For context, a brief background on Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is an island the size of Manhatten. It is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of seven emirates. It is 95% of the land mass and about 90% of the oil/gas revenue of the UAE. So while it currently isn't as built-up or well-known as its sister city, Dubai, it has a much stronger financial backing and a vision that is unparalleled to anywhere in the world. As country put on the map because of oil, they use it as an enabler not a crutch (unlike the US). Abu Dhabi is the first to have a city-wide green code; with the help of the MASDAR Institute (teamed with MIT) they will build a carbon free city for 50K+ population, and by the time they stop making money off oil, they will be the leader in green technology (the states need to recall the spirit from the space race). By 2030 Abu Dhabi will be the most livable, vibrant, cutting-edge city in the world. It will have the top universities (MASDAR, Paris-Sonbonne, NYU Abu Dhabi, MIT already have campuses here), the top clinics (the Cleveland clinic operates all hospitals here), the arts (Louvre, Guggenheim already being built), and tourist destinations (Saadiyat Island - museums, Gary Player golf course, marina, 6 star hotels; Yas Island - Formula 1 Racetrack). It will be the next Alexandria.
When the 2030 Plan was created it has 6 components, but was missing one critical element: safety and security. Good Harbor was brought into help develop that component. I have been working in the commercial development and urban planning piece. My team works to ensure these iconic structure include safety and security into the design and that it is coordinated with the rest of the city. My days are spend drafting memos, reports, tracking contract and BD opportunities and basically anything else you can imagine an associate among experts would have to do.
I finally moved into my apartment. It is a one-bedroom in an amazing location in town. Of course I splurged on an entertainment system (46" LCD HDTV and surround sound). The building is being renovated, so I am woken up by drilling at 7am (on the positive side, I didn't have to buy an alarm clock). It is def an adjustment living alone, but I work so much, I'm rarely here.
Abu Dhabi is a unique city. With 80% of the population expatriate, you find a lot of diversity. Everyone speaks English and all the signs post Arabic and English (after a while you stop noticing the 'beautiful borders'). The city is eerily safe from crime, but driving resembles a mission in Grand Theft Auto. The advantage of living in an oil bearing country is that gas is about $1.20 a gallon and there is no tax. Cabs cost $3 to get anywhere in town, and you can park your car anywhere you like (which is a bad thing when you get boxed in). There are three unofficial rules to driving in Abu Dhabi. First, you cant stay in a lane for more than 20seconds; second, you don't use you shifter when switching lanes, you just kind of lean over and roll in; and third, my personal favorite, you are not allowed to make a u-turn from the left most lane, but rather three lanes to the right, cutting across four lanes of traffic in the process.
Service in hotels and restaurants is incredible, while banks, phone companies and any other non-hospitality service can be crap. The favorite quote is 'in sha allah' (in the hands of God) aka it wont get done or 'its ok'/ 'no problem' which doesn't mean its getting fixed or corrected any time soon.
Everyone here was very interested in the US election, and particularly Obama. Even the cab drivers who speak very little English, would ask about Obama. Overnight, I could see a positive change in people's perception of the US. This is a good thing.
My favorite part of Abu Dhabi is the cheap Indian food, everything is open late and gold class seats (think first class movie theaters; full recliners, private lounge, waiter service); my least favorite is no HDTV, light switches are on the outside of rooms, and needless to say all of my family, friends, and KC are 8K miles away.
That concludes this entry. Check back sometime around the new year for the next one. I've attached some pictures below, in addition to those on facebook.
Han nii an!
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Abu Dhabi Island - yellow flag is location of my apartment
View from my balcony
Company Villa - this is where I work
A Dime a Dozen.......
1 comment:
You would take pictures of cars. Such a guy thing....haha! Miss you Ethapp! Sounds like you are slowly settling in. Hopefully work will let up a little so you can be a tourist and get to look around the city!
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