They Paved Paradise....





Have I ever mentioned the amount of construction going on in Qatar? Have I ever complained about how busy the roads are? Well, these two circumstances have converged into a perfect, if somewhat inconvenient, storm. Glenn and I have to move houses soon, with less than 4 months to go before we leave Qatar. When are we moving? June 26, 27, or 28. Where are we moving to? We don’t know. But we have been given a month’s notice, a rough timeline, 10 boxes, and a roll of tape. Why? Seems there is a need for an off-ramp right where our villa (and about 38 others) is located. We have been hearing the construction draw nearer these past few months. No stopping progress in Qatar as it prepares for FIFA 2022.

We have enjoyed 159 Al Jazeera compound. It may not quite be paradise, but it’s the only home we’ve known in Doha. And I think it’s the first time for both of us that we’ve moved out of a home slated for demolition. I’m posting some pictures taken at the compound, just for posterity, although we may very well be staying within the compound or going to a nearby one.


There are 3 compounds that house college staff within a kilometre of each other. Since we arrived last April, though, AJ1 has been cut off from 2 and 3 by a...guess what...new highway. AJ1 has the largest pool, 2 has the largest clubhouse, and 3 has…well some nice villas. We’re actually hoping for a move downtown, closer to the Corniche (sea wall), restaurants, and shopping. And out of the construction zone. Where ever we land, there must be a swimming pool so that Glenn can continue his streak of swimming every day. Go Aquaman!



Meanwhile, in other news, we have just come back from a glorious 5 days in Salalah, Oman. Plenty of beach and pool time, great food, and a room with a gorgeous view. Remember last year when we escaped to somewhere cooler over Eid break? (India, for those of you who have forgotten.) Well, this year, we managed to escape to somewhere about the same temperature as Doha, maybe warmer. But the cool Arabian Ocean breezes kept us more than comfortable. Highlights of our trip: seeing photoluminescent plankton on the beach for the very first time (they appear like fireflies when you step on or disturb them), visiting the Frankincense Museum and Al Baleed Archaeological Site near the hotel, and getting up early in the morning to try to catch a glimpse of dolphins feeding off the shore (no dolphins spotted, but sitting by the ocean near dawn fills you with hope for next time). It was just the break we needed before beginning the hectic process of selling off some of our stuff and moving.




Will 10 boxes be enough? What will our new home look like? Stay tuned….

Eid Mubarak from both of us!

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