It’s back to reality on a flight headed for Doha
CAPE Town has been a whirlwind, as usual. It doesn’t matter if we’re in the Mother City for one week or one month – it never seems long enough. After a wonderful few days of sun, surf and Spur, the Bawas of Doha are ready to head back to life in the Gulf.
As I check in our luggage – keeping a beady eye on the weight due to the cooler bags filled with chops and sausage – conversation turns to the inevitable. When’s the next visit, the family wants to know.
I decide to create a little chaos before heading out – it’s my right as the youngest sibling. Pulling my mom in for a hug, I tell everyone that “maybe it’s time we moved back. For good, I mean. What do you think?”
Now it’s my mom’s turn to cast a beady eye. “Ridwaan, don’t be silly. We always have a wonderful time when you’re here, but don’t think it will be all fun and games if you move back.
“Just remember one thing – holidays are holidays and life is life.
“You’re fine where you are for now, and we’re happy we get to see you every once in a while. You and Shihaam should focus on your work and your family. Don’t worry about us.”
I smile and nod. Dad does the same. Mother knows best, after all. A few more hugs, kisses and photos later, we’re in the sky and Doha-bound.
As we settle in for our 10-hour flight – longer than usual since Qatar Airways can no longer fly over Saudi airspace due to the political blockade in the region – I ask the kids what they enjoyed most about their trip.
Aqeel, Saabirah and Yaqeen break into broad smiles remembering the fun they had on the beaches from Muizenberg to the Strand, the quality time they spent with their cousins playing putt-putt on the promenade. Not to mention the holiday privilege of going to sleep way past their bedtime every single night.
Oh, and putting a positive spin on the city’s water crisis. A popular refrain during the holiday was: “We don’t need to shower today. We need to save water, remember?” If you count the litres saved by those kids not showering in Cape Town, we definitely did our bit to help avoid Day Zero.
A few movies, a couple of airline meals and the odd snooze later, our flight prepares to land at Doha’s shimmering Hamad International Airport. It’s close to midnight in Doha, which is an hour ahead of Cape Town, and the captain informs us it’s 17 degrees and clear skies in Qatar’s capital city.
Yep, Doha’s winter nights can be similar to Cape Town’s summer evenings. Perfect braai weather, which accounts for all the meat making the trip. But that will have to wait for a bit – it’s straight back to work tomorrow, while the kids have a couple of days before they start school. A couple of days in which to get back into the rhythm of early nights, less junk food, and more showers. Cape Town, we miss you already.