Thierry's Dr's OfficeMALADIES! Here's the deal. Thierry has been sick 3 times since arriving, Tristan picked up a 7-day bout of gingostomavitis (or whatever it's called - fancy term for mouth infection), and me, as soon as I felt something coming on, I started popping 2000mg's of Vit C per day and staved it off. We did visit Thierry's Doctor this am. It's funny - it went just like the pediatrician's visit with TBG. The Dr. asked Thierry for the symptoms, took his temperature, the NORMAL way, however, took his blood pressure, checked his glands and determined right then and there it was a virus. He asked if we had any Ibuprofen and prescribed some Panadol (which is like Tylenol). No throat culture, no prick of the finger, no nothing. And 10 minutes later we were out the door. Tristan's appt went exactly the same way only they wanted me to give him a suppository. Um, excuse me, I haven't seen suppositories since I was 8 years old. No thank you! Long story short, Panadol seems to be the "cure-all" here. And according to Thierry's Doctor, these viruses are caught up in a vicious cycle. You arrive here from another country to meet up with a bunch of new viruses that you've never been exposed to before, so if you happen to be working 12-14 hours per day INSIDE in AIR CONDITIONING where the air is constantly RECIRCULATING around you, you are going to keep getting sick until your body becomes immune to everything. Almost every person we know here has confirmed this fact. If you are like me, however, and are out at the pool : ) almost everyday...fresh air and vitamin c seem to be doing the trick. And I am now wearing 30 sunblock on my bod and 50 on my face. Tristan too - the sun is way too intense. Luckily, he wears his hat without a gripe, no problem - I'm trying to get him used to his sun glasses. That's a bit trickier.
I went to the one bookstore (called Jarir Bookstore) that all ex-pats seem to know about and frequent for anything from english written books, to electronics, to cards and office supplies - it seems to be the closest thing to an Office Depot that I've seen yet. One of those kinds of places which, when I was speaking with an American woman my first week here, exclaimed, "OH MY GAWD, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO JARIR BOOKSTORE YET?!" Puleez. Up until this point the only reason I would go to Jarir is to browse ipod accessories (pretty much, only leather covers) and webcams. HOWEVER, now that I am no longer working all day, I have found reading again! So, Tristan and I visited this week to find a bonafide book that I could read - I actually had to go up the stairs where the directory read "BOOKS - English and Arabic." There are PLENTY of children's books, coloring, picture dictionaries, etc, PLENTY of romance novels and PLENTY of fictional books and at the very end of the aisle...well-picked over I might add, are "New Releases," where the majority seem to be centered around self-help. At any rate, I went to the counter to see if they had a book in stock, "Devil in a White City," (recommendation of a great friend), The gentlemen there scanned his computer and said to me, "We do not have one here, but I can get you a copy in about two weeks from Saudi." Now, if I were in Pasadena, the clerk would have most likely said to me, "I'm sorry Ma'am, but we are currently sold out. Allow me to contact the Manager at the Glendale store and I'll have her bring one here tonight as she lives here in Pasadena. Can you come back around 7p?" At least...that is what I was thinking to myself while this gentleman was telling me I was at the mercy of their store in Saudi Arabia. I ordered it : ). Seems to be the way things are here. Our blinds for example, are being manufactured in Dubai and the majority of the cost is paying for the actual shipment from Dubai.
This week, I phoned and gravelled with the Manager of "Tots Corner" nursery. Apparently, Tristan is #6 on the list, OY! That could take months! He's on the waiting list for another nursery as well, called "Tinkerbells," but I prefer Tots as they have actual grass. Tinkerbells has laid down some green carpeting as if it is supposed to simulate grass - seems to be a problem here - shortage of nurseries for kids who are Tristan's age.
Also, this week, I headed back to the grocery store to buy a supply of nutri-grain bars - that way, Tristan has a "Gateau" supply. Last week and weeks prior, they have cost 7QR's, which amounts to $1.92, and for an American product here in Doha which creates a week-long supply of happiness, THAT is a GREAT deal. Hence, I've been buying 4-5 boxes at a time, like all the other American Moms - They have been flying off the shelf! The store obviously wisened up as the price went from 7QR to 19.50QR, now costing $5.36. I can imagine all of the Moms out there sighing the silent "Bummer," as they pass over the nutri-grain bars in search of the next big "deal."
Based on the above, I am thinking of opening a store: We shall sell air purifiers, a great selection of books and a nursery attached located around the back with a huge yard, etc...Oh! And a coffee nook that offers imported pastry delicacies and sells coffee at more reasonable prices than the Middle Eastern Starbuck's seem too!
Well, we'll be watching (maybe just me) the Oscars at 4a tomorrow!
See you!
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