In the land of almost.

Ex-pats have a saying here in Qatar.  "We live in the land of almost, what do you expect?"

It applies to anything:

- after many hiccups you are "almost" going to get your internet connection 

- many circumlocutions later, you will "almost" be at your destination

- roads and bridges and round-abouts are always "almost" finished

- success is "almost" successful, just a tad missing

- efficiency is "this close"

- only one or two stumbling blocks - they've "almost" got it right

- you will never have just one stab at doing something, it will take at least a couple of tries and you will almost always  "almost" be there.

I have to to say, though, that there is also a level of resourcefulness that surfaces because of the "almost" factor.  People use their wits to get what they want - like creating a fourth lane on a road that is clogged.  Or they do the Qatari version of the South African "boer maak 'n plan"  (rough translation - man/woman finds a solution if she/he wants something badly enough) - so that solutions are found and problems are solved by temporary measures until the real thing comes along.  Case in point: in certain places, the city is streaked with blue flexible piping above ground that snakes everywhere - the pipes carry water (which water I don't know - may even be sewage for all I know) and every now and then it goes through a pond affair (see photo and notice green gunk) that controls pressure I think. It's a great temporary measure - those people who would otherwise be without water for months on end through construction projects at least have reasonable access.  So even though you may not have the system, event, or article you really want, you will be half way satisfied with temporary solution - and it sure beats not having "it" at all.  "Almost" is usually as good as it gets.

Living here is an exercise in patience and I think the nationals handle it best.  They have a hand gesture that is used in every situation where patience is key. Palm up, index and middle fingers touching the thumb, remaining fingers folded against the palm, and wrist bending slightly, up and down about three times, so that the touching fingers move toward and away from the gesturer. This gesture is used as a reproachful and exasperated request for patience.  Seen mostly from car windows driving about town.

I'll have me some of that!