Date Break

This is my fourth Ramadan in Qatar and my memory from year to year eludes me. What are the mall timings? Are the grocery stores open? Yes, I enter each year forgetting what happened the prior. So, I was pleasantly surprised last night at TGI Fridays when David and I were immediately presented with a sweet plate that included the traditional "break the fast" food of dates, along with juices. I love surprises (good thing, since my memory sucks!) especially when it's complimentary. Speaking of food, see that lamb contraption picture behind the sweet dish? Our ritual for the last year at our weekly visit to Friday's (since they posted that blasted advert) goes something like this. David: Ooooh, that looks so good, I'm going to have to try that. Me: Complete silence with right eyebrow lifted to "stop you in your tracks" level. We always share an entree there and neither one of us even likes lamb, and if he wanted it so dang much he should have gotten it while I was on my extended hiatus in the states. I know, I digress. This post was supposed to be about Ramadan and got high jacked by a lamb hock. Is there really such a creature? Digression continues. Anyway, similar to Christmas in America, the newspapers are flooded with special promotions and ads for the season.

Example 1:



Papa John's extends a nice Ramadan greeting along with a pizza special. Yes, Papa John's reigns in Doha, along with most all of the other American pizza chains!

Ramadan Kareem is a common greeting used
throughout the season wishing others a "generous" Ramadan.

Example 2:

Then there are those that blatantly commercialize Ramadan by suggesting that if you buy yourself a car you just might connect with your spiritual well being...

Unfortunately, I will have to look for other ways to "feel" the spirit of the season!

Ramadan Kareem!

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Pimp Those Pumps

I think the protocol to moving to Qatar is starting a blog. Before making the decision to move halfway across the world, seeking out others' experiences seems logical. That's how I got started. After being hooked up with Gina and Michael's blog several months before I moved to Doha, I found it was in no way going to be anything short of a crazy experience that I just might want to journal for myself. Gina has come and gone, but her life here has been documented for every Googler out there that is looking to see how life in the Middle East plays out. Since, I've been blogging about our trials and tribulations in the desert these last three years, I've had the pleasure of answering emails from others that are facing the same life altering decisions that we did. Courtney is one of those that I had weekly, some times daily contact with before she moved here just a few weeks back. When communicating after her arrival, I was so relieved to know that she felt I was pretty much "spot on" with the info I had given her on what to expect. Not only have David and I had the pleasure of meeting the precious little Courtney, we've already shared a few meals, grocery shopped and exchanged hilarious emails. Oh, and a tidbit of info that I've gathered from Courtney is that there is no way on God's green earth (or white desert sands as the case may be!) that she's trading in her pink pumps for desert sandals anytime soon. So, here begins the saga of the pink pumped girl...

Enter Courtney's new world

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Jeep Part II

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

It's officially mine, now! David and I picked it up this
evening and I'm ready to roll.

Drive My Car ~ The Beatles

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Secrets of a Doha Housewife

...get real, people, you'll have to move on down the road to someone else's blog for that. You know, I have no secrets.

No secret #1

Other than eggs and toast for breakfast, I have not cooked once since returning from the States on July 17th. Now, don't go thinking that I'm lazy or that I can't cook. I prefer to look at it as a good will offering. Surely the tips are putting Burger King's delivery driver's kids through college.

No secret #2

Something else I haven't done since returning...finish unpacking. My facebook friends went along with me when I suggested that maybe I'd just do the attrition thing. You know,unpack only what I needed as days went by. I wasn't really serious. Ok, so maybe I was, but then they egged me on even further. They went as far as to suggest that I toss whatever was left after a month, as obviously I didn't need it. Hmm, just a few more days left. I guess that means more goodwill.

No secret #3

I have the best husband ever that puts up with all my...cough cough..."goodwill".

Do You Want to Know a Secret ~ The Beatles

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The ABC's of Ramadan

Any day now, the crescent moon will be spotted and the thirty day fasting period for devout Muslims will begin. For non-Muslims, here are my simplistic rules to live by during the Ramadan season. Hmm, now that I think about it, most of these I follow year round...

Abstain from drinking, eating, chewing gum, and smoking in public during daylight hours.

Be respectful of the way you dress. Ladies, cover from cleavage to knees, please. Not a bad idea for you guys, as well!

Curtail any road trips in the hour before sunset, due to hungry people driving in a mad rush to get home to prepare for their breaking of the fast or iftar meal. I know, driving crazier than usual, hard to imagine.

'Sup at one of the lavish Suhoor buffets at Doha's finest restaurants, such as The Ritz. The food and cultural experience is worth the pricey entry fee.

Also, don't forget the malls, government facilities, and retailers in general will have adjusted hours for the season. Restaurants, other than a few at hotels and very select venues, will be closed during daylight hours. Things, as a rule, don't run quite as smoothly during the season, so above all, keep your patience. Ramadan Mubarak!

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