We have completed our first trek into the desert. We went exploring in the interior of the country (Qatar being only about 50 miles by 150 miles, it will not take long to do it all). There are very few interior roads to navigate outside the city, and it was very soon that we found ourselves in the middle of the desert with no habitation anywhere. We saw our first camels - pretty exciting!, but the roads leave much to be desired.
Horn honking has been raised to concert performance levels - proactive hooting to let you know they want to go...now!, horns blaring within nanoseconds of the light turning green is a very popular device used by at least 3 to 5 people behind you, and, of course, the ever present "hey, you nearly hit me" situations that build to a crescendo at peak driving times. Staying within your designated lane in the execution of a round about drive, is a rare phenomenon - it is not unusual for someone to cut from the inside left to the far right to exit, because heaven forbid you should have to go round again if you are caught in the wrong lane.
Actually, the roads are a talking point: in the desert you bump and shake your way round potholes, and heat ridges, coughing on the dust, and watching out for sleeping policemen. In the city of Doha, on the other hand, there is an enormous amount of ongoing road construction that impedes travel everywhere. Side roads are in a really poor state and perform like obstacle courses. On the main roads, either double or triple lane, the speed limit is between 80 and 100kms. There are no left turns available for the most part, so everyone has to u-turn at the interspersed traffic signals, or wait for round abouts to appear. We have seen some questionable driving practices: using the median as a convenient third lane if you are in a hurry to turn left; seat belt use is unpopular - have actually seen an infant held on the drivers lap, and 'speed demons' with very heavy feet on accelerator pedals.
Horn honking has been raised to concert performance levels - proactive hooting to let you know they want to go...now!, horns blaring within nanoseconds of the light turning green is a very popular device used by at least 3 to 5 people behind you, and, of course, the ever present "hey, you nearly hit me" situations that build to a crescendo at peak driving times. Staying within your designated lane in the execution of a round about drive, is a rare phenomenon - it is not unusual for someone to cut from the inside left to the far right to exit, because heaven forbid you should have to go round again if you are caught in the wrong lane.
I have viewed driving with trepidation, and so far been reluctant to sit behind the steering wheel - I prefer to let Patrick practice his defensive driving techniques first. I will take my turn...when I have to.
Insha'Allah
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