Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Wednesday. Started work a week ago. Seems incredible that it's only been that long. I feel like I've been working with these people for ages already.
Had my second and last Job specific training last night for my other volunteers. I only had another 5 show up. Two were men, who could hardly communicate with me. The three others were women dressed in full abayah. They were friendly but again, the rosters are not suitable to them. Maryam, a lovely arab woman who is a computer analyst and will be a good asset to my team, explains that it is not seen well if a woman is out later than 9pm. Maybe 10pm might be possible but 11pm (the end of her shift is impossible). And she can't start on time either. No one wants the night shifts from 11pm to 7am. The shifts from 7am to 3pm seem to pose little problem but the 3pm to 11pm is also problematic. "I could do 4pm to 9pm" one woman says. Another is only available from 6pm to midnight ( a man).
After all our volunteers are gone, I debrief with Lorraine and Gerry...I'm in trouble I tell them. We don't even have half the minimum numbers required to run the place, and those available can't do the hours, nor can't do most of the jobs, or can't communicate in any other language than arabic. Lorraine says "I've always suspected that the few of us would run the whole show." In a venue which will catter for 2200 journalists and 2200 broadcasters, this will indeed be The games of our lives.
Today I talk to Jamal about how to tell who is Qatari or not. I say some have black skin, some are chocolate as he is, others look more like greeks. He is Yemeni born in Saoudi but as he took the UK passport he couldn't keep the Saoudi passport so took the Yemeni one. He tells me that the Real Arab consider Yemen their origin. Qatar is a young country. Qataris are those who came here and called themselves that. Some are born here but originate from East Africa for example but even if they talk Arab and they say they are Arab, it seems there are not as Arab as those who call Yemen their mother.
Is it ok for me to greet people in the morning when I run? Will I offend? Jamal tells me that I it's always welcomed to be greeted by hello or Marhaba. Perhaps even considered arrogant not to acknowledge people. However, touching someone is different. He tells me I can always shake Jamal's hand and a few others I know. However some Arabs who consider themselves more religious will take offense so best to let them extend their hand first. He even tells me that if I try to give him my hand to shake as he is going to the Mosque he may not shake it.
He tells me he has about 20-30 Thobes (white robes) when I ask him how he keeps it so immaculate. Most people change twice a day into another Thobe. There are so many other questions I want to ask and I will.
More later. xx
Had my second and last Job specific training last night for my other volunteers. I only had another 5 show up. Two were men, who could hardly communicate with me. The three others were women dressed in full abayah. They were friendly but again, the rosters are not suitable to them. Maryam, a lovely arab woman who is a computer analyst and will be a good asset to my team, explains that it is not seen well if a woman is out later than 9pm. Maybe 10pm might be possible but 11pm (the end of her shift is impossible). And she can't start on time either. No one wants the night shifts from 11pm to 7am. The shifts from 7am to 3pm seem to pose little problem but the 3pm to 11pm is also problematic. "I could do 4pm to 9pm" one woman says. Another is only available from 6pm to midnight ( a man).
After all our volunteers are gone, I debrief with Lorraine and Gerry...I'm in trouble I tell them. We don't even have half the minimum numbers required to run the place, and those available can't do the hours, nor can't do most of the jobs, or can't communicate in any other language than arabic. Lorraine says "I've always suspected that the few of us would run the whole show." In a venue which will catter for 2200 journalists and 2200 broadcasters, this will indeed be The games of our lives.
Today I talk to Jamal about how to tell who is Qatari or not. I say some have black skin, some are chocolate as he is, others look more like greeks. He is Yemeni born in Saoudi but as he took the UK passport he couldn't keep the Saoudi passport so took the Yemeni one. He tells me that the Real Arab consider Yemen their origin. Qatar is a young country. Qataris are those who came here and called themselves that. Some are born here but originate from East Africa for example but even if they talk Arab and they say they are Arab, it seems there are not as Arab as those who call Yemen their mother.
Is it ok for me to greet people in the morning when I run? Will I offend? Jamal tells me that I it's always welcomed to be greeted by hello or Marhaba. Perhaps even considered arrogant not to acknowledge people. However, touching someone is different. He tells me I can always shake Jamal's hand and a few others I know. However some Arabs who consider themselves more religious will take offense so best to let them extend their hand first. He even tells me that if I try to give him my hand to shake as he is going to the Mosque he may not shake it.
He tells me he has about 20-30 Thobes (white robes) when I ask him how he keeps it so immaculate. Most people change twice a day into another Thobe. There are so many other questions I want to ask and I will.
More later. xx
# posted by AdeC @ 3:15 AM 
