Doha

Day four in Doha, we've been busy and by the time the kids are in bed each night I haven't been able to keep my eyes open, so sorry for no posts.

We arrived in the evening, tired and hungry. We were immediately impressed by our beautiful apartment but the room service menu was lack lustre, so sent Doug out to find a corner grocery store for a few things. Although the desk said it was just down the street, Doug wasn't quite prepared for a slightly different experience than Dubai! Although the hotel is quite posh, we are in a mix kind of area of older style shops and boating stores. He walked for a while before he found something resembling a grocery store. A random very 'local' type shop with limited supplies and fresh fish in the back.

I could tell just from the drive from the airport that Doha was going to be different than what I imagined and much different from the feel we got in Dubai. It is very much a city in transition. Construction everywhere and the layout of the city just seems schizophrenic. No real flow to where things are built. Still getting our bearings though. Hard to really get a feel for different parts of town and how they coordinate.

Day 2 we were all invited for breakfast at the hotel of the ML of the area from Stantec and their lawyer. Had a wonderful breakfast at a beautiful hotel, then walked to check out the Doha Stantec office. Had to waste some time with the girls so checked out the attached small mall, then ventured across traffic to have fun in Toys R Us. Wondered if there would be anything different. I did come across a Muslim Barbie type doll with change of clothes to an abaya (black cloak) and barbies with dark hair and skin!

We then returned to the same hotel as breakfast for a nice buffet lunch. Very fancy and delicious, thank god the girls were on their best behaviour that day. Took a drive to see The Pearl area (built up out on the water like the Palm in Dubai) then back to the hotel for a swim. We were then invited for a later dinner at an amazing Indian restaurant in an area called Katara. We warned Doug's coworkers it could be a disaster with the kids, but luckily afternoon naps helped and Neko got her screaming out in the cab ride there!

Day 3 we enjoyed a slow morning of breakfast downstairs and a long swim. Met a German family with small kids who has been here a couple years (Mom goes back and forth keeping their home in Germany). She was great to chat with and get ideas for living areas. Went out with a driver to check out some compounds = gated communities and areas of town. We viewed a couple apartments in the Pearl. Wonderful views of the marina. Stopped at the mall for groceries and made our own dinner last night.

Day 4 got out for a walk this morning to check out the area around us. Not the most walking friendly with all the construction but found the walkway along the water and a big playground for the girls. We're all a little tired and run down so taking it easy today. Will hit the pool after Maëlle wakes from her nap. Going to check out Villagio Mall tomorrow, suppose to be like the Venetian in Vegas. Also suppose to be good family housing close to it.

Missing home a little, Roxy, and our family and friends. Lots of thinking being done and hard to imagine a move so far away,