Gentle Readers:
Lest you think we have done nothing but hang out in malls and let ourselves be stuffed with sweets, I thought I would list the official outings we have had in United Arab Emirates. We began with a three day orientation in Washington, D.C. We arrived in Dubai on Saturday night, May 22, after a 13 hour flight. By Sunday morning, at 8:00 a.m., we were already in meetings. (Sunday is a work day; Friday is the holy day.) Since that time we have done/visited the following:
· Arabic lesson
· Cultural breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding
· Visited to Zayed University
· Travel to Sharjah for a tour of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
· Visit to the American University of Sharjah
· Another Arabic lesson
· Visit to the Dubai Police
· Visit to the Dubai School of Government
· Visit to the GEMS World Academy (private international school.)
· Visit to the Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage
· Meeting with the Dubai Executive Council
· Meeting with a Teacher/Consultant about the educational system in UAE
· Cultural tour of Dubai
· Dinner on a Dhow
· Desert trip (dune bashing, desert camp)
· Travel to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, May 20
· Visit to the Emirates Palace
· Tour of Saadiyat Island Exhibit
· Toiur of Islamic Embroidery Exhibit
· Meeting with the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi
· Discussion with two British expats about life/culture/history in UAE
· Meeting with NYU-Abu Dha bi
· Visit to the Sheikh Nayhyan Mubarak al Nahyan,k Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
· Networking dinner with local Emiratis
· Trip to Al Ain for
· Presentation at the Oasis Hospital
· Meeting at UAE University in Al Ain
· Visit to camel farm
· Visit to falcon ce3nter
· Dinner with an Emirati family
· Meeting with Vice Chancellor of Higher Colleges of Technology
· Presentation on UAE Wildlife
· Visit to Al Shohub Girls School
· Discussion and presentation on UAE history
· Visit to Zayed University in Abu Dhabi
· Visit to Zayed Grand Mosque
· Lecture on Abu Dhabi Government’s Vision for 2030
· Tour and presentation on Masdar City and Masdar Institute
· Meeting with the Ministry of Interior, Department of Human Rights
· Visit Brunch with Her Highness the Sheikha
· Visit to/presentation on ADCO (oil company)
Plus a couple of visits to malls to scour the bookstores for local literature, of which there is not much, in case you were wondering. (It’s a traditionally oral society; literacy is a fairly new development.) Not to mention many hours in the van to travel from place to place.