Why Do Qatari Men Touch Noses?

Watch this funny video from Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani for the answer:

 

  

I know, I know - I promised:  a blog every Friday, no matter what.  But today…I'm just too tired.  After a (busy, but fun) week of 9-hour and an 11-hour shifts with students at Weill Cornell Medical College.  A week of early mornings, hurried shopping, midnight laundry.

 

A week of language classes missed.

 

A week of sunshine lost.

 

I'm befuddled in English, confused in Arabic, mixed up in Khaleeji, Masri, FusHa.

 

There are the usual distractions muddling my horizon - half marathon training after a long setback.  Missing family, faraway car troubles, taxes due, FAFSAs to complete…five babies I haven't seen in way. too. long.

 

And new distractions like Bob's guys-go-golf trip to ABU DHABI this weekend (clicker to myself! Snacks and sweatpants in front of the tv!) and deciding if I should run tomorrow's inaugural "Doha Marathon" along the Corniche - just advertised in yesterday's paper.

 

If I were blogging today I might write about stuff in the news…for example how all women (teachers, administrators, support staff) were suddenly banned from working in Independent Boys' Schools (ie, Qatari public schools). "For fear that (young boys) may start imitating their behavior or mannerisms."  (Doha News Link)

 

Or about Sheikha Moza's nanny training school where "the goal of the academy (is to) protect children from other cultures that diffuse into the society through Asian nannies in particular." (Doha News Link)

Or maybe I'd tell you about red suburbans and motorcycles and drivers with guns who park in the middle of roundabouts, blocking/clogging roads, so whomever-high-up can get from here to there unimpeded.  And how it used to be interesting to watch the long line of black cars stream past and wonder, who-might-that-be?  But now when I see those speeding flashes of red…I whip the car around and consider how wide a circle I'll have to make to avoid the inevitable traffic backup. 
 

 

unrelated palm trees pic

 

Nope, I'm just not up to blogging today. Instead I'm gonna watch another funny video, drink some coffee and…wait for the sun.

On 86% Humidity

When desert air is humid:

  

 

1.  Slog, don't jog.

2.  Cover your knees and shoulders (remember you're in Doha).

3.  Bring water, duh.

4.  Expect to sweat (wear inappropriate absorbent attire under tee).

5.  Sunglasses necessary.

6.  Carry a towel.

 

Because it's not just "hot."  It's not just "humid."  It's breathing melted cheese while jogging underwater inside a sauna.  It's a Phoenix, Arizona summer cuddled up to a Riverside, California smog alert.  Really, you shouldn't be outside at all when the air is this thick.  A few things about 86% humidity: 

• air is heavy, tangible, thick, wet:  99 fahrenheit with humidity equals 128 "real feel" degrees
 
• water blankets the city, shrouds the skyline, fills lungs
 
• moisture streaks windows, waterfalls to pavement, creates moats
 
• soaked cotton glues to skin, burps when tugged
 
• air pudding coats lung lining like cake batter in a bowl...complicates breathing
 
• slippery skin glistens with drops drip-drip-dripping from nose-elbow-fingertips (ick)
 
• enter a cold space and sweat crystalizes, flakes to the floor like summer snow (double ick)

• puddles form on concrete, ears clog, glasses and phones fog

• the world is a heady mix of locker room and air freshener - a sweet, acrid, salty perfume

This is the time of year that loosely worn abayas, dishdashas and gallabeas make sense.  Strangely, the more you wear the more comfortable you are: skin is sun protected, air moves, sweat dries, stains don't show.

As long as you spend most of the day...indoors.

Rocking the Parkway

Burns & McDonnell Half Marathon done:

Wore tee shirt signed by Bob and his coworkers, ie, Burns & Mac Doha bunch:

Hurt a lot (note upside down water bottle)

Now – back to todo list, gym, Bob and…

Bassam Ibrahim (in black in front) – Lebanese Kickboxing Champion…and gym-domo at Tower One, the Pearl, Doha, Qatar.  J This guy’ll get you in shape!

Running in an Abaya

Note to self: when morning temperatures exceed 6,000 degrees (exaggerating a little), it's best not to wear long, longish or - well, any length - cotton pants to run.

Aspire Park trail map

Because it doesn't matter whether you’re fat, thin, old, young, in shape or flabby.  It doesn't matter whether you run long-legged strong or slog injured, like me.  When you run in temperatures this hot…You. Will. Sweat.

When a person sweats into cotton, the material gets wet….in some of the most awkward places.  What's more…it stays wet.  Pretty much until removed.

No pictures.  Use your imagination.

As I bemoan my situation, a fully covered, head-to-toe black abaya-sheyla-niqab AND gloves-clad lady strolls by.  I'd seen her as I whisked (using the term loosely) around the park: her elbows out, head and shoulders back.  A solid pace, even as she wears thick sandals.  I'd found her eyes, greeted her - she replied through the veil.  Now sunglasses hide her eyes too.

HOW?  I wonder.  WHY?  The abaya is light weight, sheer, even.  Hold one layer to the light, you can see your hand.  Wind butterflies in and out as she moves, teases the material, perhaps cools her skin?

Perhaps.

But still.  The fabric is hot-attracting black.  And there's so much of it!  Does she wear runner's spandex beneath?  Wicking tee?  Nike shorts?

For sure she's not wearing cotton.

Thanks to my experiences at the Fanar's exclusive third floor ladies area

where sheylas are loosened and abayas (sometimes) drape across chairs - I know that, given the right opportunity, I might ask her.

But not today, as moisture wicks from my body and into the ill-advised and previously mentioned cotton garment.  As my pants droop like a two year old's beach diaper and darkness ebbs down my legs.

Nope, today I hold my head high, pretend the wetness doesn't matter…and head for my car.

Maybe I need an abaya.

What We've Been Up To...

Bob:

works

Cindi:

hitched boat ride around Doha Bay...

...with this nice group of international teachers (would love to send this pic on with a working email address or phone number)

Meanwhile, Bob:

still working

Cindi:

ahhhhhhhhhhh

And Bob:

hangs at the job site

Cindi:

enjoys hot tea ("shay") in tiny little mugs

Of course, it hasn't been ALL fun and games.   Bob does this every evening:

power walk and gym time

While Cindi enoys an everlasting never ending all day all the time takes 4 hours to do a handful at a time lot of this:

ughhhhhhhh

We both do a lot of this:

But only Cindi does this:

Arabic lessons

 In this amazing place:

fanar building

unmarked ladies entrance

seriously, don't even think about it

Taking advantage of opportunities to try new things:

As we make the most of our time together:

dancing

Love you, miss you, keep those cards and letters (ie, emails, facebook, comments) coming!

For My Valentine: National Sports Day

Forget Valentine’s Day chocolate.  How about a brisk walk? Or rousing game of tennis?

That’s what you’d be doing if you were in Doha with Bob and me on February 14:

National Sports Day is a pioneering initiative adopted by H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent, who issued the Emiri Decree No. 80 for the year 2011 on December 6, 2011, concerning the State’s National Sports Day. The decree states that Tuesday in the second week of February each year will be the state’s National Sports Day. (http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/181508-preparation-for-sports-day-in-full-swing.html.)

Perhaps it’s a way to stem the nutritional tide: Qatar has a dangerously high rate of diabetes.  Or a continuing effort on the part of the government to get nationals, expats and itinerants (like me) interested in the country’s ongoing bid for the 2020 Olympics.  Or maybe the HH is just really into fitness.

There are already gyms and sports clubs everywhere (including at the Pearl where Bob lives).  It’s said that the HH rides his bike in the desert and plays tennis.  Doha hosted the 2006 AFC Asian Cup and the 2011 Pan Arab Games.  And of course, there’s the 2022 FIFA World Cup Finals to be held in a (beautifully revitalized) Doha.

The Sports Day decree states all public companies are required to organize some sort of physical activity for employees who enjoy a day off. Sports Day events include a special walk for women from everywhere at Aspire Park:

(http://www.sportsfeatures.com/olympicsnews/story/49313/doha-2020-gets-boost-as-qatar-readies-for-first-national-sports-day)

Other activities include a rare tour of Qatar Olympic Committee facilities, including sports stadiums, grounds and indoor halls – all open to the public!  (Katie, Kimber and I tried to see Khalifa Stadium last December and were asked to leave…)  Look for sporting events at Qatar University, Katara Beach, the Tourism Authority and walks along the Corniche.  All public sports clubs are free to use on February 14 too.

Bob and I plan to walk the Corniche after which we’ll ride the ever-present-and-probably-enhanced-that-day wave of traffic to QOC facilities.  We’ll do lunch somewhere fun then head home - to the Pearl – together.

Most of you know I’m battling my way back to mobility after 5 months of hobbling around, courtesy of an ankle bone contusion earned in September 2011.  I’m finally back to running (in frustratingly slow, sometimes painful, fits and starts) with the April 14 Burns and McDonnell Rock the Parkway half marathon in my sights (http://www.rocktheparkway.com/).

My training will happen in Doha. Bob promises to exercise with me.

As a (Rockhurst High School) soccer star, coach and three time veteran of the Kansas City Half Marathon, Bob’s no stranger to exercise.  What makes this gym sojourn different?  Our Doha honeymoon, of course. J

That National Sports Day falls on Valentine’s Day, which happens to be my first full day back in Doha – and (JUST announced, even as Musheireb Properties is not a public company…) Bob has the whole day off!!

Coincidence?  I think not.

Check out Qatar’s Sports Day website here:  http://www.sportday.qa/.