1st week anniversary in Doha

Time flies so fast that I just realised that I am already here for a week now. Breathing in its dusty air, shower in its hot 'cold' water and being so remote from all the familiar faces in my life. Adaptability is the key to survive and enjoy this place. I accepted it as it is and savour the beauty behind its barren land, never ending constructionsites and its cloudless skies.

Work

I work for RasGas, a major LNG producer in Qatar. It owns and operates one of the largest LNG plants in the world at Ras Laffan. There are currently 5 trains in operation. They are currently building another 2 trains in RGX2 Expansion project. I am working with the Special Projects team of the expansion project. Indolent is not a choice. Everything is urgent here. Time really is an essence. You cannot give an excuse that you are new and need time to grasp the whole new system. You have to jump into the bandwagon right away. I for example was called into a project meeting the very moment I reported for duty last Sunday. They already had my name printed to the 'person in charge' sheet. There is an urgent tender to be issued. They were actually expected me to join the company on the last 6 October. I was struggling with their work procedures and systems. My contract advisor just gave me a quick induction to the work system and expect me to understand them there and then. Its tiring and stressfull. But this is what they pay me for, so I shall not whine. I have to wake up at 4.50 am to catch a bus at 5.30 am every morning. Ras Laffan Industrial City is located some 90 km north of Doha. The commute will take approximately an hour. Its a boring commute with just dessert along the way. The vast dessert is only interupted by some towns of Simaisma, Al Daayen and Al Khor.

Never ending dessert on the way to work

RasGas Plant (Old pic)

My office, there even a desk for discussions

Accommodation

I am currently staying at Ezdan Hotel & Suites, in a massive 3 bedrooms apartment. But the place is way too big for my liking. It makes me feels lonely and at QAR16k/month, it punches a big hole in my pocket. I will move to a more decent one bedroom apartment in Bin Omran suburb on 16 November 2008. The rent for this new place is QAR 8500/month.

Ezdan from the bay

My heavenly bed. zzzz

More pictures of my house here

Friends

I haven't make many friends in a week. My closest friend is Asfaezi aka Kaduk who I know since college. He is the only real friend that I have so far. People at work are just colleagues. I guess people here are just go to work without any intention of socialising. I have lunch by myself every day, seat among strangers and be anonymous.

My other close to call friends are:

• Fatema : Coordinator from LA Recruitment, she is someone I turn to if I need anything for matters regarding settling down and onboarding
• Adam : An agent from Homes2Rent, the agent for new my apartment
• Zal : Who I know from blogesphere, but he is currently in USA covering the US election and have not met
• Fawzi : A guy I know from Qatar Living who was nice to call and meet me and Kaduk for dinner and took us sightseeing to Al Wakra Beach.
  
  

With Asfaezi aka Kaduk at Sharq Village

Food

I add couple of inches to my tummy since I got to Doha. The food here are very good with a lot of varieties. They have everything here to cater all taste buds including Malaysian alas double or tripple from what you usually pay at home. All fastfood, Restaurants and Cafe' chains are well represented. My favourites are Krispy Kreme, Hardees, Applebees, Chilis, Dairy Queen and Subway. Even the food at RasGas canteen are comparable to a 5 star hotel, for QAR 2o you will be spoilt for choice.

Sights

Apart from the never ending construction sites, Doha actually has many interesting and unique places worth checking out. The Corniche is the main attraction in the city. This broad esplanade goes miles and miles along Doha Bay from habour near the city centre all the way to Wes Bay. It is very popular among the locals and expats alike. There are many beautiful buildings old or modern around the city. The most striking is the spanking Qatar Islamic Art Museum which is due to open next month and Qatar Centre for Presentation of Islam (QCPI).

QCPI

Qatar Museum of Islamic Art

Al Wakra Beach

West Bay from accros the bay

More pictures of Doha and Qatar here

Weather

It is winter now in Qatar so the weather is perfect. Cool and dry, but the strong wind will chill you to the bone especially at night.

Shop

Shopping is the main past time activity here in Doha. They have many big shopping malls and traditional souqs. Just bring your fat wallet and you can find anything. My favourites are Villagio Mall, Souq Waqif, City Centre Mall and Landmark Mall. You can find Virgin Megastores (Books and music), The One (furniture store), BHS, and plenty designer labels boutiques here.

Souq Waqif

Villagio

People

Doha is a very cosmopolitant city. The population is just over a million with foreiners contribute the bulk of it. You may see many local plutocrats dressed in sleek traditional robes with their big fancy cars milling along western and african and asian expats. Qatar may be is world's highest percapita income but among the rich there are many foreign labours struggling to fulfill their most rudimentary needs.

The thing that I hate the most here is the attitude of the local drivers. They are simply impatient to a point of being rude. Coming from Malaysia, I am accustomed to road bullies and selfish drivers, but Qatari drivers are more devilish and should I say stupid. Imagine you stuck in a traffic jam, and suddenly there's a big 4 wheelies at the back honking and give you lights demanding you to move out of the way. One more thing, the expect you to move the moment the lights turn green. They will start honking if you late for a split second. What the f**k. I like Kaduk's remark about these people. He says 'Muka boleh tahan macam orang beriman tapi perangai macam syaitan kabeer'.

The locals may be seen as snobish but they are actually quite congenial when you get to know them. Well that's what I heard. I dont know for sure as I dont know any locals yet.

How long will I call this place home? I dont know. But I am sure to make the best out of it.

More pictures of my first week in Doha here