Halas!

This is it I think, my last post for this trip. I’m halas- finished, tired, had enough, want to go home. This last month has had some great highlights but has had some frustrations as well. My lost license has been a real issue for me. In Qatar I did a lot of the driving for the team because I was the one least likely to drink. Driving gives you some flexibility and independence. Not being able to drive has been an absolute frustration and very stressful. Because of this John has had to do the bulk of the driving. As he did very little in Qatar it takes a while to get the hang of things.
Another frustration has been the work. We have been helping sort people out and get them accommodated. There have been some really interesting situations that we have come across and working with the lads has been fun. But I’m missing the professional stimulation of my normal role in this part of the world. Today I hemmed and hung Sue’s curtains, fixed the gas connection to her new stove and changed her kitchen around. I fixed the lock on Ann’s door and sorted Alvin out with a masonry drill and plugs to hang pictures. I sorted out some documents and photos to get the Internet installed in the villas. I’m sort of over it. I’m also missing the Arabic connection. For the last month I’ve truly been expatriate. No real opportunity to interact with the Arab community. No way to develop language and culture. Its wedding season at the moment so after dinner I sat out on the lawn in the front of the hotel where the man side of a wedding was taking place. 150 emirati men from the two families singing and sharing food and drink. A few of the young men came across and were showing me their sword tossing. They were throwing these swords 5-6 metres in the air and catching them. One of them had a bleeding thumb and showed me where he hadn’t quite grabbed it right. He offered me a go but thought better of it. That’s pretty much been the sum of it for the last month.
It’s also a time of change. Sue stayed in Qatar. Julia and Colleen (Damien will be heading home for a while) are staying in Al Ain and John and myself are heading home. So the team is splitting. Having been very tight as a group for so long it will be hard getting use to not operating like that.
I’m also wanting to be home. I’m not looking forward to the cold to the 30 degree change in temperature. When people see me they’ll think I’ve put on weight. It will just be the five layers fo ice breaker I’ll have on.
So this is Halas. (Well I think it is) This has been the best adventure. I have come away from this with a completely different view of Arab /Muslim culture and living. It is well worth the journey. I feel completely at home in this part of the world. I have met some people who have truly changed my life up here. Really grateful to them.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the ride. I’m sure I’ll be back here soon
Massalama, salam aleykum
Heavyfish