is very firm. All in all it was quite fun. When the sun set we went to an area where they had tables set up for dinner under the stars, then a belly dancer. Art really enjoyed that part and I will not post those pictures.

Next week we are going Ballooning over the desert in the morning. That too should be an adventure. Stay tuned

Art's Back

Today Marta went to Dubai for an Arab Health Care Conference. Leaving me to lay out on the beach. Oh such a tough life here. On Saturday we went to the movies, our first here in the UAE. There is a difference here when one goes to the movie theater, you get to choose your seat when you buy your ticket and when you go into the theater, an usher takes you to your seat. The cost is about the same around 9 or 10 dollars. We did not buy popcorn so I cant report if the same price gouging takes place at the snack bar...maybe next time. Weather her is still nice, in the 70 to 80's. Nice enough for us to take walks during the day. Not much else going on right now, just work for Marta and a couple of interviews for me. On Friday evening we have reservations to go on a desert safari. They pick us up at the apt., along with 3 other couples, then we head out to the desert to do some 4 wheel drive dune bashing in the sand dunes. Then they take us to a camel ranch where we get to ride for about 20 minutes to a place to watch the sunset and have a bedoiun dinner under the stars. I will take picture and post them later.

Art going back to UAE

I (Art) am going back to the UAE on Jan 19th. I found a 500 dollar flight, 1 way..what a deal on Lufthansa. I can't wait to get back and join Marta. I have spent 4 days with my new Grandson River and am anxious to join Marta. I just have to put together taxes and other year end paper work, then I am off. Marta is still facing challenges in her new work, many are quite interesting, some are cultural related, others appear to be process issues that have been going on for a long time and will take a while to resolve.

Happy New Years Eve Baby

We are thrilled and happy to report that we are Grandparents again. At 3 pm on Dec 31st EST, River Louis Michels was born to Arts Daughter Alicia. River is a whopping 10 lbs and 21 inches. River was born via C-section for obvious reasons...he came out round and pink...He is huge, happy and hungry...Both Mom and Son are doing fine...and Grand Pa Art is very proud !!!

Marta Can't Log In to Post

Oh My dear Marta cannot figure out how to log in in 'arabic'...I must admit, that you must put in your password first, then your user name....OK...rather then her not posting I will for her...I actually finally spoke with her yesterday..Thank You 'SKYPE'....she is deep into work...finding many issues that need to be resolved..The first thing that Marta did was create an 'issues' list in her first couple of weeks. It's a pretty long list but she has started to put together a plan and is still meeting with all the 'correct players' at the Hospital. Marta has started to make friends and since I have been gone she started meeting people for dinner and the 'rare' drink in this Muslim country. In February we will begin to look for a permanent place to live, that sounds scary, but she has met many 'expats' who have lived up to a dozen years here. One nurse just does 6 month stints and is about to move on to someplace in Africa. I would like to go on a Safari to see the Great Migration of the Wildebeest herds next summer. I head back in a couple of weeks, I am just waiting for Alicia to give birth to my first grandchild. She is huge, baby around 8 lbs and she still has 2 weeks to go. Big Ultrascan due on Wednesday to check on a more accurate Size...we are hoping for long and skinny to avoid a C-section. Here is a picture of her from last month.

Art writing for Marta

Well, I am back in America, with my internal clock all backwords, up all night. I was greeted by a huge storm today, the first of the winter. We have had between 12 and 14 inches of fluffy, then wet snow. Just in time for our Annual Inn to Inn Christmas Cookie Tour where 15 Inns in the Valley each cook around 1000 cookies and invite about 400 guests to tour the inns, eat cookies and other refreshments and get Holiday Decorating ideas. Our Inn was decorated by my loyal staff. Sherry created a Gingerbread house that is of our Local Village Train Station in the Middle of the Town...it's not finished yet. I suggest all of Marta's California friends come to New England next year to enjoy this annual festival Go Sleigh riding in the evening, Cross Country or Downhill Skiing. In the center of the town there is a public skating rink that is lit until midnight every night. Bring family and friends for a real New England Holiday...then you can fly to the UAE to visit Marta !!!!!!!

OK, blatant advertising and marketing is done for the day.....off to shovel snow !!!!!

Weekend Activities....it never stops

What a weekend for us. It seems we have more holidays then working days since I have been here. Everyday there is something new to see or do. We have been to check out about 5 shopping malls (since we have been here), altho we could not find the Gold Souk (souk=mall), but Art who is my GPS probably missed it on purpose....yes I am sure of that.

Art went to the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, a 6 day (hiking, biking, running, swimming, kayaking, mountain climbing, desert hike). He went to the leg of biking and kayaking as it was close by, here is a link of a video of the race http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com/videotheque.php?page=VIDEO&lang=gb&codej=anglais video #2 is the best, # 3 breaks up a lot for unknown reasons. Art is thinking of volunteering to help in next years event as they need a lot of support staff for all the stages......

On Friday Art drug me to the Power boat races....they went round and round..
On Saturday after we slept most of the day away, in the evening we went to a Heritage Village, but it was closed...we were about to leave the area when Art noticed that down the block they were having an event. We checked it out and it was a Free concert held in a magnificent theatre. The Russian Folk Orchestra was going to play in 1 hour...we had time for a quick bite at a lovely restaurant right on the water. We ate outside and had traditional Gulf Food. The concert was excellant, we had to wait for some dignataries to arrive 1/2 hour late, they had special chairs in front (like thrones, with water, sweets, tea, candies) on table in front Turned out 1 was the Minister of Culture, the others were big shots too. The Russian Orchestra was flown in for the holiday events this past week, we were lucky to get to see them...Well that is the end of the holidays, but Soccer FIFA UAE is holding a tournnment in 6 days...more fun !

UAE Sports - Every day

It takes awhile to get used to seeing women dressed this way, but it is starting to seem more natural to us as we learn the culture. Art watched the movie "The Messenger" the story about the prophet Mohammed and the beginning of Islam....it makes more sense to him now the calling to prayer 5 times a day and to see people praying at the plethora of Mosques or the landscapers stopping and setting up their carpets on the lawn they are mowing to pray

Me on the Corniche admiring one of hundreds of fountains they have here in this desert. Art read that they de salinate the water for drinking

Not a week goes by without some kind of sporting "Championship Game" of some sort. They have a Sports Council that sees to every sport possible. I won't be able to sleep during this tournament as the locals stay up to the wee hours when their team wins (soccer)

Another round of powerboat races...not the huge F1 40 footers as 2 weeks ago, this time just big fast boats. We walked down there on Friday for day 1. The boats go round and round...Like Nascar, which I don't care about either...oh well, boys and their toys go round and round

After the race, Art got to go up to the display...oh boy...another boy with his toy. There is a shopping mall just behind the boat !

Fireworks Grand Finale from 4 barges

I was wrong about the barges on the beach, there are now 4 of them and they turned out to be the ones used for fireworks on Friday, Dec 3rd. It was awesome, the barges were barely 100 yards offshore and they shot massive fireworks for 45 minutes. We were right in the middle of it. Surely not OSHA approved as we were directly under the fireworks breathing smoke. This brief movie is of the finale, again we missed the 'smiley' face at the very end. It was the most spectacular loudest and brightest event I have ever seen !

National Day (Like the 4th of July)

38th National Day Celebrations !

Dec 2nd is UAE 38th National Unity day, The day the 6 of the 7 Sheikdoms in the area came together under 1 constitution to form a government. Bahrain and Quater declined...a year later a smaller area became the 7th and final emerate to become part of the UAE. so it was party day

All day long the streets began to fill with Partygoers..and honking, people decorated their cars with the national colors and pictures of the 3 highest rulers as shown above. Some were quite elaborate!

This barge appeared on the beach in the morning, we thought it was for the Fireworks later, and thousands of others did later in the evening, but that never happened. We think it just washed up. It was too close to the shore to safely shoot fireworks..they ended up being about 1 KM away at the Emerates Palace Hotel. They had Guinness World record staff there to record the " largest display of fireworks ever" . By pure luck we had walked down to that area to take pictures so we had a pretty good view.

The crowds were overwhelming, the streets came to a standstill around 10 pm, Honking, people singing and dancing in the streets, waving flags and tooting horns, it was loud. The Palm trees in the center divider were all lit up, what u cant see in this picture is that the spiky things on the palms had 'moving' lights that shot out from the center to the bottom of the tree, hard to describe, but beautiful to look at

This is a short move of the fireworks and the crowds.

It was a pretty good day, it went on way too long, we went to bed around midnight but the noise, firecrackers and singing and dancing in the streets went on until past 4 am according to Art who got up several times to watch the streets below !

My New Clothes dryer for my birthday

I have never been so happy as to get a 'dryer' for my birthday. We gave Alicia my LG Front Loading Washer and Dryer when we stopped in New Jersey. The temporary housing we were provided came only with a Washer. Our friend below us has a Washer/Dryer Combo, but since we are supposedly temporary in this building I just got the Washer, I had to resort to setting my clothes out on the ironing board for the past 3 weeks, but my honey was kind enough to get me the top of the line Dryer








Notice all the features, it is feather light, has no ink on it to stain my clothers, has locking hinges and I can hang my pants off the END...how sweet. And think of all the energy I am saving the Govt. of Abu Dhabi. I am sure glad he (Art) did not waste money on that new fangled Dryer..At least I don't have to resort to washing and drying out by the old Cement Pond (ala Beverly Hillbillies)... but Arts friend Harry Houck would be proud of me using Solar to dry my clothes.. In this heat, they dry in minutes... Happy Eid to all (now look that one up)...Marta and Art

5.2 KM walk today

We took a 5 km walk today down to the EAST end of the Corniche, we live on the West end. The Dhow Harbor is filled with these working Dhows, they fish the local waters with nets

The Emerates Palace Hotel, one of a handful of 7 Star hotels in the world, Rooms go up to $17,000 per night during festivals, only 302 rooms in the huge hotel complex. I took this shot from about 3 Km away, We will take some night shots soon as it is spec tacular when lit. Some suites have their own private beach area. Rhiana will play on New Years Eve

This is about the average size of boats in the Marina Mall area, the large ones are moored somewhere else I guess. Some that belong to the Royal family have heli pads on them

At Heritage Village, this is a depiction of a bedoin tent, note the A/C unit. Today when people camp in the desert, they take these units and diesel generators to power them. People camp in the Winter, when the nigts cool down to the 70's

Marta gets a transportation allowance. It showed up today (ha ha ha). Another exhibit at Heritage village

We did the 5 Km walk today to try to see the entire Corniche, we failed by about 200 yards, the beating sun drained us and it was only in the 80's. and a little bit humid. It took us 2 hours and we took a taxi back to our Apt. I finally dipped my toes into the Arabian sea, so now I have been in 3 oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arabian Sea (not an ocean ?)..

Art and I watched a Hanna Montana marathon today...strange but true, along with som computer work. I am putting together and Issues list from the 100 or so emails I have received and my meetings with all my staff over the past week or so. We seem to have our fair share of things to work out and I see quite a challenge ahead for me. We have process and systems issues, not in any particualar order that will take months to fully grasp. We are undergoing a major system upgrade in about 2 weeks to the Financial systems and the Clinical systems are changing from Meditech to Cerner the first weekend in December. All this change is sure to make my life more challenging at the Hospital. I miss all my friends and co-workers back at St Agnes. Take care and email me some time, my email address is 'uae.delatorre@gmail.com'

View from our Balcony

Night view from our balcony of the Marina Mall beyond the

Same view during the day, this day the High Speed Formula 1 Power boat races


We have made it 2 whole weeks here an Abu Dhabi. Every day is different. Art has not become adjusted to the time yet and he stays awake until 2 each morning and gets up after noon. This is not like him, but there is not much for him to do. He does clean and cook dinner or we go out. Last night we went out for drinks with my old boss from Fresno. Matthew Abraham the former CEO from St Agnes was here on business so we met up with him for a few hours to catch up on the latest news. The weather is beautiful, in the 70's. I must take advantage of it as it gets over 130 in the summer. We still go out on forays in the evenings, everything is an adventure, sometimes Art has the cab just let us out and we wander back home late in the evening. It seems safe, even one night in the "Electra" section. Nothing but shops selling 'electric' appliances and TV's and such. All lit up by neon lights and thousands of people milling about. Not the cleanest section of town, but we ate there anyway at a local 'chill out zone' . They seem to do a lot of 'relaxing' here and the names of some places are very odd, The Chill Zone, Chilaxation, Chill Out, Relax In. Many of these turn out to be places where one can smoke tobacco from a water pipe hookaah. A Fragrant sweet smell. but I can't get used to all the smoking, I keep asking for Non Smoking sections and they just nod their heads NO luck here mam. Every one is very courteous, calling me Mam, Madam, sometimes sounding like 'mom' with their accents from all over the world. Very different from the USA, they are all so polite.

Lost Purse

This is the beach Walkway in front of our home, called the Corniche

Our 2 Apt. is behind the 3 building from the left, we have a peak of the ocean, (see below)

In front of our building, the Corniche road is lined with Apts, Oil Co. offices, Car dealers and Mosques

This is the view from our balcony, we have this peak of the marina, the huge modern new Marina Mall (Art was facinated that they wash the white tent structure daily) and beyond that the Arabian Sea. High Speed boat races were held right below this past weekend (loud)

I did the most stupid dreadful thing a person can do in a foreign country (short of getting arrested) and that was I lost my purse on Sunday, my first day of orientation. I thought I could sleep a bit later, but when I got to the bus shuttle stop, there was no bus..but I saw it on the far side of the block so I ran down there, it drove right past me back to where I started so I ran back there. It turned and I could see it passing between buildings, and finally caught it, out of breath. The driver must have thought I was just waving frantically to him to greet him....I have to sign in on the shuttle bus all the time, Name, Badge Number Date, Time, Destination, First born child....and I set my purse down on the floor to do this as my arms were full with Orientation binders, etc. I went to Orientation, then my office and at lunch looked for my wallet ....NO PURSE...I called Art, is it at home...NO....is it in the orientation meeting room NO....wallet, passport, visa, all letters of Officialdom, credit cards, $$$, all gone........................................................................I was overwhelmed and frustated to beat all.

Well it turned out the bus driver found it and kept is securely by his side as he made his rounds all day, waiting for me to come back...I ride the shuttle all day long but this day only in the morning. He called his supervisor, who called my office and my Patient Accounts manager ran down to the transport department and there was my purse with all the contents fully intact...The driver was so apologetic that I had lost my purse...I thanked him profusely, I did not know if it was OK to reward him, he was beaming with pride. We do have an equivalent "Sunshine Card" , but I want to recognize him for his honesty and integrity. My CFO says that in this country there is almost no theft as the punishment is so severe (jail automatically immediately until trial) no bail. And surely deportation.....People leave there cars running with the keys in them everywhere in the summer to keep the AC on. I am blessed to have gotten all my stuff back.

Shopping Trip

Just a sample of what we bought today at the Market. Art and I go shopping about every other day. Remember, we don't have a car and we take taxi's everywhere, about 10 dH to get around town is just less then $3 US. We keep finding markets all around the neighborhood, some quite small and others quite large. Food is more expensive here overall...there are a few bargains and the choices are all international When we go to the produce, the signs above the produce show Name of produce and Country of Orgin.. We see almost every African, Indian, and Australian Continents produce being represented. We eat Saudi Potatoes and Thai Fruits and South African Oranges, New Zealand Beef to name a few. We don't eat pork...there is a Non Muslim walled off section of Spinneys market to purchase pork products, but one feels guilty going in there...so we try to respect the culture. We find ourselves starting to say "God Willing" after every sentence when something is to happen in the future.

A Mexican in Abu Dhabi

Art was very happy to find Mexican food at our local Market. It took him less then 2 hours of being in Country to find it. Tortillas, Spanish rice. Our first meal at our new home was tacos we made.

Low Battery, just got Internet access

Hi All
Life is complicated here in Abu Dhabi. Getting Internet is like getting top secret security, we needed 'signed and 'officially stamped' letters from my work. Then this Apt. does not let 'transients' get internet access. So I had to go around all first line staff in every departmet here at the hospital. Finally I got the right stamps on my papers (like the letters of transit in Casablanca, you can't do anything in Abu Dhabi unless you have stamped papers).

Now we have power problems as our converter keeps blowing fuses so I have limited power on my Laptop.

All these problems will be worked out. In the UAE we just wait and God Willing it will be.

We are off to a bank now at 6 pm on a Sunday (a work day in the UAE). I finally got my 'papers' to allow me to open a bank account. In the UAE you must have permission from your employer to open a bank account. The letter has my monthly salary on it for all to see. More later.

First Abu Dhabi Update

Hello, it has been 1 week, 7 days since we got on the plane for the UAE and we finally have time to update our blog....we left the camera at our Apt. so I can't upload any pictures right now, will do later in a few days

We flew into Abu Dhabi over the Saudi Arabian Desert and looking out over the desolate sand, was our first inclination that we were really in a foreign country...miles and miles of 'nothing' but sand. It was dark as we landed and suddenly the lights of Abu Dhabi lit up the ground...we got through passport control right after they made me take an Eye Scan to make sure I was not some foreign spy or something.

Someone (KAREEM) met us and had a driver take us to our hotel apt. It is a 2 bedroom apt, with full kitchen, Clean and adequate. IT WAS 10 pm and there was no Toilet paper...so we went down to security, Robi, told us there was a market 2 blocks away..we got TP and som other necessities. \more of that later.,\

We are on the 19th floor of a 20 storey tower, we have an ocean view to our right and a construction view to our left. Will post pictures later. We are on the beach, out front is a restaurant, then the Corniche. the Corniche extends all along the beach, it is a wide walkway and park all along the city.. We walk the 3 kilometers to the Marina MALL where 1.2 million dollar jewelry and gaga gaga clothing is proudly displayed..there are just a few shoppers, the floors are so clean you can eat off them. really, really clean...did i say clean...they are clean...ok so clean that about every 50 feet there is a cleaning guy cleaning...it is huge..we have only been on 1 or 2 floors and there are 3 floors, and we get lost a lot.

We have walked parts of the city. it is clean outside...no homeless people \9all deported)...everyone must work or they are deported. any crime and you are deported....like cleanliness, if you misbehave, you are deported...so very little crime.

Will write more later, we are in the Bosses apt. alone as he went bowling and we needed computer access, ours is not up yet and we have no phone yet.\

Take care All.
\
\marta and art

Last USA Post

We are off in a few minutes, waiting for Peggy to take us to the Bus Station for our ride to Boston, then on to Germany, then the UAE. We finished everything up here in North Conway early yesterday, then took De La Torre Naps all afternoon. After the Patriots won their Football game we got up and took a walk into town.

Art took me to "Decades" a local restaurant where he has been sending guests lately. It was deserted on a Sunday Evening, only us and a couple at the bar. The economy is bad here. One of the inns about 6 miles from us just walked away from their business the last week of October. We used to send guests there for dinner, the Bernerhof Inn, good German Food. Anyone want a large Inn with a small Motel down the road ? It will mostl likely auction off in about 6 months.

I am excited and ready to start work. Being off work for almost 3 weeks is very unusual for me and I will have a lot to do when I arrive in country. Art is somewhat intimidated and worried about his business, he set up automatic payments for the majority of his bills and also "Direct Deposit" for his employees. He can't get much more prepared but there is always something he thinks of most every hour of the day and off he goes to do it. Running your own business is a tireless 18 hour a day job and he enjoys his beer's in the few off hours he gets.

Well my friends and family, my next post will be from either the German Airport where we have a 4 hour layover or Abu Dhabi on Tuesday Night....we arrive very late, will be met and driven over to temporary quarters...and that's all I know for certain, so many unknowns, but hey it makes life interesting....we don't have time to be bored !!! Take care and love to all !

Last Friday in the USA

I finally received my tickets for the UAE. We leave Monday from Boston Logan Airport, via Frankfurt then on to Abu Dhabi. We are so busy all day for the past several days and I am sure this weekend also. Finding space for all my stuff here is proving more difficult then I thought. It is the quiet time here in North Conway. Cold, in the 30's during the day and 20's at night. We had a little bit of snow yesterday, Art raked leaves from all the lawns and worked on his Inn bookeeping. I packed and unpacked...then decided to buy a fourth large suit case, I am allowed 4 bags, up to 70 pounds each, Art will get a carryon size only as he is only staying 4 weeks to begin with.

My work Visa arrived also, so now I am officially allowed to enter the country. Last night for dinner Art took me to the Stonehurst Manor. A large old inn up on a hill. It has a lovely sitting area with a huge old fireplace and a small bar. They have Thursday nights specials 2 entrees for the price of one. It was full of the local townspeople and the food was great. Our waitress was a good friend of Art's employee so we had a good time. Art had a pork chop because in 4 days no more PORK in the Muslim country we are going to.

No pictures as we are too busy to take any. Take care my friends, Marta

The Eastman Inn

We are home (for a few days anyway). It is good to be together again. We are staying in room 3 a Premium room with a Fireplace and a bathroom that connects to Art's office so it is convenient for him. It is chilly, the sky's are clear, it is in the 30's tonight, no rain or snow forcast for a few days...giving us time to pack for Abu Dhabi. Art will be leaving back to California to attend his brothers funeral. Dan passed away yesterday afternoon after a short bout with Lung Cancer. I was so proud that Dan went back to school 4 years ago at the age of 58 ! He worked for about 2 years in Medical Records in Phoenix and was well loved by all the staff there. He will be missed.

Arrived in North Conway, NH

We arrived last night to the Eastman Inn in North Conway at around 9 pm, we hurried accross the street to the Muddy Moose for a late dinner where I met all of Art's friends at the pub. I will have to watch him as some of the waitresses were pretty cute and a bit too friendly with him !!!. Anyway we had 6 guests last night so we crept in quietly, Art set up the 32 in Flat Screen TV in room 3. We had breakfast with the guests this morning (Monday) and some of them were Arts "Return" guest that he has built a relationship with. It was fun eating with the guests. Right now we are unpacking and storing. The packers unloaded the truck this morning and we returned it to Glen NH. Now I am putting things away. Art was right, there is no place left in the Inn for my furniture. We closed room 6 to make it a staging storage area for now !. Well that's it for a few days, we will be unpacking and getting ready to move to the UAE next week. All I am taking is 5 suitcases of clother. I will have to buy all my furniture over there *(Used I hope from people leaving). I will post some pics later tomorrow.