Getting around in Abu Dhabi

So even though Abu Dhabi is a very modern and western city, it really has some interesting things that take a little while to get used to. So first would be public transportation. It is amazing that Abu Dhabi has such a developed transportation system when it has only been a country for 40 years. I mean that is barely any time and in that time they have developed this amazing city and system. The main way of getting around in Abu Dhabi if you don't have a car are either taxi or the bus. Now luckily there is a bus stop right in front of the hotel that I am staying at and it is a pretty great route. The bus costs one dirham per trip which is like 27 cents. On the buses the women sit in the front of the bus and the men sit in the back. Now I thought this was very interesting at first and I felt bad that all of the men were shoved in the back, but that is how things are here. The men will put their dirham in at the front and then walk around to the back entrance of the bus. The men's half of the bus can get really crowded too because there are way more men than women. There are also separate lines for women in grocery stores and at different events and things like that. Women are also bumped to the front of the line for things like taxis, buses, and other things. This was something that I was not used to in the states, but it is simply how things are. Also taking a taxi is always an interesting experience to get around. The very first taxi ride I took on my first full day in Abu Dhabi the taxi driver got into an accident. He hit the driver in front of us and then started yelling at the man he hit as if it was his fault. It was crazy! Also the taxi drivers aren't completely familiar with the city, so sometimes they don't really know where they are going. So you have to get creative when telling them where you are going. I will try to explain things that around where I am going like big buildings, parks, or malls and that seems to help them figure out where to go. Not only do the taxi drivers not fully know where they are going, they also drive pretty crazy too. They will go in and out of traffic and weave between cars, but that isn't just taxis but simply drivers in Abu Dhabi period. I am still figuring out how to best get around in Abu Dhabi, but it is getting a little easier every taxi or bus ride I take.