Extracurricular Madness

Well, I've only been here a little over a month and I'm feeling like I've done an adequate job of getting involved. Mondays I run with the Hash House Harriers, Tuesdays and Wednesdays I play rugby at the Doha Rugby Club, and Thursdays I have horse riding lessons. RUN???? you ask. Yes, a group of about 30 UK citizens and a couple of lonely Americans go running in the desert. Last week we angered a local when we spooked a herd of camels. I came jogging down a hill and had to pause to let the herd of camels go by. As I watched them running off into the sunset I found myself asking a question of 'where am I?'

This happened again when I was horseback riding. I'm taking lessons at some local stables, and hopefully I will learn how to jump and race. Aside from the lessons though, there is a wealthy Qatari gentleman who likes one of the other TAs. He lets her ride at his farm - or palace. These are some of the best quotes from him:

-"That is my aunt's house - she's the Emir's (King's) wife. Oh and my cousin is the Emir's second wife"
-"Ohh no that [three story mansion] is not going to be my house. That
is just a relaxing house. I will build my [probably incredibly large]
house over there."
-"This horse is yours, ride it whenever you like."
-"Do you have a husband? No, then are you, how do you say, single?"

This series of quotes has me convinced he is courting my friend, and it should be interesting to see what new developments come from this. Mom and Dad - do not worry - I have no intention of allowing a wealthy arab to give me a horse. You can breathe again.

Anyhow, somewhere in the midst of her stories of riding an Arabian horse through the desert with a wealthy Qatari man in a thobe (white robe with white head covering), I got the feeling that I am now living in an alternate universe. I wish I could describe it better to all of you, but that is the best I can do.

Other than wealthy Arabs and Camels, I'm also enjoying the rugby team here in Doha. This week I started working out with the team. I had no intention to play when I started, but if I get selected to the team I will travel to Oman, Kuwait, Abu Dabi and Dubai free of charge. That is tempting.
Also, the rugby pitch is the first place I have seen grass while in Qatar. It was wonderful.

Continuing on with my theme of extracurricular madness, I'm hoping to start SCUBA lessons, maybe on Sundays. My week is complete!

I am surprised and delighted with the wealth of opportunities I have experienced so far in Qatar. I'm looking forward to what will certainly come in the future, and pictures will follow this post soon enough.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you are well!

Returning to normalcy

After three weeks here in Doha, I am settling in well and feeling less like I'm on a great trip. I still feel like I'm on vacation, and I've been told that won't go away. Awesome.

Anyhow, classes are well underway. I taught three laboratory sections this week, and it was interesting to meet all of the students. They are motivated, competitive, and love to give right answers. The first thing I noticed from their questions is that they don't care as much about what they have to know but actually care about knowledge in general. I'm very impressed with them.

I've been busy with school and have not been out on the town to take more pictures. So, I'll just give a little shout out to my friends Theresa and Keith. He proposed, and she said yes. Congratulations!

A fabulous weekend!

After two days of work at school, we had a three day weekend due to Qatar Independence Day. It's a tough job - really.
On Saturday the TAs all went walking on the Corniche, which is an 8km palm-lined trail along the beach. It was a little hot and humid, but still beautiful. After walking for a bit, we stepped into a floating restaurant/cafe to get some juice and coffee. Then, to our surprise, it started moving. The restaurant that looked like a boat was a boat! Can you believe it?
Anyhow, we thought we would be warned before they take off, but apparently not. For about 4 US dollars we got a lovely 60 minute tour of the Bay. It turned out to be a fun time.

A boat just off the Corniche in the Bay:

The restaurant which we couldn't believe was actually a working boat:


The TAs, some are looking a little sick.


Also this weekend, we had brunch at the Sheraton Hotel which was amazing. I've never eaten so much food. The Dean of Pre-Medical Education took the TAs out. We met his wife Margaret, and she told us about the amazing places they've lived and the trips they've taken. They lived in Kenya for 14 years, and both of them were serious climbers. They climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro twice. They also talked to us about their involvement in the negotiations that brought Cornell Med to Doha.
Here are some pictures of us at the Sheraton:




On Saturday night we celebrated Qatar Independence Day. Education City held a celebration with food, dancing, and crafts. It was fun to mingle with the students, professors, and their families.
Chai Chai and Oriel, the Chemistry and Psychology TAs, wore traditional dress and had their pictures taken. As hot as it was, I had no desire to put on additional clothing.


These are pictures of the Qatari men doing a traditional dance. I was told they dance and chant to communicate with Muhammad that they are ready to go to battle - but if there are any Qatari nationals reading this and I'm wrong, it wasn't my fault.



HENNA! A woman named Harishma painted our hands with Henna. You let the henna dry for about 1-2 hours, and then it stays for weeks. She was very good.



Well, that was my weekend. I hope you all are well, and to anyone affected by the crisis in new Orleans - my thoughts are with you.

Qatar Foundation

Over the last few days of orientation, I've had the opportunity to learn more about the students and the movement that created the opportunity for them to study here.

"Qatar Foundation's mission is to prepare the people of Qatar and the region to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world, and to make Qatar a leader in innovative education and research.

To achieve that mission, Qatar Foundation supports a network of centers and partnerships with elite institutions, all committed to the principle that a nation¹s greatest natural resource is its people. Education City, Qatar Foundation's flagship project, is envisioned as a center of excellence in education and research that will help transform Qatar into a knowledge-based society." -Qatar Foundation

His Highness, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani:

Her Highness, Sheikha Mozah:
-Pictures courtesy Qatar Foundation






Her Highness Sheikha Mozah is the original founder of the Qatar foundation, and she stated:
"The sharing of knowledge, ideas and values is the noblest way to transcend barriers. In this sense, globalization is the architect, which constructs academic bridges across cultural and geographical landscapes."

As I sat the other night talking with students from Iraq, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, I was reminded of her statement. At first, one of the Iraqi students thought I was from Germany (probably the platinum blonde hair confusing them). When I told him I was from the US, he mentioned that it was exciting to be in a place where people whose cultures and countries are at war with each other can gather and unite for a central goal - to increase and share our knowledge.

I've only been here two weeks, but already I've come to admire and respect these students. Most of them are the best and brightest of their generation, and too many of them had to live and learn in countries at war.