heartstrings 15.0: homeless... again.

As most of you know, I am now homeless again due to a good chunk of ground collapsing at the complex that I had just moved in to recently. Luckily, nobody was hurt or killed in the collapse. They now believe that the reason for the fall was due to the installation of fountains filled with water and grass just being planted and watered. I guess the extra weight caused the structural beams to buckle.

There were a few people who had just left the courtyard right before it gave. A couple had just walked back into their flat from there and felt the ground shake. They looked outside and saw the hole. Another girl was standing there about five minutes prior.

Some people felt their whole buildings shake, some said it sounded like trains/low flying airplanes/10 trucks slamming together. I didn't hear/feel anything myself... I had just gotten home and driven through the area about 10 minutes before the collapse. My friend, Khadijah, called me and told me I needed to get out of my apartment now because the ground in front of her building had just collapsed. I was worried, but not panicked... grabbed my bag and macbook and headed out the door. The last thing I wanted to do was fall 8 stories to the ground if the building were to go next. As soon as I got downstairs I didn't really know where to go... there were no people around anywhere... so I did something, admittedly not the brightest of ideas; but I walked toward the collapse. Found the people and walked towards them. We were ushered by Ahmed away from any part of the road that was not supported by the ground.

A bit later, His Excellency, Dr. Magheera showed up and let us know that he would not leave until every person was safe and accounted for. He told us our safety was of the utmost importance. He chatted with us individually and really kept things calm while we waited to find out what would happen next. The police, ambulance, and Civil Defense were on the scene rather quickly. We waited  for the next four hours until we were bused to the Yas Viceroy Hotel.

I arrived at the hotel with nothing but myself, purse, jeans, and a t-shirt. Let me just tell you how fun it is to sleep in those and wake up the next day without washing your face, brushing your teeth, and wearing the same clothes. Could have been worse... some people walked out of their flat's without shoes, shirts, wallets, cell phones, etc.

Monday morning we woke up and attended a meeting with ADEC to discuss the siutation. My favorite line from the meeting was, "Raise your hand if your car is in the hole." We were told that we would be allowed back in one group at a time to collect 2-3 days worth of belongings. We would also be given an advance from next month's paycheck, and ADEC would pay for our meals here at the Viceroy. In time, we will be moved to a new location and ADEC will pay for the move as well. So that will be the 5th time I will have moved since July.

I was in the first group to head out to gather my belongings. It was quite a workout up 8 flights of stairs (we weren't allowed to take the elevators). We were given about 20 minutes to get whatever we could get and lug it back down. While I was gathering my things, the stupid alarm rang again, "please exit the building... this is an emergency..." not the correct way to notify people that their time is up since the night before that very same alarm meant the ground had collapsed. They didn't sound the alarm with any of the other groups. I think I now have a fear of the emergency alarms (I heard one here at the Yas and felt my body tense up a wee bit). I was allowed to get my car (kind of worried me since I was parked in the very spot where the other courtyard/parking area collapsed) but clearly, it was okay.

before

emergency response team... in their Mercedes

His Excellency, Dr. Mugheer speaking to the group

Dr. Mugheer and some very important men discussing the situation

the police bus

Tulip 4 lining up for a head count

My room in the Viceroy Hotel at about 12:30 in the morning

My friend Adam's view of the courtyard when we were allowed to go in and collect some of our belongings

Another person's view from their flat

The hole as I walked by it to gather my things

Today we have just been chilling here at the hotel. We are to report to work tomorrow morning bright and early. Should be fun. I spent the morning up at the rooftop pool getting an awkward sunburn--haha.

I have to keep in mind that I did sign up for an adventure... and an adventure I am surely getting. Although I can't complain... ADEC has done a nice job handling the situation that has been out of their control. The people there are working hard to ensure that we are taken care of in the best way that they can do for us.