Doha Diaries 6: Learning the Ropes

Friday July 27, 2007

The basics of the town are easy....

The bigger your car the less people are likely to violate your driver space. The lower your car to the ground, the more likely you are to get bashed - unless of course, you're driving a Lamborghini, Ferrari etc.

You need a car or you're pretty much stuck. Cabs must be called for and rarely available directly on the street and you don't take the bus.

You will avoid any and all line-ups if you are not "paid staff". I went for my medical check-up this week. Blood test and x-ray to prove I'm not bringing disease into the country. There were well over 100 hundred women in the waiting area, it was embarrassing to have them automatically make way for me to get ahead of the line-up.

Your way of dressing defines who you are and how you will be treated.

People are bought.

Money grows on trees.

I'm sure I can think of more if I tried hard enough, but that's enough cynicism for one entry.

This week has been interesting, if it weren't for my boss or the job itself, I would be on the first flight home. I am a little bit of an outsider. I look like the locals but don't dress like one. Unless you live it, it's hard to describe and I'm a bit of a sourpuss to get into it today.

The supper I was going to last weekend was great! The restaurant was nice. It was entirely buffet style with a great food variety. There hasn't been much more activity besides that. There's not much to do and it's way too hot to be outdoors for longer than 10 minutes at a time.

As for the wedding....it seems so far away right now but I know I should be taking care of little details. I have no idea what kind of dress i even want, Maybe I should try some one? and the lady taking care of invitations has been waiting for me to send potential invite wording. It feels like i have forever to do all this!!