A Cool Breeze

It is winter here in Doha , the daily highs are only reaching a chilly 22 and the evenings are around 15ish. These are beautiful temperatures but the wind is very strong . Mike and I can't complain and we definitely haven't become "one of those Canadians" who are too quick to forget what winter actual is. Needless to say we have been wearing our long sleeved shirts and Mike even wore his fall jacket when we went out for a walk....... shocking I know. The locals here are absolutely freezing though. People have touques , mitts , and full down jackets on.  Hey at least they don't have to worry about shoveling any snow , just sweeping the dust off their patios.

Mike has been off for about 10 days , and has been studying. I have been getting a little bored and therefore a lot more annoying to Mike. Today he is in Dubai doing ditching training at the Emirates facility. They actually have a mockup of a partial fuselage that they gently drop into a pool and they are trained how to swim out. It is Mike ,a few other pilots and apparently quite a few Flight Attendants. Thankfully the pilots have to wear a shirt while in the pool , because if not it would have made it more difficult for everyone else to concentrate :) I just got a message from Mike saying there was an Oprah spotting in the Dubai airport , I guess she is off for some relaxation after the big Lance Armstrong interview.

Not Cuba ! Beach at the Intercontinental Hotel. We will take you.

We got approval to transfer to the compound that we wanted to . THANK GOODNESS. I am looking forward to being able to settle in and have a place to call home. It is three bedroom and 2 bath with a very little patio. Maybe enough for a few chairs and a charcoal grill. More importantly it means the kitties will soon be on their way , the "Day from Hell" for them is just around the corner. The new compound is near the Villaggio mall which is very lavish. There is a canal running throughout the middle where you can take gondola rides , an ice rink where the hockey league plays , and every high end shop you can think of. Not to mention TGI Fridays , Krispy Kreme , KFC , McD's , Cold Stone Creamery , and every other fast food place that does not have a salad or anything healthy on the menu. Look it up , the place is interesting. It is also close to Aspire Park which is a beautiful park with tons of green space and activities . It is where Qatar hosted the 2006 Asian games. However what is the most important really is that it is close to the alcohol and pork store. Mike has his application in already for his liquor license.

It is official !!! Mike is now a resident of the State of Qatar! Mine is also in the works , but what that really means is I still have a few weeks of relaxation before I am up at 5 am every morning for work. This work thing is really cramping my style.

Mike's new friend at the QAWS

We have recently starting spending some time at the Qatar Animal Welfare Society ( QAWS) which is the shelter from homeless animals here in Doha. We walk the dogs and play with the cats. This organization is amazing , run completely by volunteers and the food is based on donations. Every animal that they get ( and let me tell you there are A LOT) , receives vaccinations and is either spayed or neutered . There are a few donkeys , one bull , and lots of rabbits , kitties , and dogs. A lot of these animals come the Animal Souq . They are purchased as babies and then put on the street once they become older. It is sad but great to see that there are people who care enough to start a shelter. When we get visitors I will be bringing them down for a dog walk session :)

View of downtown Doha from the Corniche aka the boardwalk

Mike and I are settling in quite nicely , but it doesn't feel like we live here yet. We have our moments when we miss everyone a lot. Especially now that a lot of our family and friends are having babies. My cousin Adam is about to welcome his first little girl any day now. Our good friends Karen and Robin at then end of the month , and Mark and Geeta are preparing for their third in about a months time. It's hard not being there to celebrate with everyone , but that is why there is Skype! If you haven't already please add us to skype megan.lace and michael.pados.

I seem to have this blog figured out so try and check back once a week if you can.

With hugs and kisses

M & M

Ice Rink in the City Center mall

Downtown Skyscrapers

My lunch date today , the beautiful Maya