First Impressions

Hello everyone! This is going to be a long one, so feel free to skim read if you need to! I’m here, unpacked and sweaty!

Just before takeoff in CHCH

 Leaving Christchurch was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I did manage to have a total breakdown when I did my final pack and I was about 15kg over my already generous limit of 30kg checked and 7kg cabin. I had to be even more brutal than I had already been and managed to get down to 35kg checked and probably about 12ish kg cabin, which I was stressed about the whole way, but they never weighed it.

I got pretty upset when I said goodbye to Kitten and when I left Mum and Dad and went through customs I managed to produce actual tears. Christchurch to Sydney was great. I had four seats to myself, but in Sydney the plane filled up and I sat next to this absolutely horrific guy. The first thing he did was throw a hissy that he wasn't in a window seat, hit me in the head with his suitcase while he was having a tantrum about the seat, took up half my foot space the entire time (15hrs), smelt funny, was extremely demanding of the air-people (A+ for PCness) and once actually fell asleep ON me.

Bankok Airport

I enjoyed the stopovers, it was great to get off the plane and walk around, and rehydrate. The most exciting part of the trip was on our approach to Dubai, we were just about to land, and the plane revved and shot up into the air. Some of the luggage racks opened and everyone looked around nervously. Turns out we were coming down right on another planes tail.

Dubai Airport

At Dubai I had some “fun”. I managed to get lost on my way to the gate, and then waited in a massive line to go through the checkpoints – it must have been busier than usual because they rushed us through without taking out laptops and liquids. I had to go into a wee kiosk with a lady to get a very intimate pat down – she even checked my underwire. Then I had to use a squat toilet, which I remember from Singapore and Malaysia, but it has been a very long time! At the gate it was fairly easy to pick out potential workmates, and we began to introduce ourselves.

At Doha Airport

On the flight to Doha I was excited to see the landscape as I had a window seat – which was an up-feed-down 40 min quickie. Unfortunately I was right on the wing, but I had great views when we were on the ground. I saw them cleaning the windows of Dubai Airport (which is MASSIVE and is pretty much all windows).

Doha Airport was unusual – the planes land quite far away from the terminal and you are bussed from the plane to the terminal. Customs was very un-stressful, thank goodness, and I managed ok with my massive amounts of luggage. We were greeted by a few people, one of who (I realised later) is my principal, and were taken by bus to our compounds.

Doha City from one of the major ring roads

The compound is entirely occupied my colleagues at my specific school, and to get to work I leave my apartment, walk down a flight of stairs, out my door, turn left, walk about 50m, go through a gate, and voila! So very convenient! Unfortunately nothing else is in easy walking distance, and you don’t want to go far in the heat (37° right now which is 3pm). The closest supermarket is about 10/15 min walk away which is fine if you just want bread, but you have to buy water here and it’s a bit extreme to walk that in the heat with heavy groceries. I have also been to a supermarket in one of the malls and the food was much, much better there and they had a huge selection so I imagine I will taxi to the supermarket once a week.

My apartment is ok. Its huge and all tiled beautifully so it will be easy to clean, but the furniture is very kit-set and not in the best condition. I have 3 air conditioners and the world’s weirdest shower. If I turn it on and I’m not standing in front of it the water goes straight into the toilet. (Apartment photos down below for the extra curious! J)

I am getting to know people, I’m still really tired and out of sync so I’ve been struggling to do stuff at night, but yesterday I went on a city tour arranged by the school, which was great, and tonight I am going to the city souq with a few people. I just hope I stay awake!

Villaggio's Mall - Venetian themed, with a
river and gondola running through the middle

I had a major milestone today – after psyching myself up I rang a taxi company, went to ‘Villaggio’ – the most famous mall in Doha, did a huge shop and taxied home. I find the accents very hard to understand, but everyone I talked to today was very understanding and lovely. The mall was incredible, but I didn’t go far, as I could tell from the outside how absolutely massive it was and I didn’t want to be tempted to shop for anything but the items on my list (Linda will be proud). It is also Ramadan, so Muslims are fasting while the sun is up so all cafes and restaurants have to be shut, and I cant eat or drink (not even water) anywhere but in private. The shop I went to was half supermarket, half Kmart or Warehouse. The supermarket was just lovely, but the home wares and clothes etc. were not of the best quality. I saw a few items all the way from NZ and got the warm fuzzies, and managed to get all the things I needed – coat hangers and towels and hooks and pegs and an extension chord etc.

Tomorrow is my first scheduled school induction. Not too sure what to expect, but I am so excited to see inside the school and meet colleagues who have taught there before. Also (for the teachers) I have it confirmed that we have interactive whiteboards in every classroom and a 80% contact day! Very exciting. Teachers are given times and they are expected to leave at that time, not spend personal hours in class.

So far it has been a bit daunting here, with the heat and it being hard to get out and do things, but everyone is friendly and inclusive, and I am already beginning to recognise some landmarks and learn some names. I’m not homesick, and I am still just very excited that I have made this decision. I’ve been a bit useless about taking photos, but I will make an effort to be more proactive!

Missing everyone! Lots of Love

xx

NZ Lamb

NZ Kiwifruit

My Bedroom from my bed. LOVE the pink duvet. It's like they know me. :D

My huge lounge from the entrance way

The shower. SO WIERD. So far I use the tap more than the
 shower head, as it is fixed on in that position.
Though I might not have to clean the loo as often!

Big Kitchen. View 1

View 2

Looking from the lounge towards the door.

Front door (#18)

Outside. Mine is the closest on the right, there is one more you
can't see and it is mirrored on the other side of the cars.
I am standing in front of the gym and pool and the service desk.
The gate is about 10 steps  behind me.

The gate

Just through the gate. I'm a bit too timid to explore the school yet -
so will put up more photos  next time. Getting to go in tomorrow though!