Back In Dubai
I have been back in Dubai for a little over a month, and I thought now would be a good time to sit down and share a couple of thoughts on returning to my desert home.
I had a wonderful summer. It was great to see everyone and reconnect. I had many lunches, dinners, and down time with friends that I had missed for a full 10 months. Thank you everyone for a wonderful summer. It was great to see you all and spend time with you - the memories that we made will stay with me forever.
Too soon it was time to return to Dubai. I was looking forward to returning to my desert home; I was excited for this school year to start and to see the changes that had been made.
The flight back was long, and I learned that U.S. airlines have sucky entertainment systems on them and to fly other airlines that are not U.S. in order to get a better variety of movies and music to help entertain on a long flight.
It was great to land in Dubai and know how to use my E-gate card and not have to wait in the huge passport line. My luggage came off quickly; and it was refreshing to know how to catch a cab from the airport and tell the taxi driver where to go.
As I was approaching Motor City I had a huge wave of homesickness hit me. I realized that I was returning to my flat, but the cats would not be there. Oh my the ache was incredible. Where ever I land next time those little shits are coming with me. I still miss and crave their companionship. One lesson reinforce - pets are part of the family and need to go with you.
It was wonderful returning to a familiar place and setting. The nerves, tension, and uncertainty were all gone. It was hard to adjust to the first couple of days. But how fantastic it was to have internet and the T.V. already set up and working. It was great knowing that I could just walk to Hertz and get a car; I knew where to buy milk and I could finally have some of my black pepper baked potato chips that I had been craving.
It was wonderful to meet up with friends and catch up with them about their summer as I walked around Motor City. The breakfasts, coffees, lunches, and dinners with friends was a great way to reconnect with my Dubai friends.
The anxiety of driving was gone. However, I started to cuss at the drivers when my car shimmed as other drivers zoomed past. I had to laugh because I was cussing at the drivers in Colorado Springs for being too slow and polite. I am much more comfortable driving this year than last.
Time was nice; the jet lag was horrible.
Returning to work has been a breeze. Knowing what I'm teaching has taken a huge load off of my shoulders. However, with returning to work all of my time is being taken up.
It has been nice to return to a routine of work, karate, yoga, and quiet evenings. In another month the weather will be wonderful. Plans for vacations have been made and the planning is starting.
This year I am concentrating on forming new friendships and building existing ones.
Over the summer everyone asked me if I was staying in Dubai for another year. I got rather frustrated with answering the question without answering the question. I thought I would be able to come back to Dubai and have a couple of relaxing months to make the decision. No, the minute I returned I had people here asking me about my plans.
Plans, what plans? I have plans to go to Nepal in October, Thailand for Christmas, South Africa for spring break, and maybe a quick trip to Hungary at the beginning of December.
Plans, some plans have been made; some are still not firm; it depends on the day. So where in the world will Pam be next year? In Dubai? In another part of the world? Home in Colorado Springs? Working for Walt Disney World? Who knows - I'm not even sure. Yet, I know the gypsies blood has stopped itching.
Stay tuned - there is more to come! Life is an adventure!
