Al Thakhira

The water at Al Thakhira, North of Al Khor, is relatively shallow but pretty. The village is small, but like like much of Qatar, is gradually growing grander. This view is from the small harbor and boat launch back towards the town.

Malayalee Samajam

CCC Malayalee Samajam

10th Anniversary Celebrations

CCC Employees Day

Inaguration by:

H.E. Dr. George Joseph

Hon. Ambassador of India

A Musical and dance programme lead by famous Indian play back

singer Miss. Reemy Tomy choreographed by Director

Sandhya Mohan

Esteemed Presence Graces Celebrations

We solicit your esteemed presence to grace the occasion of 10th Anniversary Celebration of CCC Malayalee Samajam named as "CCC Employees Day"

Could you turn down an invitation like that? I think not, and neither did I. Here I am seated in a large stuffed chair on the front row of the outdoor theater. These chairs have of course been reserved for dignitaries such as myself and our names are on the chair. In front is my private table with assorted drinks, a basket of fruit, and tissue to dry my brow. The traditional Middle Eastern sweets are still to come.

The way it starts is this... You arrive and get a VIP ribbon that makes you look like you won 2nd prize at the science fair. Then you get your picture taken with various dignitaries (it might even get put in the paper!). Of course little children give you flowers and then you are escorted up on the stage. More pictures. I was seated behind the Indian Ambassador and beside His Excellency from Pakistan. Then EVERYONE gave a speech. They were very formal, flowery, and as you would expect, very interesting :-). Finally, after 45 minutes, the speeches were done. We went back to our chairs. And sat...

Unfortunately, the portable generator was not big enough to run all the lights and amplifiers and such. Not to worry, this is a construction site. Someone went off with a large flatbed truck and a crane, got a much larger generator, and set it down. After only a 30 minute wait we were in action again! The band tuned up. Fifteen minutes later we had more speeches and introductions. The crowd had swelled to 20,000 and was getting restless. Finally there was music and I was almost blown out of my chair being seated right in front of the speakers and all.

I cannot believe the absurdity of my life sometimes. How did I get from a small town in Missouri where I was born to an Arab country half way around the world listening to Indian music along with 20,000 laborers? I have to smile. It doesn't get any better than this...

Behind Yebisu is a picture of the 4 main guys running this thing. A Frenchman, a Jordanian, a Japanese, and an American. Pretty bizzare, huh?

Getting a Haircut

I believe I have written about getting a haircut in Japan. My method of communication was to hold my hair up with one hand and use the fingers of my other hand in the shape of scissors to show the length. After they finish with you they vacuum your head to get the loose hair out.

Yesterday I got a haircut here in the camp. They have a barbershop with two seats and there are two Indians cutting hair. You can get a haircut, shave, hair dye, "side cut", head massage, and "steam treatment". I decided to get a haircut and a shave. The cost of a haircut is 10 riyals or $2.75 roughly. The cost of a shave is 5 riyals.

I thought the haircut was pretty good and he used scissors for the entire cut. For the shave he used a disposable straight razor. They lathered me up really good and shaved once, then repeated. It was a pretty close shave as they say. For sure I'll be getting my hair cut in the camp from now on but I'll probably skip the shave. I haven't seen shaves available like that in a lot of years though and not since I was an adult. So I had to try it.

After they finish, they massage your scalp really well and slap some astringent on your face that stings like crazy. Then they massage your face. You can't get treatment like that in the States for $4.10. So I tipped him another 5 riyals.

Sailing

Yesterday I went sailing here in Doha with some guys from work. The boat belongs to one of them and is a 35 footer. It is a very nice boat, it was a nice day, and we went swimming out at "Banana Island". The picture shows the boat and I with the Sheraton hotel in background.

It got me to thinking about the last time I helped sail a larger boat. I think it was about 30 years ago. An old friend had moved to the beach and had a "Venture" with a small cabin - nothing like this one. He let me sail it by myself down the canal he lived on and out to Galveston Bay. Sailboating is something I think I could get into. About 7 or 8 years ago I also sailed on a commercial catamaran in Galveston Bay but I didn't really have to do anything.

While at Banana Island, I put on a mask and fins and goofed around a little. The last time I had seriously snorkeled was about 20 years in Hawaii. At that time I was marathon fit and also had been swimming twice a week to get ready for triathalons. I was so fit I was swimming as strong as the crew of the boat I was on and easily keeping up with them on dives to the coral.

Actually, I have started swimming again within the last two weeks. When I am at the camp I run about a mile, swim about 300 to 500 meters, and lift weights about twice a week. When I was in my 30s I dispaired that I could not run as fast as when I was 18. Now I wish I could do what I could when I was in my 30s. At least I have kept moving. Anyway, yesterday I was still the strongest swimmer on the boat. It is just that yesterday the boat didn't have a crew in its 20s.

Two of the guys on the boat were avid sailors so it was good to listen to them and learn a little about sailing. Keep moving :-)