Day 1

Wooh!  I survived it. First day of school - it was naturally very busy and slightly chaotic. Lots of ogling from the students - all boys. I expected it - they're not used to my kind around these parts. There is a morning assembly every day. The students line up, about five boys deep and face the teachers. They sing the UAE National Anthem. Very seriously, but without much enthusiasm - typical of teenagers. This is followed by announcements - all in Arabic. Many of the faculty and staff can speak Arabic. The rest of us just smile and clap where appropriate.