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Burj Al Arab
The most expensive hotel in the world located in the distance - I lied, I guess I do face the beach! Well, I had hoped to get some much needed sleep last night. I went to bed around 1 am, was out cold when the fire alarm went off at 3 am. At first I just laid here - it was like a horn sound - so maybe it was just the call to prayer? Then the annoying squealing went off, so I threw off my covers, put on my sandals, and got my purse from my safe....then it stopped. I went back to bed. I really reallly really hope that it is NOT the call to prayer and was just a fluke. I guess I really just don't know what this call to prayer sounds like, especially the first one of the day, so I am thinking anything is possible!!!
I woke up around 7, after a kind of restless remainder of sleep, and realized I would not be getting any more, so I took a nice long shower (yes, sleep beat out clean last night). I was hoping for a bath, but could not find a stopper - grr! But I guess if I ask the desk, I will get it. That's one of the reasons I am so
Ski Slope
You can see the top of the indoor ski slope at the mall in the background. glad I am in a hotel for the first month. I am so happy that there is a degree of normalcy before I get adjusted and that if I need anything, I can just ask.
I made my way to the supermarket across the street and picked up a small sampling of food: water, gatorade, some mango milkshake thing, granola bars, fruit, and noodles. I have a mini fridge, so I can stock up on water and drinks so that I do not have to pay the outrageous hotel prices. And some minor nibbles should keep me sustained until I work out my way around here. I kept my reciept for my scrapbook: first purchase!
If I were a guy, I would be happy just to walk down the street and see what's around. As a girl, I felt a little self concious. But I think that is a pre-conceived notion that we have in America. There were a few girls at the supermarket, dressed normally and looked middle eastern, and they seemed just fine. And a little loud! So, maybe tomorrow. Today, I am really wishing for some advil. The heat was not too bad - it was about 10 am, so who knows what it is like now.
I got back to the hotel, asked for an adapter (which is free to guests) and looked at it - what the heck? Then I saw the lunch buffet and decided to get some real grub and use my purchases for later. It was very crowded with all different types of people. Women in the full burqhas to European teenage boys in shorts and t-shirts. The food was what I needed: a little variety - hashbrown, omelette, turkey casserole (weird but not bad), asian flatbread, olives, cucumbers and labneh with an orange juice. So, now I am full.
I got back to the room, stared at the adapter for a few minutes before deciding to go for it. Ever seen Leap Year? I knew that it was an exaggeration, but I had images of me knocking out power to the entire hotel. I read a little internet article on adapters, saying that laptops automatically adjust power with adapter and you don't need to do anything else. I closed my eyes and plugged it in. Nothing. Then I flipped the switch on the outlet to "on" and voila! It is now charging and I plugged my blackberry into the laptop to charge it as well. Now I can watch movies and charge everything else that I need to. Woooohooo!!!!!
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fire alarms & adapters
Love reading your blog entries Lex, sounds like you're settling in & enjoying yourself. I had to laugh about the "fire alarm" as it reminded me of good old Stewart Hall days, fire alarms going off 3-7x in 1 night!! Did you ask the front desk what it was? As for the adapter, I have a story for you...when I was in Germany a few years ago my roommate & I plugged in our adapter in & we knocked the power out in the house...good times!! Have fun exploring! :)