Rules are in place to be followed. Rules change from country to country and we are instructed to follow them when we move into their borders, defining the term of ‘expatriate’.
The rules in the Middle East are most times unknown to the Western world. A series of contradictions and protocols not seen in any other part of the world. At times proclaiming freedom and futuristic outlooks, at times stuck in confusing feudal customs.
Caught in the middle of a storm, the wrong crowd at the wrong time, I shock at the sight of my frozen roster, effective immediately after I am called into the Qatar Airways office and questioned for hours by the VP of Cabin Crew.
Hatred coming out of his every pore, the VP of Cabin Crew produces CCTV screenshots and throw them over his dirty desk, his incisive questions trying to establish a link between crew that have been closely watched for months and myself.
Questioned about it, I assertively reply that my involvement in the ‘naughty party’ was of pure solidarity, for the crew I was accompanying were not to be left alone in the dangerous streets of Doha at night.
– ‘Are you trying to say that Doha is less dangerous than your home country? Pack your bags. You are going home.’
Shortly after, Qatar Airways’ CEO himself sealed the end of my days in Doha, his language talking of ‘naughty staff’, ‘f***ing’, ‘purge’ and ‘rules to be obeyed’, though it remains unclear which rules those are exactly.
Sad to announce the now obvious news, I am leaving Qatar Airways after a short, yet eventful journey.
Twenty-three new countries added to the list. Amazing landscapes, tasty food, pristine beaches and a new sense of confidence regained through the now broken comfort zone barriers. An experience forever to be missed and remembered.
Over the past months, I met people from all over the world, trained with a batch of nineteen individuals that entered the building as clumsy trainees and left as fully qualified crew members, spent wild nights at the Irish bar, and survived Ramadan with the company of friends that I will forever treasure. My ‘Doha Family’, my brothers from a different mother.
A wholeheartedly note:
‘All I have left to say now is THANK YOU. Thank you my readers, because your support and comments kept me writing about my crazy thoughts along the trips. Because when I was somewhere around the world I would think: ‘ my readers would like to know about this’. Because I really enjoyed taking my time to write as detailed as possible so you could see the world through my eyes. Thank you for sharing your time reading.’
I must leave now. Farewells have been said and a red stamp has been affixed on my work visa officially cancelling it, my last night in the Arabian Gulf spent deep thinking under the lights of the Pearl Qatar rising over a half-built bay, the glass towers of the city centre reflecting the lights of lonely cars cruising at high speed through melancholic boulevards of dust and asphalt as bleak as my plans for the future.
Anger is currently being felt. Anger at people, anger at destiny. A time off is badly needed, and I will soon update the blog with further news, though I am still unsure of the future for it.
This is it: United Kingdom, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Romania, Australia, South Africa, Philippines, New Zealand, Spain and Bolivia, you made my day, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Good Luck and Fly Safe!
THE FLYING CAMBA 
I'm sorry to hear that you are leaving, but may I ask why? What could you possibly do to be sent home? 🙂 Anyways, keep your head up, everything happens for a reason, God has other plans with you 🙂 Take care!!!
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I'm also sorry to hear you're leaving. I really love to read the trip reports you make. I also hope you'll be able to tell us the reason of you being sent home.
Good luck!
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I was truly saddened to read that you will no longer be flying for Qatar Airways. I enjoyed reading your blog and always looked forward to seeing those fantastic pictures from your travels. I hope that you will continue your flying career. Take care and best of luck to you.
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OMG. Put the word out there. I'm curious!
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i haven't worked with you and now you're leaving??? =(
i enjoy reading your blog and I hope everthing goes well for you.
Good luck and I do hope you earn your new wings anytime soon..
We (followers) will miss you.
God bless!
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Dude.. what happened??
You know something? You played a huge role in my decision to go to Qatar and work as cabin crew…
And I was looking forward to speak to you and ask for some advices once I got there.
Desejo as maiores felicidades para você! Um abraço de Portugal.
João
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…WHAT?! No! Please, surely there must be something you can do to work this out. You sound so reluctant to leave. I'm just about to embark on my flight (ex LAX) and thought I'd come here for a quickie inspiration… and this. I'm truly saddened by your decision. I hope the paperworks sort themselves out. You're an exceptional FA with passion and compassionate. All my best wishes for your future endeavour and I hope you'll find your way back to the skies again.
With love
loftgirl
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Cambaaaa!!!!
Estamos todos muito tristes…
😦
Você e seu blog vão fazer muita falta!
Qualquer companhia aérea vai ser muito sortuda de ter você como comissário!
As saudades já são imensas…
Que Deus te ilumine sempre e que você volte logo pro vôo!!!
Boa sorte!
Um grande abração do seu amigo daqui de São Paulo…
Ari.
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I've always enjoyed reading your blog, and wish we knew what was going on to have you leave after 6 months! Let us all know, we are all on your side!
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Very sorry about this. It is confusing. What happened? It seemed like you were doing such an excellent job. I hope whatever it is, that you will find it in yourself to keep your positive attitude and move on. Easier said than done, I am sure. I have enjoyed this blog soooo much and hope that you will continue to blog as you decide what adventure is next for you. Very best wishes for the future and hope to be able to read more posts when you feel like writing.
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I'm sorry to hear that too. But as you say everything happens for a reason and there will be more opportunities waiting around the corner. Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger right? Best wishes for whatever you choose to do!
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hey flying camba.. im really sorry to read that you are leaving QR.. right now im waiting for medical clearance to join QR and i was hoping to meet you one day, if ever im cleared.. watever the reason for you leaving, enjoy your new life.. your posts made me dream bout this job more than anything else.. good luck in everything that you are going to do..
from, a future eager flight attendant
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Sorry to hear you are going home but your memories will stay with you. All the best for the future x
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ups… I'm really sorry to read this… I was a huge fan of your travel stories and I was hopeing that we'll meet in Doha…
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How come?! I think we, your frequent readers, are all a little bit sad after reading this post. Although we dont know what really happened, we're gonna miss a loooot your travelling stories around the globe! You've surely had a strong influence in loads of peoples minds in choosing the carrer or maybe taking the right decision whether to go or not once some of us might've been some time uncertain about what the right thing to do… needless to say, youre gonna be soon crossing the skies back again if thats your wish, of course! All the best 😉
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Hey camba, let me just say that I'm very sorry that you have to leave your wings for a while. I know how it is to have something you always wanted and then have it taken away from you. I got a confirmation email from Qatar to be incorporated in July this year but when I did the medicals there was a small problem so I couldn't go and now I'm working on it. So I hope we can someday finaly do what we really want – fly the skies. Throughout your blogging time you have been my inspiration and an inspiration for so many others who share the same dream. So think of it like that: if you were able to inspire so many people, imagine the power and greatness you obviously have within you to achieve that let alone realizing your dream! Im sure you'll be back to doing what you love in no time and that the gap period will pass in a flash. Se cuida e receba um abraço muito forte de Madrid 😉
P
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Hey Mister, Everthing happens for a reason, look at how blessed you have been to experience things that most will never in a lifetime ! Chin up and continue pursuing your dreams with persistent and will !
Clauderic
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oh i was totally shocked when i saw the news…
what happened man??
u take care and be strong….
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I have most admired you ability on layovers to get up and go despite the fatigue and to make the most of each of the fantastic destinations you found yourself in.Good times are ahead and best wishes from NZ.
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Shocked , I dont know what has lead to this but I was going to show ya around Australia. I hope ya ok well as ok as ya can and please update and let us know whats going on.
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I am reading this now Oct 17, and I am in utter disbelief and shock!! You were my favourite FA blog, because of the way you would write about your trips! You know I always teased you that I could not wait for the First Anniversary so you could write all about it in a book!
What could have possibly happened to reach to this, but honestly I follow other forums, blogs and the company you work for has lead to such endings for some. So I can say I am not quite surprised but I am sad to see you go.
Hey, It does not matter if you are not an FA, I would still like to hear and read about what you are up to. I am so glad that you are not closing this blog (as read in the latest post, which made no sense to me until I saw this one). Take care my friend(if I can call you that) and thank you for sharing your life as a Flight Attendant. I hope some other airline hires you as I know you still want to fly and see the world. All the best to you!! May you continue to live your dream!!
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