Starting fresh...

Today was the first official day at school; after the first week of orientation when we were not very productive, because not a lot of things happen during Ramadan, I finally got to go into my classroom and set it up.. or at least I've done something. Some people were taken for their medicals, some were taken to get their driver licenses ... I stood behind which I was not too happy about... you feel a bit left out when that happens... to find out this evening that the girls just sat on the bus while the guys did their medical and only 3 of them succeeded to actually get everything done. At least I got things done at school.

I am not complaining, but trying to get back into the Arab schedule; being Ramadan doesn't help either! Anyway, things are starting to fall into place.

I am richly enjoying my new flat - which is brand new - I have pretty much everything I need, I met a lot of new people and getting to know them. I baked tonight - banana bread - and it actually turned perfect! I know somebody who would be proud of me! Maite made salad, Vicki made falafel, Anita had more salad and pasta and Kimberly made rice curry. We got together at Anita's house, which is in the building next to mine. We had such a lovely time together!!!

People seem very nice and friendly - there's 24 of us, the newbies like Chris calls us! :) We were well taken care of and shown around; every morning the bus comes to pick us up from our buildings to take us to school or wherever we need to get.

Suitcases, packing, traveling

I do not like packing – it takes me a whole day to pack when I have an important journey, such as moving to a new country; what to take, what not to take, what will I find there, what is difficult/expensive to buy? I spent Friday packing, with my mum around telling me not to forget so and so and driving me insane, because every time I heard her I freaked out: “Oh no, not another thing to fit into my suitcase – or should I say not another thing to add to the 20 kg baggage allowance!”

I left Egypt in June with two suitcases and a backpack after I packed 7 boxes to ship to my new destination – Qatar! How long did it take me to pack 7 boxes?? Days!!! Don’t even want to get into that! I arrived home and spent the 4 weeks of my summer at my mum’s, sorting out some business and living off two suitcases… not fun! After that the traveling began…. Unpack one suitcase, pack it again go to Ireland! Come back, unpack, pack again, go to the mountains; come back, unpack, pack again, off to Germany…. My mum kept putting my things in the suitcases that were laying in the room…. This gives a new meaning to “living off a suitcase”! And now pack again and go to Qatar!

So here I am again, this time only with a suitcase and a carry on ready to head off to Doha, my next home for the next… who knows how many years?! I always freak out over the weight of my luggage and I couldn’t sleep last night and probably I will not sleep tonight either… At least I will be at Cristina and we can stay up late, have tea and chat… unless she leaves me in the kitchen while trying to put Gloria to bed and she falls asleep too! J

I am excited I am flying Qatar Airways – they say it is one of the best airlines! With 20 kg baggage allowance … I’m not sure about that now! L Anyway, this is going to be an exciting and long trip – fly to Munich first and then back this way to Doha; it’s interesting how you fly out of your way or in the opposite direction to get to a place and it is cheaper!

Alright.. I promised my mum we’d make pizza today before I leave….