I thought it only fitting that I write one more blog before our friend, Barry, picks the kids and me up for the final ride to the Abu Dhabi airport. Mike left earlier today and will pick us up this evening. Perhaps it is my need to tie things up, bring closure, whatever. Mostly it is because one day I want to put these entries all in a book for my kids. And so, I must have an ending. At least for our time in the UAE.
Mike arrived on Aug. 12 to begin his attempts in finalizing our departure paperwork. The pressure was on. It was the last week of Ramadan. All eyes were focused on the 3 day holiday which often turns into 7 days or 10 days... Go there, sign here, wait. Wait, sign, go. No. Later. Come back. BUT at the end of the week we had everything..Cars de-registered. Visas cancelled. And more. Except for Mike's. His previous workplace, who needed to cancel the Residence visa and the Labor visa decided to start their Eid holiday early. Ah yes. More waiting and praying. Finally, this last Thurs. Mike received his passport..after he rode with the public relations officer to make sure the Labor stuff was completed. Didn't want him to leave his sight. Whew. Done.
With all our driving around we spent lots of time reminiscing. The park where Ryan had his senior pictures taken by our friend Brad. Shakespeares and the Souk, what we fondly called our back porch. Our last Friday at ECC, our church home for 5 years. Church out to lunch at the mall. Wendys. Marina Mall where we bought furniture and saw our first movie over here. Sallie, Robert and I came out so homesick after that movie..I think it was that Nancy Drew one with Emma Roberts. A birthday dinner at the Pages. The first family we met from here. Hugging on my kids's friends. So grown up now. Saying goodbye to our security guard who always brought us gifts from Egypt. And the little store across the street that was our lifesaver nearly everyday with milk, or bread, or m and m's. The barber who cut Robert's, Mike's, Russell's and Ryan's hair for 5 years. One last dinner at our favorite Vietnamese Restaurant. Lunch at Cafe Arabia. Yes, it was hard to get thru the red tape but it did give us time to say goodbye to our home.
And we will be back. An hour flight. Lots of close friends who have become family to us. Yep. We will be back. It won't be the same. New people will be here. Other friends will be gone. But ahh, the memories we take with us. It is all good.
Now for the strength and energy to get settled in Doha. More memories to be made. More friends to meet. Oh yes..and more red tape. :)
