Yesterday was the first day of Ramadan

Yesterday was the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, So our brother muslims have their first day of Fasting. I learned that the word "Iftar" is their breaking of the fast and that they celebrate it with a feast. So what we did is we stayed at home for the weekend.

My scheduled for driving test was became early, instead of Aug. 30, It was scheduled on Aug 27. 430am.

So I will expect to drive soon after. Hooray!!!! I miss my car! And I wanna bring him to my officer next workweek!

Thank God!

Ramadan is Coming.

With the incoming of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Some malls are already gearing up for the coming festivities. They are showcasing the country's Local Cultures thru lifesize models and statue. This is qatar long before the luxurious cars roam the road. They have horses and camels going around the city.

And also they have showcased some Local Qatari Traders. Its been a warm welcome to the people of qatar to show us Expats their history and cultures. And that is also the reason why I love to travel to all differenct places. To see and feel their cultures.

Most probably that this is an Arabian Horse!

Filipinos in Doha

I am always amaze to see filipinos "kababayan" who works in every field. Specially here in Qatar. I took some snapshots while they were at work. Here are some. . .

Working at the City Center Ice Skating Rink.

Displaying his pride, The Philippine Flag

Another one in Cinnzeo, He is the master baker.

Mabuhay tayong mga Filipino, "The New Movers of the World"

5th, 6th,7th day of Driving.

I am now just practicing all the techniques in driving here in Doha. And also learning from the news and Qatarliving some road experiences of our Kababayans and some expats. Because making a mistake over here is too costly. You should be better prepared and inform than spend money on those idiotic violations. Its about taking risk. High Priced Risk. Hehehe, But driving is a part of my life.

When I started driving back a decade ago, I told my self that I will be the best driver (for myself) Hehehe.

4th Day of Driving

Yesterday was my 4th day of driving. And we review the last days technique in Roundabouts, and then Hanging and Pocket parking. And I was told that my test schedule will be on the Aug. 30th at 430am in the morning!

So I will prepare for this test and will pass it.!

Can't wait for it!

3rd day of Driving

On the 3rd day of ny driving we tried the Hanging and L-Parking and Pocket Parking, I passed it all! After 10 years of driving?! Well, atleast I found driving again more interesting and fun.

And atleast I can guage my driving skills.

I love driving, road trips, cars everything!

So now im looking forward to the day I drive my own SUV!

2nd Day of Driving (Roundabouts)

Yesterday was my 2nd day at driving school. It was fun (for me) but, the instructor; He was boring. He cannot speak straight English an smells Hmmmm never mind . .Anyway for me it was fun learning. Specially the roundabouts. Here in qatar there are few intersections and lots of ROUNDABOUTS.


Its dangerous, but once you learned it, it will be easy. I think we negotiated around 10 roundabouts in different sizes.


Today will be my third day and according to the guy I will learn the L parking. Piece of cake! Hahahaha!


Goodluck for me!

1st Day of Driving

Yesterday was my first day in Driving school. I took it with the Al-Rayyan Driving school near our accomodation. I had the full course, hoping that after my 10 days I could get the test and pass it.

Just a positive sign, I had a car coded 18, 1 (January) 8 is my day So 18 is really a good number for me!

9 more days to my target!

My New Buddy . . . Mr. IP (Iphone)

Yesterday I recieved Mr. IP, Its a sleek 16gb 3G Iphone. I bought it at a very reasonable price, thanks to Mr Jeff Javier. Also Thank god for the opportunity of having the most elite Smartphone on the planet (As of the Moment) So many apps, its just like may Palm Zire days! I think and it become!

http://store.apple.com/

Finally . . .Driving School

At last, I was able to enroll on my driving class. Driving Class? You might ask. Yes! Because here in qatar all expats who wish to obtain a driving license has two options. (One) is to present their country's license and take a direct test or if you do not have any license or if it is expired you are required to attend a driving school. that is the 2nd option.

So since my Philippine License is already old and the number on the license was erased beyond recognition. I do not have any choice but to get my license thru the hard way. 40 days of driving school! (WFT) I am driving for almost 10+ years now and I still need to get into schooling?! Hmmmm!

But, I guess, I have to! since this is their law and I must abide to it. Also another thing, The cost of their license / school here is way too high compared back home. It cost here around 30k pesos. I could buy an Iphone for that! or 2,350 qatar riyal. Yes, it is that expensive!

Imagine in the phils you can get your license for only 750. If you do not want to go directly to the (LTO) Land Transportation Office, they also have a no appearance price! Yes! Its for VIP! at 1500 only.

And for a driving school like A1 you can have it at 5,000 pesos for 5 days. And after that you are ready to drive like hell in Metro Manila roads. Me I got my lessons from my previous job. I even learned from a right hand drive truck! Yes, from a TRUCK! thanks to Tito Boy!

So now back to reality. I am eager to drive my own car (SUV, Dodge Durango) I wanna feel the power in my own hands!

So Goodluck for me!

My First Ramadan

Ramadan the holy month for Muslims all over the world. It will kick off on either Aug 21 or 22, The first sighting of the new moon. Before I just read it in the news back in the phils. Now me and my family will experience it here in Qatar.

Announcement has been made by our Managing Directors preparing us for the holy month of Ramadan. Its fasting time, meditation and sacrifice for our muslim brothers. I am amze by their committment and dedication to their religion. They pray almost 5 times a day and every year they reflect on their higher self and their life as muslims.

I have high respect for these people, they endure a month of sacrifice and they push their mental and physical limit once a year.

Qatar Islamic Center

First Fire Alarm . . .

Here in mannai tower, It sounded at around 10:21am in the morning as I browse my blogs, Hehhehe. The alarm goes off!

So I immediately respond to that fire alarm, luckily it was a false alarm. It triggered the first floor heat sensor. Maybe because the AC is not working properly and it is because its hot and humid outside. It cause some hot air from the outside to sound that alarm.

Grocery Car(t)

We were at are Lulu hypermart last few days ago, and it is been our second time here. The price here is very reasonable. That's why we will always buy out stuff here.

And it is also because they have a child-friendly grocey cart. My son loved it!

Dress Code for Qatar.

I just received the news that there will be a strict dress code for this coming ramadan. And also because last week they caught some women on a tank top and skinny jeans/shorts.

It has been the culture of many Gulf countries to be conservative in the dress specially the women. And I believed in respecting their cultures. This is a wake up call to other Expats that are on a foreign country, That they should respect the local culture.

This is also a wake up call to our "Kababayan who works and live here in Qatar. We are here to work and not to do fashion shows. I just hope that no filipino will be caught on wearing minis.

Qatar may not too strict in terms of society's hip culture, but still we must respect their culture and religion.

Goodbye Tita Cory.

Goodbye Tita Cory, It has been a year now since she was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. She fought for it courageously. Corazon Cojuanco Aquino is the Philippine Former President after the President Marcos's 2 decade term.

Pres. Corazon Aquino is also First Woman Philippine President, the mother of People Power, Her leadership is based on her ability to raised good and disciplined children. She is a plain housewife as she says. Her husband is the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino who was assasinated in 1983.

The filipino people will surely miss her!