The Wedding

So having had a ladies night the wedding was set down for the following Thursday. Zouheir spent the best part of each day for a fortnight in the courts getting all the documents they required. This was interspersed by trips to the British and Lebanese embassy and to the official translators. It was decided, seeing that Amy’s dad was coming up and he only had a short time here, that it would be better to go on Wednesday and then if anything went wrong we could go back Thursday.

On Wednesday night just after evening prayer we went to the courts in Doha. It was somewhat different to a marriage ceremony that kiwis are used to but none the less special and interesting. Amy, Zouheir, Amy’s dad, Zouheir’s brother and Steve and I arrived at the courts on time. This was a feat in itself as I had to follow Zouheir’s friend who was driving at speed through Doha peak traffic to a place I didn’t know! I kept up though - any film car chase person would have been proud of me or I have been driving in Qatar too long and it all seemed a bit normal!

On arrival Amy and I were quickly told to go into the ladies waiting room. This room, about the size of a very small bedroom has white walls adorned with graffiti (which was in Arabic so we couldn’t read it) was our base for the next half hour. This was slightly longer than normal as Amy’s dad had forgotten to bring his passport and had to go back to TV apartments to get it. There was a little panic when the word “bukra”, which means tomorrow, was heard but we weren’t going anywhere and Steve was left to ensure that the judge couldn’t escape before the wedding papers were signed.

Amy’s friend’s, Anna and Angela arrived. They brought Amy some beautiful flowers as a surprise and the four of us got to amuse ourselves in the ladies room. Amy was allowed out to discuss the papers with the court registrar. The woman must agree on the conditions of the wedding and this had been worked out before the ceremony. The registrar however makes sure the woman is represented fairly and has agreed with everything that has been written down.

Then it was back to the room while the men went to the judge to sign the official documents. We were then told we could come out and they were married. Many hugs and kisses were exchanged as we left the building. The exchange of rings took place outside the court room in the carpark and then the small but happy wedding party went to Layali Restaurant to celebrate. Amy has not stopped smiling yet.

The next night a more kiwi type celebration was held at the Irish Bar of the Sheraton hotel and many of our staff got to come and toast the happy couple.

Girls night out

Well it’s been an exciting week or so as one of our staff members has decided to get married to a very lovely Lebanese chap she meet here in Doha. Amy brought Zouheir around to see Steve and I soon after the Eid break and we got to check him and he passed inspection.

So we ladies decided a “hens night” was called for. Souq Waqif, also known by us a s the old–new souq because it is new but built in the old style, was buzzing on a Thursday night and we certainly turned some heads. We dined at an amazing Iranian restaurant and had a fabulous night with great food, wonderful fruit juices (yes fruit juices - you should try lemon and mint) and some challenges for Amy.

She handled them all well and there was much interest in the group of woman aged from 26 to 60+ wandering about with one of the younger ones wearing a veil. Certainly it was two cultures coming together and everyone was interested and joined in the fun. The young ones went on to a night club us older ones decided it was time to head for home with a smile still in our faces.

Destination Doha

Well of course the Eid holiday is a memory and work here is very full on. I have asked for help especially with the two new schools starting in November. That will mean 13 and the last two with totally new people to Qatar.

It is slowly cooling down which makes it very pleasant with temperatures from 25 to 30ish. We went out to Zekrit peninsula and then Dukkan a nice sandy beach a couple of Fridays ago. We took about 6 cars and had a swim and picnic. The first swim we had was on the Zekrit peninsula and we shared the water with flying fish! It feels decidedly funny to be smacked in the back and rump by landing fish! I was hit by about three as they landed. It hurt a bit but must have been worse for them landing on me! It was a huge school, I don’t know what was chasing them and don’t really want to either. It was quite amazing especially with people in the water and fish out. Later we saw a flock of flamingoes so it was a nice day.

On Thursday night we went to the tennis. We watched Jelena Jankovic, the world number 1 win her match and then Serena play Venus Williams. Venus won. This year they charged for the tennis and it cost us $8 each – don’t know how we could afford it !

I have made a commitment to try and keep Friday work free. This weekend Angela Ryan from NZ is here so went on a road trip up north and then to the old – new souqs and gold souqs on Saturday. It was very pleasant. The photos are ofAngela checking out the ruined village inthe north of Qatar and making friends with a desert camel.

Magic of the Maldives

Well I better just complete my Maldives writing before it becomes just a distant memory that is overwhelmed by work back it Doha. Steve has written some excellent newsletters and filled in the trip details. We did do some activities other than relaxing on the beach or lagoon.

I decided that I would like to do the resorts “Very Special Snorkeling Trip”. Steve said he would come on the boat but not snorkel. Well that was the scariest thing I have done. After a 40 minute boat ride out to a deep sided reef around a sand island we had to jump off the boat into the deep sea. That was my first, I managed that. There were about 12 of us, I was the oldest and two boat men. The deep reef was beautiful but the drop off disappeared into the depths of the ocean and the real down side was strong current which we were swimming against. Even with flippers it was hard to make headway. It was exhausting. No Myra they didn’t have me on a string but I needed to be. One of the boat men helped me to the island in the end and after a brief rest it was back into the current to get to the boat. It took all the enjoyment out of it I was too busy concentrating on swimming and keeping up to enjoy the underwater scene. I was a little pleased to have the two young Swiss girls tell me that they found it exhausting too. They were half my age, fit and much better swimmers. I wouldn’t do it again; I am cured of doing scary thing challenges! Nice shallow snorkeling around the house lagoon reef for me was the answer.

Other neat things that happened though were dolphins around our wharf and flying fish alongside our boat on one of our fishing trips. We did three fishing trips and I caught fish on the two of them. On the last trip I got five fish not very big ones but it was fun. We also saw some beautiful sunsets and sun rises on the fishing boat.

We went into Male one afternoon and did some tourist shopping. I needed a new sarong you can’t get them in Doha. I found some pretty ones as well as a few other little mementos. Male however is best avoided for any length of time it is just an overcrowded city.

Maldives however is a magic place and the island was so relaxing. I have one of Steve’s underwater photos as my desktop picture on my laptop so that I can remember and relax on stressful work days.