Journey to Qatar Part II

After the long wait, I reported to Universal Staffing to pay for the Insurances and get my ticket.  HMC will cover everything except for the Paramount Insurance, Philhealth, OWWA, etc.  The fee is still minimal compared to other agencies asking for placement fees.

The challenging part is leaving the family behind.   But with the great hope of a better future, I must be brave to go and do as I should.  Work in Doha, and in the future, get my family and be happy together in Doha, Qatar.

Via Gulf Air, I traveled with some people also hired by HMC.  While waiting for my flight at the Manila International Airport, Terminal I, Gate 3, someone approached me.  To my surprise, he was my classmate in highschool about 18 years ago.  Funny!  But we rode on the same plane.  He was going to Saudi Arabia and me...  going to Qatar.

At the plane, I have mixed emotions.  I am worried with my family at the same time I'm a little nervous of what lies ahead of me in Doha, as a first timer-OFW.  At the plane, I watched movies (so many) at the TOUCH SCREEN monitor.  The first movie I watched is Happy Feet 2.  I also watched Rush Hour 2, Every Breath You Take (Piolo and Angelica), Glee Series.  The rest room is at the middle.  Water is served every now and then or upon request.  There's a blanket and pillow provided and an earphone too for watching movies or listening to music.  At the monitor one can also see where the plane's location is.  I also played games at that monitor because I'm really getting bored and I don't want to think too much of home because I don't want bulgy eyes as I report to my Supervisor... :)  A satisfying lunch is also served. A snack was served too.    

There's a 2 hour stop over at Bahrain.  We met another HMC Staff who will be working with the others I'm with.  There are two more we haven't met.

At Bahrain, where we stop for 2 hours (with other HMC Staff)

At Doha Airport, passports were checked.  I realized that I should have brought dollar instead of peso because the money changer in Doha Airport won't change my peso to Qatar Riyal.  All of those I'm with were able to buy a Qtel Sim except me.  Luckily, the next day the husband of my flat mate came and brought us to Landmark.  A moneychanger there changed my peso to riyal.  I bought a sim and was able to contact my family to tell them I'm safe and fine.


Click here for the my TIPS from my Personal Experience in Doha for HMC Staff