Doha, Qatar!
We're here!
Michael finally received his residence permit and now they will apply for my permit. This allows us to buy a car, get our home phone and DSL Internet and most importantly our liquor license! Our first car will be a Dodge Durango (5.7L HEMI, 345hp, "YEAH BABY!" exclaimed Michael). We are still waiting for our shipment, and there are no estimations as to when that will clear customs.
Michael is enjoying the challenges of his new job. The biggest challenge is communicating with individuals from other countries. While there is an English only policy, it is often difficult to understand under the heaviness of various dialects.
I am occupying my time by cleaning the floors, which for those of you who know me is a great enjoyment of mine. In addition to cleaning, I have been playing cards, working out (though this was delayed as I broke my toe after jamming it into the tile stairs), and really just taking time to meet new people and find all of the best shops! It is a full time job here to 'find the American products.' Women will go great distances in search of familiar products and brands! I am coming very close to going up to the American school, but I am holding myself back and trying to enjoy some time of work-less relaxation!
Macey handled the flight like a brave little kitty! She is still checking the villa out. She is not too sure what to think. Our villa does back up to a busy street and the noise is very unfamiliar to her. Another complaint that Macey has is that there is no space under the bed! So she cannot hide! So, I have created a fort for her in her room, and yes she chose the bigger bedroom. She spends a great deal of time hiding out! Her final complaint is the tile stairs, they are very slippery for her soft little feet. She takes great care as she slowly slides all the way down! She is very happy to have a lot of large windows to sun in! Mostly she is just happy to be with us!The weather has been very unseasonable. It has rained more days than I would have imagined that we would have seen in a year! (no cracks on us bringing bad weather please!) The temperature has been mild, highs in the low 70s and lows in the high 50s. Though, when we first arrived, we actually bought 2 space heaters! It was in the 40s and that is very could in a cement house and the houses do not have heaters.
Our villa is very nice. We are in one of the smaller villas offered, it is 3 bedrooms and about 3600 sq. ft. Our compound is extremely safe. The entrance is home to a well staffed guard shack which includes a Qatari Police Officer at all times! (Rumor has it there are US Army families in our compound which may be the reason for added security.) We have an absolutely beautiful resort style pool, restaurant, tennis and basketball courts, gym, small dance studio, dry cleaners, theater room, and indoor and outdoor bar/club area that can be reserved for parties.
Hope this blog keeps all of you posted, at your own convenience, of our many Doha, Qatar experiences! Please feel free to post messages to us, just remember this is a family site ;-))!
Love,
Gina, Michael and Macey
6 comments:
Dear Gina and Michael,
I think this blog is a wonderful idea. Mark has always had an interest in going overseas, but I've been hesitant from fear of the unknown. It will be exciting hearing of your day to day situations and how you two face them. This is so priceless---people go their entire lives and never experience the adventures you'll have over the coming years. We can't wait to read about your next adventure. Take care and enjoy the ride.
Sincerely,
Mark and Bree Shields (friends of Michael's from the Mobil days)
Glad to hear you're finally legal, at least half of you. And Michael, we love Gina's wordiness. Gramma Lu says that Gina just makes things so interesting.
I enjoy the interesting way Gina spells even more so than her wordiness.
You should have seen Chase's eyes light up when I read the part about the 4 wheelers for the 4 year olds! I don't think I could possibly send him to see you quick enough.
Vicki
Glad to see you'll be keeping yourself busy with things OTHER than cleaning! All those chemicals have to be hazardous to your health...
Can't wait to see you post about your adventures, Benjamin says "hi" to his auntie Gina. :)
Miss you guys!
'80 & Jimmy
This is so exciting to read how your lives have changed, how becoming fully insured required covering "blood money" in the event of an accident, and how well you "three" have adjusted to life in the desert. We'll chat again in July--hehe. It really looks gorgeous, nothing like the barron visions I have cooked up in my head when thinking of Qatar. Gina, I love your "wife" review of events. When Mark talks of going overseas, he claims he's talked to people who "just love it" and I'm thinking, "yeah, the guys are thinking MONEY, and the wives are thinking HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO BE HERE? Enjoy every moment and take pictures of everything. You two have become my online soap opera---anything with "blood money" sounds exciting (and dangerous)to me! Here's my first of many questions: How's the TV there? Did you two stock up on DVDs of your favorite shows or do you have satellite and can watch most anything?
Thanks for answering in advance.
Mark and Bree
ps-Mark is downstairs talking to his friends about how he "knew you back when".....hehe
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