When we moved from South Africa to Dubai it was winter here and summer there and the temperatures pretty much the same. I loved my freedom for the first time in 4 years. I could catch a bus, train, walk and just explore without any fear for my personal safety. Then summer came and I was restricted to an indoor life under the air con, with sitting outside impossible and I realise now that I'm back in South Africa that my quality of life in regards to what I can do and the friends I have here and the opportunities to go on safari, walk the dog, sit in parks, enjoy the garden is far greater.
The weather has been much cooler in Dubai than I'd expected, still limited with my activities due to Ramadan, but surprised with how much time we've spent in the garden.
139 Sunday Awake most of the night with Bush babies scrambling over the tin roof. A friend joined us and we headed off to Dinokeng in search of the Big 5. We saw only giraffe, antelope and warthog, but spent 4 hours in a lodge by a waterhole eating, drinking and talking.
140 Monday Out to meet a friend for coffee and a catch up, it's been a while. Visited the Botanical Gardens in Pretoria, made a wrong turn and had a nerve wracking drive through the city centre. Traffic is worse there than in Dubai.
141 Tuesday Off for a drive around our old neighbourhood, nothing has changed, had a long lunch with my friend who I'm staying with and spent the evening washing teddy bears and drinking wine in the garden.
142 Wednesday Popped out for coffee and a last minute drop off at the storage unit. Said my goodbyes to the family I've been staying with, collected by another friend and taken to the airport for my night flight back to Dubai.
I have to pay to wrap my suit case on advice from the airlines to stop items being stolen between it's journey from check in to the plane.
143 Thursday An uneventful, but full flight, with a bit of sleep. Back home by 8am, unpacked, showered and had a nap, went out for coffee and a food shop. Started repacking my case for the next trip in June.
Back home and a view from the balcony
144 Friday We went out for a coffee mid morning and did some more food shopping. Lazy afternoon and then out for dinner with Peter's work colleagues and a few drinks.
145 Saturday A lazy morning and a trip to the cinema to see the Ted Bundy movie. I know the story very well, I have an interest in serial killers and psychopaths. Zac Efron's acting was fantastic, there's no gore or violence, it focus's on his girlfriend at the time of the crimes and tells the story of the prosecution. Watched Newport County play football, had a BBQ and an early night.
On the blog this week:
I've been tweeting from @wearexpats account this week and until Monday at 11am. each week there is a new host giving an insight into expat life abroad. I've met some really interesting people.
Rape Care Kits for women for when they get raped - the reality of life in South Africa.
I sent post cards this week. The woman at the counter said delivery time was 3-10 days, from experience it's more likely to be years, if at all. Keeping in touch as an expat.
