Flashback Tuesday

Courtesy of a few friends posting this on Facebook, H and I had a major flashback to life in Doha last week after reading the article, Fifteen Signs You Have Lived in Qatar Too Long by Phillippa Stewart.  We strongly agree with all of Phillippa's bullet points about life in Doha except for number 10.

In case you don't feel like clicking through to the full article, here's a synopsis of a few of our favorite signs of having lived in Doha too long:

1. "When you navigate the city using 5 star hotels as your landmarks."  Sometimes I used the Ramada instead of Sharq or the Four Seasons but still, close enough.
2. "When you no longer find the names of roundabouts amusing."  H and I definitely gave our address in relation to NBK Mercedes roundabout with a straight face (including the fact that from one direction you had to turn right just before it and drive straight through the construction site until you had almost reached the end of it and then turn right again).  The construction site was intact (and unchanged) for our full two plus years living there.
3. "When this is a totally normal thing to see:" In fairness, sometimes it would be a sheep, particularly around Ramadan.   
4. "When it reaches 20 degrees, you reach for a jumper."  H and I always thought it was ridiculous when the locals broke out their leather coats, scarves and hats in 'winter' just because it was winter.  We still went to the pool in the oh so chilly temperatures of December.  However, once we went to the Caribbean as a vacation from Doha and my first day on the beach there, it was 86 degrees Fahrenheit and I wouldn't take off my sweatshirt and jeans.  Luckily I adapted for day two.
5. "When speed limits and red lights are just gentle suggestions...and when it is no longer shocking for someone to make a left turn from the far right lane while navigating one of the 50 roundabouts you have found yourself on in the space of your five mile journey."  No comment, this is SO true.
6. "When you are excessively nice to shop workers/waiters etc because you feel extreme guilt about how they are treated the rest of the time."  Also very true although I do miss the Ma'am/Sir'ing.
7. "When your reply to being asked for anything is bukra Insha’allah. While the literal translation is “tomorrow, G-d willing” you are fully aware that anyone saying it means “maybe sometime next month, or never..."  I have to admit, I still say it.  It sucks when this is said to you then when asking for something that you absolutely need from someone else at the office.
8. "When you head back to the West, the outfits seem shocking. Not to sound like a prude, but there were shoulders and knees everywhere. Scandalous. Additionally, how do you all not freeze to death?"  My first day in Perth, I put on shorts and a tank top and literally felt like I was walking around naked outside.  It was too weird. 
9. "When rain is a cause for a) excitement and b) everyone forgetting how to drive."  Not to mention, all restaurants stop delivering until the rain stops.  Cue sad face.

For the other six items, head over to the article, Fifteen Signs You Have Lived in Qatar Too Long.  And if you're waking up somewhere other than Doha this morning, be grateful!