Staying at the Oryx lounge at Doha aiport was such a good idea. 10 hours at the airport was daunting at first but I slept most of the time in the comfy chair. I'd wake up now and then to use the internet and eat some crazy desserts. I'm so glad they have computers here because I left my laptop cord back in Pu Wiang.. Anyway, there's also this sweet coffee machine. I'm going to go eat more free food and relax. I'll head to my gate in about an hour and I'll fly home (sweet home!). I hope my luggage doesn't get lost somewhere in the Middle East...
P.S. Big thanks to Taurin for letting me know that I didn't have to rough it at the airport or pay for a $500 hotel to get a few hours of sleep. I had such good layover here at Doha but this couple seriously did not: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/connieyc/1/1207474800/tpod.html
I feel like they had all sorts of wrong information. U.S. citizens can get visa on arrival but we don't have to get a visa to stick around the airport. There are nice free sleeping quiet rooms with comfy chairs (it was kind of crowded so I didn't stay there), prayer rooms, various other facilities like the Oryx lounge (where I stayed and there is a shower here so no one has to be smelly).
In conclusion, internet is great and so is Taurz. Please buy me a fresh sandwich!
6/22/2008
Qatar!
So I'm here at Doha, Qatar again. I arrived around Sunday 11 PM Doha time = Monday 3 AM Bangkok time = Saturday 4 PM DC time
All I know is that I am going to be incredibly jet-lagged when I finally get home! I have no idea how I am going to be awake for my summer classes. Oh god physics.. I'll worry about that later. For now, I am concerned that I have a very long time here in Qatar which is cool but exhausting. Waiting is exhausting. You have to wait around constantly at airports. Waiting alone is lonely. Which reminds me..
Everyone in Qatar has been so friendly and nice! I met this cool Persian/Qatarian (is that how you say that?) family really randomly. Ever since I lost my cell phone somewhere between Cambodia and Vietnam, I've been asking around for time a lot (as in, I'm really good at pointing at my wrist). Well, I asked this man in front of me and it led to a conversation which led to other conversations. And then I met his whole family (well, his wife was really quiet and hiding in the cloak so I couldn't really see her face either). His kids (12 year old boy and a 14 year old girl) started feeding me snacks and talked to me about everything. The boy really wanted to talk about soccer and I am proud to say I held up my side of the conversation because I've been following the games as of late! Well, actually. I've been sort of watching the games because I can't understand anything else on television and soccer is one of the only sports I get really into watching. I tried to watch Thai soap operas and I tried to watch game shows but I just can't understand the language enough to enjoy them.
My brain is going dead now. I'm at the first class lounge. It's pretty nice. But some guy keeps talking to me. He has poor flirting skills. His lines are so weak! I have to save all my best lines for Taurz. Soon! Well, I think I'm going to go to sleep.
All I know is that I am going to be incredibly jet-lagged when I finally get home! I have no idea how I am going to be awake for my summer classes. Oh god physics.. I'll worry about that later. For now, I am concerned that I have a very long time here in Qatar which is cool but exhausting. Waiting is exhausting. You have to wait around constantly at airports. Waiting alone is lonely. Which reminds me..
Everyone in Qatar has been so friendly and nice! I met this cool Persian/Qatarian (is that how you say that?) family really randomly. Ever since I lost my cell phone somewhere between Cambodia and Vietnam, I've been asking around for time a lot (as in, I'm really good at pointing at my wrist). Well, I asked this man in front of me and it led to a conversation which led to other conversations. And then I met his whole family (well, his wife was really quiet and hiding in the cloak so I couldn't really see her face either). His kids (12 year old boy and a 14 year old girl) started feeding me snacks and talked to me about everything. The boy really wanted to talk about soccer and I am proud to say I held up my side of the conversation because I've been following the games as of late! Well, actually. I've been sort of watching the games because I can't understand anything else on television and soccer is one of the only sports I get really into watching. I tried to watch Thai soap operas and I tried to watch game shows but I just can't understand the language enough to enjoy them.
My brain is going dead now. I'm at the first class lounge. It's pretty nice. But some guy keeps talking to me. He has poor flirting skills. His lines are so weak! I have to save all my best lines for Taurz. Soon! Well, I think I'm going to go to sleep.
6/21/2008
I'm here in Bangkok now! I wanted to post photographs and everything but I forgot my laptop cord back in Pu Wiang. My laptop is now out of battery...
It's good to be in the city again. I was really surprised by how much Thai I can understand and speak now. It's not that much but it's so much more than the last time I was here. I can even follow conversations pretty well! I wish I had more time here. So many good people with such warm hearts. Too many goodbyes!
It's good to be in the city again. I was really surprised by how much Thai I can understand and speak now. It's not that much but it's so much more than the last time I was here. I can even follow conversations pretty well! I wish I had more time here. So many good people with such warm hearts. Too many goodbyes!
6/19/2008
Goodbye! Goodbye!
I'll write more once I get into the city tomorrow but I am overwhelmed with all the farewells. I can't believe just how close I have gotten with so many people here. Everyone keeps crying and I am giving lots of Sewon hugs.
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