Monday, January 09, 2006
we're here! when are you going to visit?
Hey everyone. Thought I'd let you know we made it safe and sound and perhaps you wanted to know the details of how the "transition" went for the start of our new adventure. All in all we were travelling about 25 hours from the time we left Huntington Sunday at 12:30ish. The KLM service at the airport was quite slow, so after checking all 11 bags (paid an "above the board" limit on a few of them : ), getting through security, buying a last USA starbucks...we walked right onto the plane. Tristan immediately began watching Nemo on the DVD. Aside from an occassional whine from not wanting to wear his seatbelt, he was a gem. After a delayed start due to some passengers trying to get through customs, we were off - We all slept most of the time - Thierry reluctantly watched Wallace and Gromit and the Were Rabbit as well as The Good Woman with Scarlet Johanson (I thought I would read, write in my journal, listen to my iPod - NOTHING) Tristan laid across our seats and I awkwardly slept half in the aisle, half on the edge of the seat. The layover in Amsterdam was only about 45 minutes and we were back on the plane - not full at all, so people spread out. After 5 1/2 hours, we landed in Damman for a "quick" 45 minute touchdown, but couldn't deplane. A few people came on board and 35 minutes later, we arrived in Doha - 11:00pm. They seem to serve dried dates everywhere as an amenity here - delicious. There were people walking outside while we were on our way to the hotel - it was about 70 degrees and more humid than LA for sure. They say the month of August is unbearable here outside, which is less time than I expected really, to be out in the middle of the desert. Our driver pointed out many sites, including the Shiekh's palace.
This morning, Tristan was up at 4:30a, so Thierry and I only got about 3 hours of sleep. We had breakfast and Thierry has been meeting the employees ever since. Tristan and I took a walk and I'm waiting for him to go down for a nap so that later on this afternoon we can tour the corniche where the city is celebrating Eid, a follow-up holiday to Ramadan. The hotel is beautiful, marble everywhere, huge huge atrium tower - 23 floors. Everything is massive here - reminds me actually a bit of the Vegas grand style - high ceilings, ornate fixtures, etc...but with a much more accelerated style : ) And purple, red and seagreen blue seem to be the popular colors throughout the hotel.
There is construction EVERYWHERE and the workers work 24/7 around the clock - They want everything to be ready in time for the Asian Games Dec 1-Dec 15. Everyone tells me the shopping here is incredible - alot of the stores close from 12-3:30, but stay open later at night to accommodate. I am looking out at the tide that is low for the moment but comes in later. The hotel is beautiful, the people are so nice, the weather seems to be perfect - slightly breezy 75 degrees.
That's it. Our arrival in a nutshell - Thierry is keeping his same email and his cell number is (011) 974 - 587 - 4308. I'll be getting one too soon, I hope. As far as the electronics, anything American that shows an input of 100-240V can be used here no problem, which is nice.
We'll be here in the hotel for approx one week and then into an apartment. The Dir of HR will be taking us around Thursday to see some villas for potential rental down the road. As soon as Thierry gets approved for residency, we can begin paying rent. Also, we get an alcohol license to purchase up to a certain amount of alocohol per month : ) Stand-alone restaurants outside of the hotel do not serve wine, alcohol. People tell me that Dubai is much more open regarding alcohol and that Doha will most likely be following in their footsteps. What I've heard is, Doha under all of this construction, has learned what works and what doesn't from Dubai's development and is taking the best of the best lessons learned.
...oh, and no public displays of affection between men and women...There is so much to learn - can't wait!
No comments:
Post a Comment