Roaming II

Ah the story about roaming, or rather not roaming and the kindness of strangers. My guardian angels. In the UAE I relied on WIFI because the one time I needed to connect to roaming it didn't work. Luckily my driver's phone did and lost turned into better directions. I should have taken more notice of this detail before I headed to Australia. Luckily I had taken a pic of the directions to the Newcastle train at Sydney Central so I made the later one as my plane was late. Luckily I chose the carriage I did, luckily I asked a young couple if I was on the right train. We had a laugh about that, they were heading home after a Valentines dinner out. 

 As the plane was late, I didn't hang around the airport and use the WIFI as I'd intended to. I'll have roaming, I thought so I'll do it on the train. The late train was very late in to Newcastle and the next one was in the morning. okay, get comfy and turn on roaming. No go, oh no! I hadn't taken a screen shot of the Airbnb host's details, including the address. Tired, a bit hungry and very thirsty after my long plane ride I took some time to think of something, finally asking a couple seated in front of me if I could hot spot off one of them to at least get the address of where I was going. They were lovely, had not long ago been in the UK so we had a travel chat while I took a quick shot of the address and let the host know my ETA. Then no internet for the rest of the trip. And no book, and I was a scared to sleep in case I missed my stop. 

Towards the end of the journey the young man behind me and his girl came over and asked if I was okay, asked if I needed a ride to my Airbnb or if someone was picking me up. I had no idea, if there was no waiting taxi I'd have to walk rather a distance, in the rain with my bag. They offered to take me, I'd need to get off at the next stop with them as that's where there car was. So I jumped at the offer, so much better than my plan. What a lovely young couple. they went 20 minutes out of their way to make sure I was where I needed to be. I had no way to pay them, just thank them for their kindness. I didn't get their details, a major oversight, but I'm hoping they will experience such kindness one day in their lives. 

It got me thinking about how we managed travel back in the days of paper maps and aerograms. I know I did have issues to manage at times, and those might just fill a whole post one day. All's well that ends well, and as a friend commented when I shared this, you would have done exactly the same thing. And I have done many times. I feel very grateful for these angels who come along when I need them, very thankful I wasn't left standing outside a deserted station in the middle of the night, in the rain a long way from where I needed to be.

Roaming

Not the phone kind, the person kind. After a lovely time in Abu Dhabi I got the call to go to my old home, Al Ain. I suspect the team placing us heard me going on about being there and stepped up for me. It was lovely to spend the weekend enjoying my old haunts, wandering around the malls getting the grandkids gifts, wandering through the oasis to my old neighborhood. Exploring Al Jahili Fort and enjoying the Thessinger photographs of the desert and the area in much earlier times. He's a bit of a hero to me, an intrepid adventurer who lived amongst the people while he explored. Not colonised, explored and took the best photos of the landscapes and the people. Of course cocktails by the pool at the Rotana followed, remembering the Thursday after school gathering at Trader Vics and weekends at the gym then pool. 

The work is so much easier this round. I know what's expected and what I'm meant to do so that means a little more down time and brain space. It was too cold to swim but not too cold to enjoy relaxing with a book and a drink by the pool in the warm sun. So much better than those grey UK days poor Jules was not enjoying. The oasis has had some development and despite this still was the peaceful shady wander where I centered myself. The palace was shut for renovations so I didn't get inside. I did get a juice from my old local juice shop then stood outside the build which was my home for a couple of years. although I'd walked around in a circle, it was a rather large circle and a taxi back to the hotel seemed like a sensible idea. The week passed quickly with long work days, a writing day then back to Abu Dhabi. We'd been moved to a new hotel, well not new exactly. In a different neighborhood with some cheap local food restaurants and not much else.

The house in France is moving along, well except for the call that the roof was rotten and needed replacing. Sort of expected although we were assured by two surveys and the seller that it was okay and had any leaks repaired. Not so, the pile of wet and rotten wood after some heavy rain was proof of that. Our builder is amazing. She has an eye for detail and where others may have just covered the problem, she investigated. Upshot is we'll have a new roof for her to insulate and line and add the wiring, meaning more headroom and a stable foundation for all the other work. Plus it will be the only time we need to worry about the roof, hopefully! There's a clause in sale contracts about hidden defects in newly purchased homes so I'm looking into what that means. It would be nice to have help paying for the extra work, we'll see. I'm not the sort to chase things like that, and my UAE work covers some of it, the money set aside for a new kitchen. I can't wait to go there and see the progress, for the roof to be done and the inside building rather than demolition work started. 

So five weeks of work in Abu Dhabi in the UK winter and NZ/Australia summer meant a trip down under seemed like a great idea. I usually go in school holidays but this time the school kids had all gone back and summer hols were over. Oh well, I still got some lovely time with the Newcastle crew and then on to Christchurch where I now am having a much needed rest day. Noah is off on camp, Tim and Sarah are at work and Otis, the now old dog, is sleeping. Next stop is Brisbane and the girls there, and their dogs and cats, and friends on the Gold Coast.   

My life is blessed with the very best friends. Friends I've met while working away, friends I've known for ages. Like Jane, Annie and Rose all of whom I enjoyed time with this trip. Jane has a Japanese student staying so we all went on an adventure, stopping at the Lyttleton market for lunch, then on to Sumner for ice creams, and a sneaky wine, then to the Brighton Pier. There was a baby spotted shag in distress on the pier so after consulting with a vet, we wrapped in a coat, found a box and took it to the bird hospital at Willowbank Wildlife Park. Just what you do here! Apparently the recent wet and windy weather has been hard on the bird population especially the young ones like this one. I hope he lives and gets to fly another day. 

Annie, Grant and I enjoyed breakfast at Mona Vale and a wander in the gardens. Repaired after the major earthquake 15 years ago on the same day. Old friends I've know for ages and ages, ones where we pick up where we left off no matter how long it's been. Last evening Rose and I caught up at the local for a wine. Rose and Matt came to stay with us over the summer so it was lovely to hear all her news, and that she's studying. It's stupidly early start tomorrow morning for a long journey back to Aus via somewhere else as direct flights are not that easy to get for some reason. Plus the trans Tasman route has become very expensive. 

It seems like ages since I left the UK and I'm almost ready to head home, to stop living out of a suitcase and sleep in my own bed. First it's fun times with those lovely granddaughters and their mum and dad, plus bonus times with my GC friends. I have to make the most of the these down under trips as it's a long way to go, even with the break in Abu Dhabi, and quite expensive. I miss my family so want to make the most of every moment with them. The longer term plan is to spend two or three months in the part of the world each year. Probably a few years away yet. 

Leaving the harbour at Newcastle, wishing I was aboard

Watching the parade of people getting photos at La Louvre in Abu Dhabi

La Louvre AD is an amazing building with some interesting displays

Like this one of traditional plates

Midday at the oasis 

Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain

Heading to Aotearoa, always exciting

Reflections from the dining room

 And..... I'm back in Abu Dhabi after swearing I'd not do that to myself again! The work, or more the paperwork associated with the work, rather than Abu Dhabi. I love being here. I love the warm sunshine, not too hot because its winter. That I can swim in the sea even if it's a bit chilly getting in; that I have the best view from my hotel room desk where I'm working; that I'm catching up with new friends and old friends while I'm here; that I get to enjoy the hotel facilities, buffet breakfast, room service when I need to and Spinneys supermarket with it's fresh food. Best of all I'm missing the UK winter. 

I'm not really a winter person. Enjoy the changes of season, enjoy a variety of temperatures but not the dull grey, wet, relentlessly cold for ages UK winter. Especially after a mediocre summer. I didn't come here to write about the weather. I came to add a reflection from my breakfast dining this morning, report writing day so I get to take a break and enjoy the buffet. I was worried I had missed breakfast looking up from my computer to see it was already 10am. So down I rushed. 

The first people I saw were two of my colleagues, the two lovely inclusive ones who are frequent fliers in the work and the hotel. A nice catch up and an arrangement to catch up later and have a swim and/or a drink. A lovely loose 'keep in touch and we'll go from there' arrangement. Just the ones I like, knowing I'll be welcomed by them and others in the team where ever we see each other. Reciprocated of course. I'm no longer the brand new one, not yet a seasoned one either!

There are two young men at the egg station. Young men who most mornings make me an omelet to keep me going through out the day. I always have a little chat with them if they're not too rushed, and at 6.30am it's not too busy. A smile and a chat, the same with the other staff who are getting to know I'm a regular customer. I watched as two young men walked past, young men staying at the hotel. Young men who confidently walked through the dining room and made way for the young waiter who came from the kitchen with a replenished bowl of food. Gave way with a small acknowledgment and carried on with their conversation. And another who was grumpy with getting the wrong cup at the coffee machine and didn't look at the young man making his coffee for him. 

I wrote a post years ago about accidents of birth, how the place you're born and the family you're born into often dictates how and where you live your life. This is clearly seen in the dining room of large hotels; in the hallways with the folks who make up the rooms; out the front with the concierge and his welcoming team; with the young man who brought my room service meal last night, and who so cheerfully and willingly managed to get me a proper teapot and some extra tea, delivering it again with a smile as he took away my dishes. 

The economic migrants so maligned by ignorant people in wealthy countries; ignored by some and treated poorly by others. These lovely young people who leave their homes and travel to countries where they can make a living, and hopefully a life, while still supporting their families back home. On very low wages, working punishing hours, dealing with rude people, racist and religious abuse, loneliness and isolation from their own families and culture. Economic migrants without whom many countries would not be able to provide their citizens with the lifestyles they have become accustomed to. 

There but by accident of birth go our own children. Smile. Be kind. Be friendly. Be tolerant. Be respectful. It doesn't take a lot.