It is Friday in Doha, Qatar. The Holy Day. I have been here now for one full week. Friday and Saturday are the weekend here. I would be blogging more regularly but I do not have home internet yet, so I am at an internet cafe.
Cool stuff: Light switches go in the opposite direction here. Plugs are HUGE metal contraptions, not unlike an industrial plug at home. Work is wonderful and amazing. I love the school. I love the attitude of caring and balance in life. I love that the start of school has been delayed until Sep 9 due to supplies stuck in transit. The attitude is, we can't do our jobs properly without the materials we need. Teachers are NOT babysitters here. I love being driven around by drivers. Taxis and private drivers are so inexpensive. I attended a cultural orientation session, where we were given the best, softest, most delicious dates I have ever eaten in my life. The city is so exciting and I feel very safe here. Other than lots of looks (especially due to the blonde hair), people are quite kind. There is lots to see and do. I put my feet in the Persian Gulf this morning for the first time. It is so salty! But very clear. I can't wait for the swimming party next week. Megamart has a great selection of healthy gluten-free international foods, and is a seven minute walk from where I live now and where I will live later. Every room in my flat has its own air conditioner, except the kitchen. It is a requirement in order to keep up with the heat. The hum of the air conditioners provides white noise. When the call to prayer comes over the loud speaker, I can hear it softly in the background, and I lean out my window, bow my head, and take a few moments to meditate or pray. It is wonderful. The dragonfruit is dynamite. There are so many beverages on the menu...and no alcohol in sight. More than just Diet Coke to choose from at a restaurant. Lots of new people to meet and have fun with, who are also adventurous. This city feels incredibly safe. Looking for a tailor the other day, I walked into her shop and realized that she was closed. Door was unlocked. This is common. I have not seen a single act of violence or even disorderliness. With all the cultures colliding here, everyone is very careful and gentle and sensitive (so far). There are cultural influences from all over the gulf, the near east, the far east, Europe, North America and Asia. Qatari cooking is simple: protein and rice. But they have adopted a passion for the spice of Indian food and Indian culture is big here.
Tough Stuff: I miss my family and friends. I miss talking on the phone for long periods of time with someone who really gets me. The segregation of women and men is hard to get used to. Men are respectful, but it is hard to remember all the rules. I am new. I will get used to it. I love the heat, sand, and palm trees, but it is so HOT. 52 first thing in the morning this week. The water comes out of the tap hot, no choice because there is no way to cool it. Cool water is only achieved through refrigeration. I went for a walk this morning at 7am to see the ocean. Because it is Friday I could not find a cab and was almost done in by the time I stumbled into the Qatar Bowling Club, desperate for water and an air conditioner. And you know me, I like it hot. But this is beyond hot. It is sneaky because it is humid, so it doesn't take your breath away like dry Vegas heat. You go out and think, "this isn't bad" and then all of a sudden you are soaked through and through, like you jumped in a pool of boiling water and you are DYING. Pools offer no relief unless they are at swanky hotels where the jacuzzi tub is purposefully COOLED. Even the ocean is as hot as soup right now. You have to open the packaging on EVERYTHING here to make sure it works or is in one piece before you take it home because if it doesn't, no one wants to give you a refund.

All in all, life is very, very good here. Everywhere is wealth and prosperity and someone willing to do the work for you...clear your dishes, carry your shopping, do your laundry, cook your food, drive you around. And they smile at you while they do it. People nap. They take their time. They don't struggle. Except when they drive and then they are insane. They focus on family life. There is Western influence, but not too much.

I have to move tomorrow because my building does not meet fire code. After the Villagio Mall fire last month, many buildings are being reassessed. I get to live in the West Bay. If you look up pics of Doha on the internet, the skyline you see is the West Bay. It will be exciting. At some point in the next three months, I will move again, into a brand new and fire SAFE apartment back in my current neighborhood. I am pleased with that, because I like where I live. I live in a district filled with art supply stores! Can you believe it? That's all for now. More to come. If you are reading this, thanks!