Doha: Almost Pretty

Qatar may not be known for its gorgeous landscapes, but I have now discovered that in fact, there are some pretty areas.

A few of us have dubbed Doha's new motto "Doha: It's almost pretty." There are drives along the corniche when the sun is rising and it is gorgeous. Sometimes you turn the bend and the lights of West Bay look amazing. But, then you turn your head and have a view of the huge National Museum construction or a huge lot of cranes and you're like "ohhh, nevermind." Doha is still building itself up so it seems to be trying very hard but it's not quite there yet. So, as I said- almost pretty. Read More...

A Little Family in the Desert

Living abroad has been relatively easy to adjust to. Doha is fairly modern and anything you need is easily accessible. I do have to say I was very naive before coming here and had no idea what I was getting myself into. Would there by cow's milk for my cereal? Was the water drinkable? 

I realize how stupid my questions about Doha are now that I have been here for eight months. Bringing my Pur water filter with me and recipes for breakfasts that are not cereal and milk were wasted. I sometimes forget that I live in the Middle East when I run to the mall to go to the grocery store and pick up some bath bubbles at Lush.

Truly, the hardest part of living abroad is the time difference. Read More...

From The Beach To The Backwaters

On the cab ride to our next hotel in Alleppey, I have never wished for a seat belt more. I have been trained since a child that the first thing you do when you get in a car is put on your seatbelt. Driving in Doha is not an safe nor easy feat and seat belt safety is not a huge thing. I constantly have to tell my students how important it is to wear your seatbelt but mostly get back a chorus of "they are yucky, I don't like."
Driving in India was even worse- in a different way. Lane dividers seemed to be a slight suggestion. I have seen drivers in Doha decide to just use the lane for oncoming traffic to further their place in the traffic, but only a few times. In India, it seemed like it was just a free for all. The car horn is also used as a "hey, heads up! I'm coming through!" signal, so when you are constantly in the other lane, it becomes a steady string of honks that eventually give you a headache.
While playing the ever fun game of "Spot the celebrity that is clearly not getting paid for this advertisement work" (which included a picture of Michael Jackson on a beauty salon sign- no joke), we wound our way through Kerala to Alleppey where the famed backwaters are located. We eventually made it alive and checked into our new hotel. Read More...