These pictures I took within our final two days in Qatar. They really are for Michael and I to remember what our life looked like inside the walls of our compound and its surrounding area.
AL Jazeera Compound 1
I’ll start this with our Villa! Villa #152!
Noah
Noah!!! I’m going to miss Noah!! He was our cleaner and villa/pet sitter when we traveled! This Sri Lankan man was so kind, so nice, and a trustworthy man! He was the compound’s car washer, inside cleaner, outside yard cleaner with his pressure washer, and pet sitter!!!
Random Moments as I Walked Around the Compound!
The Store
This was just as much a part of our day as working! Here I brought our weekly laundry to be washed & pressed or dry cleaned, bought milk, eggs and cheese, chips, pop, and cake mixes when we craved something sweet or salty!
The Twins
These grounds workers kept care of the flowers, trees and wee bits of grass on the compound!!!!! They always had a smile!!!! 🙂
The Area Behind our Compound!
Random Moments
Living in Qatar was hot, dry, humid, flat, and dusty with poor air quality. Driving was dangerous. Every other vehicle was a white SUV – either Lexus or Toyata Land Cruisers. Construction was everywhere to prepare for the 2022 Fifa World Cup. The sea water of the Persian Gulf is so salty it burns your eyes, Grocery stores were either Al Meera or from Europe like Carrefour. Shopping malls offered affordable shops with Arab style clothing meaning lots of ruffles, puffy sleeves and flower prints as well as world class shops such as Tiffany & Co., Boucheron, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and many other couture shops I’d never heard of because that level of shopping is for the uber rich. Qatar brought in world class sports like golf, tennis, equestrian jumping, and motor bike races. I have a selfie with Ernie Else and walked with Sergio Garcia during the Qatar Masters. Michael and I watched Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal compete in the final match of the Qatar Open. Djokovic won.
Qatar has lots to see including Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art and the recently opened National Museum. Everything in Qatar is new! It was an exciting time to be in Qatar these past few years as we experienced the blockade on the state from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain. We witnessed the country hold its own and become stronger because of the it.
I’m still shocked we no longer live there. Everything happened so quickly. My reflections on living in Qatar will unfold as time passes and I have more time to settle into this fact.
S, 🇶🇦
Years from now these pictures will be fun to look at and recall your years in Qatar. Great idea! 😘
Thanks mama!!! <3
I’ve just been reading through all of your posts about your departure from Qatar. You clearly loved your job at ASD and made some great friends there, how sad it must be to leave. I can’t begin to imagine just how stressful it must have been to pack up you life in 2 weeks and say goodbye to everyone. But I am sure you will move onto other amazing things 🙂
I have to say this particular post struck a chord with me, your photos have brought back memories of my home in Bahrain when I was a kid. I lived in a compound for Gulf Air staff and their families. Looking at your photos, the compounds still look very familiar in a way!!
Hello Dusty!!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words!!!! <3
It was tough for sure!! But here we are in this small village in the south of India relaxing and steeping ourselves in creativity!!!
The Middle East has a certain look, 'eh! Well, depends on the region – but the look of flat, dry, beige and dusty!! Our compound was an older one – very outdated from many of the newer ones being built with everything else new in Qatar!!
Have you been back to Bahrain to visit? Are you still in touch with Bahrani friends you made?
I hope you are having a fantastic and relaxing time in India, you definitely deserve it. I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Haha, yes the Middle East definitely does have a certain look! Looking at your photos I could feel the dry heat and the dust that I remember! I’ve only been back once since we left and that was a long time ago. I’d love to visit again but it just hasn’t happened yet. I’m not sure there is much left of the Bahrain that I remember now though! I have recently reconnected with some old school friends which is lovely. It’s been great to reminisce! Maybe one day I’ll get to take my partner and revisit it all with him 🙂
I look forward to that blog!!! 🙂
We’re one week in, and India hasn’t let us down!! It is impossible to not relax here in our temporary home within this little fishing village of Mararikulam North!!!! 🙂
It sounds blissful!! 🙂 I hope the rest of your stay continues in the same vein!!
Thank you!!! 🙂