tour of Qatar

[marni]

things have loosened up in Qattar- while most expats do live on guarded compounds, they are allowed to drive, and most women can go out in groups- they are even allowed ( the expats) to drive themselvs. They are still expected to dress modestly and most of them cover their hair because of the dust, so yes I probably might have been able to attend the race with a group of women, but would have felt extremely uncomfortable alone unless I had a male ( husband or guard) companion. we were in the arab type countries in the mid 70's and moved progressibely westward after that, ending up in the netherlands in 2004.

[malkin]

I was investigating a job possibiltiy in the UAE a couple years ago. There is a German bike shop (Wolfi's) and a cycling club (Dubai Roadsters) in Dubai.

It could have been interesting, but it is not one of those opportunities that I regret passing up.

[shootingstar]

One firm I was with, was encouraging employees to apply for internal jobs for a construction project in Nigeria. They tried to sell the luxury of living in a protected compound with swimming pool, etc.

Sorry, I couldn't live in a country where I had to be constantly protected or walled in from the locals.

[crazycanuck]

With my dear's company, he could get transferred to the middle east & it almost happened. The only downfall would be a LARGE drop in pay. Ya see...The pay here in Western Australia for Engineers (Civil, Mining, Electrical etc) is much much much larger than overseas.

When he did his stint in China last year, the contractor looked at his charge out rate & had a freak out moment.

I'd live in the Middle East, just let me know how to dress, live and teach me some intro vocab & i'm there.

[malkin]

I'd live in the Middle East, just let me know how to dress, live and teach me some intro vocab & i'm there.

That's pretty much what I was thinking, until I learned more about it.
I'm ok with the clothing customs, but transportation, legal system, economics, and the weather--both the high temperatures and casual descriptions of sand storms--which sounded to me like some medieval description of torment--pretty much dampened my enthusiasm for the middle east.

[crazycanuck]

Oh oops, I meant those bits as well Malkin. It's part of the package & you grin n bear it (although you really want to thwack someone!). It goes for all countries, english or non english speaking.

[malkin]

For me the sandstorms-days without seeing the sun because of wind full of sand--well, dealing with them would probably require considerably more alcohol consumption than local custom would tolerate!