Shopping....Orientation

12 Sept

After a good nights sleep, I woke up around 6:30 am to get ready for breakfast in the dining area. I was also meeting my friend and her husband to get acquainted. The breakfast area was a fancy one. There was a beautiful section of yogurts, fruits, and breads. A section for cereals and meats and another with two chefs ready to make any type of egg or pancake you like. My mouth was watering with all of the options. I really love variety so I was in heaven. I asked for an everything omelet with pancakes had some pastries and freshly squeezed orange juice and a coffee! I met up with my friend and her husband while I was being a greedy person. We sat down talked about our flight our expectations and what is to happen next. We decided after the orientation we'd take a taxi to the mall. I desperately needed some more appropriate clothes to wear. 

So, we decide to split the cab fare and head to the mall. The drive was very calm and comfortable. The cab driver was of Pakistani decent. He was very quiet and only answered when spoken to. I was already mesmerized by the buildings and their architecture. It seemed like every building made was carefully thought about in amazing detail. I could tell the people in this country has some serious taste! After a short drive, we arrive at Marina Mall. I stared at the huge structure in amazement. I quickly remembered why everything was so brand new. The emirate is fairly young in terms of  modernization. I was told they just started building twenty years ago so from camels, huts and dirt....they decided to catch up to the rest of the world. In exchange for their camels they got cars, huts for fancy homes and sand dunes into large fancy buildings.

 I separate from my new friends to buy clothes because all I have is one long dress to wear with one black scarf. 

 The mall is super beautiful. It reminded me of Aventura Mall but ten times better. The stores were super fancy but with Walmart prices! The emirates currency AED 3.68 to my american USD 1.00. They also charge no taxes! 

 I had a great time peacefully shopping for my clothes. The store  workers were very nice and helpful. I stared at the women and young emirate ladies. All of the women possessed such an arrogance to their walk. They all wore super long black abayas. It's a long robe worn over their regular clothes. I stayed thinking how their appearance reminded me of fancy grim reapers walking around the mall.

I met up with my friends at the food court feeling very happy and satisfied after my little shopping spree. I had enough clothes to last me a week. I just needed some things to blend in a little better. I was surprised to see the food court had lots of American restaurants. They had Burger King, KFC and McDonald's all of the major chains. I decided to go for my all time favorite kind of food Pasta! I went to Sbarro and ordered a simple pasta with alfredo sauce.  Sadly to say, it was horrible. It tasted very different then the one back home. It had a floury taste and  its like the pasta was sitting there a while. My Pepsi drink was interesting as well. I think it had less acid in there so it had a flat but interesting taste. Nonetheless, I was happy to be there and experience fast food in another country. We went back to the hotel and waited on news for when orientation would begin.