9/17/10

Today’s entry is accompanied by some curry flavored Ramen –like a true Middle Eastern college student, eh? Probably not.

I know that you are all probably wondering where my katrillion photos are by now, but just bear with me. The last few days have literally had my world flipped upside down. I need some more time before I can be adjusted enough to start thinking about visual documentation.

I ended up taking that trip to the mall last night, not today. The last bus left an hour after my previous post so I figured, why not just go now. So go I did. I have determined that the only way my fears and intimidations will disperse is if kick them in the butt right off that bat. 

I, of course, was the only person that requested to be dropped off at the first mall. I researched a little bit beforehand and noted that the Ibn Battuta Mall had a grocery store in it and I was after fresh produce. I got dropped off in some sketchy, dark parking lot, about two parking lots worth away from a mall entrance. Upon walking in, the first stores I ran into were H&M and Forever21. Halleluiah. I knew better than to stop by Forever21 first if I wanted any chance of leaving the mall with the items on my grocery list. A quick stop to H&M and I was off following signs around for who knows how far until finding the grocery store.

It literally was like a Walmart in the middle of the mall. I was able to pick up some bananas, apples, carrots, cucumbers, nectarines, grapes (hard to find some that people weren't eating out of...), pb&j and bread, and a few other items –including a new pillow (!). The food I picked up is rather bland in comparison to the exotic choices available, but it’s my kind of comfort food. Give me a break.

Check out the script on that raspberry jam!

A few of my purchases: necklaces, mugs, cutlery, produce

Forever21 eventually got its visit after some food court Margarita style pizza (again, with so many burkas and palace-style pillars around, comfort) and I purchased six necklaces to replace the bag of accessories I realized I left back down (darn).

The mall itself was similar to the airport that I arrived here at. Many pillars and tiling. Rounded, vaulted ceilings with intricate tiled artwork. The call for prayer rang out some time during my visit, followed by a song by Lady Gaga. I watched as a woman clothed in her burka struggled to maneuver her layers of fabric in between sips of her Starbucks. My mind is so numb right now that I'm not even sure what to make of this culture so far.

Forever21

The ceiling above where I ate

The view from one of the restaurants

Needless to say however, I felt pretty accomplished that I had conquered both the bus transportation system and a mall in one night. I got back to the dorms without an issue, talked with Brandon for about an hour, and then called it a night. Jump to this afternoon and I was just barely waking up. That’s right, still no sleeping schedule, still frustrated like no other.

Today was a pretty emotional day for me in general. I have a half-hour dorm orientation tomorrow morning and I’m going to start setting my alarm (should have just done that to begin with). Classes start day after tomorrow and I need to shake this jet lag off quickly! Hopefully friends will be made and some kind of normal routine established soon. I’m not here long enough to be sad and upset and I need to make the most of every opportunity.

I know God has the big picture in all of this and I’m trying so, so hard to trust in Him. I still find myself wondering how I get myself into these situations haha. Typical.

I hope you all have a wonderful day! I’ll be ready to call it a night here in a few hours.

Dubai! ;)