Doha Moments

Moments like these are the strange and bizarre, weird and wonderful, downright annoying, and a new normal for me:

Strange and bizarre: We have our own way of dealing with the weather here:  not for us the snow scrapers and/or credit cards that allow us to have unimpeded views out of our windshields -

just a quick shake of the feather duster leaves a vehicle all shiny and new again.  I have seen this exercise performed often in the early morning at the compound as commuters get ready to start their work day.

Weird and wonderful # 1: Take out Doha style: we get Mickey D's, BK, KFC, etc all delivered direct to our doorstep (not too many drive-thru's out there).  These intrepid warriors on motorbikes speed fearlessly between cars, or drive emblazoned sub-compacts to anywhere in Doha, battling traffic and dust to get your order to you in least possible time.   Our favourite is a nameless chicken take-away that does a succulent whole chicken, with naan bread and a fresh salad for the princely sum of $7.  We don't know the name of the place, where it is situated, and we are shutting our minds to the possible conditions.  All we know is that the chicken is halal and that is good enough for us.  We call it Abdullah's and it is on speed dial - the only problem is getting them to understand your order and your address as the order taker's English is absolutely non-existent.  He has obviously been prompted with certain words - "fool cheek" (do you want a whole chicken), "where you are?" (to be repeated at least 7 times before he gets it - "spil" he says, "agin" he says, and "agin").  Probably gets as frustrated as the confused orderer.  And finally, the absolute must "mobeel?"  - then you can guide the delivery guy in when he calls in desperation.  The first few times were hit and miss, but they now know compound and villa number and get here in lickety-split time.

Weird and wonderful # 2.  This traffic policeman has been doing his damndest to halt accidents, pile-ups, and jams, as well as smooth the flow of traffic through bottlenecked round-abouts in Doha this week.  Although his presence is notable, he doesn't seem to have had the desired effect when I take to the roads.   Ah, well, I guess his real job is as a mascot for children being taught the do's and don'ts in the current School Traffic Awareness program that has been implemented to try and stem the high incidents of traffic accidents. 

Downright annoying:  My combo washing machine/dryer.  My eyes lit up in satisfaction at first when I noted my computerized, front end loading brand new machine in the laundry.  It should have been a dream come true - put load in, switch dial to right to wash, listen for music to announce the end of that cycle, switch dial to left for dryer, and fold....mmm, not so.  Now I grit my teeth and do laundry when I absolutely have to.  Firstly, put two big towels in the drum and you are filled to capacity.  Then, when it comes to the end of the drying cycle music, take out soggy, steaming hot bundle from drum ....and it's back to the middle ages - dry properly on a clothes rack.  It's back to washerwoman days ... shouldn't complain too hard - at least I am not washing by hand anymore as I did in the hotel. But I won't be buy one of these newfangled machines back home.

And last, but not least - the new normal: I read in the Gulf Times a few days ago about a couple who were caught "kissing and sharing food" at the local mall - begorrah and begosh!!  They were sentenced to one year in prison for indecent behaviour.   Moral of the story when you live here - be very careful what you do and when you do it...somebody may be watching.  Won't catch me doing such a terrible thing in public ...at least not here.  See details at:   http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=326736&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

That's all folks!  At least for now....