Yippeeyayayooo! I survived one month on the desert and I can say it is quite an achievement for me. I am happy because in just a few time I was able to adjust so quickly. Before I left the Philippines I was kinda feeling anxious because I thought it will be difficult for me to adjust because living a million miles away from my family and friends is not easy, but I was wrong. I know myself very well and I know it would be easy for me to adjust. I can say that I was able to adjust with the people i'm sharing villa though most of them are Egyptians. I was able to bend with my new work environment, the people at the office and the work process. The only thing that I'm still adjusting is the hot climate. The heat here is not tolerable, i even had a nose bleed twice because of the extreme heat reaching as far as 52 degrees. But nonetheless, everything is going well with me (praise allah!)
Sometimes I find life here very difficult because I AM VERY FAR WITH THE MALLLLSSS! It takes a lot of effort for me to reach the malls because my place is quite far from the city center not unlike when I used to live in makati, Greenbelt is just a few tumbling away. I have to walk at least 15 minutes to reach the market to buy my groceries.
So far I don't feel homesick (but I guess it's just too early to say, i still have 11 months) and I hope on the coming months I won't feel any. But hey as I've told before I already know what to do in case anxiety strikes me hehehe.
During my off, I always make it a point to roam around Doha, During my first 2 weeks here, I was able to explore some parts of the city, went malling, dining out with housemates and watch movie, and now i am confident to see the whole Doha alone.
Living independently is quite tough, though I share villa with other people but still I can say i live independently because I have to do all chores all by myself (except cleaning the house, somebody will do that for us). Sometimes it is quite very tiring, good thing I am good in time management. There are days that I feel like I'm living in the US (feeling lang heheh), Wake up at quarter to five in the morning, take a bath, prepare my breakfast and get ready for work. Kulang na lang eh mag drive ng mag isa papunta sa office. My life here is very routinary that's why I feel bored most of the time. After work, I'll do my laundry, then go to market to buy some groceries then while doing the laundry I have to prepare for my dinner, then hang the clothes, eat my dinner then watch tv for a few minutes, chat with my housemates then meme time.
The only thing I enjoy doing is going to the groceries and cooking! Yes, cooking has been my past time here, my cooking skill is being put into practice, I cook almost any kind of dish and I find it enjoyable because I love our kitchen! Very spacious and I have all my utensils I need. Sometimes i get frustrated because when I want to cook something i don't find the ingredients at the market.
Right now I'm just enjoying my stay here, I hope I can make it till the end and I know God is with me all the time.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Yesterday was my first time to roam around Doha at night. Since it is my rest day, Miguel, I and the rest of my Egyptian housemates decided to go at the Souq Waqif. Getting around Doha at night is quite good because it is not that hot, besides the best way to explore the city during summer days is at night wherein shops and malls are upto 11pm and mostly people go out at night.
Doha is an interesting city, a well developed city with lots of modern buildings and hotels scattered all over the area. There is one place in Doha called Corniche. It is like baywalk in the Philippines and at the same time Victoria Harbor in HongKong overlooking Doha's skyscrappers. It is so nice to see Doha at night because the duildings are like diamonds sparkling at night. the best time to walk around this place is during winter months wherein you can jog or walk along the bay whether at day or night.
We arrived at the souq around 9pm, I was excited to see this place because it is one of the most popular sights in Doha wherein shops are everywhere. It is like Divisoria where you can find a lot of good stuffs. Souq waqif is an important souq in Doha, literaly translated to the "free standing market." The place is like intramuros, an old place turned into dining haven. It is a home to tens of restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world as well as shisha lounges.
Since my Egyptian housemates wanted to try shisha (is a single multi-stemmed instrument for smoking tobacco in which the smoke is cooled and filtered by passing through water) we went to a moroccan resto called Tajin, some of my housemates tried shisha, I wanted to try it also however I don't smoke, probably next time when we go there I will, just to experience it.
The place is so nice specially dining along the street (now I miss Malate) and I think I found a place where I could hang out. Afterwards we went to another restaurant wherein my housemates ordered their traditional food, it is my first time to try egyptian food though I see them eat the same food at the house but still it was my first time to try it. though the taste is not bad, but still not my type of food, somehow i have the idea how that food taste like.
Truly, it was a great night for me. A bonding moment with my housemates, somehow I am now confident and comfortable going out with them. I didn't mind going to bed late and waking up early for work.What a wonderful time spending arabian nights with my new found arabian friends.
Doha is an interesting city, a well developed city with lots of modern buildings and hotels scattered all over the area. There is one place in Doha called Corniche. It is like baywalk in the Philippines and at the same time Victoria Harbor in HongKong overlooking Doha's skyscrappers. It is so nice to see Doha at night because the duildings are like diamonds sparkling at night. the best time to walk around this place is during winter months wherein you can jog or walk along the bay whether at day or night.
We arrived at the souq around 9pm, I was excited to see this place because it is one of the most popular sights in Doha wherein shops are everywhere. It is like Divisoria where you can find a lot of good stuffs. Souq waqif is an important souq in Doha, literaly translated to the "free standing market." The place is like intramuros, an old place turned into dining haven. It is a home to tens of restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world as well as shisha lounges.
Since my Egyptian housemates wanted to try shisha (is a single multi-stemmed instrument for smoking tobacco in which the smoke is cooled and filtered by passing through water) we went to a moroccan resto called Tajin, some of my housemates tried shisha, I wanted to try it also however I don't smoke, probably next time when we go there I will, just to experience it.
The place is so nice specially dining along the street (now I miss Malate) and I think I found a place where I could hang out. Afterwards we went to another restaurant wherein my housemates ordered their traditional food, it is my first time to try egyptian food though I see them eat the same food at the house but still it was my first time to try it. though the taste is not bad, but still not my type of food, somehow i have the idea how that food taste like.
Truly, it was a great night for me. A bonding moment with my housemates, somehow I am now confident and comfortable going out with them. I didn't mind going to bed late and waking up early for work.What a wonderful time spending arabian nights with my new found arabian friends.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
MGA ECHOSERO AT ECHOSERANG JAI-HO
Mahirap talagang mag trabaho sa abroad, bukod sa malayo kana sa pamilya at kaibigan, kailangan mo pang makisama sa mga katrabaho mo lalo na kung ibang lahi ang mga ito. Iba kasi ang ugali, iba ang personalidad at higit sa lahat iba ang kultura meron sila. Ika nga "what you think is good, may not be good to them." Minsan nag iingat din ako sa pakikipag-usap sa kanila baka kasi may masabi akong ikaka-offend nila, alam mo naman may pagka sensitive ang ibang lahi lalo na kung ang usapan ay tungkol sa kanila.
Dito sa office kung saan ako nag tatrabaho, kahit 3 linggo pa lang ako dito ay may napansin na agad akong kakaibang pag uugali ng ibang nasyon dito lalong lalo na ang mga jai-ho.
Sa department kasi kung saan ako naka assign ay may isang hukluban na kung makaasta ay daig pa ang manager. Feelingero ang loko, bansot na nga kasuklam-suklam pa ang pagmumukha, kung tutuusin ay trainor lang naman siya. Wala kasi siyang office kaya sa pwesto namin siya naka upo. Porket binibilinan siya ay akala niya siguro ay may authority na siya sa amin, kung makapag mando ay parang bisor. Pwede ba umasta ka lang nang naayon sa iyong posisyon hindi yung parang kung sino ka kung magbawal at sumita dahil hindi ikaw ang manager namin. Spell the word EPAL, ikaw yun. Okay na sana eh, kaso nakakasira ka ng araw. Tama nga sila, mahilig sumipsip ang mga jai-ho, magpakitang gilas at umepal. Tolerable na sana kaso sobra ang bilib sa sarili, mabaho pa hehehe.
Dito sa office kung saan ako nag tatrabaho, kahit 3 linggo pa lang ako dito ay may napansin na agad akong kakaibang pag uugali ng ibang nasyon dito lalong lalo na ang mga jai-ho.
Sa department kasi kung saan ako naka assign ay may isang hukluban na kung makaasta ay daig pa ang manager. Feelingero ang loko, bansot na nga kasuklam-suklam pa ang pagmumukha, kung tutuusin ay trainor lang naman siya. Wala kasi siyang office kaya sa pwesto namin siya naka upo. Porket binibilinan siya ay akala niya siguro ay may authority na siya sa amin, kung makapag mando ay parang bisor. Pwede ba umasta ka lang nang naayon sa iyong posisyon hindi yung parang kung sino ka kung magbawal at sumita dahil hindi ikaw ang manager namin. Spell the word EPAL, ikaw yun. Okay na sana eh, kaso nakakasira ka ng araw. Tama nga sila, mahilig sumipsip ang mga jai-ho, magpakitang gilas at umepal. Tolerable na sana kaso sobra ang bilib sa sarili, mabaho pa hehehe.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
ROAMING AROUND DOHA
It was my first weekend in Doha, since it is my day off, my housemates and I decided to go malling since staying the whole day at the villa is quite boring. Though it is 40 degrees outside still we didn't care going out and besides it is also my way of familiarizing myself to the city. We decided to take a bus instead of taxi, it is my first time to commute, in that way I can see the whole Doha. Upon reaching the bus terminal which is located at the souq, I was surprised to see a lot of "jai-ho" (terms I used to refer people from India) around the city. I felt like I was in Bombay. Afterwards, we took another bus going to Villagio, a premire mall in Doha where signature shops are to be found similar to Venician in Macau. I was keyed up to see this mall since I see this only on the internet. Upon entering the facade, I did nothing of course but to take pictures! I was just too thrilled with its interiors. I felt like I was in Italy! The only difference about this mall is that the artificial sky is not changing unlike in Venician, but everything was just superb! Too bad we were not able to ride gondola, probably nextime. We just ate there, roam around and feel the ambience. I just bought 2 shirts from H&M because its too cheap. Good thing that Villagio is quite far from my place otherwise my stay in Doha will just end up into shopping. I am looking forward to see this mall again, probably next week hehehehe.
SURVIVING THE MIDDLE EAST LIFE
Finally, after a long break on blogging, my first entry on my life in Doha.
It's been 2 weeks now since i arrived in Doha. Extreme heat to the highest level greeted me as soon as i arrived at the airport, my nose almost bled. Though im already inside the car, still i can feel the heat. I have to wipe my face with wet towel to lessen the heat.
As soon as i arrived at the airport, i was taken directly to my villa which is approximately 30 minutes away from the airport. While going to my villa, i tried to look around where I'm going, Doha is a very organized city, developments are everywhere. Lots of constructions going on, nice and wide roads, no traffic, but there is one thing that I observed, most houses here are alike. It seems that people here are afraid of using other colors aside from beige and khaki. It is easily to get lost and houses are almost exactly the same.
As soon as I reached my villa, I was impressed by the place, it is quite larger the way I expected it, probably because I'm sharing with 14 other people. It is 3 storey villa with 6 bedrooms, a roof top and a private swimming pool. The whole villa has centralized air condition, fully furnished with high-tech appliances. I was quite disappointed with it's location. I was expecting it to be on a prime location, but the villa is quite located on an isolated place. There are no establishments near it including internet shops that is why it took me a long time to create this blog. there is only one hypermarket near it which is a 10-15 minutes walk.
Upon entering the villa, I was welcomed by my filipino housemate whom I'll be sharing a room with. he arrived there 3 weeks ago, there were only 4 of us filipinos at the villa, the other 11 are Egyptians. It is my first time to share flat with other nationality. I felt like I was inside big brother house teenternational hehehe.
The Egyptians are okay they are fun to be with, they are just very noisy and they outnumber us, as if they own the whole place. So far I don't have any problems with them. It just took me some time to memorize their names and distinguish one another because they all look the same to me.
After fixing my things, I had a small chat with my roommate and some of the Egyptians, afterwards I felt starving so I asked my roommate to help me go to market. It is 11am and temperature outside is like 40 degrees, there is no other way to reach the market other than walking. So whether we like it or not we went outside and took 10 minutes walking and oh my, I felt like i was on top of a barbeque grill! The sun is burning us like hell! That was my first time to walk under the heat of the sun. I just told myself, ''Welcome to Qatar!"
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