New Apartment

The first leg of my trip was nearly uneventful, save the de-icer that got sucked into the jets and gave off a metallic odor that in turn set off alarms on the plane, which rang out for about half the trek to Washington D.C.  Then, thirteen hours from Washington-Dulles to Dubai.  A little reading and a little napping, and then a ninety-minute line at U.A.E. passport control.

My friends Rana and Majdoline waited patiently with the driver the University sent and then took me to my new digs on campus (it was already dark, so I didn't see much of the University, which I look forward to exploring tomorrow).  The University was kind enough to stock the kitchen with the basics: coffee, tea, sugar, bread, milk, juice, salt, cheese.  And Rana made a platter of kabobs, fried cauliflower, yogurt, and salad.  Home away from home, indeed.  Too jet-lagged to write anything interesting, but here are a few snaps of the apartment (click on any of them to enlarge), starting with the entryway:

Kitchen, which opens out onto a small backyard garden (i.e., writing nook):

Living/dining/writing room:

Master bedroom upstairs, which opens onto balcony (screen door, so you can hear the call-to-prayer):

Guest bedroom (that means: come visit folks!):

Tiny washer/dryer combo (love this after washing clothes in the sink for a year in Beirut):