I bought a coffee to go at a tiny ice cream shop off the boardwalk close to the old Doha port. It was still sweltering hot but cooler, by comparison, than several days earlier when the thermometer topped out at a whopping fifty three degrees Celsius. The sun during those days looked like a flat white disc that threatened to incinerate anything it touched and everywhere people were hurrying to get out of the heat and humidity and into their cars and buildings. I found a deserted bench and stared out across the water at the big birds leaving town for exotic places and let my thoughts drift off to the farm and my family and friends back home.
I have been in the desert for just over two weeks now and my days have been filled with admin, appointments, lectures and a valiant attempt to settle into some kind of rhythm that will enable me to eat healthy, sleep well and prepare me for the stressful days of on the job training and the general challenges of settling into a new country and city. To complain about anything would just be ungrateful and weak. My employer have set me up with clean, comfortable and well equipped accommodation, my new instructors and colleagues have been exceptionally welcoming and helpful. Living and operating in the city is easy, safe and inspiring. I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of the history, heritage and adventures this beautiful city and desert nation has to offer. At the moment the heat deters most outdoor adventures and therefore I’m studying hard, training with purpose and working towards my goal to earn my place as a new air traffic controller in this country. Standards are high and I’ve got a lot riding on this so it’s head down and shoulder to the wheel.
I am grateful for this opportunity and fortunate that technology allows me to speak to my family and friends without any problems. It’s a far cry from letters, calling cards and emails I had to send two decades ago while working in the Midwest. This time I am also equipped with the experience and wisdom of a few more revolutions around the sun. I take one day at a time, lead with humility and respect in every encounter or situation and get through these days with gratitude. I’m learning a lot about myself and I am once again humbled by the kindness of strangers. I’m grateful for my family and friends and everyone who embarked on this adventure with me.
I’m feeling inspired to write new songs and stories and my notebook is never far away. Having some distance from everything that happened the last few years enables me to look at it more objectively and I am able to now make sense of things in retrospect. It is an interesting exercise in lessons learnt and distilling it into songs that are relatable to listener.
Thank you for reading my newsletters and thank you for your support. I will be on stage soon enough and I’m looking forward to sharing my stories with you.
JB
