Mistaken to be an OCW!

February 24, 2007

It’s now 3am Dubai time, I’m now 24 hours awake and still I can’t sleep in my room, maybe that’s the effect of seeing so many Tall & large built Africans and Indians just at the entrance of the hotel I’m staying. I thought there was trouble or fire in my hotel, my friend Rose was already afraid, she went straight to their car and told me she doesn’t want to take me to my hotel anymore coz of those people. When I entered the hotel asked the reception what is going on, He only said the “African Bar” is closed already that’s why those people are outside. But still I’m scared coz when I was waiting for the elevator there were these 2 African guys staring at me…oh what a feeling….I think that’s why the name of this hotel is Rush Inn, coz you have to rush going in your room or else….

It’s now 10 am, still sleepy, went to sleep around 5am already, feeling hungry so I decided to take a shower and check out a shopping center just a walking distance from my hotel, not so many foods to choose from so I decided to eat in Mcdonalds, ordered a Big Mac meal, it’s amazing coz some of the crews and even a manager is a Filipina, when I ordered to her we spoke in Tagalog… she already knew that I’m a Filipino oh diba… OCW nag dating ko…

After my meal I went to look for a local simcard so I can call my friends here to ask some help for a place to stay after my hotel accommodation. I asked 1 store for the price of the simcard, and it was 165 Dirhams, around 46 USD, it’s very expensive, tried to ask another store but it’s the same price. Then I looked for an internet shop so I can go online. I forgot its Saturday in Manila, god thing my friend, Brian was online, he was my bridge to my manager coz I can’t send sms anymore on my Philippine number. When I got the approval to purchase the simcard I went back to the store, but they were asking for a photocopy of my passport with the Dubai immigration stamp, so I went back to my hotel to get 1, then I went back again to the store, while I was walking I was surprised by this old lady, she suddenly talked to me and asked “kabayan anong oras na?” then I answered back, I was amazed coz I was wearing shades that time and I was looking at the road, nakatungo pako nun. Baka sa lakad ko pinoy na pinoy. Hehehe..

Then I got my simcard already, the vendor said it will be activated after “1 hours” lupet no? hahaha.. Anyway, after that I went around to look for a supermarket inside this establishment but there was none so I went outside to look for one, I saw “Apsar Supermarket” it’s a small supermarket. I looked around for some competitors. I only saw some competitors for Beach Hut, which is only Nivea, Durex lubes for Bliss, Vitaene C for Urgencee and Power horse and Lipovitan for Ambush and C4, I will still go to major supermarkets and department stores like Spinneys, Carrefour etc.. after this, for the meantime, my 1st concern now is to look for a place to stay after my hotel, it’s very difficult my friend said coz the usual deal here regarding “flats” is 1 month advance 1 month deposit, since I will only stay for 2 weeks it will be difficult for me to find, but she said she will ask her sister and friends for help.



After here I went back to my room it’s chilling outside, it’s like you are in Baguio, good thing I was wearing jeans, I was planning to wear shorts only, buti nalang ganun… hahaha…

Now I’m in my room waiting for my simcard to activate, it’s already past 1 hours and it’s not yet working. Rose said she will also call me in my room on the developments re my place to stay.

When rose called me, I went back to the store where I bought the simcard to follow up on the activation, after few minutes they said its ok, I can use it, I checked it and it’s good. Tried calling some friends here aside from Rose, looked for other options, only same answers, “Pare, hirap maghanap ng ganun, try ko magtanong sa mga kakilala ko” guess this is part of the action.. All I can do is pray and hope that someone can help me.

Got a call from my friend, she said if they still can’t get a room for me by tomorrow, her boyfriend will drop by my hotel to get my things, store it first to his car then drop me off somewhere, coz he still have to work. The working days here are from Sunday to Thursday, their weekends are Friday and Saturday. I said that’s a good idea, at least I won’t be worried about my stuff’s. I’m gonna see them after their work she also said.

A sign of relief, now I can sleep. Goodnight people... Wait for my next adventure...