SAND AND SEA

Been a long time since my last post - sorry about that! Anyway, in the past couple of weeks we have ventured out of Doha (the capital city of Qatar). First - the Singing Sand Dunes. Rising out of the flat desert a few miles from Doha, these dunes appear out of place. Not sure what caused the dunes (any geologists out there?) -

perhaps wind or rock patterns have allowed this massive buildup of fine sand. These dunes are one of the few places in the world where the sand particles vibrate and emit a deep hum when the wind blows just right, or when something or someone slides across the surface - the dunes sing! A very freaky experience - not only could we hear the hum, we could feel the vibrating sand through the raft we used as a sled.

Now - to the sea. Last weekend we ventured about 25 miles up the coast to the town of Al Khor. In the pre-oil days, Al Khor's main industries were fishing and pearling. Nowdays the gas industry prevails, though they still do some fishing. I have posted a photo of some traditional Arab Dhows - fishing boats. We walked by the fish market - didn't actually go in due to the strong, fishy smell. The beach turned out to be a disappointment. Not much to see or do in Al Khor.

On the homefront we still await our sea shipment. It is supposed to arrive in country soon - but we probably won't see it until after Ramadan (which ends Oct. 16). I have signed on as a 3rd grade Brownie leader for Troop 11 - and we will have our first meeting next week. Girl Scouts here don't sell cookies - which is good and bad. Where will Andy get his Thinmints from? May be asking some of you if we can purchase a few boxes and have you store them for us until we visit next summer. Andy is an Assistant Scoutmaster for Grant's Boy Scout troop and they are looking into a High Adventure Trip over Spring Break.

Finally, saw a funny sight yesterday. Picture a pickup truck - with baby camels in the back! It was bumper to bumper traffic, and the camels were sitting down and looking at everyone with those beautiful, dark eyes. Of course I didn't have my camera.

Take care - CB