time marches on

for now my doha experience is over. and apart from feeling overwhelmingly tired i have a mix of loss, excitement and trepidation about what has been and what is coming next.

 

sitting here at my parents house, surrounded by loved ones and family, i am in the calm before the storm. all too soon my life is going to erupt in a whirlwind of activity and movement. melbourne to europe, europe to... wherever... maybe with a stop in qatar for old times sake...on the way here though i did some reminiscing about my time there...

 

Leaving Doha is surreal. Two years ago I arrived in a strange, dusty city with nothing but high expectations and a backpack. Very soon I was shocked, scared, alone and forced to survive in a strange land for at least the next six months. (Dramatic, I know). Quickly six months turned into one year. One year turned into two - almost to the day. Shock, fear and loneliness turned into romance, understanding and warmth. I grew to understand this strange city, it's innerworkings so foreign to a city boy from Melbourne. I grew to love the subtleties, the mentalities, the insanities, the call to Prayer.

 

Doha got under my skin. I'm going to miss that place, and I'm certain I'll be going back..

Done