Wrote this in July 2013...
Never been to the Middle East before…can’t count the one
stop over I had in Dubai some years ago.
I was therefore more than excited to be visiting Doha –
capital city of Qatar….checked online for most affordable tickets and of course
Etihad came out tops. Booked ticket and was ready to go. The flight was some 4 hours to Abu Dhabi,
stop over for two hours then less than one hour flight to Doha. We were late
leaving Nairobi and so this two hour stop in Abu Dhabi was compromised….reached
well, and ran to next stop, but by the time we reached there we had already
been bumped off since our bags ‘could not make it in time’. Long and short of it is that flight was to be
at 9.50pm and I ended up in the one at 4.55am!!
Anyways, less than one hour later we were in Doha, it has
one hour time difference with Abu dhabi, but same time as Nairobi. Looking out
of the plane, the sun has already risen and all I can see is miles and miles of
desert….reclaimed into this city. From the plane took a long bus ride to next
stop where were to alight and go to baggage claim (at least my bag was
there!)….Sam was on hand to meet me…was so tired didn’t notice much of the
airport…..took a taxi driven by a Kenyan with an interesting twang (wonder about that)….apparently there are many
Kenyans here who drive for this government owned taxi company called Karwa. Not
far to where Sam stays…I was so tired, as soon as Sam took off to work I slept
like a baby!! That evening we took a walk around the place…..still warm in the
evening…..but better that mid day of course. Next day was Thursday and I
basically watched movies as Sam was still at work. Evening we went to this
hotel that had a Kenyan night with none other than DJ Joe Mfalme of Capital FM
spinning the decks….was great!! Many Kenyans!! And I realise that most are so
young….around 25 years!! For sure watu hutafuta mbali!!
Friday there is no work for Sam…and anyways since we slept
at 4am, half the day was spent recovering….later in the day we went to this
massive shopping mall called Villagio……….wow….yaani, don’t know what to
say…..let’s just say it was impressive….many women are veiled, but many also
are not….was worried may have to wear long robes only!! There are many
Philipinoes and Indians…with their families…….the mall has an ice rink…..and
the aircon is so low, you would need a sweater!! The shops are the usual brands
found in malls…men are walking around with long white robes and head gear that
make them look like royalty!! …this is the last weekend before ramadhan starts
and maybe that’s why its so full of people…..on leaving of course as we wait
for taxi, we can see all manner of cars in the parking bay of the mall….i mean,
wanapenda GMC sanaaaaaaaaaaa……….plus all manner of posh cars…aiiii…evidence of
wealth is all around….
Sato, same drill….back to the mall to complete the mission.
I love malls, that’s all am gonna say!! Anyways, Sunday work for sam, so spent
day packing and watching movies….had
carried over 70 movies for Sam thanks to Weety & Jose….to the
airport at midnight, flight at 4am reached Nairobi at nearly 2pm…summary, don’t
say the sun is out there here……huko uarabuni, the sun and its people come out
to play daily!!!
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