Here is a picture of what is technically the Emir's (King) house. It's now being used as the parliament building.

Here's a picture of the compound we live in as taken from Alanna's upstairs bedroom window.

Qatar is a massive construction site. Not far from our compound, I counted 17 high rise cranes in one small area. Here's a picture of one site, doesn't really do it justice 'cause you can't really see the cranes. Otherwise, it's just a neat picture of downtown.

One Saturday morning we set out early to go shopping. The past two weeks, the college has been providing a bus to go shopping, but it's gone to the same mall - The City Center Mall. We wanted a change, so we asked a driver to take us to the Villagio - a new mall that it's supposedly out of this world (it's got a river with a gondola ride down the middle). English was not his strongest gift - he asked you want to go the Villagio - the mall right? Well, he took us to the mall, which is called "The Mall" which was very small. However, lo and behold, there was a paint-your-own ceramics studio in it. So here is picture of the mug I made.

Qatar is a city of extremes - how about KFC

or - how about buying a camel for supper? you can pick your camel at the animal souq (market)and bring it next door to be slaughtered.

you can stay in the sheraton -

or, a traditional dhow (fishing boat) that has been redone as a boat you can rent and sleep overnight in

or our humble house!
ttfn