Sunday 2 March 2008

Life in Doha cntd

I have not written for a while as we continue to roller coaster our way through being here. Jonah has decided that he doesn't like it at all even though he has been picked to go to Cairo for the track and field event next month and is going on an outdoor ed. trip to Thailand in a couple of weeks with his dad and some other members of the school. Even though he is being coached by one of the best tennis coaches around. Even though he has made some wonderful friends who invite him over for the night and who he loves. We are convinced that he is feeling guilty about making new friends and is confused about leaving his old friends behind- he worries that he might lose them all of course. So one evening he is staying at a beautiful mansion with his new Lebanese/Jordanian friends and the next he is shut up in his dark bedroom on the computer talking to his Australian friends being antisocial. They say living with a teenager is full of challenges and highs and lows. We will ride it out with him, knowing that there are some wonderful things for him to gain from this experience.
As I venture out into the society here I am learning about its multi-level nature. On the top of the pile are the very very rich Qatari people who are using their wealth to enrich their lives in a very positive way. They want to improve Qatar to ensure a strong future. In order to do this there are many, many workers here from many countries. Prominent seem to be Phillipines, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. We are meeting these lovely people in the guise of taxi drivers, builders, labourers, hairdressers, waiters, physiotherapists, nurses etc. They tell us that they sign a two year contract to come and work here for what does not seem a lot of money to us. They are accommodated in rather basic accommodation and even leave their children and spouse behind in order to send them money for education and such. Our Nepalese waiter told us that 1 QR is equal to 70 Rupi so he is happy to send money home to his mother and sister. Wherever you go you find a team of these people- the road workers are forever digging things up by hand to tile, pour foundations, etc. It is never-ending and I wonder how each day must feel to them with this endless toiling from dawn to dusk. And yet they are always smiling when you catch their eye. It feels as if this land of opportunity is benefitting all in some way. At least I hope so.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

jen, we are really enjoying your blog.i have been reading alot about Qatar.your blog is so descriptive and alive it conveys much more than basic words. thanks all good. say hello to the family

MrsP said...

I am so happy that someone is reading it! I am loving this exercise of writing my experiences.

Anonymous said...

I echo the other comment.

I feel for Jonah but I'm sure he'll soon settle into his amazing new lifestyle. Congratulate him on his selection for the Cairo meet and on already making friends in Dohar. I'm sure he'll manage to maintain his friendships from Ocean Shores as well. June will come quickly and the main thing is that you and Steve are aware of his
anguish

Love from Tassie Lynne

Love from Tassie Lynne