My hesitant farewell

It has now been a little over two weeks since I arrived back in the US.  I can't believe that it has already been a year since I first got off of the plane for my new adventure in Qatar.   What I then considered an 'Uneasy arrival' quickly became a place that I called home with people that I called family.

I will never regret the decision that I made to move to Qatar.  It was the best decision and risk that I have ever taken in my entire life.  I have grown more both professionally and personally in these 12 months than I have in the last 25 years of my life.  Though it was a challenge to the person that I was, it has now made me a stronger individual and I now truly believe that ANYONE can do ANYTHING as long as you submerge your entire self into it. 

From bargaining with street vendors in the souq to riding jet skis in the Persian Gulf, Qatar touched my heart.  I may have complained about the annoying traffic, desert heat, and abscence of social activities for a mid-twenty year old woman...but the country and its culture became a part of me.

The morning that I departed from Qatar, I was a total mess.  Tears streaming down my face.  I said goodbye to one of my very best friends, whom I met in Qatar, and also said goodbye to my home.  On the way to the airport, I felt sick at my stomach.  Was I making the right decision to leave?  I rolled down the windows in the taxi and watched the tall buildings and palm trees fly past me.  Would this be the last time I see these places that had become a part of my everyday life?  I cried the entire ride to the airport, through airport security, and didn't stop until I buckled the safety belt in my seat on the plane.  I am sure spectators thought a family member had died or my boyfriend broke up with me.  They certaintly didn't think 'She's leaving Qatar to go home to the USA'.  For the next 14 hours I contemplated over the decision that I had made to come home.  Was it the right one?

As I look back on my 2011 in Qatar, I see it in three stages.  I first came to the country on business, with a specific job to do.  I had it in my mind that I would stay for a my 10 months then get out of that desert peninsula. I then met people who welcomed me into their lives and homes, and I could call these people friends.  It wasn't until I was leaving the country that I realized these 'friends' had become my family.  They were my support system, my shoulder to cry on, and my mentors for guidance.  I could not have made it even a month in Qatar without the amazing people that I met during my stay.  There are good people everywhere in the world, but there are lots in Qatar.  I promise you that.

I definitely hesitated when saying goodbye to Qatar.  It was more difficult than I ever imagined.  And though I am happy to be around friends and family back in North Carolina, I miss that dusty Doha skyline and the greasy shawarma that I could get for three bucks.  Like I said, going to Qatar was the best decision that I have ever made.  I hope my records during my stay helped you to understand the country a little bit better.  The Middle East is a region of the world that has so much history and so much spirit; if you ever get the opportunity to explore it, I encourage you to do it.  For a certain fee, I may even be your tour guide.  :)

Thank you Doha. 

Celebrating a dream.

Last Thursday, the FIFA committee announced something that many thought was just a dream- Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup!

 As a resident of Qatar, I have been a victim of the marketing campaign that has plastered the country with posters, billboards, car stickers, and soccer balls over the last year. Since I have arrived, the slogan ‘Expect Amazing’ (the marketing phrase for Qatar’s bid) has been engraved in my mind. If you check out the bid, you will agree, Qatar is promising an ‘amazing’ event. Their website: http://www.qatar2022bid.com/
 

Though their promise was like a dream, many of us felt that Qatar would not be chosen because of one key factor- the summer heat. How will the players survive games in the 130 degrees F summer? Well, air-conditioned stadiums of course. Last Thursday, the citizens of Qatar waited anxiously for the evening announcement. Crowds gathered in the main souq, the bay area, and around the Khalifa stadium. I was sitting in my apartment with the windows open when I heard it- an explosion of car horns and voices. I knew immediately that Qatar had won the bid and the 2022 World Cup will be a significant part of Arab history. It will be the first World Cup to be hosted in a Muslim, Middle Eastern, and Arab country.

 Maybe you’re curious as to how the Arabs celebrate without that beverage that we all know and love. Do not worry, they celebrate plenty without it. Immediately after the announcement, cars flooded the bay area of the capital city, Doha. Qatari nationals were standing on the tops of their cars and shooting silly string as they paraded through the city. Small fireworks were being set off from every 1 out of 3 vehicles. Horns blowing, loud cheering, tears of happieness, and flags flying started at 6:30pm and lasted for the next three days.

 

Almost one week after the announcement, citizens across the country have plastered their cars with pictures of the Emir holding the FIFA bid award. Some have even spray painted their cars with ‘Qatar 2022’. I don’t have to tell you that this is a HUGE deal here. I have never seen the people of Qatar so happy and full of excitement…but then again I have never been here for Qatar National Day, which is coming up very soon. 

 I am happy for Qatar. I don’t plan on staying here until 2022, but I would love to come back and see the result of this promise of 50 billion dollars to create the most amazing World Cup ever.

Qatar 2022.