For those of you that haven’t followed one of my Blogs before, then I would like to set out some background and some rules – it should help you understand me and what I need in return for giving you free entertainment on a daily basis !
In the middle of last year I spent 6 weeks in Iraq doing stuff relating to a large construction site in the middle of the desert (that’s a big flat thing covered in sand rather than a bowl of trifle). In an effort to stave off complete insanity driven by boredom, and the same questions from 20 different people, I decided to write a diary for everyone to read, and comment on, on a general “daily” basis. Apart from a couple of very quiet days I managed to keep the information flowing relatively easily. This helped my own sanity as it gave me something to do in the very very quiet moments that I experienced on an almost daily basis. Working on these principles, and because I have been asked very nicely by a number of avid “bloggers”, I have consented to try and diary my experiences for my next trip.
Before I describe my next trip and where we are in the process I would like just to lay out a few rules which I hope you will lodge in the back of your minds and give a little thought too when you are reading my offerings over the coming months.
Rule 1. Please feel free to interact with the blog. If I feel I am just writing it to please my wife and kids then I might as well send them an e-mail and talk to them on Skype. I need to feel like I am actually doing this for the enjoyment of the great and the good otherwise I’ll get lazy and you won’t get the full benefit of my extensive experience. Feel free to be a “follower”. This allows those of you with the technological grasp of a 10 year old to comment interactively as the days go by – which is nice. If you’re going to be a follower then please either put your picture against whichever strange and quirky name you give yourself, or give yourself a real name so that I know who you are. Because if I know who you are then I can include you, if I know you like certain things (sand and camels for instance). It would also benefit us all if you have any burning urges to see something or to know about something, please tell me and I can keep my eyes open for us all (you, so that you get to see what you would like to, and more importantly, me, so that I can keep a steady flow of ideas going !)
Rule 2. In the event of anything else happening then Rule 1 applies !
A bit of background.
When I went to Iraq I was working on a construction site which was being built 75 miles West of Basrah for a well known Petrochemical firm to house their workers from the surrounding oilfields. (here is a “before” picture just in case you had forgotten !)
and just in case you wondered, here is an “after” (or current, as “after” is actually a long way off yet)
I lived in interesting conditions (a comfortable portacabin behind large concrete walls protected by armed guards and chain guns !), wore a hard hat and ate authentic Iraqi food and caught real live stomach bugs ! I was careful about security and hardly touched a drop of alcohol in the 6 weeks I was there.
This time I’m going to Abu Dhabi (one of the United Arab Emirates for those that don’t know – Dubai is another one……). I’ll caveat all that I’m about to write with the statement “I’ve been told this is what is happening but It’ll only be true when I actually get there” !
I won’t be living in Abu Dhabi but in a place called Madinat Zayed which is about an hour and half’s drive from Abu Dhabi. I won’t be living in a portacabin but in a 4* hotel on the edge of the desert……..
It’s got a pool, and a gym, and with a bit of luck there won’t be any rocket attacks ! I’ll also be in a suit rather than a hard hat which should prove interesting as the temperatures start to rise !
It’s next door to the camel racing track and with a bit of luck the food will be good and I can work on my tan !
In Iraq I was working 7 days a week (because there wasn’t anything else to do !). Here I’ll be doing 5 days a week and will have access to transport back to Abu Dhabi and then on to Dubai if that’s what floats my boat. I’ll be trying to pace myself over the 5 months (cause that’s how long this trip will be for) and therefore am looking to try and relax a little in the first month, get my head down with the job, make friends and learn a little more Arabic. We will have to see how long that lasts but I hope the gym will see a lot of me for the first few weeks at least !
Right, we’ve set the scene so it only remains for me to tell you that I’m supposed to be flying on Friday 4th, overnight to Dubai and then on to Abu Dhabi in the morning. I’ll tell you a little of some of the administrative detail between now and then but I don’t want to peak to early !
Off out into the cold grey morning now to collect some small people.
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