Doha: Day 2 - Decoding Dinner

Strange one, today.

It all started (after a rather good breakfast buffet) with an eventful trip to a hospital with a few colleagues to get our blood type checked as part of the immigration/recruitment process for new employees in Qatar. Pretty straightforward, I thought, if a bit redundant as Singaporeans are all aware (or should be aware) of theirs before puberty has run its course, having fingers pricked by nurses in wh -

The hospital looked like a hotel.

What?

Seriously. We walked through sliding glass doors, past the red and gold trolley-things for bags, into a marble concourse complete with a large water feature, plants and walkways hanging from the perimeter. Once we located - or were directed to - the reception, we sat ourselves down in what one called "emperor chairs", soft and plush and flanked by mirrors with carved frames, only just noticing a sign that pointed out where the laundromat was.

And the smell of strawberry ice-cream wafted through this surreal hospital-hotel.

Then the reminder that we were still in Doha, as it took about an hour before we managed to get things done, during which I was almost charged 500 QR for the blood type test, another colleague was close to being hooked up to a dialysis machine, and an impromptu lesson about blood groups.

Finally, to the office, where I felt I was only slightly less useless today! Pulled a Micah and somehow managed to figure out the workings of a machine I had never actually touched before, all Hero-like. And uncovered a button in Avid. Small victories, I know.

Bit more chat, including with a boss that looked like he was already strained, and getting to know the people I'll be working with for the foreseeable future, punctuated by walking about a workplace that reminded one of an airport and seeing a cute cat. Then it was back to the hotel, where a Nando's dinner with those said colleagues never materialized as I was called to dine with the sister's boyfriend sister and her husband. Yup.

The pasta wasn't anything to write home about (though in a way i'm doing that now), but the company and talking was rather nice. Not being sappy or nostalgic of course, but it was nice that people I barely knew seemed to be genuinely happy to help with things, taking time out of their own schedules.

They even told me where to get nasi padang and laksa! I don't even like laksa!

But after handing over the veritable chest of sambal tumis, it's time for bed, and it is looking like a long day tomorrow.

All kicks off.