Changes

More colonisation…. The traditional souq is slowly being colonised unfortunately. There are some sections where you are able to still capture traditional ways of living but in amongst the coffee houses, traditional wares and restaurants where you can get a camel liver sandwich you now find a Baskin Robbins ice cream parlour…. Starbucks hasn’t arrived yet … its only a matter of time.

Speaking of Chickens

Speaking of chickens… Souq Waqif has had a bit of a face lift and a huge tidy up. Down one alley which once stocked hardware there were a number of pet shops. How do you get your animals to stand out you may ask?? You paint them in bright colours. Pink rabbits and multi coloured chickens. They sure stand out.

Hami's Pet

Mohammed had said that he had a pet bird back in Qatar when he was with us in NZ. He couldn’t explain what it was apart from ‘similar’ to the budgies at school. This one was quite tame. As I was leaving at about 2-0am ( they tend to stay up late here) they showed me their chicken up in the tree. Apparently its good for an egg or two a day.

New Fruits

There was a new shop in the same area of the mall as Tiffanys, Bvlgari, Gucci et al called Dean and Deluca. It was an amazing up market deli where the best of the best produce and products could be bought. Fiji Blue sparkling water, $ NZ 200 bottles of balsamic vinegar and $600 tins (very small) of caviar. I could have bought lobster mornay to take home but went for the Hungarian goulash, some limes, figs and this little beauty a grenadillas..never had one before. A bit like passionfruit but not as sweet

Stats

It was recently reported that Qatar was the richest country in the world per capita. The sovereign fund has bought Harrods and owns a 40 % stake in Porsche. So I shouldn’t be surprised to get this vista. Just three of the stars that make up a small part of the extension at Villagio Mall. Qatar also comes up trumps in the safe country stakes, rating fairly highly in that category as well. The report notes that unfortunately it’s human rights record doesn’t come up to scratch.

Get back on the horse

I have already mentioned a noticeable improvement in driver behaviour since my last visit. Still a bit of a challenge getting used to driving habits and also driving on the other side of the road. Friday morning is the time to practice as there is little activity. It is like riding a bike, you do remember how. I just need my little mantra "drive right, look left" I survived my trip to theh cricket and the supermarket, long may it continue

Cricket Revisited

It was a bit like sons for the return home visiting the cricketers at the Grand Regency. It was one of those moments where the manager Ashvin saw me coming across the carpark and did a bot fo a double take. It was hand shakes all around... you never stop being the hotel guest. Offers of drinks, discussions about New Zealand's form in the 20 / 20 world cup and queries about family and shared friends. So Friday mornings are booked for theh coming weeks. Cricket starts at 6am!

Cultural Shift

Some things have changed since my last visit. The traffic is more civilised. Apparently a proactive approach to road policing has seen a change in behaviour, namely through increasing fines exponentially. Our parking of half on the road and footpath which was the norm now earns a $2000 riyal fine. I think it was the use of indicators that alerted me to the change.

While I see cranes out of my verandh window may of teh construction projects have been completed. Roads are open or complete. There is still work going on but it doesn't feel as frenetic

My return to the office felt like a home coming. I'm known as Martin Al Sheebani, 2nd father to Mohammed, brother of Hassan. Even to theh point where my Qatari director came looking for me calling me by my new name and then burst into laughter realising that this name had been bandied around the office for theh last couple of months since the Qatari visit to New Zealand that she had forgotten my real last name.

New Digs

It wasn't just the plane trip that got upgraded its the accommodation as well. For those in the know I'm in Al Sadd, If I stand in front of my apartment and look to the right I'm about 200 metres away from the Royal Plaza. To the left I'm about 800 metres from Turkey Central and Jade Garden Thai. The apartment feels more like Al Ain in terms of fit out. The 32inch flat screen, new air con units. Lots of space, nice furniture. I drove past the old digs, Al Hitmi today. While I have incredibly fond memories of my time there I'm happy with where I am.

I'm Back

Yep, I'm here again in the land of sand. I must admit it felt like coming to my second home. It felt very familiar but also alittle stange in that much of the experience is based around the people you spent time with. I coming back into my old team so there are still the connections. I came on a different flight class this time. An upgrade which sees you lying flat if you so choose. Sitting 2 rows behind an ex prime minister, drinking Moet on board and Vive Cliquot in the transit lounges. The unfortunate aspect of the experience is the thought of down grading again... could be hard. So this class almost affords me an almost queueless entry into my second home. Out even before my ride arrives. Worrying bit was walking out into 39degree heat and feeling comfortable, an almost pleasent temperature.

National Day #4 - Aircraft

National Day #3 - Vehicles

National Day #2 - People

National Day #1 - Forces Parade

Catch up

Right playing catch up with a few bits and pieces. Some things could be a little out of order. National Day provided us with a day off to celebrate a little bit of patriotism. This was apparently the second time they had made an attempt to celebrate the day with a couple of big events. They bought in overseas expertise to support the day. First up a big parade. A parade displaying a range of the service and military groups that are critical to Qatar. So there is a series of images from the parade rather than using words to describe the event.