I haven’t been writing lately because every day has been a variation of the same:
Day 56 — still on a raft, no land in sight. Spotted a dolphin. Feeling thirsty.
Day 57 — still on a raft. The water looks extra blue today. Still salty though. No land in sight.
In our case however, there’s not much sympathy for tales of woe like this:
Day 56 — still in the hotel. The omelette had extra bell peppers in it this morning. Still waiting for an Emirates ID.
Day 57 — still in the hotel. Still waiting for an Emirates ID. The truffles served at tea time were coconut instead of pistachio today.
We are fine, all is fine, the pets are fine (though the dog has skin issues of some kind and is wearing a cone in the photo they sent me), and as far as living in limbo, this is as good as it gets. Camille is a princess in her palace and we are treated like rock stars by the hotel staff. Every time we go to eat, “Good morning madame! How is your day? Off to school? Would you like your regular strong cappuccino? (Yes, I would) And hot chocolate for the kids? (of course).” I think it’s because we make eye contact with them, say please and thank you, call them by name, and try to get to know them and ask where they are from. That’s not too common around here so the tiniest bit of kindness gains a friend for life.
On school days Josh will pick Camille up around 3:30 and head back to the hotel (the boys both got parts in the play, so they have practice after school). Then they go up to the lounge to request “tea” and the staff, who has started setting aside a special plate for Camille, delivers her finger sandwiches and treats down to her room. She’s not old enough to eat in the lounge, but they are making sure she is well taken care of. On Thursday they even sent an extra container filled with marshmallows, M&Ms, and gummy bears because they thought she would like it. They know her well.
What else is happening? Um, we finally got Josh’s residence visa, which is the step before getting the Emirates ID. Once he has that (hopefully this next week) they can generate a lease and then Josh can turn on utilities to our property and then they can complete the maintenance on it and then soon, inshallah, we can move in. Yes, the houses sit empty in-between residents with no power or water. They all get shown in a nasty and dirty state (I saw cigarette butts and dead bugs on the floor) and you really hope that for 50 thousand dollars that you just paid in rent, that they will clean it before you move in. But that’s not a given. 
It makes those House Hunters families look like serious whiners: “I don’t really like the paint color in this room.” Or, “I was really wanting granite countertops.” How about, “There’s a dead plant in my daughter’s future bedroom and I don’t know why.” Or, “I have no idea where the hookup is for the washing machine or where the gas canister goes to run the stove.” (yes, our stoves run off of tanks, similar to the ones you use to run your gas grill. They have trucks that drive around to deliver refills when you run out.) Those are some legit concerns. 
My future home in all its glory . . . those are the AC vents that need to be replaced along with some random trash.
Life has been the same as the week before and will probably be the same this coming week:
Day 63 — my cappuccino had extra foam today. Hoping for the gold leafed chocolates at tea time today. Still waiting on our Emirates ID.
Rough life.