Thursday is the most awaited days in a week here in UAE since it is the last day of a long and tiring activities of the whole week. Day-off starts by Friday and you're lucky enough to have Saturday off as well. But most of the OFW here usually have one-day off only, so Thursday and Friday are very precious days to them. This is the time were they can mingle with their friends, co-workers and loved-ones, a chance to do the house chores, a time to rest in the bed the whole day or a chance to go around in malls, park, beach, etc.
I myself had one-day off (well that was before when I still have a job) so I know the feeling of being unsatisfied since I cannot really take a full-rest--as a wife I am oblique to do the house chores. Aside from that I have also other extra activities to attend (from APO/SHRPA) which usually related to community service or either seminars.
So this story of mine will be base from my previous experience and also from other OFW I've known especially to those person I'm with when we had this little expedition.
Me and my husband went last week in Dubai to visit my brother-in-law's family. Usually we visited them once a month or it depends in both schedule availability. Well, I really look forward going there because we always have "lakad" (trip), either we go to the malls or tourist attractions, sometimes they include us in their CFC get-together (I like it when they book to hotel) just like the recent trip they had here in Abu Dhabi, they book several rooms in Traders Hotel. So, I took the opportunity to visit my sister and my friend who lives in the same pad. Friday, which is their day-off, we decided to roam around and look for a local food to eat. I arrived their at 12:30 pm and as I enter the room, I found out they're still sleeping. I jump into their bed asking them to get up and be prepared because we're going out (kinda bit of excited because this is the first time to be with friends around Dubai). As usual, 3 ladies preparing took almost 3 and a half hours which means we leave the pad almost 4:00 pm.
We walked along Al Rigga to ride a metro going to Karama--one local food restaurant is there, all Filipino dishes at 365 Restaurant Karama branch. For only AED 29 you can have a buffet lunch/dinner including drinks, remember this is EAT ALL YOU CAN! As we walked by in a dusty and hot weather, finally we reached the metro station.
It took us 15 minutes only from Al Rigga to Karama metro station since its just three stations away and it cost us for only AED 5. Then from Karama metro station, you just need to take 5 minutes walk and you will the 365 restaurant. Our excitement begins when we saw the buffet especially the crabs. Haha!
All major Filipino ulam are here and my favorite california maki, maha blanca and halo-halo are included as well. It was such a huge dinner for the four of us, perfectly good to my hungry tummy. Everything is sulit for only AED 29, unli rice, unli ulam, unli sweets and unli drinks! Very affordable and the food really taste good.
After an hour and a half, we able to finish our dinner and we decided to leave because we're heading to the church of St. Mary's located in Oud Metha, Dubai. From Karama, we ride a metro again and it took us for only 7 minutes, it was just 2 metro stations away from Karama, thus, we spent only AED 3 for the ride. St. Mary's church consists of kabayan and mostly indians, every Friday they gather here for worshiping our God. Along the way of St. Mary's you can see a lot of kabayan's selling their filipino dishes like balot, siopao, isaw, kakanin and pasta. Though they were advised by the Dubai government not to sell and patronize them especially the Filipinos due to hot weather which may cause food poisoning, still some of them continue to venture just to have extra income. And then from Oud Metha we travelled to Al Nahda station.
This is the last activity we had for this day--SWIMMING! My brother-in-law's pad has a pool at the first floor, but it is wide open (no ceiling, expect the water temperature haha). So he invited us to go there and have a quick plunge before this day ends, and we did. Well just to enjoy their day-off, we accept the fact that the water is kind of hot, well just like a coffee that cools for 3 minutes. No KJ, everyone jumps in!
Yes it's hot hahaha but we did stay in the pool. At first its feels like burning your skin but when you stayed longer, its getting normal. Besides, the wind helps us to feel comfortable in the end.
It was such a relief for a very tiring week for the three girls I'm with, at least we able to do something good in their one day day-off.
For others, what are the common things an OFW do in their off?
1. Sleeping (until 11 am or more)
2. Laundry
3. Cooking (it's a cheat day food trip)
4. Cleaning the room or the bed
5. Worship either by morning or evening
6. Whole day lying in bed doing gaming
7. Skype galore
8. Attending CFC/SFC/schooling/seminars/community service
9. Malling/Strolling
10. Drinking and partying
11. Out of town (for those who have 2 days off)
12. Workout
For the 3 girls I'm with definitely they did nothing hahahaha because they spent their time in sleeping and strolling around. Its okay, the whole day is worth it.
Life of an OFW is never easy. Everybody can relate to that for sure. Whatever work they have never underestimate nor degrade them. Never questioned them if you saw them posting having dinner with friends or colleagues, if you see them happy, if they spend sometimes because they deserve to treat their selves too.
For all OFW, you are the pride of our country. Stay still and strong and always remember, "Never neglect your own happiness, learn to be free, be yourself and do what makes you happy."
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