Just a forenote: During my time out here in Doha, I thought it would be a nice idea to document my day by day experiences in a diary blog. This way, those I hold dear to me can follow my journey from back home and well it allows me to get my thoughts out! This is something I never thought i'd ever be doing but the is also the start of something very exciting for me of which I am sure will be an experience to remember if nothing else! So without further a dew let us begin!!!
Day 0: Arrival in Doha
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So today at 17:05 local time I arrived into the New Doha International Airport arrival hall to start my new life as a civil engineer and first thoughts....wow it hot! Wearing full chinos,a t-shirt,a jumper and an extra thick long coat, I wasn't best dressed to handle the 25°C climate! None the less passing though the custom checks smoothly it wasn't long before I received my first taste of Arab hospitality.
With the arrival of my luggage on the carousel, an airport attendant saw the heavy sticker and insisted on carrying it for me! He asked for nothing in return and wouldn't accept a tip; he just told me he was happy to help! Better yet on arrival the the Merweb transfer window, again the operator behind showed me to the car carrying this time all of my luggage. I mean i'm only economy class guys no need for this kind of treatment!
Even my driver was very polite and helpful and even took the time to show me a few local landmarks and attempt to explain national day on the 18th to me! His English wasn't great my Arabic is non existent so there was A LOT of comical non understood agreement between us, however it was very welcoming none the less.
From what I got of the National Day Celebrations, it was the date when the modern day state of Qatar was founded.....may need to check this one out! Apparently there are lots of celebrations and firework displays happening along the cornice "sea front" so will have to head down there and get some good photos!
Arriving at the Merweb hotel in the Al Sadd region was equally as welcoming.....yes I still have not carried a single on of my bags! I didn't take long to settle in when it was time for dinner! This in itself made me laugh that the company had booked me in and had only provided breakfast.....yeah moved to Qatar for you guys, dinner after a 7 hour plane journey wouldn't have gone a miss, I even had to sign a declaration declaring that I would eat only the breakfast on company expense!!! This said 65QR or around £13 got me a mammoth and very tasty three course buffet meal that hit the spot nicely!
Overall pretty good arrival in Doha, I must say although this has left me with the decision about what to do tomorrow......I think a December sunbathe by the pool is on the cards, sorry guys...enjoy the err ice and rain and all that!
Goodbye,
Sean
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