Dating Out of my League

Few people asked me “why?” when I announced my decision to move to the Middle East. There were few good reasons NOT to go. Personally and professionally, it was the perfect time for a change. Adventure, travel and living in a country where the bitter cold air didn’t assault my face 4 to 6 months/year all added up to a brilliant decision, one that needed very little to no serious contemplation or analysis. As I have expressed previously, teaching & living abroad had always been on my radar. It was simply time to make it happen.  

The lack of anxiety and worrying regarding my departure was not in any way indicative of the quality of life, or lack thereof, that I had in Calgary. I had supportive admin and colleagues that most teachers only dream of having. I had the opportunity to travel frequently, seeing the likes of the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Washington DC whilst being PAID. Calgary also offered the Rocky Mountains in its backyard, and quick flights to San Fran, Vegas, Chicago and Vancouver. There was no lack of new restaurants to check out with friends, and a familiar comfort in frequenting usual establishments.

Simply put, my excitement in looking forward to this new adventure was not a symptom of an unfulfilled life in Calgary. I knew leaving the niche I had made myself in the 8 years since I moved there would be difficult, and this mostly because of whom I was leaving behind.

When discussing my initial feelings about moving overseas with my friend Hailey, I gave it the following analogy. Consider Calgary to be the “The One”. The love of your life, your safe place, your comfort. But, you’re just not ready to settle down yet. So, you take a leap of faith, and leave your loyal friends & family behind…… to START DATING BRADLEY COOPER!

Yep. And at first, it was mind-blowing. There are hardly any thoughts of your last relationship, cause this new guy is so handsome and worldly and different from all the other ones you’ve dated. He is totally out of your league, and you are enjoying it as long as you can, because you know it won’t last. Abu Dhabi and the UAE were my Bradley Cooper-esque rebound from a (temporary) break-up with Canada.

In no particular order, here are the best things my new bf has to offer.

1.  He is HOT. (see what I did there).

I am currently typing this in my apartment, where the AC has been shut off for a couple weeks now, due to winter being upon us. By “winter”, I mean temps dropping to 15 degrees Celsius. I’m wrapped up in a quilt and have been wearing a sweater all day. I am putting my Canadian roots TO SHAME!

This warmer weather has also meant being able to use the outdoors as my playground year round. Running, which used to be an activity limited in the spring and summer for this fairweather jogger, is now something I do 3-4 mornings a week. Having just completed a 10k race at the Dubai Marathon, I am looking at making this a monthly event, perhaps even upgrading to becoming a biathlete come April! LOOK AT ME I’M SO ATHLETIC!!!!

2.      He is the beachy, surfer type.

There is something about seeing the ocean and living in its proximity that is so peaceful and refreshing. There are no shortages of sandy shores and beautiful beaches here: I’ve seen but a fraction of them since moving here 5 months ago.

Saadiyat Island is a personal favourite so far, its turquoise hues a colourful reminder of how fortunate I am to live in such an exquisite part of the world. The freedom of being able to drive my car to spend an afternoon at the beach is something I don’t think I could ever tire of. Feeling the hot sun on me is something I used to yearn for and escape to – being able to walk out my front door and quite literally have it right there in my face year round has been an absolute dream.

3. He is fun and exciting.

New manfriend also offers new outings and activities that I can’t take part in back home. Whether it be in the shape of camel races at the crack of dawn, or in the form of a beach party, dancing with our toes in the sand long past when the sun has set, I am finding myself enamoured with the slew of new things to see and do.

Popular with the expat community, Friday brunches are an all-day food and drink fest. Ranging anywhere in price from the equivalent to 60 – 160 CAD, you can find yourself poolside, binging on roast beef and Coronas. Imagine the “wine fests” we Canadians have on a few select nights a year, but weekly. And with more to eat than crackers and cheese – in fact, some places have so much food to be offered your entrance comes with a map to help with navigation of the area. Take the second exit to the sushi station, the one on the left for lobster and crab and the first exit to your right for the dessert table. Unreal.

For those of us who like to diversify our weekly itineraries with activities that aren’t akin to frosh week, you could choose anything from a day at the water park or desert camping, to cave swimming or scuba diving.  Sporting events are also a big thing here, filling my Calgary Roughnecks void (what up Snider bros).

4. He has cool friends.

The close proximity to exotic locales is something we, as citizens of the world’s second largest country, find completely foreign. From Abu Dhabi, I can fly to the Maldives in less than half the time it would take me to fly to Moncton from Calgary. Let that sink in for a bit.  Being in the “middle” means easy access to many places that until now almost didn’t even seem feasible as a travel destination.

And though I won’t be making a road trip to Saudi Arabia anytime soon, the UAE’s other neighbour, Oman, is very warm and welcoming. I recently ventured there with two of my visiting friends from Alberta – we LOVED our time there, and quickly understood why it had made its way on many travel lists as a 2015 must-see destination (more on this later!).

Dubai is also a quick highway drive away, which means many trips to the marina, JBR and more beautiful beaches. It’s also home to a few Shake Shack and Magnolia Bakery locations, which feeds my very content NYC-loving-food-baby.

And while 24 karat gold flake lattes, palm tree lined highways and beach bumming have been a great filler of the void left from being a world away from my beloved friends and family, I know the reality of this lifestyle has an expiry date. I (and Bradley) have not quite yet decided when that will be… until then, I’ll make the most of what life dating outside of my league will bring me. J