Out of the perennial questions (who what where why when) I think to date I've only missed Where, so here goes.
Qatar (pronounced somewhere between "cutter" and "gutter") is a small country (although it's still bigger the Kuwait) in the Persian Gulf, contiguous only to Saudia Arabia, and between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. I'm proud to say that I can now not only correctly identify all of these countries, but also Oman and Yemen, further down the coast towards Africa. You could also correctly identify Qatar as right between Iran and Saudia Arabia.
Qatar is not in Iraq, so just calm down now.
In fact, Qatar is probably the most western friendly nation in the Middle East (not saying much) and should serve more often as an example of an open and tolerant Islamic country. Women can drive, earn an advanced degree, work outside the home, and dress as they wish. Free speech is valued, although the local press is rarely critical of the ruling family. Islam is the national religion, but other faiths practice openly; however I have heard that polytheist religions such as Hinduism are not given so much latitude.
Like many countries in the region, Qatar is very wealthy, and it has the highest GDP in the Middle East. Its revenue comes largely from natural gas which was discovered in the 1940s. With a population around 800,000, roughly 25% are Qatari citizens; most of the rest are expatriates coming to work in the gas, oil, and service industries. Most of the population is Sunni Muslim.
The greatest oppression in the country, I understand, is the heat. Summer temperatures often linger around 105 degrees, but it's a moist heat. Humidity in late summer - and that's when we're going - is often 90% with no hope of rain. But it should be beautiful by the time we leave in December.
The bottom line, of course, is safety. Qatar is fortunately not embroiled in terrorist activity - there was one bombing at a mall a couple of years ago but it seems to have been an isolated event, conducted by an individual. Qataris don't hate Americans; in fact, they have welcomed US troups, and currently host our Middle East Central Command station. And personal safety in Doha is probably better than it is here in Pittsburgh, where RTM's car window was smashed yesterday.
We're all curious to see how our current understanding will hold up to actual experience.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
What's the Big Idea?
Why are we taking our family to the Middle East in 2007?
Because CMU asked for faculty to volunteer to teach, and put together some attractive incentives.
Because although Qatar is a very safe and western-friendly country, it's also in the Middle East, and that's a region Americans need to understand better.
Because we've always talked about living overseas and wanting to travel to Exciting Destinations, but we haven't ever made it happen.
Because the kids are out of diapers but still young enough to go just because we said so. Because they'll always remember this experience, and it will enrich their lives.
Because I won't be a stay-at-home mom forever, and this sort of experience probably won't be an option once I go back to work.
But most importantly, because RTM and I made a commitment to reclaim our adventurous spirits. I've always thought of myself as someone who is up for an adventure; letting this opportunity pass would mean giving up on that. It's a link to my youth, and I'm a long long way from ready to let that go.
What do I hope to accomplish in Qatar?
World peace and enlightenment.
Really, though, I want to try something new and exciting, learn to roll with the punches, see a part of the world that is effectively inaccessible from Pittsburgh, and come home with a greater appreciation for the people and things we love most.
Because CMU asked for faculty to volunteer to teach, and put together some attractive incentives.
Because although Qatar is a very safe and western-friendly country, it's also in the Middle East, and that's a region Americans need to understand better.
Because we've always talked about living overseas and wanting to travel to Exciting Destinations, but we haven't ever made it happen.
Because the kids are out of diapers but still young enough to go just because we said so. Because they'll always remember this experience, and it will enrich their lives.
Because I won't be a stay-at-home mom forever, and this sort of experience probably won't be an option once I go back to work.
But most importantly, because RTM and I made a commitment to reclaim our adventurous spirits. I've always thought of myself as someone who is up for an adventure; letting this opportunity pass would mean giving up on that. It's a link to my youth, and I'm a long long way from ready to let that go.
What do I hope to accomplish in Qatar?
World peace and enlightenment.
Really, though, I want to try something new and exciting, learn to roll with the punches, see a part of the world that is effectively inaccessible from Pittsburgh, and come home with a greater appreciation for the people and things we love most.
To do before we go
- DONE Take dog to vet. Hope he says she is unlikely to die in the next six months. Get bordatella vaccine in case Grandma M has to board her for a weekend. Vet says her status hasn't really changed since he last saw her in March, but her weight has continued to drop to 45 lbs. We're trying her on a steroid to see if that helps her arthritis and gut. The steroid has done wonders for her appetite and general wellbeing; we'll see what happens when she finishes the script...
- DONE Take family to the Health Dept. for recommended immunizations.
- DONE Get my physical, labs, and chest x-ray.
- Receive confirmation directly from the American School of Doha that J & C are admitted (we have confirmation from CMU but not from the school itself). (school is out - we'll check in when we arrive)
- Contact ASD's PTA to volunteer for the fall term.
- Hand off Pittsburgh PTO responsibilities to (ahem) willing volunteer.
- DONE Hire lawn service.
- Find out where we're going to live.
- Find out dress code for children (I know what I'm supposed to wear and cover; but does that mean that we should leave the 3-year-old's adorable sundresses at home?).
- DONE Find out how much we are allowed to bring and how we pack (crates, suitcases?). (RTM checked - can ship up to 8 boxes plus checked and carry-on luggage)
- Learn Arabic. (OK, this is a work in progress)
- DONE Make travel plans, including possible side-trip on the way over. (We fly out 8/12 and spend a few days in London before continuing to Doha; we return 12/16)
- Make photo album of family, friends, familiar places to look at when we are lonely or homesick.
- Either hire a house-sitter or coordinate neighbors to check on house and care for plants.
- Pack clothes, toys, books, cookbook(s), medicines, familiar non-perishable foods, candy/toys to give as gifts.
- Clean house thoroughly, top to bottom.
- Stow air conditioner units.
- Hand off hamster to friends and dog to Grandma M.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
First Entry Ever
This is my first blog entry ever, so forgive the amateurism. I'll work on technique later... Now I just want to get the ball rolling.
So a word of introduction.
The intent of this blog is to chronicle my family's 2007 adventure in the Middle East. We are an ordinary American family with three kids - J, a boy age 8; C, a boy age 5; and A, a girl age 3. Last fall RTM, the big guy, Daddy-O, came across an Exciting Opportunity to teach college during the Fall semester 2007 in Doha, Qatar. Our family took the bait and now, in about two months, we are launching ourselves into what may be the most exotic travel and family adventure I will ever undertake.
Some times I get pretty intimidated by the prospect, but I have to remind myself that this is a relatively short expatriate experience. Many, many families have taken more adventurous journeys with great success. But what do I know about that? Very little from the first person perspective. Our greatest adventure so far was to take the family with grandparents to an Arizona guest ranch, which was fantastic by all accounts, but come on. We had at least two extra adults and went somewhere they spoke English, played with horses, and ate primarily steak. Not exactly pushing the limits in terms of culture shock. But we'll have plenty of that later.
Next entries:
Mission statement (what do I hope to achieve in the trip, and what's the point of this blog anyway you narcissistic attention-hound?)
Current status on plans and logistics
Signing off,
Mom Monroe
So a word of introduction.
The intent of this blog is to chronicle my family's 2007 adventure in the Middle East. We are an ordinary American family with three kids - J, a boy age 8; C, a boy age 5; and A, a girl age 3. Last fall RTM, the big guy, Daddy-O, came across an Exciting Opportunity to teach college during the Fall semester 2007 in Doha, Qatar. Our family took the bait and now, in about two months, we are launching ourselves into what may be the most exotic travel and family adventure I will ever undertake.
Some times I get pretty intimidated by the prospect, but I have to remind myself that this is a relatively short expatriate experience. Many, many families have taken more adventurous journeys with great success. But what do I know about that? Very little from the first person perspective. Our greatest adventure so far was to take the family with grandparents to an Arizona guest ranch, which was fantastic by all accounts, but come on. We had at least two extra adults and went somewhere they spoke English, played with horses, and ate primarily steak. Not exactly pushing the limits in terms of culture shock. But we'll have plenty of that later.
Next entries:
Mission statement (what do I hope to achieve in the trip, and what's the point of this blog anyway you narcissistic attention-hound?)
Current status on plans and logistics
Signing off,
Mom Monroe
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