Trip to Fujairah

My trip over to Fujairah was an adventure. I went with the ops manager Aly, I drove and we saw it on the map, and were like- easy enough- three roads and you hit the coast. It started out desert, as one might expect, then we get to this amazing gravel pit area, and then boom- we're in the mountains. The mountains were so unique- they looked like big piles of wood chips they were so jagged and dark brown. Then as we drive into a valley there are all of these road side shops, and fruit stands, and rug dealers! ?? We were slowed down and gawked like tourists out our windows thinking and saying wtf- we are in the middle of the mountains and this is here?

On the way back we did actually stop and get some fruits and I found a rug that I realllllly like, and it's real silk and handmade, but I held off because I'm not ready for commitment like that yet.

The city of Fujairah is unique because it's not really there yet. They are building a ton of new things, but it apparently was more of a traveler village. Now it is being transformed into a resort town, eventually. They are building a big four seasons resort on the water, and two new malls (which was the reason for our trip).

Only 1 1/2 hrs out of Dubai, and again, it's like a whole different way of life.

on the road again

Well I'm back in the Sheraton in Riyadh and it only feels right to catch up on the blogging since this is where I spent so much time with my job last year.

It has been non-stop since I got back for the US. Stores are in sale event, people have gotten fired, hired, new appointments made for upcoming months, stores opening, stores canceled, new countries added... it's been crazy.

While I was on Holiday in the US they opened the last three stores of the year in new Emirates of the UAE, Sharja, AlAin, and AbuDhabi, so I have been spending time with those teams, and getting to know those areas which are kinda like mini-states within the UAE- hence it's called the "United Arab Emirates"-- ugh? ugh? Get it? I didn't till I started traveling and then was like Oh yea, look at this! Each emirate has it's own unique situation. Dubai is by far the most metropolitan. AbuDhabi is suprisingly older and more conservative. AlAin is old school and out in the middle of the desert, but nice. Fujairah is an amazing drive through the mountains to the coast where the straits of Hormuz are that has been in the news recently. I have a picture of the staits up there- lots of ship traffic, so I can see how it would be problematic if they closed. So it's been an adventure right in my own backyard!

Today is my first time being back in Riyadh since my "around the gulf in 36hrs" trip that we did the first of October. The Regional manager quit about two months ago, they never hired the DM, and there are only 2 store managers but we have 4 stores here. So I am "anxious" to get into stores tomorrow and see what's going on. I've been flipping through my arabic flash cards so I can fluently say "what is this?" "Why is this happening" and "no". :-) But then I have to understand their answer which won't happen, but at least I'll look like I'm in the know.

My biggest surprise so far was the temperature. It is only 40degrees out right now in Riyadh! Ah! Thank goodness I grabbed my wool suit for tomorrow, because I did not bring a jacket. In Dubai it's cold- but when I say cold I mean 70's. So this to me is freezing! And here was a learn- when I got back from the US, all the men were wearing Dark grey and dark blue robes instead of white. I asked my boss about it and he said it's their winter clothes- heavier weight so they are warmer. Well what he really said was "its when you get out ya Jumpas for Au um, (jumpers for autumn)- which in British to English translations: Jumpers are sweaters and autumn is winter. He has some crazy terms for things. I immediately giggled because I imagine a Jumper to be denim bib-overalls but with shorts, not full leg jeans, and of course I imagine my boss in that- and it's just not pretty. :-)

I was kinda shocked also by the amount of people on the plane, and in customs, and their airport, and the traffic, and the "all" of traveling into Riyadh. I really got used to it because I was here to often in the summer and fall and then I take a three month hiatus and it's like walking into a different world all over again.

Celebrity!

Already something to blog about. I had gotten to the security check at jfk and just before my turn two security guards brushed in with a guy and had his boarding pass and iD checked. There we two people over in the economy line that I overheard complaining that he was on their flight so why did he get to be pushed forward. Just then I looked down at his liscence and it said "Mathew McCoonaughey". I was so not thinking and sais to myself "mathew mcconaughey...." and then looked over at him and was like omg! Its Mathew McConaughey!". Seriously in shock and then he was wisked away. Then we all had to wait for him to be rushed through the metal detectors and take off the 5 layers of coats he had on. By the time I got through he had made somewhat of a spectacle and people were mobbing him. Being that he was standing next to me and I could have basically touched him had i not been such a moran, I felt like I had my fix and afterall wanted to stay cool. :-) So as I walked by as he was In line for his flight to LA I just casually looked at him and smiled.

Time to head back...

Well after 17 amazing, fun, and relaxing days I am sitting in CMH heading back to Dubai. It is freezing here today. Only 22 with a windchill of 4. As i was standing outside the car storage facility freezing waiting for my taxi I kept saying "36 more hours and you'll be in the desert so enjoy these last moment of cold". I had a great time in Columbus the first week. Seeing all my coworkers and friends and hanging with Daniel was just what I needed. We went to happy hour at all my favorite places (and theirs too). Went to the bars, so some "entertainment" at Cavaghns and Bowow and best of all went shopping and just hung out. Then the next week i spent up in Michigan. Seeing the family and visiting my old haunts was great. Some things don't change and that is really comforting to people like me who live in a constant state of change and immediacy. It was great to see everyone that I hadn't seen since April and going out to dinner and catching up. I also had a great trip to the FireKeepers casino with my parents where I recoupped all those years of losses. :-).
I think the best part of going back to Dubai is that I haven't got anything scheduled yet. No calendars done yet, no meetings scheduled yet, because I had everything so well wrapped up before I left that nothing is burning upon my arrival. And that feels amazing!!!!!
So I look forward to meeting with my boss and the franchise business partners and starting fresh with a new year and a whole lot of possiblity.