Tag: UAE

EFL Teacher Blog1 Comment

Christmas Cards from Arabia, Indonesia and Egypt

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Living in Arabia, constant contradictions, surprises and sometimes disasters caused culture shock. However, one delightful but highly unknown, is Christmas cards – designed as either ‘Season’s Greetings’ and ‘Happy New Year’ cards, available in December. In 1985, I was able to mail such cards to friends and family in the States. However, I heard other women complain that the clerks at Riyadh’s main post office refused to accept them. Following are many Arabic cards, designed by Oriental Art Gallery and others in Dubai. Also included are two from mostly Muslim Indonesia and one from Egypt. Continue reading Christmas Cards from Arabia, Indonesia and Egypt

Asia, EFL Teacher Blog, English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia, Living overseas, Portugal, Women's Issues, World Traveller - Retired2 Comments

Top 10 Foreign Delights by countries lived in

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

(All photos are mine except for the Bali postcard and above UAE holiday card) 1.  CANADA – 2 years     Stanley Park, Vancouver http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx Two years of happiness. Fantastic opportunity to write and receive feedback on my writing in … Continue reading Top 10 Foreign Delights by countries lived in

EFL Teacher Blog, English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia, Living overseas, World Traveller - Retired1 Comment

Top 10 Wonderful Realities about Teaching English Overseas

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Asian students are wonderful. They are quiet and respectful. They also study and learn. Arabic countries are superior to Asian countries in regards to housing, culture and food. In the Arabic countries of the UAE and Oman, the weather is superb. Al Ain in the UAE was like spring every day for five months. Sandals 24/7/365 was fantastic. Yearly round-trip tickets home or to other vacation hot spots were enjoyable, such as a Christmas week in Ubud, a painting-haven in Bail. No USA income taxes. Nearly 99% of teachers make less than $99,000 a year, the cut off mark for … Continue reading Top 10 Wonderful Realities about Teaching English Overseas

English Teacher, ELL, ESL, EFL, Living in Arabia4 Comments

How Living in Arabia Changed Me

Alice Delaney Walker, aka Dana Walker

Gulf countries are not just desert and oil. Two years in Saudi Arabia, two in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one in Egypt and 11 in Oman, total 16 years. How did I change? Attitudes towards clothing, money, health, food, socializing, and religion. First, clothing. Nowadays I prefer the comfort of loose clothing, mandatory in Arabia. It allows air to flow between skin, cloth and the outside heat while being modest. Jeans were too hot. Westerners insulting Arabs as ‘ragheads’ should look in the mirror: Baseball caps and hoodies. Payday in Saudi Arabia (1984-1986) – cash. Then I wired it … Continue reading How Living in Arabia Changed Me