It’s been almost a week now. Qatar may be scorching hot in the summer but it’s also a much calmer place. Most of my work visa stuff is now finished. They started off with a physical exam that consists of an examination, blood test and chest x-ray. The experience itself is quite interesting.

I found myself with other new recruits waiting for about an two hours to get registered because our forms lacked a stamp from one of the centre managers. The first hour was waiting for the manager to show up and provide the stamp. The second hour was waiting for the receptionist to collect the papers. While getting the stamps and making the payment proceeded at a glacial pace the rest of the experience was mercifully quicker. Our group was rushed to the front of long lines of migrant workers. I found myself apologizing to the people I cut off each time, a typically Canadian response.

The next day was all about the finger prints. Luckily this went by much more quickly. Our documents went into the immigration department and hopefully by Sunday morning I will have the residency permit and I will be closer to having my own place to stay.