Week 1: Travel!

We can't believe we have only been in Muscat a week.  We have learned so much about this place.  It is such a peaceful and relaxing environment filled with love and kindness.  In the Omani culture, we've learned, the first 3 days upon meeting someone the Omanis treat the people as kings going above and beyond to help you as much as possible.  They say they are "honored to help you".   We have received our first "royal treatment" this weekend, which is on Thursday and Friday.  A new Omani friend took us to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to explore.  It was breathtaking.  Crazy that merely 10 years ago none of the buildings in Dubai existed.  Thursday we visited the tallest building in the world -Burj Khalifa and the Palm Islands.  Both were stunning.  Not to forget, the Dubai Mall having 14,000 shops, would take me days to get through!  (ps. my birthday is in August... I will accept cash.  hehe).  We are lucky to have gotten the chance to visit much less LIVE so close!!!!  Depending on customs, it only takes about a 3 to 4 hour drive from Muscat to Dubai.  Once we have our resident card, it should lean more towards the 3 hours.  But it is WELL worth the drive!!!  We are amazed by the beauty here, and we thank God everyday for this world and the opportunity to explore it's wonders.  There has been a sand storm the last week in the middle east hindering us from great pictures.  They tell us this is not normal and should die down in a few days.  We hope to get better pictures of Dubai the next time we visit.  

Oh, and important news!  We have picked a house!  It is in the Azaiba district right on the beach.  Only a 5 minute drive to both our work.  Halliburton is renting all 13 villas for their employees, but we will be the first to move in so we got to pick the villa directly next to the pool and beach!  Lucky Austin strikes again. :)  The houses are finished but there are still a few finishing touches... filling the pooling, getting the workout equipment, and cleaning up... so we should be able to move in by September 1.  Cross your fingers!!!  Until then, we reside at a hotel.. once again!  It's funny how when growing up staying in hotels was the coolest thing on earth and now I can't wait to be at home.  

I plan to volunteer at the hospital and orphanage this week...  even though Austin told me I wasn't allowed because he's afraid I'll come home with a baby. :)  He tells me it's not a puppy and we cannot give it back...... I tell him babies don't chew on things and we should definitely get/have one.  hehehe.  (I know Mom(s)... not 8,000 miles away!)  But how can I turn down a baby?!  ;)

That's all for now!  We will keep you updated.  We miss you all so much and cannot wait to see you during Christmas vacation!  And one more thing... Austin is demanding we eat at Chili's tonight.  He is already having American food withdrawals- even though 4 of our meals last week consisted of pizza.  Thank God for Chili's in Oman!!!!  There are only so many new things you can try in a week....

Xoxo,

Liz