Feeling the heat...

Well Chris and I have returned to Al Ain for sure. School has been alright; however, we are constantly unsure as to why we are there. The students don't start for another month, but we are forced to go to meetings with either PowerPoints we have already seen from last year or that are stolen from local hotels... The rest of the day is spent doing absolutely nothing. We have met quite a few of the new staff--there are 25. Chris and I will be teaching with a woman named Steph, who is from the UK, and she seems absolutely lovely. We aren't sure what if any of the resources have arrived, but luckily knowing the way school atarted last year, we were prepared to start with our own. There were some fears that schools would not open because of the H1N1 flu virus. People here are extremely paranoid about that flu, especially because it has the word "swine" commonly attached to it. Luckily, however, the Ministry published a statement saying that the schools would open on their respective dates: We will be starting September 27 with the kiddies!!! Chris will be teaching Gr 7 & 8 Social Studies and Gr 7 English, and I will be teaching Gr 7 & 8 English.

Heat wise, it's hard to describe it here. The blast you receive when you walk outside would be like opening the door to the oven and sticking your entire body in it. The temperature at 8 pm, after the sun is down was 43C = 109F. Yesterday when the sun was up it was 48C = 119F. We stay inside all day now because Ramadan has started. Because it's a Muslim country, none of the restaurants, cafes, etc. are open, and we are not allowed to eat, drink, chew gum, etc. in public--not even in our own cars. Thus, in the heat, it's almost impossible to not drink; consequently, we are staying inside until Iftar (breaking of the fast).

Socially we are enjoying ourselves immensly! All of our close friends have returned. Our life outside of school is definitely making the decision to return home difficult. Two of my girlfriends are pregnant this year, which will add a new dimension to our group... We have hardly had nights alone because people are all wanting to catch up!

Will catch up more later!