Oh man, oh man, oh man. Okay, we got a car. This is both fabulous and horrific at the same time. It's wonderful to have some freedom...some mobility. It's not so fabulous to have massive LandCruisers tailing at high speeds with their horns blowing.
Qatar's roads are infamous for being life threatening. To the credit of the Qatar government, they have been working very hard to change the situation. However, there are folks who just don't give a flying squirrel about other drivers on the road and do whatever they please, at whatever speed they wish to do it. This makes driving a tense...and intense...experience.
As a throwback to the days of Qatar being a British Protectorate, there are round-a-bouts everywhere. Now, round-a-bouts are scary enough to a North American like me as it is, but to be on these things when no one is actually following the rules of the round-a-bout, and not following those rules at breakneck speeds, is, once again, heart stoppingly scary at times.
We have rented a nice little Nissan Tiida. Lovely little car. But, that is the main problem...it's little. Little cars don't seem to fare so well. One needs the biggest frickin' vehicle possible to get real respect on the road. I was talkin' to the guy next door who bought himself a Hummer. I asked him how it was for driving. He said it was great...that because of the size of it, he actually got respect on the road...as if people feared the thing. He didn't get people driving on his bumper trying to shove him out of the way anymore, like he did when he had a Tiida sized car. So, all we have to do is save our Riyal's and get ourselves a Hummer, and then, it sounds like the problem will be solved!
Mind you, having an large, off-road vehicle would be nice anyway. As it is, I have been taking the rental car places where the rental car really shouldn't be taken. A Nissan Tiida is not built for driving around in the rocky, scrubby type of desert that can be found immediately around Doha. That doesn't mean it can't be done. I have been doing it. This poor car is not going to have much of an underside when I'm done with it, lemme tell ya.
All in all, this car has added a new dimension to the Doha experience. And so far, I have lived to write about it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Where have I been?
Why am I not writing? I should be. Exciting new stuff is happening. I just haven't been writing about it.
Okay, so, the story thus far. We are in Doha, Qatar. It is HOT, it is sandy, and it is interesting. Gigantasaurus buildings are everywhere. What for, I'm not sure. But, they are being built, left, right and center...especially center. The other day, I was downtown and it was rather surreal to be standing in the unfinished parking lot of a skyscraper that was empty. It had obviously just been finished. I have never seen a brand new skyscraper. Here it was, towering above me, stark and dark. All around were other half finished buildings surrounded by cranes and big constructing machines. So, they offered no light, or warmth. It felt more like a scene from an apocalypse than the birth of a new city. But, there is no doubt, it is another piece of what promises to be a pretty amazing city in the end, depending on ones view of what an amazing city is, of course. I guess the true test will come when it is all done, and residents take up space in these pillars. Then the true personality of the place will come out. The architecture, the ideas and the sheer scale of the projects are impressive, there is no denying that.
So, that's downtown, along the water front. Then, there is where we live. It's dusty, hot, and rather dull looking, but that is part of it's charm. Villa after villa that look identical are being put up faster than one can say, "Hey, could you build me a villa?" They are all massive, and, mostly empty at the moment, hidden away behind walls...compounds really. It wasn't that long ago that this would have been just barren desert. It still is, really, it just has villas on top of it. I like it though. There are enough gaps, enough spaces, enough odd little places mixed in to make it interesting. The odd shop here or there that looks pretty run down, right next a brand new McDonald's adds contrast. Big, expensive cars driving by migrant workers dressed in dusty, sweaty clothes. People hanging around mosques, skinny cats diving in to dumpsters, cars speeding by, kids whizzing around on bikes...there is life amongst the walled compounds.
And, as far as people go, I can't say I have actually met anyone who is from Qatar yet. I have met people from India, Nepal, Egypt, Iran, Canada, and seemingly anywhere else BUT Qatar. It makes sense in many ways. Only 30 percent of the population is from Qatar. The rest are here to help build Qatar, work in the oil industry, help the country become a leader for education, and sell hamburgers.
So far, it's an interesting place. I will try to continue to write about it, as much for me as for any other reason. Like when I was in Turkey, I do want to keep a record of what I am experiencing. It is worth it. These have been amazing experiences, and I'm sure there will be plenty more coming in the near future. At least, there better be!
Okay, so, the story thus far. We are in Doha, Qatar. It is HOT, it is sandy, and it is interesting. Gigantasaurus buildings are everywhere. What for, I'm not sure. But, they are being built, left, right and center...especially center. The other day, I was downtown and it was rather surreal to be standing in the unfinished parking lot of a skyscraper that was empty. It had obviously just been finished. I have never seen a brand new skyscraper. Here it was, towering above me, stark and dark. All around were other half finished buildings surrounded by cranes and big constructing machines. So, they offered no light, or warmth. It felt more like a scene from an apocalypse than the birth of a new city. But, there is no doubt, it is another piece of what promises to be a pretty amazing city in the end, depending on ones view of what an amazing city is, of course. I guess the true test will come when it is all done, and residents take up space in these pillars. Then the true personality of the place will come out. The architecture, the ideas and the sheer scale of the projects are impressive, there is no denying that.
So, that's downtown, along the water front. Then, there is where we live. It's dusty, hot, and rather dull looking, but that is part of it's charm. Villa after villa that look identical are being put up faster than one can say, "Hey, could you build me a villa?" They are all massive, and, mostly empty at the moment, hidden away behind walls...compounds really. It wasn't that long ago that this would have been just barren desert. It still is, really, it just has villas on top of it. I like it though. There are enough gaps, enough spaces, enough odd little places mixed in to make it interesting. The odd shop here or there that looks pretty run down, right next a brand new McDonald's adds contrast. Big, expensive cars driving by migrant workers dressed in dusty, sweaty clothes. People hanging around mosques, skinny cats diving in to dumpsters, cars speeding by, kids whizzing around on bikes...there is life amongst the walled compounds.
And, as far as people go, I can't say I have actually met anyone who is from Qatar yet. I have met people from India, Nepal, Egypt, Iran, Canada, and seemingly anywhere else BUT Qatar. It makes sense in many ways. Only 30 percent of the population is from Qatar. The rest are here to help build Qatar, work in the oil industry, help the country become a leader for education, and sell hamburgers.
So far, it's an interesting place. I will try to continue to write about it, as much for me as for any other reason. Like when I was in Turkey, I do want to keep a record of what I am experiencing. It is worth it. These have been amazing experiences, and I'm sure there will be plenty more coming in the near future. At least, there better be!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Things I Never Thought I Would Say
"NO! Don't stick that toilet plunger in your mouth! Now stop licking the side of the toilet!"
*sigh*
*sigh*
Saturday, August 22, 2009
...and sometime later....
Doha is hot. It is really, really quite hot.
Obviously, we are now here. So far, I have not seen much of the place, but what I have seen is very dusty.
Whence it starts cooling down, I hope to be able to see more. Right now, I've been seeing great things like the swimming pool in our compound. It is a glorious thing, even though it is as hot as...well....a hot tub. It's still an escape.
On a related note, I have now begun my full time job in Doha...being a stay at home dad. So far, so good. The two days I did it worked out a-okay. I stress....two days. This promises to be the most challenging job I will have ever had...and possibly ever will have. Can I do it?
I think so.
Obviously, we are now here. So far, I have not seen much of the place, but what I have seen is very dusty.
Whence it starts cooling down, I hope to be able to see more. Right now, I've been seeing great things like the swimming pool in our compound. It is a glorious thing, even though it is as hot as...well....a hot tub. It's still an escape.
On a related note, I have now begun my full time job in Doha...being a stay at home dad. So far, so good. The two days I did it worked out a-okay. I stress....two days. This promises to be the most challenging job I will have ever had...and possibly ever will have. Can I do it?
I think so.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Chaos before the Storm
Okay, we're no longer in Turkey. I think I mentioned that. If not, well, we aren't in Turkey anymore. Now in Canada. We've been here for well over a month. It was good...had the opportunity to go to my sister's wedding, which we weren't expecting to make.
So, first off, my wife got a job in Dubai, and thus ended her contract in Turkey. Now, she got an even better job in Doha, Qatar, and we are no longer going to Dubai...we are going to Doha.
In the meantime, before we go in August, we are homeless, per say. I mean, we are staying at the houses of our parents, and that has been great...but, at the same time...well, it's not our home. I don't mind not having a home, but it does become much more challenging when you have a baby! But, we are managing.
Right now, I have no clue what is going on. I don't know how much money we have. I don't know where half of our stuff is. I don't know where my second rechargeable battery ended up, my diet is completely out of wack, I'm experiencing plenty of culture shock, and I need new socks and underwear....I think. I might have enough, but where they are, I have no idea.
So, first off, my wife got a job in Dubai, and thus ended her contract in Turkey. Now, she got an even better job in Doha, Qatar, and we are no longer going to Dubai...we are going to Doha.
In the meantime, before we go in August, we are homeless, per say. I mean, we are staying at the houses of our parents, and that has been great...but, at the same time...well, it's not our home. I don't mind not having a home, but it does become much more challenging when you have a baby! But, we are managing.
Right now, I have no clue what is going on. I don't know how much money we have. I don't know where half of our stuff is. I don't know where my second rechargeable battery ended up, my diet is completely out of wack, I'm experiencing plenty of culture shock, and I need new socks and underwear....I think. I might have enough, but where they are, I have no idea.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Frustration over Historical Views.
So, I had this friend on Twitter. He's a nice guy. I like him. He's a good person from everything I know and can see about him. We haven't met personally, but I still think he's a good guy.
Well, on Twitter yesterday I posted a link and said "Please remember the Armenian Genocide." Now, this is a very sensitive issue in Turkey. It's a no-go topic pretty much, and I found it difficult to handle while I was in the country. From everything that I have read and listened to, there is no doubt in my mind that in 1915, towards the end of the Ottoman Empire, there was a genocide of Armenians in Turkey. Yet, not only the Turkish government, but it seems most of Turkey's citizens steadfastly deny that this is true. Public debate is non existent. Even suggesting it gets blood boiling. And, obviously, it got this friend angry, and he has blocked me. That is his choice, though I feel bad about it.
The reality is, there is not a country in the world without skeletons in it's closet. This includes Canada and what has happened in this country to the aboriginal population, which was horrible...and still is in so many ways. But, it is important to deal with these issues. When a country denies what has happened in the past, especially when it comes to an issue like genocide, it is creating a sad situation. How frustrating it must be for Armenians to know that their culture in Ottoman Turkey was destroyed in brutal ways, and then to have the extra insult of complete denial of these atrocities thrown in their faces. Accounts abound from within the Armenian community, from representatives from other nations who were in Turkey at the time, in newspaper reports in the US and Britain, etc., of what was going on. Before these events there were other mass slaughters of Armenians. There was an utter contempt for Armenians. They were dehumanized within what what was left of the Ottoman empire, seen as a danger, and a hindrance to a Pan-Turkish dream. I don't see how it can be said that a genocide did not happen. But, there is an insistence within Turkey that it was not so. Why? Why is this denial so strong? I do not understand? If it happened...and, like I said, based on what I have read and heard, I believe that it did...then why deny it? What advantage can possibly be gained by doing this? All it creates is pain and resentment all around. If the country thinks it is fooling the outside world, it is wrong. If the country thinks that they are not causing damage to their reputation, then they are wrong. It baffles and saddens me. Turkey is a fantastic country. The people are warm and friendly...VERY warm and friendly. The sights are incredible. It has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The father of Turkey, Ataturk was a progressive, interesting person who did amazing things for the country. It is a wonderful place. There is a lot for the people of Turkey to be proud of! Acknowledging the acts of 1915 to be a genocide cannot take away from what Turkey has become and can be in the future. Again, there is no country without faults. There are still issues that need to be dealt with in the Turkey, including the treatment of the Kurdish population, and the gap between the rich and the poor as just a few examples. But, this is reality. All countries have issues to deal with. Turkey is no exception. That doesn't mean it is not a great place, because it truly is, and I loved being there and miss it so much. I would LOVE to go back. The experiences that I had there were incredible.
So, yes, I don't think there can be any doubt that a genocide occurred there. Owning up to it is important. Debate is important. Discussion is important. It is a topic that should be tackled. It can no longer be a no-go issue. Turkey and it's citizens must look at those events and talk about them...consider acknowledging them as a genocide...understand them...and move on. Turkey is too great of a country to NOT do this. I hope my friend can one day be a part of this discussion.
Well, on Twitter yesterday I posted a link and said "Please remember the Armenian Genocide." Now, this is a very sensitive issue in Turkey. It's a no-go topic pretty much, and I found it difficult to handle while I was in the country. From everything that I have read and listened to, there is no doubt in my mind that in 1915, towards the end of the Ottoman Empire, there was a genocide of Armenians in Turkey. Yet, not only the Turkish government, but it seems most of Turkey's citizens steadfastly deny that this is true. Public debate is non existent. Even suggesting it gets blood boiling. And, obviously, it got this friend angry, and he has blocked me. That is his choice, though I feel bad about it.
The reality is, there is not a country in the world without skeletons in it's closet. This includes Canada and what has happened in this country to the aboriginal population, which was horrible...and still is in so many ways. But, it is important to deal with these issues. When a country denies what has happened in the past, especially when it comes to an issue like genocide, it is creating a sad situation. How frustrating it must be for Armenians to know that their culture in Ottoman Turkey was destroyed in brutal ways, and then to have the extra insult of complete denial of these atrocities thrown in their faces. Accounts abound from within the Armenian community, from representatives from other nations who were in Turkey at the time, in newspaper reports in the US and Britain, etc., of what was going on. Before these events there were other mass slaughters of Armenians. There was an utter contempt for Armenians. They were dehumanized within what what was left of the Ottoman empire, seen as a danger, and a hindrance to a Pan-Turkish dream. I don't see how it can be said that a genocide did not happen. But, there is an insistence within Turkey that it was not so. Why? Why is this denial so strong? I do not understand? If it happened...and, like I said, based on what I have read and heard, I believe that it did...then why deny it? What advantage can possibly be gained by doing this? All it creates is pain and resentment all around. If the country thinks it is fooling the outside world, it is wrong. If the country thinks that they are not causing damage to their reputation, then they are wrong. It baffles and saddens me. Turkey is a fantastic country. The people are warm and friendly...VERY warm and friendly. The sights are incredible. It has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The father of Turkey, Ataturk was a progressive, interesting person who did amazing things for the country. It is a wonderful place. There is a lot for the people of Turkey to be proud of! Acknowledging the acts of 1915 to be a genocide cannot take away from what Turkey has become and can be in the future. Again, there is no country without faults. There are still issues that need to be dealt with in the Turkey, including the treatment of the Kurdish population, and the gap between the rich and the poor as just a few examples. But, this is reality. All countries have issues to deal with. Turkey is no exception. That doesn't mean it is not a great place, because it truly is, and I loved being there and miss it so much. I would LOVE to go back. The experiences that I had there were incredible.
So, yes, I don't think there can be any doubt that a genocide occurred there. Owning up to it is important. Debate is important. Discussion is important. It is a topic that should be tackled. It can no longer be a no-go issue. Turkey and it's citizens must look at those events and talk about them...consider acknowledging them as a genocide...understand them...and move on. Turkey is too great of a country to NOT do this. I hope my friend can one day be a part of this discussion.
Friday, May 29, 2009
It's been a while...
Wow. Time flies. So much has happened, and I have written about NONE of it. There has been much to write about, but, life got a bit hectic.
Anyway, we are no longer in Turkey. Two years has come to an end. Next up, Dubai. Judging by what the internet tells me about the weather there, it looks like it might be the hottest place on the planet. How my pale Canadian skin is going to handle that, I'm not sure. We shall see.
But, looking back, I just can't believe we are no longer living in Turkey. That two years went by so fast. I miss it. That was an amazing time and an amazing country. I wish I was still there. But, life does keep going on...and on...and on...and now it's time for a new adventure, of course. However, this is a good time to reflect. Right now we are in Canada, staying at my parents house for the moment. It's sort of a down time. I've been catching my breathe, thinking about the past...and the future...absorbing it all...adjusting...trying to understand.
So, Turkey....how do I sum up the past two years? I don't even know. Everything I saw and experienced...wow. What I learned...again...wow. I don't even know where to start. To go from Canada to Turkey on the one hand seemed like such a massive change in culture...and yet, there are so many things that I found were universal. To go from a predominately christian country to a predominately muslim country taught me a lot. Being on the other side of the planet, away from everyone and everything I was familiar with...big learning experience. The traveling I was able to do... Bulgaria, Egypt, Germany, Ukraine, France, England, Belgium....they were all within easy reach, and I got to spend time in these places. Different cultures, different people, different music, different foods, different realities...they were all available to me and I did everything I could to take it all in! I saw things I never, ever thought I would see. Istanbul? I didn't think in a million years I would ever see Istanbul. I saw it, and I loved it...still love it. We met so many interesting people...at work, while travelling, through living! And, the biggest event of all, our son was born in Turkey! Wow...again. I know, I know, this is all seeming so vague. And it is. I'm just skimming the surface. It's so much to think about...so many small events, experiences, that combine together over a couple of years. I've written a lot about specific things that have happened in my old livejournal blog. I've taken thousands of pictures and pasted them up on facebook and flickr. But, there are still so many stories to write. There is still so much that can be analyzed...laughed about...cringed over...and I want to savour these...all of these things as I think about them, and hopefully write MORE about them....
And the future? Dubai? Another wow. That's not a place I ever thought I would see. That's in a part of the world I never thought I would live in. Within a few months, that is where we will be! Unbelievable! I love life. I love this life. I love my life. I love what has happened. I love what I expect to happen. I have written the word wow a few times...and I will write it again....WOW!
Yup....
Wow....
Anyway, we are no longer in Turkey. Two years has come to an end. Next up, Dubai. Judging by what the internet tells me about the weather there, it looks like it might be the hottest place on the planet. How my pale Canadian skin is going to handle that, I'm not sure. We shall see.
But, looking back, I just can't believe we are no longer living in Turkey. That two years went by so fast. I miss it. That was an amazing time and an amazing country. I wish I was still there. But, life does keep going on...and on...and on...and now it's time for a new adventure, of course. However, this is a good time to reflect. Right now we are in Canada, staying at my parents house for the moment. It's sort of a down time. I've been catching my breathe, thinking about the past...and the future...absorbing it all...adjusting...trying to understand.
So, Turkey....how do I sum up the past two years? I don't even know. Everything I saw and experienced...wow. What I learned...again...wow. I don't even know where to start. To go from Canada to Turkey on the one hand seemed like such a massive change in culture...and yet, there are so many things that I found were universal. To go from a predominately christian country to a predominately muslim country taught me a lot. Being on the other side of the planet, away from everyone and everything I was familiar with...big learning experience. The traveling I was able to do... Bulgaria, Egypt, Germany, Ukraine, France, England, Belgium....they were all within easy reach, and I got to spend time in these places. Different cultures, different people, different music, different foods, different realities...they were all available to me and I did everything I could to take it all in! I saw things I never, ever thought I would see. Istanbul? I didn't think in a million years I would ever see Istanbul. I saw it, and I loved it...still love it. We met so many interesting people...at work, while travelling, through living! And, the biggest event of all, our son was born in Turkey! Wow...again. I know, I know, this is all seeming so vague. And it is. I'm just skimming the surface. It's so much to think about...so many small events, experiences, that combine together over a couple of years. I've written a lot about specific things that have happened in my old livejournal blog. I've taken thousands of pictures and pasted them up on facebook and flickr. But, there are still so many stories to write. There is still so much that can be analyzed...laughed about...cringed over...and I want to savour these...all of these things as I think about them, and hopefully write MORE about them....
And the future? Dubai? Another wow. That's not a place I ever thought I would see. That's in a part of the world I never thought I would live in. Within a few months, that is where we will be! Unbelievable! I love life. I love this life. I love my life. I love what has happened. I love what I expect to happen. I have written the word wow a few times...and I will write it again....WOW!
Yup....
Wow....
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