Rent? Lease? Purchase?

When I first landed in Abu Dhabi in August of 2011 I had absolutely no intention of driving here. When I was placed at a school located at 4^th and 25^th, it seemed that was going to be reality. My apartment is located at 4^th and 31^st. Unfortunately, the 2^nd day of school I was informed, via email, that I was being transferred to a school more than 20 miles away. I needed a car within 24 hours. Thus began my adventure in the “Car Zone”.

Rentals: You can rent a new or used vehicle in Abu Dhabi easily and inexpensively. There are published deals for ADEC teachers. Prices and mileage limits vary. My first rental was a used American car that was costly but included unlimited mileage. Considering my 100km lost tour of Abu Dhabi my first day driving, this was a good thing. When it happened again my second day driving, I finally bought a GPS. I rented that car for a month and it was enough to convince me that I did not want to purchase a used American car here. It was only 2 years old and had a boatload of electrical issues. I started searching for a lease right away but ended up renting a Brand New (199km) Toyota Yaris for 1700 dirhams a month ($463). The experiences of several teachers who rented used and Japanese convinced me I did not want to purchase one of them either. 

Leasing: I looked into a 2 year lease on a 2012 Nissan Tiida before deciding to rent the Yaris. The Tiida was 1650 dirhams a month ($450) and included free service and insurance. BUT considering I could turn in a rental during the times I was out of the country and save money, the lease did not make sense. 

Purchasing:  After 6 months with the Yaris, I decided it was time to stop pissing away money and purchase a car. In Abu Dhabi, since so many expats do what I have referred to before as the “Midnight Run”, used car loans do not exist. You can get a new car loan with no problem.  In order to finance a used car, you must get a personal loan. The one bank I spoke to required that I transfer my accounts to them and have my pay direct deposited there. Not a problem until I found out their charge for international transfers was almost triple what I am paying at my current bank. Since I have college tuition, student loans, storage fees, and car insurance to pay in the states, transfers happen monthly and this was not an option. The next bank, Citibank, had all of my documents when suddenly they decided not to give loans to ADEC teachers anymore. So I moved onto Bank #3. The interest rate was ridiculous and there is a pre-payment penalty. NOT. There is also the “Eat Ramen for 2 Months” option. In this option, the car dealer holds a 2 month interest free loan, during which time the car is not titled to you. Essentially you pay cash, but half now and half next month. I will not be eating for 2 months beginning on or about March 15. BUT I will be driving a beautiful blue 2000 BMW 318Ci that we suspect has the only manual transmission in the entire Emirate. I will be rocking the roundabouts!! 

I get to shift!!!

On Babies and Arabish

When in Rome……everyone has heard this saying. Here, obviously, it is “When in Abu Dhabi…”  It happens to all of us.  After ripping one long skirt (can’t show the ankles at school you know) and having another one spend the day creeping up my waist, I bought some Abayas.  It costs $3 a piece to get them picked up, dry cleaned, and delivered by a really cure guy AND it saves me time in the morning. I throw on a pair of shorts or leggings and a tank top then pull on the abaya and roll. Coming home is the same: I pull off the abaya, drink a pot of coffee, and head to the gym.  NO, I do not wear a Shayla. I CANNOT stand having anything on my head. Except my sunglasses.  That’s only because it keeps me from losing them or sitting on them. 

Nowhere is the old adage about Rome truer than in the towers where we are experiencing a population explosion of sorts.  The western teachers are joining their Arabic counterparts and getting pregnant by the dozens!! The number of babies expected between May and August is staggering. Soon the building will be teeming with nannies! Now me, I would take a pass on having a baby in a country where you have to severe a limb to get a Percocet. Wallah! There were 2 different pregnant women in the pool at various times during my workout yesterday. There is no way I am ever getting in that pool. Maybe that’s where the babies are coming from!! 

As the months have gone by, we have also seen an outbreak of Arabish. This is when one speaks English with random Arabic words thrown in. Obviously, they have to be used correctly. You do it occasionally to get your students attention and then it becomes second nature.  Teaching High Schools girls as I do, they enjoy teaching me new words.  They, however, did not enjoy it so much when the principal showed up in my 11-4 class to yell at me for sending 4 girls out to get a “test I forgot”. As I was explaining that they walked out without permission and that their make-up test was in my bag……and she wasn’t listening….I looked at the girls in question……and screamed “Cathaba”. Even the principal took a step back and blinked. It was very effective!! 

Common Arabic words used in Arabish:

Wallah: (I swear to Allah/God)

cathaba: (liar)

khallas: (finished, done, over)  or as I use it: STFU

zanuba:(bathroom shoes, i.e. flip flops)

hamam: (bathroom)

habla: (teacher)

haram: (unclean)

shukran: (thank-you)

afwan: (you’re welcome)

la: (no)  I have a tendency to start singing lalalalalalalalalala

mafi mashcala:(no problem)

jazza saeeda: (happy weekend)