Lovin' Ikea

Not sure if we're making up for living without an Ikea for seven years being in Kelowna, but we've already been 3 times since we moved here! It's nice to have something familiar and to know what to expect. Plus we needed a few major things for the house which Ikea seemed as good, and as easy, as anything to shop from.

We purchased a new dinning table, chairs, and buffet, as well as a tv stand unit and some toy storage with our moving allowance. Best part was it came with free delivery and assembly. Although Ikea prides the self on simple assembly, SO much nicer having someone do it for you!

Went back this morning for breakfast. Love how they have the eating area set up with table around a little play area. Finally I can actually enjoy a coffee in peace ;) Breakfast is similar to home - eggs, hash browns, sausages (beef), and beans (not like home). Cost is 7 QR so about $2. We had 2 breakfasts, plus add ons like coffees, juice, cinnamon buns, and fruit for under $15 for the family. Not bad, and stress free. 

Oh and of course we love the 1 riyal (30 cent) ice creams as you leave too!

Eid Festivities

Eid Al-Fitr translates to the 'festival of breaking of the fast'. It's a religious holiday for Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The religious Eid is a single day but celebrations last a week here and Doug also gets extras days off work.

We joined in on the celebrations with a big day yesterday. We started by going out to celebrate our anniversary with an Eid Brunch - Buffet. So many delicious choices and excellent desserts. Maëlle and Neko of course loved that there was a kid's area with a bouncy house, slide and kid's buffet. I think Maëlle basically only ate doughnuts and marshmallows the whole afternoon. There was another 3 year old girl there so together we closed the place down!

We then decided to check out the Souq, traditional old style marketplace. It was very hot at 4pm but most of it is shaded. We got to see our first camels! And the kids loved all the other animals you can find there: every variety of bird, parrots, bunnies, kittens, fish, turtles. They had a giant bouncy world set up for Eid but it wasn't open yet, and just too hot.

Back to the car sweaty and hot. We took a long drive to let the girls nap and headed out of town to check out a family beach about 20 minutes north of Doha in Simaisma. Looks like a fun option with facilities and two giant playgrounds. There were actually lots of people wading out in the water. By 5:30pm the sun is starting to go down and a better time to be out at the beach.

We then headed back into Doha to an area called Katara for their nightly fireworks during the week of Eid. We got there early which was a little like torture because it was SO hot still even though the sun was down. We watched from the cool amphitheatre there which is styled like a roman coliseum. 

Can't really tell but we are so sweaty in this photo!

Enjoyed a neat synchronized water fountain and laser light show and then the fireworks. When we got back to the car it was 9pm and 39 degrees! Lesson learnt, keep a change of clothes in the car ;)

Is it good on gas?

One question we never asked when buying our new car was 'is it good on gas?' You would never think of buying a car back home without considering the fuel economy. Well this is why we didn't ask, yesterday we filled up from basically empty - 41 Riyals = $11.59 Canadian!

First meal at our new table.

New Car

Official new owners of an SUV! This means new freedom for me as I have been basically stuck at home since Doug has been taking our rental car to work with him. We found a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2007 in excellent condition for a fair price so went for it. Not impressed it is white since 99% of cars seem to be white here, but guess we'll fit in...and stay cooler?

Gave it it's first real drive today attending a new arrivals coffee with the Doha Mums group. I didn't get lost and only got honked at once, I'd call that a success first trip.

Shopping Learnings

After being here almost a week it was time to do the big grocery shop to stock up and buy things like baking supplies etc. As many know, shopping with toddlers is near impossible so realized it would need to be done on my own after the kids were in bed. Lessons learnt the hard way...

1. don't go shopping after sundown during Ramadan - SO busy, I had to dodge small children running the isles (yes at 10pm), muscle my way to the front of the crowd just to get at the shelves, and get lots of stares for being the only white person in the store...of thousands!

2. 4 wheels on a suitcase great...four wheel direction on a shopping buggy not fun - see number 1, as if the crowds weren't bad enough I couldn't steer the buggy

3. don't go shopping in cheap flip flops - see number 2, getting grip to even attempt steering impossible in flip flops

4. don't expect shopping to be quick, easy, or enjoyable for a long time - although there are pretty much all the same products here, most are different brands than anything we've ever tried so it's basically a crap shoot trying to decide on the best one. Guess it will be trial and error on products for a while. So much to choose from here, all the foods from home plus all the other foods from around the world in one place. I need my Mom to explain what half the vegetables are here and how to prepare them! That goes for most of the spices and products here too.

On a positive note, there is always someone right there to collect your cart from you and if you wish wash your car while you shop! Oh and they unload your cart for you at the till.

Only here one week and already testing out the Qatar medical system.

Unfortunately the morning after we arrived Neko woke with a fever and was throwing up. It wasn't long after that I realized her baby toe was all red and badly swollen to about 3 times its size. I'm still not sure that either were related to each other, but not a fun way to start living in our new house. We monitored her toe but it was hard to tell what was causing the problem.

Finally after a few days of continued swelling and then infection we decided to try a clinic around the corner from our house.

We basically got seen right away since they have a paediatrician working for drop-ins and I didn't see any other children. We were seen and assessed right in his office.

We received a prescription which was filled right away downstairs and then taken to a treatment room to have a dressing put on (which unfortunately only stayed a couple hours on an active toddler!). We left paying nothing thanks to our medical coverage, but I think the doctor visit would have only cost about $15, and the two prescriptions about the same had we had to pay.

The doctor asked us to come back the day after next, to which I questioned "Friday?" (which is the family/holy day here) and he said oh yes but after 8pm, Ramadan timing! Thought maybe I'd bring her Saturday morning, but after her nail started to come off tonight I figured we might as well go tonight.

Poor Neko, always seems to be something but she handles it all so well. The nail had to be removed, but was almost all off anyway. She didn't shed a tear or even squirm much being treated. Now hoping it heals ok and infection stays away. No pool for her for a bit :(

All in all it has been an ok but interesting experience. Although everyone speaks English, it is often a barrier to clear communication and understanding. The doctor was able to communicate no problem but when speaking to the other staff, they were speaking hindi? so you don't really know what is going on!

I think we'll see if we can search out a Canadian doctor for regular check ups, but nice to know an emergency clinic is so close.