doha daily 11/29/06

Today was the Asian Games torch relay for the Qatar Harley-Davidson Chapter and whoa, was it FUN! Approximately 50 Harley’s (one Buell) met up in an organized and dedicated fashion to make up a 2KM leg of the torch relay where the torch was passed between 3 motorcycles. We finished with an early morning breakfast alongside the Gulf at the Intercontinental Hotel accompanied by an absolutely fantastic blue sky and cool comfortable weather. Thierry and I sat in the 4th and 5th positions behind the torch with a great view of the action amidst the photographers, escort police, etc. I got rather caught up in it, actually. The most overwhelming feeling I had this morning was not necessarily the whole meaning of why we were there which was to represent Qatar and escort the torch and the history of the games, etc…but HOW we came to be here, in which we partially have Harley-Davidson to thank. It is amazing the amount of different nationalities that were represented within the Chapter this morning and everyone is so friendly; they reach out to get to know each other every chance they get. We are lucky to be a part.
530am - can you tell?
630am - lining up and awaiting torch arrivalleaving with torch
thierry and others behind - - - finishing at doha golf club
passing torch to a runner

breakfast at the intercontinental hotel
Here are 3 of the 4, possibly 5 women riders in Qatar - whoohoo! Lis, from Denmark and Lena, from Sweden

Of course, Thierry and I would not have been able to do this event together if it hadn’t been for Lulu volunteering to watch Tristan in the wee hours of the morning. Thank you, Lulu!

See you!

doha daily 11/27/06

I hope your Thanksgiving went really well! Ours seemed so traditional and normal it was GREAT! We started at Rob and Patti’s for cocktails and hors doerves, then on to Warren and Ann’s for turkey, stuffing, et al, and back to our place for pumpkin pie and football, all within the neighborhood/compound. I was in charge of sweet potatoes, which when I went to the store to buy them, I quickly realized a sweet potato here in Doha at Thanksgiving should be considered a commodity and sold on the market. (60 riyals or $16.50 for 6 large sp’s) In an unrelated yet interesting incident, Patti went to the same store for green beans. It seems that when shopping here in Doha, you walk into the store, have a quick scan of the produce to see how your grocery trip is going to go, because what is in stock one day, will most likely not be for the next 10 days. So Patti walked in, conducted her scan and saw they had a mess of green beans, so she didn’t worry. Understandably, she moved on worry-free to get the bread, milk, etc - any of YOU would have done the same. As it stands, however, her judgment was deceived, for when she finished her shopping and rounded the produce corner, a man (possibly a small grocer store owner?) was filling his cart with the entire lot of green beans….hence, we ate snow peas for dinner. This is just one of hundreds of Doha grocery stories circulating.

tristan megan lauren matthew and tessa on thankgiving

The weather has cooled down considerably, so Fall is definitely here. The temperature ranges from 18C (64F) to 27C (80F) now. And all books I’ve read on Qatar have stated the country receives 10 days of rain per year, yet we seem to have hit that quota already as it has rained several times within the last 10 days. I wouldn’t call any of it a knockdown, drag-out Midwest summer’s day rain, though. This seems more like a drizzle; just enough to make your car look as if it has been 4-wheeling in the desert, covered in streaks of sand. The guys in the compound came by yesterday and finally mortared a marble piece onto our front entryway to keep any rain from coming in underneath the door. That was an interesting experience when we received our final downpour in April - I was squeegee-ing the water out of our living room before it hit any of the furniture. Remember when I called the office back in June to give them a heads-up that rain enters our villa and they may want to be proactive in fixing it and then he laughed at me saying it never rains here in Doha, blah blah blah? I DO! The point is, it’s fixed and no more water in the house.

The Asian Games are only 4 days away! Colorful banners are still hurriedly being hung up to detract one’s attention away from what lay behind them. They also bring well-needed décor to the wall of white landscape. We are all going to miss them after the games are over, I’m sure. Wednesday morning is the big Harley torch ride - - - a definite once-in-a-lifetime event. And for 10QR’s ($3), you can get tickets to the events.

Thierry and I have been told to meet the principal of the American School to get Tristan’s name on the list and that just because he is American does not guarantee him a slot. Doesn’t that stink?

See you after Wednesday!

'tristan in bath,' by kelcey liebowitz

doha daily 11/20/06

It is sprinkling rain today! And quite chilly! 20C (68F) when Thierry left for work. Now I know why everyone was in sweaters and turtlenecks when we arrived here in January – I was looking at them and saying to myself, “This isn’t cold! This is like a mild day in L.A…” Meanwhile, it’s 70F and I am now wearing a long-sleeve tee shirt and am contemplating a light jacket or sweater. Last week was 37C and we had a few days of 32-33C temp and BAM! It’s winter! Although the AC has been on in most of the rooms for the past 7 months, it feels as though we will be able to turn them off permanently if it remains this cool.

the very visible dairy queen - thierry martin and aj at al khor harbor - tristan wearing "his" helmet and googles

nap time at nursery

on our way to play tennis one afternoon

Thierry and I went on the Qatar Chapter ride two Fridays ago – everyone meets at 730a at the local DQ and once gathers, leaves from there around 800a. One person is elected “road captain,” and then we all just follow him (don’t think it has ever been a ‘her,’ but that could change.) The big story for the HOG chapter is the torch relay which takes place next Wednesday (11/29). They are expecting 40-50 bikes to be involved.

Roads that have been under construction since we can remember are now opening up almost daily and although there is much traffic here in Doha, it is fun to see new and improved paved roads. I think the Doha version of the Autobahn is just in front of our compound – it has been a one-lane street for so long now lined on either side with construction barrels, cones and rope, now that it is a 3-lane highway in either direction, all of the Land Cruisers seem to be letting loose.

We are going to spend Thanksgiving dinner with two other American families in the compound. It has now turned into a progressive dinner with dessert Chez Grandsire as we have Fox Sports Net and will able to catch the football game on at 900p.

doha daily 11/8/06

Since ‘speaking’ with you last, the Cardinals won the World Series, Halloween occurred and Tristan started attending his new nursery, Little Angels. Let’s start with the beginning. The Cardinals winning the World Series is only further proof that no matter how challenging life is while living in this developing country, this “Doha experience” is nothing but a positive thing!!! WHOOHOO!

Halloween. Our compound put together a party on the night of the 30th in the function room and it seemed to be a great success with approximately 50+ kids running around in a cookie-induced frenzy. I directed the “ankle balloon” game on the basketball court with the kids running around trying to pop each other’s balloons in 90+degree heat in their full costumes and streaks of makeup running down their faces. The week before, I slaved over collecting cardboard boxes and constructed a sandwich board pirate ship with a hole cut in front to collect Tristan’s ‘treasure.” He could hang it on his shoulders and walk around with a sword, etc. Looks like, though, I am going have to chock it up to one of those parents’ ‘moments’ when we put in all sorts of effort to make something for our kids and then they couldn’t care less – in fact, Tristan preferred throwing his dolphins into the candy hole and then going off to play with the bubble machine. When the trick-or-treaters arrived on the night of the 31st, some of us had decorated our homes with spider webs and other things. I had downloaded some spooky music on my iPod, etc…but that too, was a bust, as the kids were so polite, they never came to the front door, but instead rang the doorbell at the front gate, so Tristan and I hung out outside all night giving out candy on the street – not quite the same experience as trick-or-treating on Madison in Pasadena.

Here are some pictures of the Little Angels nursery. Tristan has adjusted after starting Nov. 1, and with the school shortage that Doha is experiencing, several new nurseries seemed to have popped up this past September.

As all of the expats talk and recommend their very best services/experiences to each other, someone mentioned to me there is a guy at the Diplomatic Club who specializes in cutting short hair (not much short hair around here, fyi), so I called to make an appointment, and um, ya, he is booked solid until mid-January.


The new Harley-Davidson Dealership is officially opening November 16. Looks like this date is firm, as it was originally slated for end of this past April : ).

This morning, we woke up to heavy heavy fog and 23C (76F) temperature. Winter is coming!!!

See you!

doha daily 10/25/06

I thought I would show you some of the views we get to see in and around Doha everyday : ) Most of these pictures are related to the upcoming Asian Games - it is hard to imagine Doha is going to be ready in just over 30 days, but let's say the glass is half-full : )
Here is the torch that sits to the outside of Khalifa stadium where opening and closing ceremonies will take place. It is scheduled to be lit (I believe) Nov. 25 - Thierry and I are going to ride our motorcycles with the Qatar chapter (40 bikes total for the event) from Al Khor as part of the torch bearing festivities (we have opted NOT to actually carry the torch however - can you imagine?)
A parking sign for Khalifa Stadium and Aquatic Complex. Oh, and a Mosque.

Here are the stadium and torch shown together.

Lucky us! This road happens to pass directly in front of our compound and although you cannot see the progress, it is milestones from where it was in July. Because of its location this street is getting ALOT of attention and will be the major thoroughfare to opening/closing ceremonies. You can see the torch in the distance on the right. They are almost finished putting up these HUGE industrial contemporary street lights. I imagine they are going to shine right into our bedrooms. We'll have to wait and see : )
A large shopping cart that is often used as a landmark point for the Hyatt Plaza (small shopping mall). It has been covered with a "Doha Asian Games" banner which includes a picture of the mascot "Orry," an animated Oryx - African antelope in which one of its species comes from Arabia. We'll see more banners here in just a bit.

Oh hey, here's another one. This banner represents judo and hangs on the side of the Ramada Hotel. It was probably one of the very first banners put into place.

Here is the "Rainbow roundabout," (all roundabouts have names associated with them that are characteristic of their surroundings, hence the stone rainbow that sits inside the center of this one) with metal and wood structures/walls that have been erected to display banners. One may also say they are there to distract one's attention from the desert-like conditions that lay just behind them.

Taking a little break from the banners, here is Tristan and my Starbuck's that is once again open at 630am with the end of Ramadan, whoohoo!

This waterpolo banner was taken the night of the Harley ride. Notice the use of up-lighting here. You can see another banner to the left.

This rowing banner also hangs on a metal/wood structure and is hiding most of the construction taking place on the "Pearl," the manmade island/city that will try and match Dubai's "Palm." The Ritz-Carlton is on the right and the building on the left is one of two "Lagoon Towers," a city-like highrise.

Finally, here is the Athlete's village that will be used as staff housing for the Hamad Hospital once the games are finished. There are different color banners wrapped around the tops of each building.

That is all for you. More to come! See you!

GO CARDINALS!!!

doha daily 10/22/06

ramadan tent at four seasons hotel

Today is the 30th and FINAL day of Ramadan. It was announced in the paper this morning that Eid Al Fitr will officially begin tomorrow. Which for me (and everyone else) means, BACK TO NORMAL!!! Tomorrow, most stores are closed all day, but will re-open with normal hours Tuesday. So today, after spending the morning at the Hotel’s pool and thinking the grocery stores were even closed tomorrow, Tristan and I trekked off to Carrefour to stock up on a few food items. The store was so crowded it was as if they had announced a blizzard was coming and one had better stock up on extra batteries. I had to practically stalk a man in the parking lot to find a space. And when leaving and asking the clerk if Carrefour was indeed closed tomorrow as everyone has been telling me, she replied, “No Madam, tomorrow, open regular hours.” Oh well, chock it up to the rumor-mill that, “Everything is closed the first day of Eid, even the grocery stores!!!” At least now, I do not have to go back : ). Eid is technically a three-day holiday, but since the exact date is not known until almost up to the day before, it is stretched conveniently to 5 working days and with two weekends, that makes a total of 10 days. Most of my friends here have taken off for quick and easy exotic getaways – at least, those friends who work in the oil industry. Hotels never close, hence, we have stayed in Doha. Tonight’s iftar must be something as it is the last one after 30 days of fasting. Fasting begins at age 12, but I met a Qatari man at the Four Seasons Hotel who’s daughter is 7 and has been successfully fasting this Ramadan. He was very proud. He told me that his family wakes up every day at 3:45a to eat because by 4:15a the sun is starting to rise. They then go back to sleep and into work by 10:00a – at the start of Ramadan, iftar (breaking of the fast) occurred at 5:30p. It has now been happening closer to 5:00p as it is getting dark earlier.

Thierry and I had the pleasure of meeting Manzoor, the Qatari gentleman, Wednesday evening at the Ramadan tent of the Four Seasons Hotel. We met up on our motorcycles with 40 other bikes at 9:45p for a dinner reservation at 10:00p. Thierry was in his element; let me tell you – it has been a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg time since I’ve heard the “roar” of more than just the two of our bikes together. Although it is still 40-43C (104-109F) degrees during the day, the ride home at midnight was actually pleasant. The amount of traffic on the road at that time was wild, as people during Ramadan regularly come home late late from dining with friends and family. Manzoor told me that the Ramadan tents now found among the hotels in Qatar are much more commercial (influence coming from Egypt and Lebanon) than traditional tents. The traditional tent normally includes just extended family where holy discussions are held. The Four Season’s tent included a variety of entertainment, a gentleman playing a citar, dancers, etc…It was great to experience – there was a large buffet with a large variety of food with elaborate table ornamentation. People were eating late, drinking juice and smoking shisha. It was very lively. Needless to say, I was a bit tired by the end of the meal.

a member of the qatar chapter - he is also wearing patches from saudi arabia as well as bahrain and beruit

Our compound is gearing up for Halloween! There is “town meeting” Tuesday am which I will attend with all of the other expat ladies, and although there are no pumpkin patches here the spirit seems to be alive and kicking. We need to do our American duty and represent, so Tristan will be trick-or-treating as if we were on Madison Street in Pasadena (heh heh, we hope).

See you!

GO CARDINALS!!!

doha daily 10/16/06

In the throes of Ramadan. It is closer to the end now. The biggest difference for me and all other expats has been no food/drink in public as well as complying with the funky store hours of 10a-12noon, closed until 7 or 8pm and then opening again until 1 or 2am. Shops are practically empty in the mornings, which is when I choose to go out – it is kind of sad. They do not liven up until late at night – there is traffic all times of day now as people have special hours where they begin their workday at 10a. Thierry is starting an hour later than normal, but stays an additional hour at night. Going somewhere at 1230 in the afternoon is a big no-no (due to the traffic leaving the stores and going home for a long nap I imagine to forget about food) but I am stuck because that is when I pick Tristan up from school. Although I am happy to “experience” Ramadan, I think next year I will be happy to stay out of the country while it is going on. 530p is sundown and is celebration called "iftar,” when everyone fasting breaks their fast, traditionally with a date and juice. The hotels have big tents set up with grand meals and entertainment that lasts until 2am. I've concluded that every night is one big party, hence, not a good time to start the One Year Diet if you are Muslim. The Ritz-Carlton tent is renowned among the community. Wednesday night, Thierry and I are going on a Harley ride with the chapter here and then attending an organized dinner in the Ramadan tent of the Four Seasons Hotel. Ramadan is going to end the 24th of October, and so begins Eid Al Fitr, a 3-day celebration signifying the end of fasting and Ramadan.

There is a new sports satellite channel called “SportsNet America,” where we can catch many NFL, NHL and Cardinal’s games. My Sunday mornings before Thierry goes to work consist of checking the Cardinals scores as well as of course, SC.

We now have a dryer : )

I need to get a gas hookup for our BBQ, which has an USA adapter. I wish I had emptied out our propane canister and packed it with our things.
Here is a picture of the Doha skyline, which is growing. I’ll take more pictures of the city for you – LOTS of construction.

doha daily 10/1/06

My Summer Vacation,” by Tristan B Grandsire

France: Normandy, Brittany, Omaha Beach, Le Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, Chateau Mont-Marin, Oysters in Cancale (Tristan ate frites, of course), Deauville, Trouville, Nice, The Galion Plage, LOTS of motorcycles/scooters everywhere you look, canyoning outside of Auron (This was Thierry, Sydney and I), golf at Valcros, Cap Benat, going by boat to Port Cros and Ile du Levant, jumping into the sea from off the side of the boat for the first time.

…Yet most important, seeing friends and family.

USA: The Magic House, St. Louis Zoo, The Butterfly House, a Cardinals game in the new Busch Stadium, visiting Mobile, Alabama and the new wharf for 3 days, Tristan’s wharf swing, downtown Fairhope, visiting Great-Grandparents for Tristan’s first time in Louisville, the trip to Los Angeles for 5 days, running along the strand in Playa del Rey, the afternoon at the Santa Monica pier, golf at Algonquin, Fox Run and Green Briar, Steak n Shake, IMO’s, TNG’s, Ted Drewes, Target, Schnucks and Trader Joe’s, and real-time American sports on the weekends!

…Yet most important, seeing friends and family.

WHAT A SUMMER!!!!! And now, we’re back home with Thierry : ). Just at the start of Ramadan – an experience I look forward to “experiencing” and writing about for oh, say, the next 3 weeks? Actually, the biggest thing for ME will be the closing of the coffee shops during the day – For those of you who ask me what I do all day and I reply, “Oh, I occasionally have coffee with my ex-pat friends!” WELL…NOT FOR THE NEXT MONTH MISSY! Thierry and I went for a motorcycle ride mid-day Friday which was actually quite pleasant in the mid-90’s and little humidity. We had to stop at a supermarket in Al Khor for a bottle of water and hid from the public to drink. Tristan and I visited the brand new Carrefour supermarket just down the street – THAT is going to be a very convenient thing for us, as all other supermarkets make us battle the traffic to get to them. Traffic is HORRIBLE again for us, as most people have been given abbreviated Ramadan hours, beginning their day at 10:00am. And what I thought was going to be completed and finished road works by the time we returned, is very far from reality. More and more stories are emerging on how the city is not NEARLY ready for these games – it is probably that way in every “Olympic city,” though, right? Although, here, amidst the desert white flatland with cranes towering over all major skyscrapers, as well as what feels like MORE traffic diversions than in July, it seems a tad more obvious.

Tristan and I returned to Doha at night so we were unable to see….THIS! Check it out! We are at the 6-mos mark today and the trees are already over the wall!
See you!

doha daily 7/20/06

And, we're off! Tristan and I are leaving this am for Normandy for two weeks. Then, it's off to Nice, where we will meet up with Thierry (YAY!), then on to the good ole' US of A - St. Louis, Alabama, Kentucky and Los Angeles - whew! The Doha Daily will be up and running again in the Fall - in the meantime, you will see us live! Can't wait!

See you!


tristan and his friend saba

doha daily 7/10/06

Oh, hey, another sandstorm, isn't that great?! Only this one is MORE SEVERE than the last one, AND...lasting twice as looooooonnnnnnggggggng!!! Here is a picture of today's sun at 5p - I would call that "ecliptical." And the picture next to it happens to be just inside our front door where sand perpetually blows underneath the weather guard. I phoned our compound Manager yesterday and asked what could possibly be done to keep the sand out of our house. He pretty much laughed at me and said that it was a problem country-wide. Can people NOT figure out after years of construction in a desert environment, how to avoid sand from entering one's home?!?!?!? And yet another lesson being learned to "just taking this whole experience in stride."

Since the garden is actually making some progress, I thought I would show you some before and after's - the big test will be AFTER returning from summer vacation to see that our garden has become a prize-winning wonder, where everyone from the compound will stop and stare in amazement while on their 6pm walks. Here is Tristan walking in our backyard in Feb. We planted everything April 1 and here it is 3 months later. The goal really is to get the entire sand and wall areas covered in greenery - can't wait!

Here are some indoor plants at the entrance of the dining room. I promise this table was bigger in Pasadena. The computer lives in the back corner on a table until I get a new wireless package out here. The living room in the back picture there is where the TV lives.

Here is the first living room. Remember, everything has been pulled inside so it seems much more crowded than it normally is. The carpenter was nice enough to suspend some shelving for the stereo, although he didn't quite understand when I told him "contemporary..." It works though.


Tristan's bedroom - more rooms to come! See you!