You know you are in Doha...

- When the pilot on your plane announces that the temperature outside is a humid 38 degrees, to the horror of every white man aboard the plane. Not to mention the filipinos. What did you expect? Mauritius?

- When despite the city,s new stores, resturants and various other new areas, you know the streets like the back of your hand. you find youself giving tips to your dad who has been here two months on how to beat traffic in certain areas.

- When you see 5 Porsche Cayennes within 5 minutes of roaming the city. Not to mention the Bentleys and the Royces.

- When every person you see is either a muslim or thinking about converting cuz a salaam-alaikum will get you much farther than any hello or good morning.

- When you see almost as ornate round-abouts as in Paris, the only difference is that maybe, just maybe the drivers are a bit more respectful here.

- When you see cars that are called Diahatsu. Or Datsun.

- When everytime you take a step, you get sand in your feet, or on your Converses that were relatively new until you got here.

- When you see men holding hands and walking around the streets oblivious to what in many countries is a a serious faux pas.

- When you can have a filling meal for three people for about 30 riyals or 10 dollars.

- When you can spend a whole week criss crossing the city on just half a tank of gas.

- When a a particular gas station that used to stink up half the neighbourhood with the smell of gas still stinks up the area 9 years later, its just that you smell it more often now that you live closer to it.

- When you get woken up in the morning by the call for prayers... at 5 am.

- When you see a guy driving a mercedes benz with the whole front section for headlights missing. If that wasn't enough, the wires that should have been hooked upto lights, now hang out for everyone to electrocute themselves with.

- When you seen Bengalis and Malbaris everywhere in the city, some tying up their lungis and others marvelling at how successful they were at doing up their own about an hour ago.

- When you set you eyes on an Arab customs officer at the airport, only to realise that you have suddenly fallen in love with the most beautiful girl you have ever seen.

- When everyone asks you why in the world you did a poli sci degree cuz its not going to do you any good in Qatar. Thanx folks, thats a great morale boost on my second day here.
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I'm doing well. I still haven't decided what I'm doing next. I think now that I am here, I should give the next 10-15 days to an extensive job search before my visa expires. If I don't get a job, then Pakistan awaits or even Dubai. I miss you all a lot. This place is strange and cold despite the weather (35 degrees). I've been to about twenty places till now just visiting folks for Eid, but nowhere have I found a person my age or my mentality. I'm trying not to think of Canada but its not working. Miss you all, hope everyone is good. Just in case you're wondering, there are 209 days till June 1st. Yeah, I counted.