Newbie Pinoy OFW in Doha, Qatar

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Mel Fonollera, Blog Writer

 It was 5:30 am, July 20, 2008 at the Ninoy Aquino International airport departure area and the queue was long.  I stood and waited in line.  At the end of the line was an airport personnel checking travelling papers of people going to Doha, Qatar.  I felt excited as well as anxious.  There were a lot of questions racing through my mind, which I really don’t have answers as of the moment.  Those questions concerned my future in Doha, Qatar.  

I decided to try my fortune and look for work in the Doha, Qatar.  My business didn't pan out and I had to close it.  Based on the peso to rial exchange rate, I thought it was worthwhile because of the thirteen pesos difference. I decided to give it a try.  I was fortunate enough, that my brother helped me secure a visit visa to  Qatar.  He works for a construction firm in Doha and knows how I can get there fast.  His assistance would be a big factor in helping me to get adjusted in that new country. 

After the airport personnel checked my travelling papers,  I proceeded to the immigration section and answered a few customary questions about my trip to Doha.  The immigration personnel stamped my passport and allowed me to pass thru the immigration gate. I guess everything was in order.  

 I proceeded to the departure lounge for the flight to Doha on that day.  It was already 6:00 a.m.  This was the point of no return.  In a few minutes I will board my flight.  I called my family and informed them that I'm at the departure lounge and waiting for my flight.  Again, I felt anxious and excited.  I was kind of sad, though because it will be quite a long time before I would see my country and my love ones again.  I turned on the international roaming function of my mobile phone.  It will allow me to receive text messages from my family while I'm in Doha.

The passengers were mostly Filipinos, who probably were going there for the first time or will be returning to work after their vacation.  If you're working in Doha, your work contract gives you that privilege to go on vacation after a year or two.  The company will pay for your airfare going home and back from vacation.  I will get to experience this firsthand once I get to work there.

The ground attendant called my name over the paging system and advised me that I will be seated in the business section.  My airline was Qatar airways.  Although, I was feeling a bit sad since I will be leaving my home country,  at least I will be travelling in style.  The trip to Doha will take about nine hours.  The long flight hour would be boring, but it will be bearable and comfortable because of the first class amenities.  It took my mind away from the sinking feeling of leaving one’s country and the thought of returning for a long time.  The business class seat was spacious sparing me from the cramped feeling of an economy seat.  Also, they had this cool flat TV screen monitor that pops up with a push of a button.  After taking my assigned seat,  I sighed in relief and because I'll always have the chance to stretch my legs during the long trip.

We were now up in the clouds and my thoughts were racing again, and all the questions were floating back in my mind as to what my life would be in that new country.  I tried to take my mind off from those anxious thoughts by watching in-flight movies and taking forced naps. While making myself comfortable, the on-board airplane video showed the flight trajectory as it crosses the Indian continent and a big ocean until my final destination.  Every hour, as the plane flies nearer Doha, Qatar I felt the sinking feeling because I am going farther away from my country.




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