To Compound or Stand Alone?

It appears there are only two options for housing in Doha.  We either go for a compound or a 'stand alone'.  Both options are pricey (around 10K USD for rent a month), Doha is not a cheap place to live.  It has been a very difficult decision for Axel and me because both options have good points and bad.  For example:

Stand Alone

Positives

- More square footage for your buck

- Bigger yard (not by much)

- Fewer rules

- Autonomy 

- Extra home for maids and drivers

Negatives

- Slow response to needs

- Solidarity 

- No gym (access to gyms in Qatar are limited)

- Strange architecture 

- No pool

- No services

Compound

Positives

-Pool (at a distance), gym, laundry services, restaurants, tennis courts, etc.

- Instant friends for the children

- Sense of community

- Close Westerners 

- Community gatherings

- Safety/gated

- Roads to play on

- Immediate services

- Western architecture and appliances 

Negatives 

- Close proximity to others (nosy neighbors) 

- Smaller homes

- Instant enemies for the children

- Free reign for children on the streets (I foresee serious shenanigans)

- 'Bubble living' (separation from local culture)

It took us a month, but we have decided where we will live.  Axel found our house on his own, and the minute I visited the place I knew it was the right place for us.  We move in tomorrow.  I will tell you what we settled on when I finally take pictures.  

I am sure the suspense is killing you.

Mullet No More

I finally got rid of this mess.  The top won't grow and I refuse to think it is a white trash gene trying to manifest itself.  She is only 3 after all.  Why would I think she would have hair by now?????  

Pesky Flu

Guess who isn't going to school next week?  We had the entire week off last week for Eid, and half days since the kids began because of Ramadan.  Homeschool is happening full time for now.  This is just to let you all know that the dumb pig flu is inconveniencing the rest of the world--including Qatar where we hate pigs the most.  Grrrr.....

Old Souq

It is no secret that Qatar doesn't nearly have the same 'wow factor' like Dubai.  In a million different ways, Dubai always does it better.  However, one of the exceptions is the souq.  Doha's Old Souq is truly awesome.  Not only does it have an authentic Arabian feel, but it also offers every item under the hot, blaring sun. 

Axel broke his speargun recently and the only place that sells spearfishing goods is in the Old Souq.  The best part was that there were very few people there because of Eid and the heat.  No one is crazy enough, except a man desperate to kill some fish and his willing broad.  

 

Going into the dive shop

Lucky for Axel, the shop was equipt with good, mind-numbing cartoons and cozy chairs.  Otherwise, Axel would have just bought the one thing he needed.  Instead, as he saw all the children in a comatose state, he left spending more than $1000. on only gosh-knows-what. 

What a dive shop looks like in Qatar, in case you were wondering...

A man with a new speargun and a Nepali dive shop owner who had Ganesh smile upon him that day

Spices anyone?   Maybe not after you saw Asa's slimy hands molest every bag within reach

A child's dream come true. Candy galore. (Asa is intentionally on that red chair. Naughty, naughty, naughty).

The typical Arabian gift of Chocolate.  Chocolate and candy are the same word in Qatar, I can see why

As one leaves the Old Souq one is greeted by a bazillion pigeons.  The mountains of poop is quite impressive, really.  

We will be visiting the Old Souq often as it has an entire carpet section.  It is also close to where we will soon be living.  I think we found our place.  Can't wait to tell, but won't until I can document and post appropriately.   More soon....

How I Don't Help the Planet

I remember watching an episode of Oprah about saving the planet.  Oprah was agreeable during the entire show except when the 'green guru' said she should have poor pressure in her shower.  'Nah, uh' she quickly said.  A dribbly shower was out of the question.  

My cousin-in-law also made it very clear what she will not give up here.  

After the extreme green living I experienced in Nepal, I have come to realize what I will not change:  

Apparently the rainforest is second to my child's creativity.  I feel like a home for a spotted owl disappears every day because of the many Bromley masterpieces.  I suppose going without electricity for 18 hours a day for months and using very little water neutralizes my carbon footprint (or at least makes me feel like I own a small corner of the Amazon).  

Male Bonding

I foresee hours and days of fun to come

Ever since we lived in Croatia (shortly after we got married) Axel has had a deep passion for spearfishing.  I would be kidding if I said it was my favorite hobby of his.  It only means one thing to me--less time together.  I know every man needs to have his cave, but I wish Axel's didn't involve Saturday mornings and a horrible clean-up.  

Axel has been trying to convince me that this hobby is deeply beneficial for the family.  It is afterall a good way to get our Omega-3 and vitamin B, but I don't buy it.  Carrefour has a good selection and we can afford the finest fish and it wouldn't put us in the poor house.  I am sure the petrol and hours put into spearfishing doesn't quite make up for it.  

However, something magical has happened.  This past weekend Axel decided to take Xavier on one of his excursions.  Xavier has been begging to get in the Gulf since we stepped off the plane and this was the perfect opportunity to get his wiggles out while Axel does the same.  For the first time, I was overjoyed to have Axel gone.  I could not support family male bonding enough.  Having Axel gone on his own is not nearly as fun as knowing the two men in my life are hunting and gathering together.  

The bounty 

Also, the fact is, the more male bonding that happens between my big man and little man, the more they will want me to have some girly time with my little ladies like here and here.  In the end the boys not only provide yummy fish but they also share quality time together.  I am all for quality time.  I am also for money in the bank for some cute pedis and maybe a trip to Egypt?   The possibilities are endless.  

Asa's Firsts

Asa's first time walking on sand

Asa's first time experiencing a beetle

Asa's first time on real playground equipment

Asa's first time bulling others on the playground