Saturday, October 16, 2010

weekend - thus far!

Hi!

This weekend started off with a fright - a grown up sleepover in one of the hotel suites watching two scary movies - Evil Dead and The Shining!  I had never seen either, and will probably have to watch the Shining again as I was so exhausted I fell asleep on the couch.  From what I remember seeing, I think it was good!

Friday ('saturday' out here) was filled with visiting my tent - yes it's up! - and making sure everything gets into the tent smoothly and I will have power and A/C, then it was off to the Ritz Carlton for their outdoor cinema showing "love, actually".  It was awesome! The weather is finally cooling down to a respectable nighttime temperature in the mid-80's and the Ritz went all out.  They had set out persian rugs with pillows right in front of their (homemade) screen, pulled in lounge chairs from the pool area and also had table set up in the back.  And they had carpet-side service where we could order food and drink!  It was quite an experience, and one that the Ritz didn't think would be as popular as it was.

It was windy yesterday (we even saw clouds!) so as the film ended and we were all heading out to the cars, a big gust came and broke the screen! It was created with a few 2x4's and a big screen and the gust came in and snapped the 2x4's holding up the screen.  Thankfully this was not a Tribeca production!

Today is 'sunday' and we have just finished our volunteer orientation with some very excited locals who are ready to celeb spot.  Soon it's back to the office and then...DUNE BASHING! I will definitely be taking pictures for that one and, once I remember where I put my computer cord, will upload!

Yay!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Photos! I think....


my first attempt at loading photos!  lets see how this goes and hopefully the captions will work as well...



all the crazy construction in this town - check out the crains!


everything i packed for the trip - 5ish weeks in a suitcase, backpack and purse (granted, it's a large purse....)


Halee, this one's for you! My flight info (i did the same with Australia...)

The Souq Waqif at night - it's pretty!

Soon to come? Actual pictures of me! :)



Wednesday, October 6, 2010

souq de soliel!

Tonight we ventured out to the Souq Waqif!  A huge outdoor bazaar, the souq has all those random things one needs in the middle east, like abayas and sparkly fabric!  There was much more and we got some seriously good lemon roasted almonds, curried cashews, dried banana chips and dried apricots. We wandered around a bit and got a lay of the land and then headed back home.  Tomorrow is Thursday, our Friday (Friday and Saturday's are when the office is closed) and I think this weekend we are going to go to brunch and then who knows! Maybe the art museum and the pool... it's a tough life but someone has to live it.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Oh yeah, I work here!

I have successfully survived two days of work!  Doha Film Institute (DFI) the over-arching company that runs the festival, along with a lot of other film initiatives in Doha, is located in the beautiful Katara Cultural Village.  Much like some construction in the states, it seems to be running a bit behind schedule.   My department, Hospitality, is located in the port-o-cabins, a very nice way of saying temporary office trailers.  While most of the departments are in their rightful home, or at least on the property of Katara, I should feel somewhat lucky as there are still departments working out of converted hotel rooms at the W!

My job, Hospitality Tent Coordinator, is to oversee all the activities that goes on in the tent during the festival - set up/clean up/break down, etc.  The tent looks like it is going to be awesome...when it is finally constructed...i the next two weeks.  All the pieces have arrived from Dubai (nothing seems to actually be in Doha, all production materials are ordered from Dubai or Bahrain or other equally exotic locations, and then shipped/trucked in) and the tent guys are flying in from London this weekend to start on the construction the 12th.  Until then, I have stared at the drawings 1,000 times and read a lot on the internet.

Culinary Doha

My food since arriving has been severely lacking in local flavor.  My first work lunch we ordered in from a place called American Grille and I had a chicken quesadilla.  For lunch today? Subway.  Thats right, Jared and Co. have moved into the Middle East.

I have got to get at least a schwarma in this week or it's a complete culinary fail!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

good morning sunrise!

Well, so much for sleeping in! Woke up bright and early at 4:30AM this morning and forced myself to stay in bed until 5:30AM. Thought I could go down to the gym and maybe do something productive with all this 'found time' but it doesn't open until 11AM! New York Sports Club it is not.

So instead, I made some coffee, had a yoghurt and am reading the online papers.

I wonder how long this jet lag will last...

Arrived!

I was definitely the only blonde in line for check-in this evening for Qatar Airways, so begins this crazy adventure!

The flight was good, a minor 'technical' issue that delayed us for about an hour at JFK but all clearly worked out since I'm here. And alive. I met a nice girl in the security line who was on her way to Egypt for the World Lifeguarding Championships, her only carry on was a backpack and her fins. 

I have a nice new stamp/visa in my passport and as soon as I picked up my luggage was greeted by a very nice driver, Benjamin, and whisked away in a really swanky BMW - I could get used to this! The Kempinski is gorgeous - my roommate, Lily, and I are staying in what is called a suite but really it's a family compound - three bedrooms plus a maids room (a maid's room!),  gigantic living room/dining room, kitchen and a guest bath with three, yes three, separate sinks. My room has a nice, soft double bed with a huge TV and armoire and my bathroom has a rain shower-head - don't worry, pictures are coming.

Lily and I made it to the mall with the gigantic Carrefour, think French Wal-Mart.  Got some food to carry me over until I figure out what's going on here (I wish I took French because what's not written in Arabic is in French!) and tonights' dinner was walnut toast with "four red berry" jelly.  Hopefully tomorrow will bring better culinary treats, airplane food and toast isn't that exciting.

So far the only problem is that I can't seem to take out money at the ATM and my Credit Card was denied at the super market (yes, Mom and Dad, I called both before I left to let them know I'm here!)

The weather is HOT, even at 10pm, and humid - was kinda surprised by that but A/C is on high everywhere I've been.  My glasses even fogged up when I left the mall.  

Tomorrow begins the work week - it's a Sunday-Thursday schedule over here - so I'll be getting back into work mode, blackberry and all.

yay!!






Thursday, September 30, 2010

Here we go!

Hi all!

The journey begins tomorrow night so I thought I would set up this site to let you know all about the adventures I will (hopefully) be going on in the next few months.

I hope to post lots of pictures and stories about working in Qatar!

Here we go!

Kerry