EV-04

So we found one! I've just unloaded our stuff from NL to our new "1 bedroom villa" at the Marina Promenade and we move in on Saturday (Jon got off mad-easy since he's still in Europe). There isn't anything villa about it, other than it's on the ground floor (see the arrow?) and you could house a small family in the bedroom. It's not ideal for our future guests, but those of you used to our A'dam walkaround and sofabed, your expectations have already been lowered ;)

Winning point of the apartment? A terrace that overlooks the marina and yacht club at eye-level. Means al fresco dining morning, noon and night.....well, at least once Ramadan is over and it cools down about 15F (both expected by early October). The building complex has some pretty nice amenities, including squash/ badminton courts, gym, pool and is within walking distance to restaurants, shops and the beach. Jon, continuing his slacker streak, has a 5 minute commute to work, while I've drawn the short straw with 30-35 minutes one way to either the outsource zone or main RBS branch office.

For those of you who use snail mail and want to send care packages, here is our new address:

P.O. Box 8203
Marina Promenade
Paloma EV-04
Dubai, UAE

Here are some pics of the marina (taken from the 29th floor) and neighboring beach (with camels in the background). Like the rest of this city, the place is under construction, including the Marina mall/residences, marina walk, and upteen more highrises.

And I've FINALLY gotten a local mobile: +971 50 189 86 89. For those of you who don't have Jon's, it's +971 50 2679 330.

from a shield to a snowflake?

So it's official, tot ziens ABN AMRO. Today was the official launch of RBS in the UAE. The day was indundated with all things blue: balloon archways at entrances, full-length ads and interviews on the radio and newspapers, signage at all offices, blue carpet in the branches, and the country executive left voicemails on all staff mobile phones! I got to go to the press conference this morning at Emirates Towers.....although a bit depressing, it was pretty exciting nonetheless.

In other news, still no luck on the apartment search. Believe it or not, when you get advice that you should make an offer after a single day of househunting, it's actually true. Wait too long, i.e. 2 days, and the place you fancied last Thursday is gone by Sunday (or AED 40K more expensive). Funny, I thought patience was a virtue. So we've had to extend our temporary housing for another week at Chelsea Tower, which is unfortunate; it's been hard to get settled at the office without being settled at home. But good news (finally): I got my residence permit and labour card this morning, so I can now get a driver's license (in theory), a mobile phone contract and utilities at our (future) residence. Too bad Jon is in AmLo.

.....
Happy birthday, Anjali!