Dear readers: This referrers to the year 2006 as we bid adieu to India and flew to Qatar finding our bread after the oil here. From the garden city Bangalore to the desert of Qatar.
It was that red winged Gulf Airlines that I flew on from the Garden City of India to this Desert called Doha, my home for past 7 years. Only off late I have stopped abusing the airlines that delayed the take off by more than an hour, in turn logged me in mess of missing my transit flight to Doha. A frenzy 24 hours in two other gulf states, courtesy airlines, with my toddler, feeding her whatsoever available in the airports, finally landed in Doha Airport in the middle of winter February night. The real part of new me in new place began in black and white.
After a hustle bustle of so called journey, the arrival in Doha International Airport even today sends in that very air in me. I can stand there blinking at the very sight that went blur to my sight that day, with same propensity even now. People weren't running, instead appeared calm, no noise. Huge built Arabs with utmost respect to women like me with child in hand, greeted. Most attires around were either white[men] or full black [women]. Some hardly showed their eyes. My heart fainted with respect shown to ladies, in the airport. Waiver of long queues was big relief. Remember unlike in Bangalore airport not one apart from porter bothered to notice I was managing 12kg handbag with 12kg baby with me.
Once out of airport, and into the fancy grey SUV, I smiled to myself. Welcome to Doha reverberated in my ears. As we pulled off, felt an urge to use the seat belt at the rear seat too. Nevertheless, eyes stuck to broad, good roads that seemed like neatly laid car showroom. Only that the cars kept moving. There were hardly any signs of two wheeler, auto rickshaws, or honking over crowded buses or speeding trucks. A short ride took us to grand villa in midst of city.
Operating from Qatar officially. Life was getting normal. New routines volunteered. Mornings were beautiful, be it Bangalore or Doha. But sun was shining more here. Did not like it though. There weren't those crows too. Also, I had started missing the morning milk man who rang the shrill bell at 5 am, I had once hated.
Few days before settling with a job routine, it was uneasy not to find a cockroach, a fly or a lizard to chase. Neither was that strolling street vendor selling fresh veggies. Hence, the bonus was a brand new car all for myself. I had to proudly show it off to my people in India. Yes. All for myself, remember.
Shades of life had changed. From colorful India to black and white. From busy streets to calm ones.
It took us few months getting acquainted to their accent and tone. While at times I felt that two Arab men were quarreling, they were actually holding a polite discussion. At times I occasionally found a car coming to screeching halt on a main road, just to politely make way for me to cross. This was bliss. A constant fear on the Bangalore roads if a BMTC bus would almost run over me was overcome by the super respect walker received in this Arab country. I liked this, though not the absence of lizards in the house! Phew. I grew up watching them.


Life moved on, as we descended from the colourful garden city into the black and white desert. Now, I could put on a badge myself, a name to honour, pat my back and say "I am an Gulfi". At times my heart leaped to Bangalore, but would return promptly at the very thought of the noisy streets, quarrelsome auto drivers, or the salivating street dogs outside your gate.This isn't all. Yet a glimpse of an overview.
Cheers,
Sush
Proud Gulfi.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you absolutely.I used to travel to the Middle East very often on business trips.
But then,it used to be more to do with bringing back shopping or converting Exchange to INR.
I realise ,ME must have changed now and you are enjoying best of India and Doha.
Best of luck
You bet Sir. I'd say the life here is much more preferable but for few social compromises which can be compensated. Indian expats account to 60% here.
DeleteI would love to come to Doha !! but tell them not to wake me up at 4am through their prayer :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sush,
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This is totally different sushma which i know ... such a beautiful way of expression ... now you are really gulfi writer... Best of luck keep posting
ReplyDelete