Ruwwais Beach Trip

About a month ago, or perhaps more...errr....it was last Eid, so it was quite awhile ago, my friend Tracy asked me to go to the beach with her and another friend to meet said friends partner, Peter, and John, who were taking a 5 day fishing trip around Qatar in Peter's boat, but it was quite windy, so they were stranded at this lagoon. So, the three of us hopped into Tracy's MRV, and began our little trek north. After seeing much desert, and a few trees (unfortunately no camels), we arrived at a non-descript oil barrel, and Mary says that she thinks this is the turn! Tracy doesn't seem convinced, but we try it anyway....not correct, but that's OK! Getting anywhere here is completely trial and error.

So we continue on our merry way, negotiating non-roads, deciphering where the sand looks like it most driven in....we drive on a paved road, and Mary says just to turn into the desert anywhere, as the beach is directly off to our left, even if we can't see it. So we do, and low and behold, we hit mangroves and the beach, which is also right by an abandoned village! Woohoo! Here are a few photos for you all....

My favorite...the Persian Gulf, or Arabian Gulf (whatever...it's a body of water....no one owns it), is in the background. There are tons of stingray in the shallows apparently, so shuffling feet is a must! I can honestly say that I've never walked with stingray before, and I will admit that I was more than a bit hesitant; however, the water was amazing...bathlike temperatures. The sand, on the other hand, was not at all soft! Oh well ~ it was still nice : )


The beach, and Gulf, is just through these buildings. While we were there, I relished in the idea of moving to a place as isolated and peaceful as this, being able to wake up to this every morning....but, imagine the dust! Ack!

This is the view of the beach as we were driving away, saying goodbye. I must say that it was wonderful to wade in the waters, eat in abandoned buildings, and be will good people. Loved it!


No one can claim that ND is boring and desolate any longer! Though the dunes and beaches are beautiful I'm sure, this is what the "highway" looked like for much of our 45 minute trip! Notice the dirt mark on the window....it never, ever goes away. You wash your car, the dust is back by the morning. Much like winter snow except the dust never stops, and if you wipe it off, you'll have some nice scratches on your car. Good thing I haven't done that! : )



This is Tracy and I at the end of the day, back at Tracy's!

Apologies and updates

Okay, okay...so I've totally failed in keeping up with this blog....however, I will attempt to add somethings now, while I have a moment to breathe; emphasis on moment. Life here is going quite well, even though i am quite busy, teaching 6 classes and 120 some studetns....writing that is....even so, I really enjoy my students, and I think they like me as well. At least they say they do! :) The above photos are of our new apartment, and I think Leo is in the last photo of the front door!

The first photo is of stickers....these stickers are all over the furniture, and are a bit annoying at first, but now I don't see them at all. they say "Made In China". The picture after this is our living room, but is now looking diffrent, as I've been here longer than 2 weeks! Then, you see the master bathroom, a lovely blue, with both toilet and bidet, and, finally, you'll find the entrance to our master bedroom.

I've now been here 3 months, and rarely get homesick though I do get husband/Sara sick : ( Thank goodness they are both coming to visit for all of Thanksgiving Week!!!! : ) Woohoo!!! Sara's very excited, and I'm excited to show her around Qatar. All of my students really want to meet her, and she's going to do interview them all for a project to present when she goes back to Seattle. We thought since she would be missing some school, and most people in the US don't even know where Qatar is, that she could educate some 4th graders! We're going to go to the singing sand dunes to listen to them sing, climb up them, and then slide down. Sounds like fun, no? We'll also take in the beaches, the malls (which are much more than your average mall...think European canals inside the mall. no joke!), the souks (markets), and whatever else strikes our fancy. I don't really care; I'll just be happy to see them. People at the airport will be talking for days about the weird American lady who ran crying across the airport! Well...there is much of an airport to run across, but if there was, that would be me. I get teary-eyed just thinking about seeing Sara for the first time in three months. I've been fortunate enough to see Rabah twice since I got here, and can only thank God that he is a pilot! He may be gone a lot, but we are certainly blessed with incredibly cheap travel opportunities, as long as their are seats on the plane I must say.

My classes and students...

I've now got a full week of classes under my belt, and I can now say I am very excited about the semester! : ) I have 6 classes total, 4 women/2 men, all of which are unique and fabulous in their own way. The guys have been great from day 1, sussing me out, trying to figure out what I'm like, etc. Once they figured out that I understand Arabic, they chuckled nervously, but thought it was great. They also get a kick out of the fact that our last name, minus the first "a", Hmar, means donkey in Arabic, and is not a very nice thing to call someone. Quite a bit more offensive than how "ass" is used in the States. Add to that the fact that my brother's name, Matt, means "dead" in Arabic, and you've got a howling class, even the ladies. Seriously, what's not to laugh at?! His name means "dead donkey" ~ hehehehehehehehehe......I laugh every time I think about it. I'm seriously cracking up while I write this!!!! I love you, Matt, and I know you have the right sense of humor for this : )

The ladies are really starting to loosen up with me, and today all three of my classes were laughing. I think I'm a fairly unconventional teacher for them. For example, I told them one of my expectations of them is this: in return for my respect for them, they respect me and their classmates as well. Cell phones are huge here, and they all keep them on their desks, trying to sneak in text messages. So, to make my point, I pretended that my phone, which was on silent, was ringing, and answered it, as if there was someone there, and started making dinner plans, saying no no...not busy...just teaching. I turned to the class, telling them I'd be right back, and then I left the room. I came back in and they were completely unsure of what to think! they were laughing, but not sure if they should be. I asked them how they would have felt if it was a real situation? Does this action show respect? Of course, they all said no, so I explain that I expect the same in return. Good thing one of our units is "Actions Speak Louder Than Words", and it all fell nicely into place. : ) Sometimes I wonder where I pull this crap from, but it sure is a lot of fun at the time.

Speaking of classes....I've got to get back to planning now, but I'll try to keep posting frequently. Camera should be arriving soon, and I'll send photos asap.

Mani/Pedi

Had a fabulous manicure/pedicure the other night, and for minimal funds. No joke either. Helen spent a full two hours meticulously scrubbing, rubbing, shaping, and trimming my nasty hands. It was heavenly. The massage chair, quiet soothing music.....what more could a lady ask for??? Nada!

the food scenario....

I have decided that since there are soooo many American restaurants and fast food places, I needed to try them out to compare them. So far I've tried the following:

McDonalds ~ same as the States, but the burgers seem to have more to them, but the fries don't compare....perhaps I should try a different location....

Hardees ~ don't like it at all there, don't like it here either

Pizza ~ a variety of places....I must say that most places make a pretty tasty pizza

Applebees ~ one would think you'd stepped into American suburbia....everything looks exactly the same. Though they do have a fabulous non-alcoholic drinks menu. This place is HEAVEN for non-alcoholic drinks. I've never seen such a selection of juices in my life! Well...not at Applebees, but at the grocery store and small shops.

Subway ~ the same....but the chips weren't quite what I'd imagined they should be....I'm particular about my chips if you can't tell.

I've also had Thai, but it was nothing in comparison to the restaurant near our old place in San Francisco.

Needless to say, I'm all fast-fooded out, and won't be eating gross, slimy, fattening fare for some time. At least a week or so....though I must say I'm craving brussel sprouts and everything else that supplies my body with the appropriate nutrition! : )