Creepy stares, Filipino waiters & weekends

I'm really feeling tired. And it's not because I don't have enough sleep. I get at least 6 hour or more of sleep every night. So I don't know what exactly is attributing to this feeling of tiredness all the time. Probably it’s the feeling of being homesick. I never thought I’d get homesick. All this while, when I’ve travelled to another country, there’s always so much to do and so much to see and I’m always surrounded by a bunch of wacky individuals who will just find things to do which makes the time just whiz by and before you know it, it’s time to go back home. But this time, it’s different. No doubt the days are also zooming by but the feeling that I have here is that ‘I want to go home’. It’s probably because I’m here alone at the client’s place. And I feel so lost and lonely here. Yes, the people here are nice but at the end of the day, I’m not one of them and am still just the consultant. Thanks goodness for Mel who’s here in Bahrain with me. If she’s not here, I really would be feeling even lonelier. So at least we’ve got each other. Sounds so sad, doesn’t it? But unfortunately, it is. And I normally wouldn’t mind venturing off by myself to explore places but it just doesn’t feel safe here. It probably is, but the stares that I get is just creepy and makes me want to run back and hide. As I’ve mentioned before, even driving in a car, I get stares. And Bahrain is supposed to be quite liberal. It’s just because I’m such a rare species here. And people just can’t get make out what I am. Chinese? Filipino? Japanese? Korean? Singaporean? Thai? Never once, have those who asked me said Malaysian. :p There are even some who don’t know where Malaysia is! Anyway, I really don’t know what I’m going to do when I come back here in January. Probably just stay at home and just go to the malls. At least there, I don’t get stares.

Boss was around the past few days, so we’ve been going out with him every night for dinner then drinks. By the time we get home, it’s be nearly midnight. And we usually sleep around 10 pm here! So anyway, dinner with boss was fun though. Both nights. Tired as we were, drinks were also fun. Had drinks at the Ritz-Carlton’s Trader Vic’s the first night. The second night, we had Thai food at this really posh restaurant. Huge place. As usual, forgot to take photos. Anyway, they were only serving their buffet spread last night which costs 12 BD ++ per person! And there were 6 of us! But boss being boss, said never mind, let’s just eat here coz there was no where else we could think of to go around the area. Anyway, the variety wasn’t that good, but there was an free flow of sparkling white wine J Had a few glasses. Food was so-so. Obviously we can get better back home. Anyway, me being me after a few drinks, started to talk to the waiters and waitresses there. Some of them were actually from Thailand. Most were from the Philippines, though. One of the waiters actually worked in Malaysia before for 2 years. So he started talking to me in Malay. Then, one of the waiters tried to hit on me. :p I just ran back to my seat and didn’t look at him after that. Damn shy.

Anyhow, the weekend is approaching. Am looking forward to it. At least it’d be nearer to my departure date. Plus I’ll get to lame and rest and wake up late. And we can rent a car and drive around to places we still haven’t been to. Better than having nothing to do. But before that, there’s still today and Thursday to get through!

It’s been a busy week… and I just got a mail saying that thing are not going as planned in Qatar. Possibility of me needing to extend my stay here. :p But nevertheless, I’m supposed to be revalidating my ticket today and will stick with the confirmed date as of now.

Had a whole bunch of meetings today. It’s now 4 pm and I’ve got only about another an hour or so before I have to get my ass to the airline office before they close.

One more day to the weekend!

Back home... but off again

I'm back from bahrain. Touched down in KL on Wednesday afternoon at about 3. Was extremely tired. The wait at Dubai airport was just horrendous. Had a 5 hour transit there. I think I walked round the whole airport in half an hour. And mind you, I was strolling and looking at all the shops. It was pretty small for a hub. There were so many people who were just sleeping on the floor of the airport.

Anyway, my trip to bahrain was enjoyable. The work is challenging. The place is nice. The client is hospitable. The food is cheap (if getting Bahraini Dinar). Loads of Indian nationals and Filipinos working there. However, it's a very creepy to be walking around. People just start staring at you. Or should I say, the men just stare at you non-stop. I don't know if it's because I'm a woman or is it becuase I'm Chinese. I think it's because I'm a Chinese woman. My colleague and I were the only Chinese women around! Even when we're in a car and driving, we still attract stares. Creepy. And we walked past this area which resembled very much like the ghettos. Unless you're in the commercial district or the higher end malls, it doesn't feel safe to walk around anywhere.

I'm flying back this saturday. Last minute complications and I've got to go back and cover for my colleague who has to go to Qatar. Feels like such a waste of time to be flying back to M'sia then flying back to Bahrain again after just 2 days. Unfortunately, things were only confirmed on the day of my flight back home and I couldn't stay on also because of my visa. So here I am, jet-setting away :) Will not be back in time for Jo's wedding. A bit disappointed about that as I won't be able to hang out with my friends from uni and see how everyone else is doing.

Tonight is annual dinner. I really don't feel like dressing up and doing my hair and face. But the girls in my department are really excited and I've been included in the 'doing hair and makeup' group this afternoon. We get the afternoon off for preparations. I haven't even decided on what I'm going to wear.

I really don't mind going back to Bahrain, but I just wish it wasn't so soon. Had plans for Saturday and now I have to fly off on Saturday in order to reach Bahrain on Sunday in time to go to work. Was really looking forward to Saturday's plans. Oh well. But I can't complain. When do I ever get a chance like this? It's a lot of responsibility and I certainly hope I will be able to do a good job.

Okay... have to go do some actual work now. Although I'm really not in the mood. Everyone's not in the mood to work :) Who is, when we've only got about an hour more to go before we can go back!

WooHoo!

Am typing this in Bahrain! My first day here. It's 6 pm and dark as night. The place is beautiful! My hotel room is wonderfully big and roomy! So far so good! More to come as the week progresses... Loads of work to be done but i'm so excited!