An American expat in Abu Dhabi: The life of a travel writer in the Middle-East

Hi Christine, can you introduce yourself and tell us about your projects in Abu Dhabi?

My name is Christine, and I became an expat with my husband and our two kitties about two years ago. I have a personal blog, Screaming AbDhabs. The name makes fun of the level of anxiety I felt about joining the ranks of worldly expats and living in another country. Before coming to the UAE, I worked in tourism marketing and as a PR professional, so I've taken that work experience, and I am now focused on freelance travel writing and travel blogging in the region.

Why did you choose to live in the UAE?

Before moving to the UAE, I lived in New York City and had never dreamed of living anywhere else. I should have realized that being married to a British expat meant that eventually my spouse would feel the urge to live in another country, and continue his lifetime adventure. When he was presented with the opportunity to work for a major bank in Abu Dhabi, it took me about five minutes on the Internet doing research to see that this would be a magnificent place to live.

How were your first steps in the country? Was it easy to find accomodation and to integrate into the society?

For me, the hardest part was letting go of things at home. I think I held on, perhaps too tightly, to the image of what my life was supposed to be in New York City. So really, taking that deep breath and jumping onboard to this fantastic life adventure was the biggest first step.

From there, I found Abu Dhabi to be all-welcoming.  There are so many expats from different parts of the world here, so in many ways it is much like life in New York City — a melting pot. There's also always a sense that we are all in this together, and whether from India, the Philippines, Australia or America, I think we're respectful of each other's choice to be here, and try to help each other in little ways.
Finding accommodation in Abu Dhabi wasn't overly challenging for us. Our past experience of city living made it easy for us to identify what parts of Abu Dhabi were desirable for us. We found our accommodation the same way we would back home — selecting the neighborhood we wanted to be in, and then picking out a few buildings we liked, and asking at their security desks what was available. In the end, we rented in the one of the very first buildings we saw, and we still love it.

Beyond that, my first steps in the country were far easier than I anticipated. Most people speak English, so it's easy to get around town in cabs, buses and car. There are many expat groups, clubs and activities to get involved with here in the UAE. Everyone is very helpful in showing newcomers the way to settle in to their new life, which makes being part of this community so special.  

How would you describe the Emirati culture?

There is such an elegance that surrounds the Emirati culture — from the stunning national dress of male kanduras and female abayas and beautiful shaylas, to the sense of pride towards the UAE's history and founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (aka Sheikh Zayed the First). Emiratis have a great deal of national pride — and rightly so!
The Emirates is just over 40 years old and Sheikh Zayed is known for being a very forward-thinking leader. Despite his passing in 2004, his vision for the country continues to be realized and includes a focus on the importance of family, education and the development of a diverse economy, as well as tolerance for other cultures and religions. At the same time, the teachings of Islam are part of the daily life and make living here very special.

What does your everyday life look like in Abu Dhabi? I suppose that the Emirati rhythm is different?

I tend to split my days up between being active and out and about in Abu Dhabi and working on writing projects. Some days, I'm out playing golf or tennis early in the morning, then back home to write. Other days, I'm writing in the morning, and then exploring the city — going to art galleries, new restaurants or hitting the beach for a few hours in the afternoon.
The Emirati rhythm of life is slightly different than at home. Here in Abu Dhabi, perhaps because of the city and the heat, there is a strong night culture. That's when the shops, restaurants, malls and streets are bustling with activity. Our weekends are on Friday and Saturday. Friday is the holy day for Muslims, and is extremely quiet in the mornings as it is a time for contemplation and prayer. In the afternoon, families often gather together for meals or outdoor activities, like taking a stroll on the Corniche.

UAE is world known as a business center, but what about the other professional sectors?

The UAE is known for a variety of business sectors. In Dubai it's tourism/hospitality, real estate development and media, while Abu Dhabi is known for its financial/banking, oil and renewable energy sectors. Teaching is a very popular profession throughout the country for expats, as is the healthcare sector.  

How would you describe the culinary tradition in the UAE?

Emirati cuisine is really steeped in the cooking traditions of the Arabian Gulf. So, grilled meats such as lamb, chicken and goat with spices like zaatar are common, as are stews, flat breads, hummus, rice and fatoosh salad. Specialties include Arabic coffee, camel's milk, delicate pastries laced with honey, and my favorite fast food known as a shawarma is grilled chicken or lamb wrap.
The UAE can easily rival places like New York City for its international culinary offerings. In the past week we've eaten Thai, Indian, Italian, British, and French cuisine. We have a great deal of fresh produce and food items that come from the UAE and the region. I love to go to the supermarket, and see the produce that comes from the UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, and India. Also, all the products are Halal, so you know you are enjoying quality meats, etc.

Being an expat in Abu Dhabi, did you travel a lot around the UAE and the Middle-East?

We love exploring the Arabian Peninsula and the region. I think we've traveled extensively in the UAE, with our favorite spots including the Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter — a vast desert dune region that begins in Liwa. We also like Dubai, both the city and the outer regions like Hatta with its mountains and wadis. Ras Al Khaimah is really coming onto the scene for travel as well, and is known for its mountainous areas and its true Arabian feel, Sharjah is known for its Islamic museum and souq (market), and Fujairah is known for its great diving and snorkeling.
We've also visited Bahrain and have done some exploring in Oman — which we love. We're currently planning a week-long driving tour to hit Muscat and the surrounding mountain and coastal areas in November.  We've got Jordan and Egypt on our list of other places to visit soon, and being in the UAE offers a wonderful launch pad for travel with great airlift and interesting places on our doorstep. We've already visited India and Thailand, and other popular places to visit from here include the Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Georgia, and Azerbaijan!

 Any advices for a soon-to-be expatriate in Abu Dhabi?

Take a deep breath and embrace it all, Abu Dhabi is practically heaven on earth! Be respectful of others, open-minded and open-hearted, and you will have an amazing experience.