Our five year adventure in Doha, Qatarended June 1, 2012, but the memories will always remain. It's back to Texas where I have decided...Qatar isn't cornering the market on "quirky", as I once believed. Thanks for opening my eyes to the world,Doha!
Running across this beautiful advertisement near Katara of the upcoming Doha Tribeca Film Festival is a reminder of how much I'll miss this place. I'm really crossing my fingers that we'll be around at the end of October to be a part of the festival that made its debut here just a couple of years ago. As the billboard points out, "Black Gold" starring Antonio Banderas will make its world premier at this year's event. Yes, Mr. Banderas graced Qatar with his presence earlier this year while filming in the shining white deserts of Mesaieed. If I'm still a card carrying resident come October, I'll be there with rings on my fingers and bells on my toes (ifI can score tickets, that is). Hey @DohaFilm, are you listening? What a nice parting gift that would be. Sigh.
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Remember me? Yes, I am alive and yes, I am in Doha. Getting past the eight hour time zone crossing (aka jet lag) from the U.S. just gets the best of me. Last night was my first nonstop snooze fest...straight thru from 1:00am to 8:00am. Just hoping that's an indicator of more zzzz's to come.
Today was my first day to venture out since my return, so I don't have a lot to report other than that Ramadan is in full swing. One trip to the grocery store and my head is spinning. Everyone and their brother was shopping for their nightly feasts that follow their daylight fasts. Be it the grocery store isle or the Doha streets, my stern word of advice for all is, "Move it or lose it!" These people are hungry and tired letting nothing or no one stand in their way. I'm not one to usually yield to such behavior, but as Kenny Rogers puts it so eloquently to song, You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.
Here's the one Doha tidbit I did muster up for you today. This is a picture of the road that runs along our complex. No, Mario Andretti did not retire to Doha, but it looks like a lot of Andretti wannabees have been getting their practice in.
After all one doesn't perfect two wheeling overnight...
(Pulled from the archives~filmed Sept 2008~ for still shotsclick here)
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iPhone shot from the car somewhere between Naco-no-where and Austin
My Texas road trips have come to a screaming halt as I prepare to jump on a plane headed to Doha in just short of five hours. It's been a busy week squeezing in last minute visits with family and friends and getting Kayla moved into her new apartment in Nacogdoches. Everything's been shoved back into my suitcases and now it's time to sit back and relax for my pleasant grueling eighteen hours of air time that awaits. Oh, joy. Praying that everyone has deodorant applied and can fit in their own seat. Signing out from Texas. See ya on the flipside!
As my summer Texas getaway is coming to an end, I await what looks to be my final trip to Doha a week from today. What's the saying, "time flies when you're having fun"? Four years later and it hasn't slowed down. Full disclosure: My time in Qatar would not have been near the grand adventure it was had you not allowed me to share my experiences with you. The people I've crossed paths with along the way have been the icing on the cake of my sweet journey. I want to share with you an email from a Doha acquaintance, part time stalker, tweetup buddy and facebook friend that made me feel so warm and fuzzy that I couldn't keep it to myself. Ok, so I'm exaggerating about the stalker part. Get over it, I like to flatter myself.
copied and pasted verbatum... Hi Sybil..
How are you and your family? hope your all enjoying your time back home. I saw your latest blog post about you leaving early next year. I had to re-read it as I was initially in disbelief and I immediately felt a pang of sadness when I realized that I hadn't misunderstood your words. I guess I got so used to reading your blog I felt like your were a permanent fixture of Qatar, despite you blogging about things from a distinctly expat perspective, giving me a different insight into my country, which I enjoyed immensely as I would come back for more each day. I have to agree with one of the commentators on your blog, you have been such a great ambassador for your country and you have really embraced Qatari culture with all it has to offer- good and bad- and although we are all entitled to our own opinions, I always found your posts thoughtful, respectful, positive and funny! You always wrote with such flair and vivacity that I found refreshing and enjoyable. I 'd like to ask you if you would like to get together sometime after your back, since I always wanted to but for some inexplicable reason haven't, and consequently feeling guilty for not doing so sooner! lol perhaps we can get together for coffee or dinner or shisha or all of the above?? :P I'm open to suggestions! I hope I was able to convey my appreciation and admiration for you and your blog, and although your leaving Qatar, I am grateful to you for allowing me as a reader to have a glimpse into your world and seeing Qatar through your eyes.
Thank you and Warmest Regards,
Nasser
No, thank YOU, Nasser and TO ALL that came along for the adventure.
It was real, it was fun, it was real fun
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I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. I decided I needed to add a bit of drama since little bit has played the role of "It's all about Kristi" these last 24 hours after finding out our pending expat fate. ALL of her plans have been ruined. Her words. Pass the Kleenex, please. I guess I'll give her a pass, since there never would have been a "Sybil and Kristi's Qatari Adventures" if she had not given the nod to make such a leap of faith four plus years ago. So, do you want bread with those beans, Kristi?
Running across this beautiful advertisement near Katara of the upcoming Doha Tribeca Film Festival is a reminder of how much I'll miss this place. I'm really crossing my fingers that we'll be around at the end of October to be a part of the festival that made its debut here just a couple of years ago. As the billboard points out, "Black Gold" starring Antonio Banderas will make its world premier at this year's event. Yes, Mr. Banderas graced Qatar with his presence earlier this year while filming in the shining white deserts of Mesaieed. If I'm still a card carrying resident come October, I'll be there with rings on my fingers and bells on my toes (if I can score tickets, that is). Hey @DohaFilm, are you listening? What a nice parting gift that would be. Sigh.
To read or leave comments, please click on the comments link below. Thanks!
