RAMADAN

The Muslim holiday of Ramadan started last week - it will last about a month. Very festive here in Doha with lights and decorations! Muslims fast during the daylight hours (no food or water), and have a big feast at sundown (I am told that most people gain weight during Ramadan). To comply with this tradition, most restaurants and stores are closed during the day - but open at sundown and stay open very late. Qatari law limits the workday to 5 hours during Ramadan (doesn't apply to American diplomats, though). Last night Andy and I went with 2 people from his office to a Ramadan feast at the Ritz Carlton hotel. We didn't know what to expect - it was a Wow! The event was indoors - in a ballroom decorated like to look like a luxury tent with persian carpets, candles, and beautiful beaded furniture. Huge buffet with all the favorties (huumus, lamb, seafood, rice, shawarma, salads, juices - you sprinkle nuts on the juice, and lots of desserts). I ate one plate of dinner, and 2 plates of dessert (see photo - I have those priorities straight!). Andy ordered a strawberry sheesha pipe for us - have posted a photo of him smoking. Don't worry - no tobacco here just dried fruit and water. I smoked a bit too. Had entertainment - a whirling dervish(photo posted) and a singer. A great time! We are invited to another feast tonight - at an American's house down the street, then again on Monday. Might need to fast to avoid gaining weight!

Kids are doing well. Grant has started lessons at a British sailing school - has already had a boat out on the Persian Gulf. Erin and I went to a Girl Scout organizational meeting yesterday - lots of events planned.

Take care,
CB

HELPLESS????

Do I look it? Let me explain: Qatar imports workers to run the place - lots of workers (Qataris are a minority in their own country, and seem to like it that way!). Result is, as people of means in this country, we are not expected to do much for ourselves. At McDonalds or other fast food places, you don't clean up after yourself (we tried and had 2 people rush over and tell us, Oh No Mum and Sir, and practically grab the trays out of our hands.) Last week I went to a local shop to buy the kids' PE outfits. I went to the American School section and a clerk immediately came over to help. There were only a few shirts hanging on the rack - I immediately thought Oh No - I came too late and they are out! Not the case. The clerk asked me how old my kids were and suggested sizes. I then tried to take the shirts from the rack but he said, Oh No Mum, and grabbed the correct sizes wrapped in cellophane off a shelf (the hanging shirts are just for show). Went through the same procedure with the shorts, then he took everything up to the register for me (like I can't carry 4 shirts and 4 pairs of shorts!). This morning I had potted flowers sitting in front of the house. A man, wearing a uniform I recognized from a local garden shop, rang my doorbell and asked me (I think - his English wasn't good) if I wanted him to plant the flowers. I said No thank you, I would do it. He then went into my back yard and asked (again, I am guessing here) if he could bring some plants for me that afternoon. (There were bags of dirt sitting there, and Andy had started mixing them with the sand). I told him No, we would plant ourselves and he left. Later, while I was watering the flowers I just planted, he came back and did the classic "Tsk, Tsk" at me. He motioned that he should water the plants - getting a bit exasperated I said No thank you. Bottom line - I really am not helpless, and hope I don't get that way. If you see me sitting on my butt when I come back next summer PLEASE tell me that this is America - do it yourself!

Ramadan has started - will have to elaborate on that in the next post.

Take care,
CB

SCHOOL IN DOHA

We are on Day 3 now of the new school - happy to report that it is going well! Have a few kinks to work out. Main kink is the bus (have posted a photo of Grant and Erin getting on). No problems with morning pickup, but due to the crazy route the kids have an hour bus ride in the afternoon. Our compound is only 1 1/2 blocks away from the school! (You are probably asking - why don't they walk home? Good question. Answer: it is too hot and, even if it wasn't, Doha is not pedestrian friendly. Sidewalks and crosswalks simply aren't there.) We "Compound Mom's" figure we will give the school a week to figure this out before we make a lot of noise.

Have also issued a photo of Andy's company issued transportation - a Toyota Landcruiser. It is the car of choice in Doha. Great air conditioning, and a built in refrigerator (big enough to hold a 6 pack of soda). Problem is most of the Landcruiser's here look exactly like this one (don't know if people just like that detailing, or it is all that is available?). Can make it hard to ID your car.

We feel like real tenants of the Compound now that we have had water leaks in the house (common problem and topic of conversation on the compound). Had water (slowly) leaking into the first floor family room. We turned off the AC in the bedroom above and that stopped the leak. Will give it a day to dry out, then try that AC again (this is what compound maintenance suggests). Big flood last night when Erin let the water out of a bathtub. The water started coming up through a drain on that bathroom floor - ran out of the bathroom, across the bedroom, down the stairs and into the foyer and living room. Called maintenance at 9 PM and had 12 men here within 15 minutes (how many people does it take to fix a drain?). Anyway, they fished around in the drain and came up with a chunk of concrete - must be leftover from construction and shifted to block the drain. I used that bathtub this AM and it is draining just fine now.

Finally got paperwork done and we received our personal vehicle yesterday (not a Landcruiser). Yipee! I even have a Qatari drivers license now (photo looks just as bad as the US one).

All for now,

CB

AIR FREIGHT AND ANNIVERSARY

Finally received the air shipment on Wednesday afternoon. Really glad to see the "stuff" - especially the school supplies, kitchen stuff, towels, sheets, etc; Have posted a photo from our Farewell Party in Virginia (also was a 25th Wedding Anniversary party), and a photo showing the living room mess with our Air Freight. Have it all put away now. Our sea shipment should be here towards the end of October.

Sent kids to school this AM on the bus. I think they were relieved to go - too much time in this empty house. Am anxious to hear their reports this afternoon. Had a great experience at another dance studio on Saturday. Japanese teacher - very patient and kind - this is the one! Both Erin and I were very happy. Dance class is at "Education City" - where Texas A&M, Cornell, and Virginia Commonwealth University have campuses. Still lots of construction but what they have finished is beautiful. Grant had an orthodontist appointment on Saturday that also went very well. He should be finished with the braces in about 6 months.

Been very busy the past week getting ready for school - know those lazy days are over! Traffic has really picked up here as people come back from their summer breaks. Beginning to see more of the crazy drivers that Doha is famous for. Traffic fatalities are a big problem amongst the natives - think a major factor here is the refusal to use seat belts (don't worry - we always wear ours!). We are really getting to know Doha, by getting lost. There is no street address system here - directions are the nearest intersection, then the name of the building. Can be very frustrating. Haven't gotten our personal vehicle yet - still mired in the paperwork. Hope it all comes together this week.

Take care!

CB

Labor Day in Doha

OK - Labor Day is an American holiday, which we celebrated on Sunday (the workweek here is Sunday - Thursday). Today, Sept. 3, is (was) Qatari Independence Day - like our July 4th it is the day Qatar declared independence from England. On Aug. 26th the Qatar Emir (King) ruled that Sept. 3 would no longer be celebrated as a holiday - instead the "National" day will be celebrated on Dec. 18th - when his ancestor assumed the throne of Qatar. Wreaked havoc with business, school and vacation schedules.

I wish I could report that our air freight arrived - but no such luck. Still living with what we brought in our suitcases. Today was Erin's first dance class - unfortunately didn't work out. Teacher was very intense (Russian) - Erin left the class in tears - something she has never done in 4 years of dance lessons. Erin has always had such fun with dance - hate to see that spoiled. Will get on the phone tomorrow to the other places.

Have been to an Embassy pool party and BBQ since the last post. Had a great time! I must get some pictures up soon.

Hope you all had a fun and relaxing Labor Day,
CB