KISH ISLAND ::: a haven for hopeful OFWs
Just a little over a decade ago, I was a hopeful lady on her mid-20's who flew away from the callcenter life in Manila. I resigned from my work at CVG and got my way to Dubai where both of my brothers work.
Unlike my elder siblings, it wasn't easy for me to find a job. I entered UAE in 2007, month of October, with a two-month tourist visa. I've had two exits in the then famous, exit capital of OFW hopefuls in UAE: KISH ISLAND
WHERE IS KISH?
Kish Island is located in the Persian Gulf in the Southern Coast of Iran.
WHY VISIT KISH?
For most expats, particularly Filipinos, we see Kish Island not as a tourist destination but just a mere exit point when the UAE tourist visa needs to be renewed. During that time, I don't like to go there because it just means additional expense of finding a job. I was blessed that both of my brothers supported me when I first set foot in UAE.
I decided to do this blog about Kish to reminisce the last time I did my exit. We used to have some brethren then who were residents of Kish so I didn't have to pay for my hotel during my stay but only bring some Pinoy goodies which aren't available in that island.
I don't have memories of Farabi Hotel, the famous hotel amongst Pinoy where most of horror stories of Kish emerged. The only memory I had of Farabi was when I needed to run after we were dropped off by the taxi in front of the hotel lobby. Why run? We were told that we might get caught by the police because as tourists we must check in in a hotel. Until this time I don't even know if it's true.
Before we got our UAE visas, we decided to have a tour of the island:
Sweetcorn Vendor in Kish Island with some of my friends:
One of the stall vendors:
Some of the locals in the store:
This is the house where we stayed during our exit:
We had so much to remember about Kish that I cannot share right now but if I can dig some other pictures, I'd definitely Steem them here.
Currently, exits to Kish had been stopped so it isn't as popular now as it was before.
Tchau,
@plumandrain
Congratulations! Your post has been selected for the SteemPH UAE : Daily Featured Posts | 02 March 2018.
Thanks @steemph.uae
More power!
Exits from Kish island are stopped now because of political tensions between Iran and the UAE.
I also experienced the Kish life for 4 days when i was exiting for my visa. There were only two hotels back then, Salar and Farabi hotel. I think i stayed in Farabi. The last time i checked, Kish even has a mall as it has bloomed to be a bonifide tourist spot. I don't know if trips to Kish will be available again from the UAE, but who knows, maybe we can go there in better days.
Maybe in the millenium! :)
ako na miz ko din yan.... lalo na yun fishing...:)
Thanks for sharing your experience in pursuit of securing a job there in UAE. It ain't easy, a challenge indeed. Thank God for His safe keeping. I'm glad you are now all set :)
One of the thing I miss in kish! Tsinelas!
That! :)
Tinapay?!?
Na miss ko rin yung Kish Island, Iran. Naging residence din ako nyan somewhere in time. Na stampan din ako ng visa ng Iran.
Wow! There's a famous Filipina lady named ate fatima that became a tour guide of Farabi, do you know her? :D
Cant remember, but there was a Filipina who owns a restaurant near Farabi. During my time in Kish.
I did 2 exits in 2005, both to Kish. The first one though was only A-to-A. Our new visit visas were already waiting for me and my friend. The second was to wait for my working visa. I did not enjoy it at all- the 4 days spent there (inclusive of weekend) were only inside the hotel room (i think Farabi). Even my breakfasts were fetched for me by my room mate. It was depressing for me.
I feel you.. even when we stayed with somehow fellow Filipinos, I felt being worried of the uncertainty of finding job at that time... in addition to thinking of where to get money to spend for the next months of job hunting.
Same po tayo. I also stayed for 4 days in Farabi. The only thing is i already brought my baon with me so i didn't have to go out if i don't want to. Puno yung maleta ko ng baon e. hehe. I just went out to catch the sea breeze with some kabayans i met there.
Same here! Had my first and last exit, wew! I enjoyed somehow staying in kish because of new found friends but I don't want to go back anymore.... hahaha those scary stories (loss women).. but I'm glad to had the chance touring the whole island 😊😊
12.49% @pushup from @plumandrain