It started off as a regular work day. My alarm went off at 6:00 am, 1 hour earlier than the rest of the school year, because it is Ramadan so school starts later and ends earlier. I pressed the snooze button once maybe twice. By the time I got out of bed, it was around 6:20ish. I washed, dressed, and ate breakfast with my son. I met Jennifer downstairs. We’ve been carpooling since we moved into the same apartment complex. “Four countries done split from Qatar”, she said. I opened my phone and saw all the chatter in multiple Facebook groups for which I am a member.
On Monday, June 5, 2017- CNBC headline “Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar”. Doha News “Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain have broken off diplomatic ties with Qatar and closed land, sea and air access to the nation, according to official reports”. Today is Thursday and since this happened, it seems to be all people are talking about.
I will not go into details on my feelings or the ‘background’ behind the whole thing, because over here, you have to be very careful of your words and what you post on social media. Besides only the people involved know the real truths. I have read a lot of news about the reasons that this has occurred. I encourage you to read up on it as well (click here to read about it on CNBC).
As for life here in hot Qatar, it is business as usual. Life goes on. I get up, do my routine, and go to work. I come home, cook, and talk to my husband on the phone. Of course, I am worried. I am worried about getting home stateside safely in a week. I am worried if I will be able to return to Qatar where I’ve grown quite comfortable. I like my lifestyle here, calm, peaceful, making good money, traveling, light work. It’s not perfect but it’s home, for now.
Since Monday other countries have also cut off ties with Qatar, including Libya, Maldives and Mauritius. I am happy I got to visit Bahrain, Egypt and Maldives before this happened. KSA and Oman have not cut ties with Qatar as of now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? For now, I’m safe! Please pray for peace in the Middle East!
Teaching Abroad- American Teacher Overseas 