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!)

Camel Spiders in Doha???

My nephew, Chase, keeps asking us if we have seen a camel spider! I probably would not be staying in Doha if we had. Actually, I had never heard of a camel spider and so here are some of the findings that Chase has researched and shared with us! (BREE-WE HAVE NOT SEEN THESE IN DOHA!)

The information posted below as well as more information about Camel Spiders can be found at: http://www.faunaimportuk.com/caresheets/cswindspider.htm

Also known as Camel spider, Wind scorpions, Solifugid.

This weird looking arachnid is not in fact a scorpion or spider at all but belongs to its own order- solifugid. This species can attain a leg span of 5” and a body of 2”. Wind spiders are fast moving aggressive hunters, capable of over powering much larger prey than itself. Its front pair of legs are modified as feelers to detect and pull its prey into its large over sized jaws. Its three pairs of legs are capable of speed making this creature a fast moving killing machine. The wind spider is adapted to life in the desert and can withstand the harsh environment well. As its name suggests it can sometimes be seen tumbling around in sand storms. To escape the worst of the environment they sometimes make burrows under bushes, buildings etc. The female will also make a burrow to lay her eggs.

Summer 2007

Well, as most of you know at this point, Michael and I are in the states now. I flew through from Italy and Michael followed a couple weeks later.

In mid July, my sister, grandma, nephews, and I went to visit Aunt Martha at Lake Bloomington. The boys had lots of fun kayaking, fishing and swimming in the lake. Of course it is always a treat to visit with Aunt Martha!












Then, Michelle and I took Ashley and Chase to Lake Geneva. There, we spent a lot of time at the pool and an indoor water park. We also spent a day at an animal farm, where Ashley and Chase were able to bottle feed a baby deer and lama, watch horses dance and parrots do amazing tricks. One of the parrots was actually on the David Letterman show!









Michael and I were just in Tucson, Arizona at an Up With People reunion. It was great fun to meet so many of Michael’s old friends.
We of course have been busy visiting with family and friends and of course shopping! I just returned from Jewel and stocked up on a couple of things that I cannot find in Doha. For those interested (Bree), I bought: instant pudding, Jiffy cornbread mix, Zatarain’s Spanish Rice, Goldfish, and chow mien noodles.

We are still looking forward to seeing many of you and cannot wait to reunite with our Doha friends as well. Of course we cannot wait to see Macey either! Macey has been spending her vacation with our friend Robert. He is reporting that she is getting along just fine, eating and purring!

Milan, Italy

We spent the rest of our time in Italy in Milan. Michael had to work, so I was left on my own to learn how to use the subway!!! No problems, after a couple of trips, I had it all under control. I think even Michael was impressed how well I had it figured out.

We did go on a standard city tour of Milan. On the tour, we visited churches, castles and theaters. At the end of the tour, we were able to view Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper!

Besides that, I did quite a bit of shopping, of course. I also visited the Monumental Cemetery (as recommended by a friend). I know you are wondering why I would be excited about visiting a cemetery. This was so much more than just a cemetery, it was an artistic celebration of life. The architecture was truly amazing.

On our last night, we went out in search for this magical bull! A superstition says that turning yourself around on the bull's jewels brings wealth and fertility. A crowd of fortune-seeking people will show you the way to the bull. We both gave it a try to increase our odds of wealth and fertility!

We had an amazing trip in Italy. There is so much more to see and I cannot wait to return! Oh, and of course, the food was superb!!!

Lake Como, Italy

Well, we made it to Italy. We decided to stay the weekend in Bellagio which is right on Lake Como. It is a quaint little town with many shops and restaurants.

Bellagio was exactly how I pictured Italy. There are narrow roads and cobbled stairways.

We had the most perfect room with an amazing view! Of course according to the website that we used to locate this hotel, it said we would be in a room with a lake view. I just figured we would be able to see a small slice of the lake...WRONG. We had a panoramic view of Lake Como. In fact I think we could even see George Clooney's house (he has a home on Lake Como)!

The churches are beautiful! Of course being that it was July 7, 2007, we got to see a bride and groom as they were leaving the church.

I must say, all we did was walk and walk and walk. We had perfect weather and we just spent our time walking and exploring. We did take a short trip to Verona as well. Of course as many of you can expect, Michael's favorite part has been the Gelato! One shop owner asked Michael if he wanted a small cup and we both started laughing out loud as Michael pointed to a much larger size!!!

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th is just like any other day here! But we all got together at our friend's compound for a barbecue. Someone even managed to find some mini streamer poppers for the kids to explode! Wishing you all a safe holiday!