CHRISTMAS IN QATAR

Went to an Embassy Christmas Party this weekend. Party attendees included 3 camels, 2 horses and various humans, including Santa Claus. (looked everywhere for three wise men, but couldn't find even one! Ha! ha! Sorry, couldn't resist that one.) Photo is Erin riding a horse, with the Embassy in the background.

Andy is Santa today for an office party. I drove him to work this morning dressed in the red suit. Had a few smiles and stares from other drivers on the road, and the gate guards got a kick out of it. I am in charge of Erin's class Christmas party tomorrow (Monday), which is also the last day of school before Winter Break. The kids get 3 weeks off from school. Do have a few things planned....there is another Christmas Party on Monday night (Andy will be donning the red suit again), a party at the Singing Sand Dunes on Friday, and a Dhow (boat) lunch cruise on Saturday. Will have a few people over for Christmas dinner, and am organizing a New Year's Eve party on the compound.

Have to give the Qataris this - they have religious tolerance. Christmas decorations are up in the stores, and are for sale. We have an 8 foot, blow up, Frosty the Snowman in front of our villa - no complaints on that either (though we are mostly Westerners here). Only problem is that it tends to get windy, and Frosty blows over. Often times the gate guards will right him for us.

Problem right now is the total lack of eggs in this country! Qatar imports most of its eggs from Saudia Arabia and India. Both countries have experience an outbreak of bird flu (among birds, not humans) so imports are banned. Eggs are trickling in from South America. I would be happy to buy those eggs (even though they are expensive) if I could find them! Bakeries here have had to shut down - including my own Christmas Cookie bakery. Oh well - I will just have to make more rum balls (don't require eggs!).

Merry Christmas!