الأحد، 24 نوفمبر 2013

Soccer Victory

My grandson has played soccer for six years, starting with the "K" division.
He scored the tying goal in the championship game with 30 seconds to go.
His team, the "Bloodhounds" won in a shootout.


This is one of the "costs" of choosing to work here.
There is no value than can be placed on being separated from this.

الثلاثاء، 19 نوفمبر 2013

Doha Rain

On Sunday it rained here in Doha.

The average precipitation for November is 3.3mm (0.13 inches).

The average yearly precipitation is 75mm (3 inches).

Nonetheless, the rain started after I arrived at my office. I went out after lunchtime and took these snapshots.

Later in the evening there was a fairly decent shower, lasting about fifteen minutes.

The total accumulation was apparently too small to record.

But it did rain. More rain is in the forecast.

الجمعة، 8 نوفمبر 2013

Movenpick

I have just moved from my first home in Doha, the 5 Star Movenpick Tower in West Bay. I spent 3 nights at the Concorde, which was also very nice, but I will long remember the level of service and the hospitality which I was shown, and which was so beneficial in my adjustment to being so far away from home.

The arrangements were made by the company's housing coordinator. The change was prompted by the very long commute that I experienced on my second day on the job. That was due to major construction all along the Corniche, which has since been completed. It was the decision of our project director, and I believe it was a bit more expensive, but his preference for me to be closer to our office in West Bay was the deciding factor, I am certain.

Movenpick is a Swiss hotel & resort chain. They have another older facility downtown, but the newer one is completely modern and marvelously appointed. Some may be familiar with this lifestyle, but I was not, and was pleasantly surprised when a tall glass of fresh fruit juice was placed on the counter as I signed the forms. It was Wednesday, after my third day on the job. My hastily packed bags were of course brought to my room, but I arrived first. The first thing I noticed, other than the view of the bay, was a plate of fresh fruit on the table behind which a envelope bearing my name in hand lettered script was neatly placed.

The room was wonderfully appointed and spacious. Just inside the door was the luxurious bath and a small kitchenette. I suppose I could have cooked evening meals there, but I did not. King sized bed, armchair, and desk. I spent quite a few evenings and weekends working there, especially during the first two weeks, before I discovered City Center.

Included in the accommodation was a splendid breakfast buffet in the Animato Restaurant, which quickly became my routine. I was there every work day at six-thirty. After a few visits, the hostess learned my name and I was greeted with, "Good morning Mr. Holland". The servers also greeted me with the same cordiality. I became friends with the young chef Mehidi. His station is the omelette bar, and he also became familiar with my preferences, to the point where I would automatically be served without asking. Fruit juice, cereal, coffee, omelette, potatoes, turkey bacon. I always grabbed a piece of fresh fruit and a container of yogurt on my way out.

Another great experience was the laundry service, also paid for by my employer. this may be commonplace to some, but was a new experience for me. Once or twice every week I packed everything into the bags provided and checked off the accompanying form. It was always returned the sane evening - shirts and slacks neatly pressed and everything wrapped up in plastic. A luxurious experience for someone who is used to 'permanent pressed'.

My room was on the eleventh floor - Number 1116. The tower is thirty floors total, with a pool, spa and workout room on the top floor. My room was on the East side, facing the bay. The view was framed by two other marquee hotels. The Four Seasons and of course the Hilton, where I spent a few evenings unwinding at the Zawaya Lounge. Just to the left of this view there is another massive tower under construction.

Everyone at the Movenpick, concierge, housekeeping, doormen and other attendants always greeted me with a smile and the utmost courtesy. As I wrote at the beginning of this post, my stay at Movenpick was very beneficial in the transition and adjustment to living in Doha.


السبت، 2 نوفمبر 2013

City Center

I am way behind on this blog, having had many interesting experiences during my four weeks in Qatar. The first two were spent fully involved in my new job, while in off hours I stayed close to the hotel. My third week was coincident with the six day long Eid al Adha National holiday, and I was encouraged to venture out.

Not very far from the Movenpick is the fabulous, magnificent City Center shopping mall. Absolutely everyone goes there.  Consequently, it has a very cosmopolitan atmosphere.  And it is huge! There are two or three levels of enclosed parking, but many people arrive by taxi and bus, or park on the street, and all of these enter through a grand staircase which leads directly to level two.

At the top of the stair, across a wide concourse, a circular atrium reveals three additional levels above, and the level below is an indoor ice skating rink, which is currently half covered, with a stage set up on one end for holiday programs. On the three middle levels, two long wings stretch out in opposite directions, with an endless variety of shops, many of which are familiar Western brands. The center of these wings is also open to all three levels, with elevators, escalators and speed ramps connecting everything.

Doha is cosmopolitan, but at the same time feels stratified. People keep to their own kind, which is natural, I suppose. Nationals shop here, along with everyone else. City Center was the first place that I encountered families. Men in their immaculately clean white thobes. Ladies wearing the traditional Muslim Abbaya. All have their heads covered, some with scarves, many with only the eyes showing, and a few with their heads completely shrouded by a transparent black hood. That seemed unusual in the beginning, but now not so much. It is their country, after all.

Many who are not natives are also from other Islamic countries, and they also were the traditional tunics and styles of those lands. There is another group that dress Western style, in jeans and t shirts with American logos and designs. But their language reveals that they are Arabic also.

Another vast group is those from Southeast Asia.  They are Thai, Malay, Cambodian and Philippine. A lot of these hold service oriented jobs. They are the cashiers, the servers, attendants and housekeeping professionals. I hold them in high regard. Everyone I have met has been extremely courteous.

Another distinct group is the workers from India and perhaps Pakistan. They also have service jobs such as taxi drivers, security guards, etc. It is the "expats" who stand out the most here, and among those, Americans are by far the minority.