Doha Industrial Area and Vehicle Servicing

Chalk the past three hours up to new experiences and new friends. This afternoon we convoyed over to a location in the city to pickup a few vehicles. The pickup area is smack in the middle of an off-limits area due to crime and other issues. The workers could not have been more friendly, motivated more to sit and chat then actually help us get our vehicles. From my original perch in a Yukon near the gate I go to watch the ridiculos traffic pattern of a one lane road, now turned into a four lane road with everything from Semi-trucks to bicycles going by... If only I had a camera.

Now fours hours later, I have had three cups of tea and a small handful of dried dates with our new friends. Back to work and hopefully a productive gym workout!
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Spice Market

Quick post, here is a picture of some of what they have for sale at the local Spice Market in town.

Anyone need some raw saffron?

45 Days...

Well I am thrilled to say I have less than 45 days left until I return home to the USA!

I had no idea what I would find coming over here. This deployment has given me a chance to learn about a new country, and learn about myself. Working the past 5 months without a day off has been an experience. Once I get back to Florida I am looking forward to getting some long restful days in on the beach, sleeping in and kicking back doing anything but work.

More soon!

Sorry For the LONG Delay

Good Morning!

Wow it has been a few months since my last post. Things have been busy! I have been able to really explore Doha and have seen some great sites and tried some of the excellent food this city has to offer. My favorite place so far is Isfahan Gardens, an Iranian Restaurant in the old Souq(Market). I added a picture of the formal dining room to the post. Pretty amazing, huh?

Crazy to think my last post was after about 60 or 70 days...and now I have fewer than 60 days left. Time really moves by when you get into a cycle of work, sleep and working out. Planning on heading into Doha to buy some of the famous wood boxes sold here. They essentially use different types of wood to make an inlaid wood design. Well I am heading off to bed, more soon, I HOPE!

12 Days in Qatar

Good Morning to about 99% of you!

 

Well I am 12 days into my time here in Qatar.  While the days move fast, it seems like I have already been here a month!  I headed into downtown Doha, Qatar last week to check out the city.  I have travelled to a few places around the world, but only Cairo rivals Qatar for the #1 ranking as the city with the craziest drivers.  Next time I will go out during the day light and take pictures, but picture a 3 lane round-about when the people on the inside lane have no issue pulling a hard right to exit at anytime...  Keeps you on your toes!  I am just happy to be in a hefty Yukon or Denali while in traffic.  As I reorganize my shop here at work my free time should increase.  I want to see some culture while here, not just the sand blasted brown landscape on the base.  The call to prayer can be clearly heard each of the five times it comes on during the day, an ever present reminder of where I am and of the culture and religion in Qatar. 

 

Hope everyone is doing well! 

 

 

Andrew

 

 

Address!

I finally got my address here for sending me snail-mail in Qatar.

Here it is:

Andrew Sklar CEG
ASG QA
Qatar SOC FWD
Attn: 515 FWD CEG
APO AE 09898

Off to get some sleep now!
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Sand and dust

Well, I made it. A nice 26 hour trip. Pretty hazy tonight but looking forward to some food and maybe an a little sleep, but I am not holding my breath!
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