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11/24/2007 12:04:45 PM · #1 |
This week I had the good fortune to travel to Qatar for a few days - a couple days for work and one for play. We (the US) have a post (Army) and a base (Air Force) there. I was also fortunate to have as a traveling companion my cohort in crime in Kuwait, MAJ W, who not only knows Qatar (she's been stationed there) but knows how to drive in Qatar, which is an important and invaluable skill.
We started out at the military airlift point in Kuwait, where service members wait for transportation throughout the theater. You know those warning signs at airports where they warn you that luggage looks alike - make sure the one you pick up is yours? At military "airports", even the passengers look like the luggage. And they're best kept at room temperature.
And as luck would have it, I asked nicely and they let me ride in the cockpit of the C-17 from Kuwait to Qatar.
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They really need to wash their windows more often, and to not use abrasive materials when they do. But I did get some decent shots.
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I signed some sort of agreement agreeing not to take pictures of buildings, perimeters, guard shacks, other stuff, and people without their permission while on post. So I took a picture of a sandbag. I figured that was probably OK. Also found this picture of the DFAC on my card. I have no idea how it got there because I probably wasn't allowed to take it. But there it was...
  
(As an aside - there are numerous security procedures to get on (and off) military installations. I'm sure there's a ton of logic in each of them, though one sometimes wonders... At one point, and I won't go into significant detail or they'll arrest me for an OPSEC violation, we had to go through three checkpoints, all within about 200 yards, and all clearly in line of sight of each other. You cannot turn around, drive out, or otherwise escape. At the first one, we presented credentials, answered questions, moved on. At the second one, inspections are conducted, which involves mirrors to assess the undercarriage of our vehicle. At this point, I turned to MAJ W and said "I think it's nice they check for road kill." We both cracked up. We approach the third checkpoint laughing hysterically. The young man at that checkpoint came to our car and informed us that we were having way too much fun which was totally unacceptable. He did allow us to proceed, however. There are no pictures of this incident.)
After we finished our work stuff, we stole a vehicle (not really, we just kidnapped the driver and took her with us) and went into Doha, the major metropolis of Qatar. Qatar has much whiter sand than Kuwait or Afghanistan, and is therefore very very bright. It was also still quite warm while we were there - and humid. Doha will be hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics and seems to be under construction everywhere, probably in preparation. The base/post areas are in the heart of the industrial area, so there are trucks everywhere. In the mornings, the right side of the road is essentially a truck parking lot. I've no idea why they stop, but they do.
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On our way into town, we stopped by a fish market...
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And passed a museum....
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Then went to the Sheraton which MAJ W tells me was the first "western" hotel in Doha. It's very elegant, very luxurious.
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Finally we hit a local mall. It's the thing to do. And besides, I was hoping for a Starbucks...
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On the way back, we passed a couple of interesting structures - a giant shopping cart and the Olympic Torch:
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'Twas a wonderful day out - a great way to spend Thanksgiving, and a beautiful place! I'd recommend visiting, but not in summer. :-)
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11/24/2007 12:17:04 PM · #2 |
Very nice series of photographs. I really like the first one. Great Job!
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11/24/2007 12:22:09 PM · #3 |
| I love the way you are showing us the middle east, one country at a time. Excellent photos and interest commentary. |
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11/24/2007 12:23:37 PM · #4 |
Very cool. I have a friend who is teaching in Doha, this is her 2nd year there, she is enjoying it.
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11/24/2007 12:26:13 PM · #5 |
| Wow -- very cool stuff! Thanks for posting them. |
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11/24/2007 02:07:17 PM · #6 |
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11/24/2007 02:18:05 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by aliqui:
What? No cats??
=) |
You know, I didn't see a single cat there. Odd now that you mention it, especially down by the fish market. I understand there are plenty of rats, but didn't see any of them, either. |
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11/24/2007 02:56:47 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
Originally posted by aliqui:
What? No cats??
=) |
You know, I didn't see a single cat there. Odd now that you mention it, especially down by the fish market. I understand there are plenty of rats, but didn't see any of them, either. |
The lack of rats is not entirely a bad thing, heh. |
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11/24/2007 03:02:26 PM · #9 |
| Lovely shots, I have a friend that may be moving there to teach. |
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11/24/2007 09:50:56 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by heatherd:
Lovely shots, I have a friend that may be moving there to teach. |
You should get your friend in touch with Karen's friend to exchange info! I think the only drawback would be the heat. I understand that Qataris spend summers in Europe. |
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