Dont Ask, Dont Tell

It's going to take every bone in my body not to gain weight in Turkey. Their food is so delicious. But, its so full of carbs and rich oils. Everything I have had so far has been so delicious. I bought bread at the market on the way home from work because I was craving it. I don't know what it is about Turkish bread but Im addicted.

Our school has the most wonderful lunches. I bet you never thought you would hear school, lunch and wonderful in the same sentence. But I have to be honest, lunch is one of the highlights of my day. Hey, call me what you want but this is my year off from life and Im not passing up a good Turkish meal. I will work it off at some other time.lol.

Anyhow, I was eating this delicious Turkish stew on Friday. Absolutely, loved it. The meat was so tender. So, the teachers and I were sitting around talking about the Eid Holiday. Its a holiday celebrated in the Muslim religion. She was explaining to me how Eid is about sharing and helping the poor and in their religion there is this concept of killing a sheep, cooking it and sharing it with the poor. So, I reply "that's gross". Then, she goes well you don't eat sheep and I said "NO"! Then she replies "Well, that's what you were eating at lunch on Friday". I couldn't do anything but laugh lol. So my new theory is if I dont ask then please dont tell. 

On the Midnight Plane to.....

The next step on my quest of traveling the world....Gaziantep, Turkey. I arrived to Gaziantep just three days ago. I stepped off the plane to the most foreign feeling I have ever felt. A Chill!!!!! I stepped of the plane and I was actually cold. From Louisiana to Doha....I haven't been cold in at least 6 months lol. So, for the first time in a while I had to wear a sweater. However, the effect of the chill didnt last long. As soon as I saw the breathtaking views of the mountains and greenery. I knew I was home. Turkey has amazing natural beauty. Gaziantep is an old city mixed with modern charm.

I literally spent my entire weekend outside. I wondered through the parks and splashed in the streams. I ate lots of random vendor food on the side of the road that I couldn't identify. I took a train into the town and went down roads and roads of shopping. Turkey is wonderful and it is actually a place I could see myself living.

Now, Turkey does have its challenges. No one here speaks English. In fact, Ive eaten pizza the last 3 days because it is the only thing I can read and point to on the menu. However, the people have been so lovely about it. They use hand gestures and use what English they know to help me. I want to learn Turkish so badly but apparently it is the 6th hardest language in the world to learn. The kids in the school absolutely love me and just want to ask me questions about where Im from!. Its good for them it helps them practice their English. The teachers in my department are lovely as well. They have been so generous and helpful. The school is massive and beautiful and they serve the most delicious Turkish food. I dont ask questions I just eat...lol. Im afraid if I ask I wont eat lol.

So far Turkey...has been amazing. However, the adventure has just begun....There is so much more to come!

Farewell Doha

As i sit here my last evening in Doha in a diner eating a large peperroni pizza, I realize that what Doha was missing was the "Eat Pray Love" experience. Doha is beautiful and most people would adore it. It's modern, sleek busy, traffic ridden, honestly its like NYC with sand. There is still a strong islamic presence but just in a modern way. I think I was looking to have an ephiphany while overseas and both professionally and socially I experienced more of the same. More of what I experienced in the US.

 

What I loved about Doha is that it had heart. The people here devoutly believe in something. The women I met here were the most kind, hospitable and open women I have met. They were willing to share their culture, welcome me in with open arms and answer all my questions.They have made a sincere impression on me. I will never forget the days they just made me feel special. The day when my co-worker who is from Cairo brought me an Egyptian jewelery box and Candelabra as a housewarming gift. She had heard me nagging about wanting to go to Egypt my whole life.  I loved the variety. There were so many different people from so many places and so many walks of life. They embraced so many people of different cultures.

 

Now, that my stay in Doha has come to an end, I think about the things I will put in my mental backpack as Im leaving. First and foremost, I've learned not to put your faith or trust in everyone. Put your faith and trust in god and he will show you who to share it with. Second, Ive learned that the most valuable thing in life isnt money or people or location. It's happiness. At some point in our lives, we have to do things for ourselves and ourselves only. Focus on the positive and do what makes the heart content. I admit even I dont like to disappoint people so I try to make decisions for the greater happiness of everyone. At this moment, I realize that life is short and there shouldnt be more pockets of bad than good. If there are then its time to make some hard choices. What I know for sure is I want to enjoy every  single day in this world and not let anyone tamper with that.

 

Anyhow, I am moving on to one of the oldest parts of the world. To a place with strong history and I hope that this is the experience I dream of. Doha was the pray for sure. Now, im looking for the eat and love. As in love, I mean a love of concepts and ideas. A greater appreciation of something. A love and embracement of a new mindset. Stay tuned..... Im on the midnight train to...........

People are People Regardless of the Location

Experiences are powerful regardless of whether they are negative or positive. You learn from the positive as well as the negative. The biggest challenge I have had in the Middle East has not been the Middle East. You would think that I would have a challenge with the culture, the language or the customs. Or that maybe I would be bothered by the fact that you have to wear long sleeves and pants in 100 degree weather. The surprising fact is that my biggest obstacle in the Middle East is people and not people from the Middle East.

All of the Middle Eastern people have been absolutely loving. They are so caring and endearing. One of my co-workers brought me an Egyptian jewelry box and candelabra because I've been ranting about wanting to go to Egypt. My issue has been with non-middle Eastern people. There are so many people who bring their sheltered views  and attitudes to a new place.

I think the thing I have struggled with most in Qatar is having faith in humanity. Having faith that people will be understanding, genuine, non-judgemental. Faith that people will respect and honor one another for no other reason than that we are all people. Having faith that there are people who will accept you as you are. Having faith that somehow, one day, people's minds will be opened and their eyes will see something new. That people will learn to see outside of themselves.

I have enjoyed Qatar but I think that what's missing for me, it is too Western. There isn't anything unique about it. Its like living in a Western country. Over 80% of the population are foreigners, most from western countries. I never thought I would say this but its not different enough. Most cities have history, a unique culture, unique customs. The muslim culture is very unique and I have learned so much from it. On the same hand, in this particular country it doesn't define it. I enjoy it here but I can't help but to wonder whats next in my journey. 

Playing Where's Waldo with the American Embassy

Today, was another adventurous day in Doha. Just when I thought that the visa monster had been defeated, he was revived and reared his ugly head. But, This time it was a tad bit entertaining. So, apparently to get a work visa in Doha, you need the original copy of your degree and it has to be notarized. First of all, who carries a copy of the original degree. Yeah, so I walk off the stage fold it up and put it in my pocket instead of putting it in a frame. Got it!!!

Anyhow, I have a copy of my degree and teaching certificate. So, we decided to take a trip to the British and American Embassy to get our documents notarized. I really like Doha but one of the most confusing things about this place is that there are no signs. There is a stop sign and large "expressway type" signs but street signs and labels that are actually useful are far and few between. Sidenote: but I think its amazing that everyone knows where everything is and there are no addresses. lol.

We are driving around this "subdivision" looking for these two embassy and playing guess that flag (luckily the embassies have flags). Up the street, down the street, around the corners and back, still no British or American embassies. Randomly, we take a left down this back road and we see this large building with a massive dish on its roof and somehow we know we are in the right area. After a hour in the car and a mind numbing maze around this construction ridden "subdivision" we find this British Embassy only to find out that they are only open to the public from "8-11" and no matter what we said her only response was "tomorrow".

Next, stop the American Embassy. We ask for directions, (well the driver does) and we head out for what we think is the American Embassy only for the driver (who is lovely by the way) to go out of the subdivision to the other part of down and back, pull up to the British Embassy and say we are here. Out of frustration and irony we bursted out laughing. I don't know if its funnier that he didn't realize this is the place that we just left or that we weren't paying attention enough to know we went in a big circle.

Longer story short, we restart our journey to the American Embassy. It's funny because in the carewe are all joking about what our embassies would look like. I said that our embassy would be massive with a giant eagle or flag. Just because we are very nationalistic as a country. We drive by all the embassies you could imagine. But we still can't find the American embassy. After another few minutes and about 7 miles, we drive pass this massive fortress and all I could think was "Oh, say can you see".  The embassy was a massive fortress with a tiny flag. Tall walls, big doors and even larger guards lol. My happiness was short-lived though. When we finally get there, its closed, they don't notarize things anyway and we are in the middle of no where. Cheers to another interesting day in Doha :-) 

Why?

The one thing that I continue to hear is how did you end up in the Middle East. Why? How Come? For What?  First and foremost, I say that the person with a plan, finally went with the flow. My plan for India didn't work out and that's when I realized life isn't my plan to make. It's beyond me. He didn't want me in India. Then he dropped Doha in my lap. I am a true believer in two things 1) Karma 2) Everything happens for a reason. I am in Doha for a reason. I can't tell you what the reason is or when I will know. It may be 30 years later when I figure it out but I know there is one. 


It is hard to believe that it's been almost a month since I left the states. Six months ago when I told people I wanted to leave the states. I got the "Are you crazy?'.  I can't complain about the life I had in the states but I knew something was missing. I kept thinking there has to be more. I was dying to know more. I wanted to know more about the world, more about life but most importantly more about me. It's funny because I was surfing I-tunes the other day (Pandora doesn't work here) and I came across this Nicki Minaj song. I will be the first to tell you that I don't think she's inspirational in any way but for one moment, something in her song clicked with me. In the chorus, Rihanna says " I came to win, to fly , to conquer, to thrive, to survive, to prosper, to rise".  For that 10 seconds, I completely agreed with her and slowly but surely, I am finding all of that in Doha. 


So, when people ask me why I have come to the Middle East, my response is, why not? The one thing I know for sure is as a culture we keep ourselves inside a box because of fear. Fear of the unknown. I blog because I want to share my experience with the world. I want to be an example that there is nothing that you can't do. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it's hard. I don't miss the states really but there is no substitute for loved ones and "Good" friends. But I know that this is worth the sacrifice. We are more than the situation we are in or the circumstances we were born into. There were many people in my life who told me I would never be where I am. There are people to this day that don't speak to me because I didn't follow their plan. My family is as dysfunctional as most or even more (still love them :-)  ). In saying that, my point is it will never matter what cards you are dealt, some get a shorter hand than others but in the end all that matters is how you play them. 

The First Days of Kindergarten

Tuesday was the first day of school for us in Doha. I was feeling excitement mixed with nervousness because I didn't know what to expect. This was the first time that I had to teach children this little. Their foundation for reading and writing was essentially in my hands. If that isn't enough pressure, there is a cultural and  language barrier. Things were already so different here (education wise). For instance, we have school from 7-1 because it is so hot here (literally). The school day is so short but I need to teach them so much. Not to mention that Im going to be teaching the British curriculum and not the American one that Im so comfortable with.

My mind wouldn't let me sleep the night before. I woke up at 4:30 am with the movie reel running of how the first day would turn out. Before I knew it there were kids coming through the door. It turns out they were just as nervous as I was. They were crying and holding on to their parents' pants legs. The parents didn't want to leave so we were really all a nervous wreck.

As the day went on things smoothed out. The kids stopped crying and I stopped worrying. They love me and I love them. They love when I read to them and for some reason they always want me to eat the random pretend food they cook lol. The kids are so well-behaved, interested and so eager to learn. They are getting more confident and the ones that don't have good English are at least trying to speak it now. While we working on the letter "s" today one of the little girls randomly looks up from her work and go Ms. Harris "Your a good teacher". I just chuckled and said thank you. Another girl came in this morning and said look Ms. Harris , I wore a ponytail and headband just like you did yesterday. They are cute and funny, but the best part is they are terrified of the time-out chair. That makes my job so much easier.

The parents seem to like me as well. Aside from the fact, that Ive already had about three of them ask me if I was African.  At first I said no, I am American. She then said, well yeah but where were you born. I said Buffalo, NY. LOL Then, I thought about it. Am I African? Should I be offended? I really don't think they meant it negatively. What bothered me most is the fact that I said no so quickly. Does that mean that we somehow think being African is a bad thing? I have to put some more thought into it. Anyhow, that's a topic for a blog on another day.

As for Kindergarten in Doha, so far so good!