Another year over - farewell 2010.

Falcon © Sue Pownall

Wow I'm not sure about the last month, but I'm looking forward to the new one in this new year of 2011. December started on a high, but seemed to have finished in a whimper. Whilst I like Doha I am finding it's a place where I am perpetually tired and feeling not 100%. Furthermore, I spend too much time in can't-be-bothered mode, even little things like going out for milk is too much. My only motivating force is my art, but sometimes even getting off the sofa to pick up a sketchbook doesn't happen either. 

Jude & Lola on Shatti beach at sunset, Oman © Sue Pownall

Anyway, I started the month with a visit to Muscat, Oman for the exhibition I mentioned in my last post. I stayed with some old friends and their children, who I have missed a lot in the last year, so it was good to catch up. I also got to meet a few of my other friends too, although not as many as I would have liked nor for as long. The exhibition event was a success for the organisers and is important for me as being my first show. I hope there are more to come.

Al Shaqab Stud horseman © Sue Pownall

Celebrating National Day

The 18th December was National Day here in Qatar and marked the end of a week of celebrations. On Friday 17th I got to see camel dressage as the riders took them through a course, falcons, selouki dog races, and beautiful Arabian horses. Then the next day, I joined the masses in the streets where the city had a buzz, a vibrancy, that was contagious. I walked along the Corniche where the military parade had taken place ( I missed the soldiers on camels unfortunately), amongst people of all nationalities dressed in the Qatari burgundy and white and/or waving flags. In the streets people had hung flags on their cars, added transfers and decorated them, then were driving around tooting and waving at people. Benign nationalism like this is fabulous.

How do they see to drive?

Two other notable events of the month were my friend's 30th birthday, celebrated on the 23rd, although her birthday is Christmas eve, at a restaurant on the Pearl - Qatar's artificial island. This was a lovely evening where my friend got thoroughly and deservedly spoilt which included waiters singing Happy Birthday to her when the cake was brought out. Finally, I spent Christmas Day with colleagues for lunch and silly games next door, followed by drinks with others colleagues further down the hall. Fortunately, Christmas Day fell on a weekend, but it was back to work again on Boxing Day.

By the waterside at the Pearl, Doha.

Happy 2011, may it bring you peace & happiness.

Camping Qatari style

Jump. ©Sue Pownall

Last Friday, at the end of the Eid break, I joined expats and Qataris on a escape from the city. Through meeting a Qatari guy working at the Magnum photography exhibition, a camping trip in the southern part of the country was organised, by an inland sea, Khor al-Udeid. Unfortunately, for me, due to normal delays/ miscommunication /hanging around we arrived at our camp dune at sunset. I would have preferred to arrive an hour or so earlier, but such is life. A couple decided to jump from our chosen camp spot down the dune, which looked good fun, but I preferred to just take photos sitting part way down.

A busy roadway across the dunes.

Due to it being Eid (like Christmas or Easter) and a Friday (European Sunday), with perfect weather (under 30c) the desert was not the quiet haven that I expected, but a mass of 4x4s and quad bikes dune bashing, as well as lights and noise from numerous camps.

Home from home.

In true Qatari style, we had a generator ugh for lights and a flat screen tv in case of boredom. I must admit it was funny watching others try and play volleyball just out of the glare of the lights, however I don't think any expats took advantage of the tv. Thankfully the generator was turned off around 1am. Ah peace.

Night volleyball.

However, by 5.15 it was light again as dawn broke across the sea. btw the land opposite is Saudi Arabia and we saw border patrols driving up and down their coast most of the night.

Dawn through my tent flaps.

We broke camp fairly early and took a circuitous route back across some huge dunes. Shortly before reaching the paved road we passed a huge herd of camels (is that the collective noun???). This is what the camel drover wears every day, he didn't dress like this for tourists!

Qatari man & his camel. ©Sue Pownall

I'm in love...

... with Sudan, the Sudanese people and specifically my new friends.

Today, after procrastinating all weekend I forced myself out of the hotel and onto a local bus. I'd found out where I had to get off, but once downtown I was a bit misplaced. Despite that, over several texts and calls I reassured my Sudanese friends I was okay, at least I thought I had. It was really interesting wandering around downtown and I must return soon, earlier in the day, to take some photos. Finally, I arrived at my destination of the National museum, where I had planned to do some sketching of the pharaonic exhibits, seen previously  when  I went a couple of weekends ago. I did a warm-up sketch of an Egyptian pharaoh and had just started a 2nd sketch when my phone started going again - asking where am I etc. Shortly after two cars came to rescue me from the heat, and I guess myself. Both friends were very worried about me and had come to check I was okay and offer lifts home. I'm very sorry I worried them, but very, very flattered they care so much to come and check on me.  I went back into the museum to do a few more sketches. After drawing inside the museum, I went outside and did a quick painting of the statue. It was so hot I could hear the voices of my Sudanese friends in my head telling me not to be so stupid. In my defense I was sat in the shade of a tree. However, as I believe it was around 44c both the voices and my friends were probably right.

Last Saturday, the same friends, took me out sightseeing for the morning. I was picked up at 9am and the first stop was for breakfast of fried Nile fish and bread. Yum. Same place as I went on the kidnap. Then, we went to the Khalifa's house in Omdurman, which was really interesting, but frightfully hot. After the Khalifa's house we went and had tea served under Tutti bridge sitting on little stools on the bank of the Nile. Very cool views and breeze. I think I'm about done on Khartoum sightseeing for now, although I'd like to find the camel market one morning.

Late again - Gratitude Friday.

This is easy, I am very grateful for the opportunity that led me to come to Sudan and for all the wonderful people I have met here. I am the happiest I have been in years (sorry J, but it's the truth), so THANK YOU SUDAN. The only thing I could wish for would be another job here for September.

Last Saturday, I was taken out for the day by some of my trainees and their friends. The day was fantastic; so relaxing and with great company. We drove south of Khartoum about an hour to Jebal Aulia, where there's a small hill and a big dam. After watching people fish from the dam we drove along the White Nile and found a picnic site on the bankside. We had delicious fresh Nile fish after some of the best fruit I have tasted. After lunch we were joined by a couple more people and just chilled out, walked along the riverside, or took silly photos. Back in Khartoum a trip on the Nile was postponed as it was quite late, so we all went for ice-creams instead. A fantastic day - thank you all, especially Naji & Naseer for driving and Mahmoud, Hazim & Osman for arranging the trip.

Luckily for me, the Nile cruise was rearranged on a lovely afternoon when the air was clear (no dust or polution), a good temperature and with a nice breeze. I think we sailed along for about an hour, eating cream cakes on the way back whilst watching a beautiful sunset. The company and the location were both perfect. I am so lucky!

The Sudanese people, and my new firends, are the best people in the world, so I am very, very grateful to be here and to have them in my life. Thanks all of you.

Gratitude Friday (on Saturday)

My life, during these last few months in this country, is a little crazy; consequently, it is getting more difficult to do this weekly (at least on the blog). This idea of Diana's has shown me just how much I have so much to be grateful for each week.

This week I would like to say thanks to Aleta, who has been a friend here in Oman now for several years, and who is sadly leaving this week. Aleta has been a good friend to me and I will miss her a lot, as I have many fond memories from us getting in the paper (which turned into several times) the camel races, and numerous events. Thank you Aleta. I hope you stay in touch.

Gratitude Friday: 3

Today it is easy to know what to be grateful for... all the lovely people who are in my life. Whether they are transitory friends (those whom when we move on we will not keep in touch with). new friends, cyberbuddies, or old friends. Everyone is important in their own right and for what they bring to my life.

It is amazing the diversity of people and how we can interact. Last night, I was with friends whose occupations ranged from harp-player, through to people in the oil industry. There was a lawyer, a dive instructor, teachers, and a friend who is something in civil aviation. Despite all this disparity of vocation, it was a lovely evening, full of interesting conversation and debate, and I am so thankful that these people are part of my life. Moreover, I am also thankful for my friends at home, or in other parts of the world who I see/contact all-to-rarely, but who are also an important to me.

Detoxing & de-friending?

After writing my last blog I thought I really must detox, so naturally I spent that evening eating up the crisps & biscuits in my house. After all, they don't sit quietly in the cupboard and the only way I can cut them out from my diet, is not to have them in the house, and throwing them out is just wasteful! Obviously, J has to be cut out too, I know that, but my head has never ruled my heart where he is concerned. Just for a while, as I do not want to lose him as a friend because he is a lovely person, but I must regain perspective and hopefully some sense as far as he's concerned. I need to regain me instead of being part of an "us".

On another track, what a strange life I lead. Why do I say that? Well, I need to renew my passport, not because it's expiring, but because I'm almost out of pages. So today I was looking through the form and I need someone to co-sign, and that someone has to be a British citizen and has known me over two years. Therein lays the problem. Now, many of my friends are Italian, Australian, French etc and those that are British either are not currently around Muscat or have not known me two years. It doesn't take much to realise how transitory friends & acquaintances are in the expat world. People who come into our lives, share a portion of it, then move on, are the norm. Those people may or may not keep contact with us, especially with social devices like facebook at our disposal.

Like detoxing the body of excesses of modern life, do us expats need &/or want to keep in touch with these people? Once you move to a new country or even continent is it expedient to keep contact? Now, facebook & sites like it in some ways are a get-out as you can keep people in your friend's list, you can kid yourself you are still in contact, but really is sending a "hi" via their wall keeping in touch? Isn't it more honest to de-friend these people who you will never meet again? Obviously, for those of you who do not frequent the expat world you do not have this same problem of transitory friends, however what about that couple you met on holiday 10 years ago and send a Christmas card to? Or worse, there's that spotty guy from junior school who contacted you through Friends Reunited that you had and have nothing in common? Do you really need/want these people in your life? Will I be going through my facebook friend list or my email contacts and de-friending ex-friends? NO, because I hope one day someone will decide to get on a plane to revisit this old friend, or invite me to see them, or just reminisce about past times. Sentimental? Maybe, but I hope you my friends will continue to keep in touch even when time and distance physically parts us.