It's not all bad... I swear!

I feel slightly bad about my last post. I really shouldn't been complaining so much since it's only been a few days since I've been here. Yes, things are very, very different here than it is back home, but I CAN say nice things about Dubai already.

The weather has been very pleasant. It's been sunny everyday since I've been here, which is a refreshing change after being in dark, wet and chilly Vancouver for the last few months. If you want to hate me, please visit the following link:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/AEXX0004?from=36hr_topnav_business

Also, my colleagues have been extremely kind, although they don't always provide a newbie with complete information. That's mostly with HR though. The people in HR really are very pleasant, but they don't always understand what I really need to know. There are other librarians from other English speaking countries and the ones that have arrived recently have been the most helpful. My fellow foreigners have been very kind and they try hard to make me feel welcome and at ease.

The mall by my hotel really is quite fabulous, if one enjoys shopping. As for me, I only shop out of necessity, or when I have disposable income. Maybe after I've been here for a while and have a few pay cheques, I will enjoy the many many malls in this city.

Oh, did I mention that I have a fantastic hotel room? And that I am being driven to and from work by a driver hired by the university? Did I also mention that I already have a two-week holiday coming up and it's not part of my paid holidays?

So far, Dubai has been treating me quite nicely. It just takes some getting used to. After all, I am a foreigner in this country, and I have a lot of settling down to do.