Hello there. Sorry about the long hiatus— lots of things getting in the way of my writing lately—new baby (OK, not that new, but I intend on using her as an excuse until she’s at least a year old), new move, new life (Abu Dhabi, UAE!!!).

Visiting the Sheik Zayed Mosque

Though I’ve managed to wring some inspiration from the upheaval– namely in hotel living. I have a new story in the upcoming Holiday Issue of the Washington Post (which will come out the Sunday before Thanksgiving and Column McCann will also have a story inside). I wrote a large part of it while at a hotel (where we were stranded, stateside and in the UAE, for about six weeks), jotting things down when the baby took her miniscule naps. The story takes place in Abu Dhabi, told from the point of view of a disgruntled American who is a bit fed up with children…

But mostly I’ve been soaking up the life here, taking photos and notes in my trusty little notebook shoved deep in my purse underneath sandy pacifiers and ticket stubs.

I thought I’d ease both of us, you and me, back into my writing with an especially easy post today, more photos than words (like the books my eldest child likes best).

So, without further excuses, here is a glimpse of my new world…

Sheik Zayed and sons watch over everything, including huge kid play area in a mall.

The electric cars of Masdar City (kids LOVE these; OK, so do grown-ups)

Apartments Masdar style, built to catch the desert breeze, with solar panels on top.

The Abu Dhabi Zoo, where you can touch all the animals, and all the animals can touch you...

One of the strangest things I have ever seen-- Motorcycle display at Khalidiya Mall

Oh, and for those of you in the DC/VA/MD area, I’ll be at Howard County Community College and the Howard County Library, Miller Branch, for a few events on October 15! Please check out the details here http://hclibrary.org/index.php?page=306 if you think you can come or help spread the word.

Thanks again to all the readers, writers, and friends out there,
Siobhan

p.s. for more on the incredible sustainable dreams of Masdar City and Science Institute here in Abu Dhabi (free PhD program!), check out http://www.masdar.ac.ae/