Talk to the Veil

I have realized that I have two big milestones in my blogging career looming on the horizon. First is my 100th blog and the second is the anniversary of 1 year of solid (okay, sporadic) blogging. I re-read the past 92 blogs and noticed that I had left out a few of my earlier experiences that I will share with you now. The first will be getting my driver's license.
When I first arrived, 18 months ago, I spent the first few days finding a place to live. After I accomplished that task, the next item on the agenda was getting my driver's license. Luckily the USA was on the approved drivers list, so I didn't have to do the dreaded driving test. I only had to exchange my license for an UAE one.

Here is how it went...
I was picked up by Walid, the company driver and taken out to the Abu Dhabi version of the DPS. There I was taken to the "ladies only" section where I took a number and waited my turn. (I am now a huge fan of segregated waiting rooms) My number was finally called and I went to the desk where a woman in a full veil was working. (Why she needed a full veil in the "ladies only" section was a mystery we did not solve.) You never realize how much you rely on lip reading and facial expressions to communicate until you try talking to a veil.

The conversation went...
Veil -"mumble, mumble, mumble"
Me - "I'm sorry, what did you say"
Veil -"mumble, mumble"
Me - "I'm sorry, I don't speak arabic"
Veil - "mumble, English, mumble"
Me - Can you write it down???
She writes - "who will be your sponsor"
Me - "Sponsor???" My train of thought goes like this. Driving...sponsors....oh like NASCAR, Goodyear, Mobil 1, Pennzoil. So after some thought I decide on my sponsor...."Exxon" I say.
Veil - "what??" "No, no"
She writes - "where is your permission letter from your husband? He will be your sponsor."
Me- excuse me for a minute
I quickly go to the "men's only" section to find Walid and tell him of my plight. He goes into a back room and promptly procures a fax from Mr. David saying that his wife has permission to drive and he will be my sponsor. I do end up with a UAE driving license good for 10 years, but was disappointed that I wouldn't be getting a cool Dale Earnhardt Jr. jumpsuit afterall.