~ a place to share my stories & pictures about this new adventure !
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Final Ottawa Preparations & Arrival to Dubai
On Sunday January 9th, my parents hosted a beautiful surprise going away party for me so I could see my family and friends once again before departure. While I do not recommend surprising someone with this sort of party – unfortunately, the surprisee does not have time to mentally prepare for the “see you laters” – it was amazing to see everyone I care most about together at my house for a final gathering. Thank you to those who came and made that Sunday extremely special to me !
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My bags were packed and everything was in order for departure; however, true to a Chloe adventure there was a glitch along the way...I had one final errand to run – to pick up my visa. On Monday afternoon the UAE embassy in Ottawa called to say my visa was ready, but shortly thereafter they called back to say that I would have to go on Tuesday morning for the visa pick up. Tuesday morning I still had not heard from the embassy, so by 12:30 pm I went in. Having waited in the waiting room for over an hour, they proceeded to tell me that the visa issued was only the short term visit visa of 1 month, and not the long term visit visa of 3 months, so I could either take the short term visa, or delay my flight a few days until this got sorted. To have to pay $500 CDN for a three month visit visa – the most expensive visa in the world – you expect attention to detail, efficiency and customer service. I told them to try to sort this problem as quickly as possible since I had to go home to get ready – the bus was leaving in 2 short hours. I felt sick – what do I do now?!? Finally, and luckily, they were allowed to issue a visit visa stamp in my passport so my Dad went to the embassy to pick it up while I showered, and made my way to the train station with my mom. Thankfully, my Dad arrived with the visa on time and I was able to leave with everything I needed.
Departure:
Tuesday January 11, 2011 at 3:35 pm Ottawa Train Station on Air France shuttle bus to Montreal
Tuesday January 11, 2011 at 7:45 pm Montreal to Paris
Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 8:45 am Paris to Dubai
Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 11:30 pm arrival in Dubai
Tuesday January 11, 2011 at 3:35 pm Ottawa Train Station on Air France shuttle bus to Montreal
Tuesday January 11, 2011 at 7:45 pm Montreal to Paris
Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 8:45 am Paris to Dubai
Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 11:30 pm arrival in Dubai
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| Beautiful sky from the airplane - another plane in the distance |
The bus ride and the flights were good – no real delays, or major problems. The flight from Montreal to Paris was a bit tough since it was a red-eye, and the plane seemed to be rather old – very little leg room, tight seating and small television screens in the aisles (ie. no individual tv screens on the back of the seats). However, the flight from Paris to Dubai was in a newer plane so it was more comfortable.
Once I arrived in Dubai, I had a company help me get through customs (with no problem), get my 3 large suitcases – I brought 150 pounds worth of stuff with me!!! and show me to the hotel car. The car ride was a bit annoying – I couldn’t really see much or get a good impression of the city. By the time I got to the hotel – the Holiday Inn Express Safa Park, it was already 12:30 am Dubai time – 9 hours ahead of Ottawa, so I was happy to have arrived safely - and relatively stress free, had a great chat with my parents and went to sleep. As you can imagine, I couldn’t wait to see the city during the day, and start this adventure...
xox <3 xox
Wow! you kids these days! So brave so brave!!!!
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