I think all the negativity scared me off
I joined QL just over a month and a bit back to get a better understanding of Qatar, the environment, the culture, social life, and Qatar nationals.
I think I found out more than I should have tinged with tone and tons of negativity about the conduct of nationals and also what can and cannot be done in Qatar. Now don't get me wrong. I am not Criticising Qatar nationals or the rules that govern their country. Each to his own and who am I to knock another culture.
I looked. listened, read and analysed and came to one conclusion. Qatar is not for me. Yes, I live in a violent country, and run the risk of getting shot, hijacked, mugged, robbed...etc ...etc.
The positives are that I do not have to leave my son behind, that I can date whomever I want and that if I stand in line, no one is going to push to the front (not if that person values their looks anyway).
I have not given up though, in that I still would like to experience Qatar or Dubai. JUST NOT RIGHT NOW!
Cheers and good luck to you all.
Airport Game Lodge
21 Fourth Rd Bredell , 1625 Kempton Park
on 17th for one night if you want to meet up for a beer!
---------------------------------------
Baldrick - Qatar's answer to Google ;o)
I am in JHB
fatcat:How can u even think abt leaving? Not fair!!
(Who's gonna get me past bouncers...boo.hooo...)
As Tallg said you make a life changing decision based on a web site... that is just a big cop out!
You just are happy in your comfort zone which is fine and I envy you but please dont say its because of us.
Be truthful.
I love Qatar and if you follow QL you must have read a lot of good stuff to.
Baldrie, please don't forget to try some bobotie. Yummy.
After all, you did raise your own 15 negative impressions about Qatar in your previous thread "Is my understanding of Qatar correct" on 5.8.08!!! ;-) I suspect you had doubts from the outset.... Life seems particularly tough and unnatural out here for bachelors and leaving your son behind would have been a real heart-wrencher. IMHO, one always knows if the decision reached is the right one......by the sense of relief you feel afterwards.
I'm in Jo'Burg, Welkom and Cape Town from 17th to 30th - I'll tell you over a Castle :o)
---------------------------------------
Baldrick - Qatar's answer to Google ;o)
Look me up and you can tell me in person what an idiot I am... lol
Sounds yum Fatcat... Thanks gem. :)
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
labda, braai is barbeque. No, it's better than barbeque, lol.
LOL. And what pray tell is braai? :)
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
Just as long as there is steak on the braai and rugby on the telly ... lol
Hey Bliksem, if you ever do come round I know someone who will be more than happy to make pap for you...Best wishes to you.
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
Guess I made a mistake, but it is a mistake that I will accept. Like I said, everuthing happend for a reason. I am not sure what the reason for this is, but, I do trust that there is a higher authority that is guiding me...
Best of luck to all
Salaam Bliksem
I love it here too, and don't want to leave. In fact my last job was 'Qatarized' and I got kicked out of the country, but like a homeing pigeon I found my way back. Despite all the kicks in the teeth I stil come back for more.
But at the end of the day, you're moving country. It's not going to be easy. And it's not going to be easy to change your mind and go home. So you need to be sure that this is right place for you. I don't want to counsel someone to go against their gut and move to a country like this unless they really know that if they aren't already dead keen on the idea, that they at least know that they are the adaptable sort of person who will make it home.
Abu's right. People are far more likely to post and discuss negative things than positive, so you really shouldn't base decisions on experiences from an internet forum.
Personally I love this place, it can get trying at times, but hey, so can home!
Visit www.qatarhappening.com
I think Bilksem made the right decision.
If you have any lingering doubt about whether moving country is the right decision or not, then err on the side of caution and stay home.
The last thing you would want to do is arrive here, make some criticism about the local country/people/lifestyle/culture/etc and then suffer a torrent of abuse for being racist or something.
This place isn't for the faint of heart.
Bliksem... I came from Joburg 5 months ago. There are a lot of bad things about Qatar but there are a lot of good things. I'm heart broken that I might need to go back soon.
:)
Bilksem good luck then..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heard your wife left you,
How upset you must be.
But don't fret about it...
She moved in with me.
by now you would find tallg drinking coffee with lemon.
[img_assist|nid=73057|title=.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]
many thanks for the kind words Haunted... I must admit it was not an easy decision to make, but now that I have done so, it has taken a load off my mind
You really shouldn't go through life making major decisions based on what you read on one internet forum.
I'll be over in SA on 17th to sample your way of life for a couple of weeks.
Of course you are only gonna see the bad when you ask people who are only visiting here what it is like. People like to complain!
As Scotia said, come visit!
---------------------------------------
Baldrick - Qatar's answer to Google ;o)
Good idea.. Why don't we visit you for a vacation and then you can take it from there:o)
I really should have visited before turning down the offer. However, things happen for a reason...lol
don't let others do the thinking or living for you but I understand you want to stay with your son. It's too bad you couldn't persuade ex because it sounds safer here than there from what you've said. Wish you and son well.
I think when you read all the hype etc it can give off the wrong picture! I went over for a hoilday first and i love the place!
Everywhere you go it is what you make it!
Why not come here for a visit and find out for yourself what it's like?
Oi! Be nice...
---------------------------------------
Baldrick - Qatar's answer to Google ;o)