When we first moved here we were constantly in shocked with the lack of safety standards. We were walking around with our jaws scrapping the ground muttering, "Those kids aren't wearing seat beats" or "that construction working has on flip-flops."
We were surprised that some Kansas blog groupies asked about a local gas tank explosion at the end of February. (See more details: Gas Tank Explosion) We didn't think examples of this safety ignorance would travel so far. I won't bore you with my risk matrices like I do my co-workers, but safety standards here are different than in the States. We are forced to think about making our surroundings safe, because you can't assume the people around you have the same safety benchmarks. We don't feel like we are in danger, it just requires more effort to be reassured.
Most the Qatar men wear white Thobes. (More information on Thobes and National Dress) This doesn't result in a lot of color options at the tailors.
The police stop traffic when the Emir drives through. This was really confusing the first time it happened, now it is annoying but we don't question it.
We now call this rain.
We are starting to be desert people. Beware.
We were surprised that some Kansas blog groupies asked about a local gas tank explosion at the end of February. (See more details: Gas Tank Explosion) We didn't think examples of this safety ignorance would travel so far. I won't bore you with my risk matrices like I do my co-workers, but safety standards here are different than in the States. We are forced to think about making our surroundings safe, because you can't assume the people around you have the same safety benchmarks. We don't feel like we are in danger, it just requires more effort to be reassured.
As I celebrate my 18 month anniversary in Doha, we are realizing that our new normal has changed. Something that shocked us 18 months ago no longer turns our heads. Funny photos for our new normal:
Expensive cars are everywhere.
Most the Qatar men wear white Thobes. (More information on Thobes and National Dress) This doesn't result in a lot of color options at the tailors.
The police stop traffic when the Emir drives through. This was really confusing the first time it happened, now it is annoying but we don't question it.
We are starting to be desert people. Beware.
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