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Published: February 14th 2013
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No waiting in lines!
People just drive off the road and around you, not realizing people like them are exactly why there's a line in the first place! I'm getting tired of describing the daily nightmare that is driving in Qatar, just as I am sure you're tired of reading about it. But I feel it says a lot about the mentality here. People really do not seem to care about anyone but themselves. I have yet to see a random act of kindness unless it is me. It is very sad and I wonder if I'll be able to handle being here for the next year or so. I'm not used to not only having people not smile at you if you do, but actually try to push you out of their way even if there is plenty of room. Sigh...
I have had many western expats who live here tell me that they actually love it here ..... say what??? So, maybe I just need to hang in there. Maybe I'm just lonely! I imagine if you have a family to come home to everynight, it would be infinitely better. It is hard to be single in Qatar, but the Middle East in general is a very family-friendly area. Probably about half of the service industry is obviously miserable and don't hide it, while
Minor dust storm
Very windy today and now I know why all buildings have walls around them! the other half bend over backwards to help or satisfy you. So, I have my favorite restaurants and stores where I feel happy. I joined a Professional Women's group that seem to get together for fun stuff once a month and I look forward to when I can attend their next meeting - maybe I can meet some peeps.
Other than complaining about the craziest driving I've ever seen (and I'm from Jersey!!!), my life consists of work and... work? I spend my nights trying to plan a weekend getaway or my next major trip. Suggestions? I'm thinking a weekend in Istanbul, Oman, Bahrain.... I'd love to spend a week in Eastern Europe. My friend is coming in December to Eastern Europe, so I'm going to meet up with him to explore Romania, Moldova and Turkey. But I definitely need to get away once a month!
Indiana and his wife invited me to dinner Monday night. They have two adorable baby boys - the oldest is not yet two and playful. The younger is not yet 10 months and is quiet and easy to satisfy. We had a tomato quiche, potatoes and carrots, and green beans.
It was yum. They got me into this BBC Lifestyle show - Come Dine With Me - hilarious! I get home sometimes to watch it and crack up about how I'm watching these foreign channels routinely now - so weird. Anyway, I rated their dinner an 8.5 (I have to save some room so I can win when it's my turn, right?).
I've been able to lose weight. Woohoo! I bought a Wii Fit (I won't go into how much it cost.... I was definitely undercharged and tried to tell the lady but she insisted that that was the correct price - maybe
that was my random act of kindness?). And since I've been able to cook, that has helped me lose 5lbs since moving to Qatar and almost 10lbs overall since I've been in the Middle East. I'm looking to lose another 5lbs before my trip to the States next month. With my partner-in-lunch-crime on leave this week, now is my chance!
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Steve
non-member comment
I would imagine that kindness in that culture could be construed as weakness. Yeah, you should definitely check out Istanbul, and travel more while you're there.