Arabian Peninsula: Qatar

I'm enjoying being in Doha, Qatar with Becca who is teaching at a private Qatari international primary school where sixty per cent of the students are Qataris, but many fewer teachers. This is her second year and she plans to stay another year. She has a rather new completely furnished two bedroom apartment in Education City, a gated community where foreign educators live. Everything is provided. There is a grocery store within walking distance and a health club.

Flying time from Kuwait was one hour and I purchased my visa at the airport for about $30. The booth at the airport called "Veiled Lady Identity Check," I found fascinating; it's where women officials will look at the veiled woman's face to make sure it matches the passport picture.

Qatar was also a pearl fishing country until the 1930's. Oil was discovered, but wasn't exploited until after World War II. Everything is extremely clean and well taken care of. Beautiful green grass and flowers, especially petunias are in the parks, along the roads, and in the roundabouts. It's a beautiful city. One sees many stray cats, but few dogs. Both in Kuwait and in Qatar local telephone calls are free.

Alcohol is available at hotel bars, and if one is a foreigner, can obtain a permit to buy alcohol at a special store, but there are many strict rules surrounding the sales, and if there is an infringement, a person can be deported.

Qatar is another oil-rich country where shopping is the favorite past time. Workers from poor Asian countries make up about 3/4 of the population of over one million. Big cars, especially Toyota Land Cruisers are popular and the Qataris drive atrociously. I am impressed with the way Becca maneuvers on the wide roads and in and out of the many two to three lane roundabouts - of course she often is talking a blue streak to the other drivers as she weaves in and out. Drivers love speed and want to arrive first, often using devious methods. Gas costs about a dollar a gallon.

Just as in Kuwait, the skyline is impressive with very modern buildings and constant construction. Mansions are huge, but the colors of all the buildings are more subdued than in Kuwait: pinks, peaches, tans, browns, whites, grays, the colors of the desert and the sunset.

We've been out and about since I got here on Thursday. Since the weekend starts on Friday we drove east to the beach that day, but on the way stopped at the camel racetrack. Much of the way we were on an almost deserted four lane highway. We went to the racetrack where camels were being trained. They trotted around the eight kilometer-long racetrack, covered with colorful blankets and with men riding some of them, often with young ones in tow. Trainers drive along the track next to their group of camels. These days robot jockeys are used instead of young boys; there is a foot high "jockey" perched on the back of the camel, who bears a whip. Fascinating. Later we entered a stable and were greeted by the Sudanese workers.

Near by is an oryx farm, a type of white Arabian antelope with long horns that they are trying to breed and reintroduce into the wilderness. It is the national animal of Qatar.

From there we drove to the beach, but passed through the oil and natural gas fields. When we left Doha, the desert was flat and rather ugly with loose gravel - somewhat like the Gobi in Mongolia, later there were some hills and small plateaus. In another area, there were green scrub trees and bushes which made it more interesting. The beach was nothing special, and there was garbage, but the air was clean and we were the only ones there. Unfortunately it was too chilly to swim even though the water temperature was OK, but we were able to sit in the sun. Families have "camps" on beaches where they set up huge canvas tents and the men come for the weekend, often a place where they can train their falcons. Falcons, camels, and horses seem to be the favorite animals of the men.

The Asian Cup is being held here at the moment so there are a number of tourists. Already there are many signs advertising the World Cup in 2022.

It's a pleasant place to be this time of year because temperatures are in the 60's and 70's, but it is often windy. In the summer temperatures are over 100 and people stay indoors. It's a very safe place, and people are friendly and helpful.