Things I already miss about back home

I know I've only been here a little more than two weeks but I think it's long enough for me to have compiled a short, running list of things that I miss about home and things that I need to get used to living here.  So really its a hybrid list and it's not really a top ten...I know, its weird but it's my blog and I can do as I wish.

1.  My family.  This is temporary as they will be joining me towards the end of the summer, but I can still miss them.

2.  Reasonable summer heat because this desert heat is unbearable.  Although I've read that Toronto is experience a "heatwave" with temperatures reaching 35 degrees celsius.  What a joke.  Average temperature here is 50 with humidity.  I've started sweating in places I didn't even know I had sweat glands.  But I knew this before coming out here....still I can complain since it's my blog.

3.  Proper street names and addresses.  There are no addresses here.  If you want to get somewhere you need to know significant landmarks.  Furthermore, you don't get mail delivered to your home. It goes to your work and it's according to P.O Box.  While I have yet to receive mail (who does these days anways?), I've heard that you shouldn't hold your breath if you are expecting something.

4.  Buying stuff online from Tigerdirect, eBay, Amazon.  I used to love finding deals online and ordering it to be shipped to home.  However, mainly due to point 3...this is no longer an option.

5.  As a result of point 1, I obviously would like to hear DW's and kids voices.  Making an international call from my cell phone (mobile - see point 6 below) is not an option with ludicrous long distance rates.  So what would any normal North American do? Use Skype, Vonage, Magic Jack...you name it.  Problem is that all these sites are blocked.  I think it has something to do with the monopolistic ways of a certain cable/internet provider out here (Like Bell about 25 years ago).  So I am forced to find backdoor ways using VPN to use these services.  Pain in the butt and it costs a few dollars a month too.

6.  Canadian english.  Most people here use British english and for those who thought they were exactly the same...it's not the case.  In two weeks, I've already picked up a couple of noticeable differences that I've heard on multiple occassions.  Fortnight?!?!?! What is that?  I've had many people ask me what my good name was.  So I would respond with my first and last name, because I don't have a bad name.  I also heard some one refer to a pivot table in excel as a "pie-vot" table.  I'm sure this last one was just bad english....or UK english..same diff ;)

7.   I don't yet own or drive a car yet (long story for another blog), but I've had the opportunity to stand idling in line waiting for petrol (see point 6 above).  Average wait time each time I've gone has been about 10 minutes.  Not only this, but more than 90% of the cars getting filled up don't shut their engines off, they keep it idling.  Why have I thought all my life that this was a complete no-no and could result in some crazy explosion?  I will add that I don't miss paying $1.30/litre....it's about half the price here, which explains why everyone drives a V8 heavy duty SUV here. 

8.  Tim Hortons.  This one is a given.  I think I'm having withdrawls already.  I've been spoiled with having one in my previous office in Canada.  Although I've been told that we have a couple coming to Abu Dhabi before the end of the year.  Hope it's somewhere close to where I work/live.

9.  Regular sports at regular hours.  I'm probably the only person in the world who is glad that the NFL, NBA and next year the NHL will all be locked out.  It's going to hurt missing all my sports actions.  While I can pony up the bucks to subscribe to the channels online, because of the time difference all the games will be played during the hours of 4am and 8am.  I love my sports, but seriously....I love sleep even more.

10.  Regular traffic lights.  Even though I'm not yet driving, I have been taking a cab almost everywhere I need to go.  For the most part, Abu DHabi has roundabouts instead of traffic lights.....I've tried studying the methodology and process of how they work...but I can't figure it out.  To top it off, a couple of times my driver missed the exit more than once.....gets you dizzy and a bit of a head rush and it's not fun.  It might be faster than a traffic light though, so I will pass final judgment once I start driving myself.


11.  Customer service.  This is probably one of the most blatant differences you will notice here.  The LACK of quality customer service and this applies to every industry, every mode of customer service at all hours of the day.  There is no "Hi how are you, how can I help you today, have a great day, if there is anything I can do...none of it.  I've gone up to a help desk where I was trying to get information on mobile plans.  I swear the guy just stared at me (in a non loving way) and I had to ask him questions about all the plans, he didn't even suggest anything.  On another occasion, I had to talk to an agent about a house that I wanted to see.  He didn't have an address, a location or a map with the house on it.  He tried explaining directions by using a map that didn't even have the house on the bloody thing.  I've been warned that this is just the tip of the ice berg...so I'm sure I'll have more blogs ranting about customer service.

12. Nesquik cereal.  They have it here, but it just doesn't taste the same.  It's either that or the milk...

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