Halloween-Doha Style

By the looks of the villa decorations, it was hard to tell that we weren't in the US! Of course not every villa in the compound participated, but there were plenty and the kids walked all over the compound in search of candy. I was actually surprised how many non-Western families participated. Now some didn't quite understand the process. It was not unusual for the kids to receive a handful of gummy bears, open from a larger package, or a couple of cookies out of an open package! lol Really, it was quite funny. Of course there is no Sams Club here and buying bags of Snickers gets quite expensive!

We of course rented a couple of trick or treaters! They had a blast!

I will add more pictures when I get them!

Halloween Bunco!

Yes, they do have bunco in Doha! Tonight was our Halloween bunco! Unless you brought costumes to Doha, you really need to get creative! I of course had my trusty cat ears which makes for an easy costume! I have learned that every bunco group has their own rules. In our bunco group, we have traveling buncos and two different crowns that get passed around (this is why I have a crown on my head). We really have a lot of fun!

Chicago vs Doha

I know this goes in and out of focus, I really just wanted to try out this Blogspot feature.

Did you know that Doha is also in the running for the 2016 Olympics? To learn more about Doha's bid, click on this website: Doha 2016 (For those of you in Chicago, you will also find a countdown clock to host/city selection!) Many of you ask how long we will be here and one definite answer I have is, we will NOT be here in 2016!

Last night Michael and I along with another couple went, along with the rest of the city, to the Corniche (gulf front) to watch the fireworks and celebration of the unveiling and kickoff of Doha's bid for the 2016 Olympics. It is actually quite humorous, every person in Doha received 3 text messages on their mobiles (this is what they call cell phones here) reminding them of the festivities.

We decided to get to the Corniche early so that we could get a seat and avoid the traffic. With bagged chairs in tow, we claimed our spot and had a great view of the fireworks. In the back drop of the fireworks were the skyscrapers of Doha! It was so funny, as we were waiting we watched skyscrapers lose all power, the entire building would just go black. Few minutes later, it would light back up and then another building would go black. It was so funny as we determined that they were trying to minimize the light coming through the buildings that were directly behind the fireworks! Eventually they identified the correct buildings and the show started. This is truly Doha!

We found this quite interesting:
The Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid represents the hopes and aspirations of Qatar. The Bid is seen through the present, but also inspired by the past. Qatar's present is full of energy, driven by its booming economy and its highly-educated citizens. Qatar's past is a rich heritage, deeply rooted in its people's hearts and minds. The logo's design represents the blossoming of these elements leading growth in Qatar. The Aldahma - the 'Flower of the Spring' - was chosen to represent the vital and energetic spirit of the season. The Aldahma's natural habitat in the sands of the desert draws a parallel with the vibrant and colourful life flourishing in the State of Qatar. The calligraphy strokes making the words 'Doha 2016' are a unique manipulation of the traditional organic Henna patterns that women use to adorn their hands and arms as part of social and holiday celebrations. The dynamic interaction between the Arabic calligraphy and the English type is an interpretation of modernity. The logo is a welcoming message for a truly energetic and celebratory 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha.The logo was created by students at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUQ).

Have I Mentioned...

Have I mentioned how happy Macey is to have us back! I got a good report from her babysitter. We had a nanny in the compound sleep over while we were gone. She said that she really liked Macey and that Macey would sleep with her, or hog the bed! The only time she was unfriendly was when her new friend tried to brush Macey and then Macey would hiss at her. Hopefully she will be willing to watch her again!



Seriously...how cute is she! She is trying to take a nap and the drapes are open so she is covering up her eyes!

Eid al-Fitr

First of all, Michael and I have both returned to Doha after a wonderfully long visit.

These donations are given around this time as Ramadan has recently ended. Eid is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning Festivity. At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family. A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan.
One of the best things about our compound is that there is a very active group of ladies. They organize coffee mornings, evening socials, bunco and many other activities. Today as a way of thanking the compound workers for all of their hard work, donations were collected and cash gifts were given to each compound employee. This has been organized at our compound for at least 3 years. It is really such a small gift that makes a big impact.

New Traffic Laws in Qatar

This is not a doctored picture...this is driving in Qatar. No wonder why Michael is having such a hard time! lol

In a major move to curb the growing number of accidents and reckless driving on Qatar ’s roads, the government yesterday promulgated a new Traffic Law, stipulating severe penalties for violators including a point system which would ultimately lead to the cancellation of a habitual offender’s driving license. (Michael better watch out!!!)

The penalty for using mobile phones while driving has been enhanced. The violator will have to pay a minimum fine of QR 3,000 and a maximum fine of QR 10,000. He is also liable for imprisonment up to one year. Motorists who commit violations like driving with no authorized license, driving under the influence of liquor, driving in the opposite direction of traffic flow, escaping from the accident site, causing sound and air pollution and exceeding the speed limit would be punishable by imprisonment from one month to three years or fined QR 10,000 to 50,000 or both.

According to the new law, the punishment for the following offences are also the same as mentioned above: Not wearing seat belts, allowing children below 10 years sit in the front passenger seat, not giving way to official motorcades and the vehicles of the police, civil defense and ambulances, not leaving enough space between two vehicles and motorcyclists allowing another passenger sit behind them (pillion riding).

The law stipulates that the driver and the front seat passenger should wear seat belts all the time. Article 66 of the new law says that in the event of an accident, the involved motorists should immediately call the police and render assistance to the injured. The motorists should not move their vehicles from the spot until the policeman arrived. If there are no major injuries to the passengers or damage to the vehicles, the involved parties may move the vehicles to a nearby spot so that traffic flow is not affected. Cyclists should keep to the right side of the road and should ride in one line. Motorcyclists are not allowed to ride on one wheel. Both should wear helmets.

VIOLATION POINT SYSTEM
A driving license may be suspended for three months when the total violations reached 14 points for the first time.

Jumping the red light 7
Driving in the opposite direction 6
Driving under the influence of alcohol 6
Exceeding the maximum speed 4
Driving recklessly and dangerously 4
Driving with defective brakes 4
Driving with inappropriate license 3
Driving with stripped or invalid license 3
Violating norms of public morality 3
Driving an unregistered vehicle 3
Driving a vehicle without number plates 3
Unauthorized changes made to number plates 3
Providing wrong information to pass the technical inspection 3
Using the vehicle for the wrong purpose 3
Blocking the flow of traffic intentionally 3
Driving a vehicle without a proper silencer 3
Driving a polluting vehicle 3
Driving a vehicle that leaks any material that can damage the road 3
Driving a vehicle which drops loads which can endanger the public safety 3
Driving on the embankment 3
Making a wrong U-turn 3
Changing a vital part of the vehicle without written permission from authorities 3
Giving the licence to someone who has no licence 2
Driving a vehicle with unclear number plates 2
Driving with only one number plate/changing their shape or detail 1
Refraining from giving driving licence to traffic police 1
Trucks violating the load conditions 1
Trucks violating the width, length, or weight regulations of the vehicle 1
Driving a technically unsafe vehicle 1
Using lights, horns, microphones, or other machines against the law 1
Disobeying traffic signs 1

Ramadan-Just Around the Corner

Being in Qatar, we are registered with the US Embassy. Occasionally we receive CONSULAR WARDEN MESSAGES. These messages can be anything from regional travel advisories to recalls that have been made in the country. Of course, if there are ever any safety concerns, the US Embassy would also alert us in a similar fashion. Below is a CONSULAR WARDEN MESSAGE that I recently received briefly describing Ramadan:

Ramadan will last for approximately 30 days, or one lunar month, and will finish on or about October 11, 2007. The Embassy also wishes to draw the attention of U.S. citizens to local customs that should be observed during the month of Ramadan:

• Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. As such, it is illegal in Qatar to eat, drink (even water), or smoke in public during fasting hours, i.e., approximately 5:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Approximate times for sunrise and sunset will be announced in local newspapers. If Muslims are present in the work place, they expect non-Muslims to respect their fasting and not eat, drink, or smoke in front of them, even in motor vehicles, or to prepare food that they can smell or see. As it is illegal to serve food or drink during fasting hours, restaurants will be closed during daylight hours, with the exception of a few hotel restaurants that serve non-Muslims only. Restaurants will begin serving food at sundown, but expect them to be crowded, especially during Iftar, the first meal immediately after sunset. If you are in a hotel, and they do not serve a meal at a time you require, you will find that room service is normally available or the dining room will have an isolated area where non-Muslims are served.
• While modest dress and respectful behavior between the sexes (even between married couples) are normal social customs in Qatar, this is particularly so during Ramadan.
• Shops and markets are open in the morning, often closed in the afternoon, but open again for a few hours after sunset. Shops and stores will have extended hours into the late evening and early morning to accommodate Ramadan hours of operation.
• If possible, please avoid driving in the hour immediately before sunset. One should be extra alert at this time, as many Muslims will be rushing to family member's or friend's home or a restaurant to break their fast. Many accidents occur at this time, some very serious. (Michael should particularly pay attention to this one!)