We are starting to get the Christmas feel here. I have put up the Christmas tree in the apartment and Adam and Amber helped me put up the tree in the passage way outside our flats. It looks cool. I also found a Christmas shop in Qatar. It is at a shop called “The One”, and its cool. The supermarkets and other places have decorations and most shops in the malls have some sort of Christmas display. I can’t believe this is the third Christmas we have spent in Doha. The first was when we came the first time in 2005 and we are nearly at two since we returned in Feb 2007.
At the moment we are having a week off for our second Eid break. We have two Eid’s and this one is called Eid Al Adha and it is the Eid of sacrifice. It is also the official Eid for doing Hajj which is the journey to Mecca that each Muslim should do once in their lifetime. Our Head translator Osama had gone to take part. I am looking forward to him telling me about it when he returns. Around three million people take part at this time each year.
Last Friday we had thunder, lightning and rain. The rain was heavy and there was some hail it was amazing. It has stopped now and the air feels very clear and crisp. The flooding around the streets was almost instance they don’t do drainage in this place very well! The temperature is dropping and lots of people like it while am I feeling a bit cold. It is down to 15 at nights and only gets to about 25 at max during the day. It feels like winter and while these temps may sound warm to you remember that this is winter and the sun is further away and there can be a chilly breeze. It is not like 24 or 25 at home.
However today, Wednesday, was lovely. As I walked on the Corniche the sun shone and it was a clear sky after our rain and 25 degrees . I couldn’t help but think how lucky we are to be here and experience all this. I had a lovely trip on the harbour on a dhow with a friend and then coffee in the souqs watching many nationalities enjoying the holiday.
It is certainly a week to count our blessings and one touched with sadness. One of my very special friends has a sister who is fighting cancer and we think of her daily and then we heard of another friend in New Zealand who had an accident in a bike race in Christchurch and sadly passed away from his injuries. Our thoughts go to his family even we are so far away we still care deeply.
So Eid Mubarak (happy Eid) and Merry Christmas to everyone at home and make the most of everyday and be especially kind to all your special friends and family.
Last Friday we had thunder, lightning and rain. The rain was heavy and there was some hail it was amazing. It has stopped now and the air feels very clear and crisp. The flooding around the streets was almost instance they don’t do drainage in this place very well! The temperature is dropping and lots of people like it while am I feeling a bit cold. It is down to 15 at nights and only gets to about 25 at max during the day. It feels like winter and while these temps may sound warm to you remember that this is winter and the sun is further away and there can be a chilly breeze. It is not like 24 or 25 at home.
However today, Wednesday, was lovely. As I walked on the Corniche the sun shone and it was a clear sky after our rain and 25 degrees . I couldn’t help but think how lucky we are to be here and experience all this. I had a lovely trip on the harbour on a dhow with a friend and then coffee in the souqs watching many nationalities enjoying the holiday.
It is certainly a week to count our blessings and one touched with sadness. One of my very special friends has a sister who is fighting cancer and we think of her daily and then we heard of another friend in New Zealand who had an accident in a bike race in Christchurch and sadly passed away from his injuries. Our thoughts go to his family even we are so far away we still care deeply.
So Eid Mubarak (happy Eid) and Merry Christmas to everyone at home and make the most of everyday and be especially kind to all your special friends and family.
