It seems like a different world to the one we arrived in. When I first had to have documents translated from French to Arabic by an official translator it felt like an insurmountable task. Find the translator (there is only one in Abu Dhabi which translates from French), locate it, get there (relying on ‘coming right now Madam’ Suda as we didn’t have a car) and so on.

This morning I took the news from the school that I needed yet another useless bit of paper translating calmly. I had all the info stored. I knew how to get there, which illegal parking spot I could park in and they will have the documents by tomorrow. In fact it ouccurred to me as I was driving there how much can go wrong on a small errand (red lights, traffic jam, getting lost, no parking etc) and what a nice feeling it is when it all goes right.

Soon after we got here someone told me that it takes four months to settle into life in Abu Dhabi. My mother pointed out that it may not be worth battling to stay somewhere that takes so long to settle in to. She has a point. But now that I think we are over the worst I am very happy to be here. The sun is warm, not ferocious), our house is lovely and my job is great. This morning Leo ran into school and immediately started playing with a friend. Long gone are the days when he used to weep and hang on to me.

And to top it all I am going to see Alicia Keys and George Michael on Monday. Last time I saw George Michael Wham! had only just begun and he was at the Camden Palace along with Andrew Ridgley.

“My friend Andrew fancies you,” said George. I didn’t fancy him so politely made my excuses.

Now that really does feel like a different world….

Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2008