Moving to Doha, Qatar

[Chip]

I now live with my wife and daughter in Florida, USA About 3 weeks ago, I accepted a position to work in the Doha, Qatar office of a US law firm. I'll mainly be working on construction matters - helping put the terms of new projects together, helping resolve disputes once projects get started, etc.

We're all flying to Doha on Wednesday. My daughter starts at her new school on August 12.

There's been a hell of a lot to do in a short amount of time. But, we're almost there.

We're all looking forward to it. We'll have a big learning curve, but that will be part of the fun.

Once we get settled, I'll hopefully have time to take some photos and post them here on DPS.

Any other Doha residents out there?

[jojonac]

I have been to Doha a few times via the Military. I will say it is hot. A lot like walking on a stove while having a giant blow dryer in your face. But the food is awesome! And Im sure you will find a lot to do there.

Have fun.

jojo

[lputman]

How wonderful...I hope you all get settled in quickly and I look forward to your photographs of your new environment.

[douglas]

Best wishes...a new project is always exciting!

[milosh]

Best wishes Chip!

[LeeR]

A few years ago I met a couple who had been stationed in Saudi Arabia for several years. One of the locals showed them how to find diamonds in the desert. Apparently you hold these small rather nondescript pea-sized stones up to the light and, if you see orange through them, you have a diamond. So for several years they would go diamond hunting on the weekends. Finally, the situation wth the Saudi government and their company changed and they were forced to leave, But they came back with a shoebox full of diamonds. Now they are the heroes of the family. Whenever someone has a birthday or graduates they go down to their jeweler and have a stone cut, polished and set.
Is it hot and uncomfortable in Qatar? Yes, but like these folks, you may find compensatory benefits.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by jojonac

I have been to Doha a few times via the Military. I will say it is hot. A lot like walking on a stove while having a giant blow dryer in your face. But the food is awesome! And Im sure you will find a lot to do there.

Have fun.

jojo

jojo - Thanks! Yep. Hot as can be right now. We'll just have to stay mainly inside until winter, when the weather turns pleasant. Glad to know we have good food in our future.

Originally Posted by lputman

How wonderful...I hope you all get settled in quickly and I look forward to your photographs of your new environment.

Thanks very much, Lori. I'll be back as soon as possible.

Originally Posted by douglas

Best wishes...a new project is always exciting!

Douglas - Thank you.

Originally Posted by milosh

Best wishes Chip!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by LeeR

A few years ago I met a couple who had been stationed in Saudi Arabia for several years. One of the locals showed them how to find diamonds in the desert. Apparently you hold these small rather nondescript pea-sized stones up to the light and, if you see orange through them, you have a diamond. So for several years they would go diamond hunting on the weekends. Finally, the situation wth the Saudi government and their company changed and they were forced to leave, But they came back with a shoebox full of diamonds. Now they are the heroes of the family. Whenever someone has a birthday or graduates they go down to their jeweler and have a stone cut, polished and set.
Is it hot and uncomfortable in Qatar? Yes, but like these folks, you may find compensatory benefits.

Lee - I'll definitely have to look into this diamond hunting - sounds like fun.

In Qatar now, the average highs are generally at or over 110 F (at 6 p.m. Doha time, the temp was 100 and the heat index was 119). At night, it "cools off" to about 90-95, but the humidity rises - so the heat index at midnight can be in the 105-110 range. But, come winter, things are supposed to be beautiful. In January and February, the average lows are about 55 F and the average highs are around 70 F. So, about 6 months of hot to very hot weather, and 6 months of nice to very nice weather.

[moi]

Hi Chip,

Replied to your pm and,guess what? Freelancing now and have a 3 month contract in Doha mid-Sept onwards....................see you all for coffee when I get there!!

[fstopMike]

Hi Chip! Quite a change from Florida. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your new surroundings. I've not yet gone on that waterfall trail you had talked about in the mountains here, but still have the PM saved and will get there someday!