Al Ain Palace Museum

Well, I finally got to see a few of the sights around Al Ain.  I have been running a circle daily:  going to school, then trying to accomplish errands after school.  My weekends were mostly spent trying to catch up on what I couldn’t accomplish during the week.  So, now that it’s the Eid holiday, I’m getting a few extra days to investigate where I live.

One of my first stops was to the Al Ain Palace.  This is where Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , the founder of the UAE, was born.  It is now a museum (since 2001) and by his decree has been left just as it was so that it shows the country’s culture before oil was discovered here.  Even though it is in the middle of the city, it seems very secluded and peaceful.  It is located on the edge of the Al Ain Oasis, so it is very lush.   Some of the family lived here up until the 1980’s, and the ruling sheikh was born here. 

This is the kitchen.  It is a very large room, and along the left wall (which you can't see here), there are about 8 more large pots for cooking.

This is one of the Majlis (or meeting rooms).  There were many of these rooms for entertaining visitors.  They are furnished with floor cushions and carpets.  Coffee, along with dates and nuts, would be served.

This was the nursery.  You can see the hanging crib here. 

Here is a replica of the grand court tent.  Sheikh Zayed would meet guests here to show Arabian hospitality and generosity.  This is also a symbol of their link with the Bedouin life.

The interior of the tent.

This is one of the majlis where foreigners might be entertained, more in style with Western furniture and comfort.

This is the irrigation system that runs around the outer edges of the compound.

Here is the Qur'an from which the lessons would be taught.

This is a picture of the schoolroom where the royal children would be taught by private tutors.

This is the bedroom of Sheikh Zeyed and his wife.