First Week

Well, I've been here for almost an entire week. What have I done?

The first night I arrived my roommate was sleeping. I was a little nervous walking in because I haven't had a roommate since I was 18. However, it turned out wonderful and her name is Mira. She is incredibly smart and hospitable. It's been a good experience thus far, and I hope it stays that way. Anyway, she woke up when I arrived and ended up taking me on a walk to get some coffee and smoke some cigarettes. Most importantly, she showed me where to buy cigarettes. Speaking of smoking, EVERYBODY smokes here. Instead of getting a drunk feeling, people get a 'smoke' feeling? Who knows. I don't mind, smoking gives me a break from studying and sitting in my room for countless hours studying, (which I've been doing a lot of).

I have also been out on the town and visited Jumeriah Road with Mira and her best friend, Yasmine. We drank coffee for endless hours talking and sometimes even simply sitting in silence staring off into the distance with nothing to say at all. I felt at ease.

A couple days ago we also went to the Mall of the Emirates to go grocery shopping, (yes, they have a grocery store in the mall), and later ate french toast at a joint called Paul, (they were in London as well). The malls are unbelievable here. Capitalism at its finest, which was quite uncomfortable as I was dressed in my finest Communist Party t-shirt. Let's just say, I'm glad I went to the mall, but I will probably not go back again.. I didn't exactly fit.

Today is my second day of classes, and this is worth discussing since this is the reason I am here in the first place. Yesterday, I had Cultures of the Middle East and Islamic Civilizations. Islamic Civilizations was very good, but the Cultures class I had the privilege of hearing first hand the stereotypes that Arab Muslims have of Americans. It was sort of awkward, but I feel like I needed to hear them so I know that both Americans and Arab Muslims hold these same negative views of each other. Is there a cure for this? I'm not really sure. You can almost argue that both groups of people are just a product of their environment and a product of the media that informs them of supposed 'facts'. It was sort of ridiculous, but this is a learning experience, right? I had my Introduction to Islam course today, which I am presuming will be my favorite class. The professor is more of an intellectual type and I feel like his class will be the most challenging. However, Islamic studies is what I am the most interested in, so that is probably a factor in the delight thus far as well.

Overall, I have met a few nice people (mostly Americans minus my roommate), and am enjoying my time here. I do miss Pat so much, though. If you are reading this, I love you.

I will be keeping this blog the entire time I am in Dubai, so feel free to check in. Cheers!