MAPS
First up, everything I thought I knew about Qatar was totally wrong.
My first experience was Qatar Airways, where every passenger had their own
screen above their tray which they could choose a variety of movies in a variety
of languages. I chose Mean Girls, Zeinab chose Shrek 2 and Wayne chose The Ladykillers. You can pause if you need to go the bathroom, you have all the
control. We got a MENU to choose our in-fight meals...it was written up more
elaborately than most retaurants I've been to. I reclined the seat and slept for
the first time in our 2 day trip.
At the airport these guys came rushing out, grabbed our bags, put them on
trolleys, (they were in uniform so I let them) and took them to our awaiting ride
from my college. One of the guys I work with gave them a tip of 15 Qatari riyals
which is like 5 dollars.
Then we spent two nights in a beautiful room in the hotel with a floor to
ceiling view of the torquoise beach...just eating, sleeping and recuperating from
the trip (all paid for). It was the first of many, many, perks. Qataris are VERY
generous to the foreigners that come to work here.
We live in a 3 bedroom two and a half bath 2 storey villa in a compound with
close to 200 other Canadian families. We've got a pool, a gym, and a TV double
the size of ours at home! There are lots of kids here so Zeinab is never
bored...and it's safe to just walk around from villa to villa. It's gated with 24
hour security.
The shopping here puts us to shame. The malls are so beautiful and everything
is so cheap I could live in there.
BUUUUT.....
Starbucks here costs double what it does at home, and tastes half as good
(if that). Actually there's no decent
coffee ANYWHERE. I only had good coffee once at this posh restaurant that
a Sheik invited us to...Zeinab
thought it was a palace. Needless to say there was no drive-thru and I
don't think I'd have the nerve to ever
walk in there alone. Otherwise everyone drinks tea, tea, tea. Oh, but
instant Nescafe is abundant. I drink tea
now.
ALL my neighbours/co-workers that I have met are from Newfoundland (where
the college is based) except for
one woman from Ontario.They call me a "mainlander" and laugh
at my "accent".
The villa has no carpets...one girl tripped on the stairs and got 6 stitches
in her head. I witnessed that, and so
now I'm a wreck always screaming at Zeinab "NO RUNNING". Everything
is marble, granite or stone of some sort.
The dust is unbearable. Everything is dirty all the time. The sky is never
clear, there's a haze of desert dust
that makes it always feel like a gray day even when the sun is melting
you.
Then there's the constant threat of cockroaches. Oh Lord help my child
(or my husband) if a crumb falls to the
floor. I found a dead roach when I moved the couch and I've been a crumb
fanatic ever since. I have my Raid
ready.
I really miss being able to go out for pancakes with a friend. Or going
for Starbucks. I miss picking up the phone
and bawling to a friend when I feel like it. I miss shopping with the
girls. Now all I have is the input of Wayne
("I dunno, it's ok I guess"), or Zeinab who thinks everything
I put on makes me look like a beautiful princess. I
miss so many things I can't count. I miss grass, I miss blue skies, I
miss Will and Grace and Oprah. I miss having
my mom nearby.
As great as Qatar is and as friendly and generous as the people are, it'll
never be home. But if I keep my eye
on the prize (paying off my debts) then this is all worth it.
It's funny cause Medical here is 200 times better than home, there's no
limit to resources in the classroom. . .
basically ask and ye shall receive. There are so many things that are
better here. But, at the end of the day, it
just can't compare to being home. I'm glad I got the job and I feel blessed
to have this opportunity...I never
would get this salary at home, so I feel kind of guilty not liking it
here more. I'm grateful and everything but...I
think homesickness is beginning to set in.
Anyway, I hope I eased your fears/answered your questions. I will send
some photos soon!
Yas