Nice Lambo

This very nice car was parked at the local shopping centre and was attracting alot of attention - it was beautiful - the inside was all green leather  including the steering wheel and the handbrake.  Very Nice indeed.

Happy Halloween

A Trip to the Souq

Today  I somehow (not sure how) but managed to talk Nick into taking me to the souqs.

I remember spending alot of time in the souqs in Saudi and loved it - lots of bargains to be found and local nik naks.  (Nick loathes this sort of thing)

The architecture is real traditional middle eastern - it is lovely.

Unfortunately not many of the shops were open which means we have to go back - but I will have to give Nick some happy pills before we go!!!!

There are quite a few restaurants here also - apparently it is a nice place to be at night time - lots of entertainment.

ATM machine

Although we could not shop we did get to see them making a TV commercial

The film crew

Hubbly Bubbly (shisha) if you wish to partake.

There was an article in the paper the other day saying that it has been proven that Shisha is worse than tobacco!!

Just Another Day on the Roads in Doha

Fog in the Desert

The last couple of mornings we have woken to fog!!!  Its quite amazing - never thought that you'd get fog in the desert.

At school the other day (the first day of the fog) there were hardly any students, apparently they don't come to school in the fog or in the rain.  Its too dangerous on the roads they say.

Two Out of Three Is Good Enough For Me!!

I was unfortunate enough to have to experience the health care system here.  I had a suspected DVT in my leg.  My first trip was to a local medical centre where they did a Doppler Ultrasound and it confirmed that I had a DVT.  As they did not offer anti-coagulant treatment I was sent to the local public hospital - where my poor leg was prodded by seven different Dr's.  I was stabbed in the hand for the insertion of a cannula and they took bloods by letting the blood drip from the cannula - interesting!!!  The whole experience was just awful if Nick had not been with me I would have walked out - the sights I saw!!!!

They also performed another Doppler as they don't trust outside machines - this one came back negative, so this left me stressed to the max not knowing what exactly to do.  Then I was sent home after about 5hrs. And that was quick as my treatment was fast tracked due to Nick knowing people in the right places.

So I thought I best get a third opinion - just incase it was a DVT.  We opted for one of the private hospitals.

This is the private hospital!!!!! Man it looks as dodgy as hell from the outside - but we were pleasantly surprised when we went in  - it was actually quite nice and clean and very good service.  After more bloods (which won't be ready for one week) and another Doppler I have been cleared of a DVT - so thats is a relief to say the least.  So two negative tests are good enough for me ...... well I think so!!!!!  

While I was waiting for to see the Dr today I noticed this other  Dr walking around that looked familiar but I could not place him, and he kept giving me these really awful looks.  I soon figured out who he was.  I went to the pharmacy to get my prescription filled and there he was behind the counter - he was the pharmacist that I had yelled at two days prior.  So this time he would not serve me.  The other day as I was waiting to be served someone came up and stood next to me at the counter and he served this lady instead of me - so I walked away and turned and I yelled " I  refuse to be served by these rude people" and I just happened to direct it at him, so that explains the awful looks I was getting today.

So fingers crossed that I never have to experience using the health care system here.

Sony Ericsson Womans International Tennis Tournament

Yesterday we bought tickets to the Sony Ericsson Woman's Tennis Championship Tournament to be held here in Doha in November.  I am really excited as I have never been to a live tennis match before.  We have bought tickets to the semi-finals so hopefully we have a good chance of seeing one of the Williams sister's play.

This is the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex where the week long event will be held.

They say that the tickets are collectors items. They have come from the USA and have been specially microchipped to avoid the possibility of fake tickets being produced.

Qtel Festival of the Kites

As we were sitting in the City Centre Shopping Mall having lunch we noticed in the distance some kites flying - so decided to go check them out.

It turned out to be a Kite Festival 

Everything that was there was something of the inflatable kind

Kids rides and stuff - free entrance and quite cool to look at, but very windy, hot and humid

These guys were racing remote controlled cars

The guy controlling this one was very good at it - they were of a considerable size that they were throwing up stones and dirt as they rounded corners

We were just saying the other day that the country must have shares in one colour of paint as everything is the same ..... dull!!! These are the brightest colours that we have seen since we have been here, it was nice to see something bright.

Me and spiderman

See what I mean about nice bright colours

Not really a good day to photograph them - yesterday the sky was beautiful and blue

These girls are swimming in their abayas and headscarfs

And finally an idiot on a jet ski - he was showing off big time as he had a captive audience - it must have had a V6 engine in it or something as he could be heard miles away. (Notice the abaya clad lady in the water)