Day 2

I did not expect to blog again so soon, but I just couldn't help it. Last evening we decided to take a walk to the nearby ElMeera grocery store - now my favorite store! By car, it seems simple enough. We started out at about 4:30 PM. No problem finding the store, although there are few sidewalks, fast cars along the highway and plenty of rocks and sand to make walking a challenge. On the way back, we somehow got lost in our "compound". By 9PM we were close to panic. There are no street signs and maps are non existent. We knew we lived at "20" in an apartment near a mosque. Well, there are about 1000 mosques here and who knows how many houses and apartments with a "20" . Fortunately, we stopped an Indian business man getting oute rest (about 80% ofglad to see him that I probably accosted him) and he found our apartment!!!!

This morning we feared going outside - thinking we may get lost again and the warm weather would surely kill us - so around noon we called our friend, Dr. Haitham. I think I told you his is Jordanian. Actually, he is Palestinian and an American citizen. He "rescued" us with his car and brought along 4 of his 5 daughters. We had a lovely time at the Landmark Mall which has a sort of "Walmart", but just called something else. Then we ate at Ponderosa! I have become fast friends with these girls - ages 10,11,14 and 15. They helped me buy what I needed and promised to have me to dinner soon. We drove all around Doha while it was still daylight. Haitham said that Doha is now the richest country in the world and that fact deserves to be on my blog. So, here it is. I truly believe it. The homes are enormous, building is everywhere, all the cars are new and flashy (Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, large SUVs) and big name stores from all over the world have set up in the shopping centers. Most Qatari's have several servants. This years raise for Qatari citizens employed by the university was a 60% increase over last yeasr's salary plus a 10% merit pay increase.

Only Qatari citizens can own homes here. The rest (about 80% of the population) must rent. Income used to be derived from pearls, now its oil. Gas prices are cheap - about $1.00 a gallon. There are no taxes. No income taxes and no sales tax. There is a new development here called "Pearl" that can only be accessed by a bridge monitored by guards. The apartments rent at Pearl for $9,000 a month. There's a beautiful walk way along the Persian Gulf. Can't wait to stoll along it.

I almost forgot. This morning we took off on a short walk to the university. (Will we ever learn?) I decided to try the headscarf - following the instructions Rasha gave me. We were picked up by a very kind Egyptian man who took us in his car. He thought I was Muslim. So, I guess I did something right. I think I will try this again. At least we have a chance of getting help!