Thursday in Abu Dhabi

April 23, 2009 | Filed Under Main, Music | Leave a Comment

Heck of a day, I tell you.

First I had to work. Not only are the auditors here asking me questions I don’t know (like “Why weren’t last year’s adjustments posted?”), but my CEO suddenly calls to ask why my boss isn’t there and why he hasn’t answered her emails (he was visiting her in the Abu Dhabi office but didn’t tell her). After answering her voluminous emails and the auditor questions, I finally got out around 3:30 to catch my plane. Plenty of time since my flight was at six and the airport is only 20 minutes from the office.

Unfortunately, all the “long term” parking was full. There was TONS of hourly parking, but you can’t leave you car there for the night. So I drove the car back to the apartment (10 minutes) and stood out on the street to get a taxi. A guy stopped and picked me up. Not a proper cab, but that happens out here. Then we had to find someone who spoke English because he didn’t understand “airport”. Again – not the first time this has happened. They just drive until they see someone outside and stop and ask them if they understand what I am saying. Luckily that didn’t take long and I was off to the airport.

Now, my reservation said I was on Kuwait Airways… operated by Etihad (a different airline). But it said I was at the Kuwait Airways terminal – so I lined up with a bunch of other people who were transporting massive boxes and roped-tied packages to whatever third world country they were off to (and me with my little carry on). Made it through despite all the Kuwaitis cutting in front and went to the next line for check-in. Nothing on the screens said Abu Dhabi. Quickly, I asked someone directing traffic and had to run to the other terminal.

The airport now is packed – lots of people flying, lots of people lingering and many F-ing carts of luggage and boxes (people out here do NOT pack light). I get to the counter just as it is closing and the guy says I should go through the business class side (I’m economy) because it is so late. So I listen to him. And I get sent back to the economy line. A very long line. Finally made it through the next two security stops and run to the gate.

Got into the hotel a little after nine and went up to the room number on my key… to find someone there already. They had written down the wrong room number. So I sat on my butt for about an hour, cleaned up and thought I could just walk over to the concert since I was right near the water. Actually, it turned out to be a 35 minute walk. I got there to see the end of Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali from Pakistan (nephews of Nusreh Fateh Ali Khan) and the “King of Rai” music Khaled from Algeria. I liked Khaled and he had this very young crowd rockin’ But after three songs, I realized I had a 40 minute walk back and I was beat.

Tomorrow, I will do better…. After being fortified in the afternoon with brunch (a ‘roast’) at the local Irish pub.

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