When it rains, it pours!

The skies above Doha opened up yesterday bringing on rain, thunder and even lightning!!  For those that live in countries where rain is abundant, like for everyone back home, I am sure you are all wondering what is so speculator about rain but for us living in the Middle East, rain, so I am told, is a rare occurrence and people rejoice at the sight of it!!

It was no different in our compound.  Back home, rain normally makes people retreat indoors, but here, it does the exact opposite!! As the rain started to fall, more and more people came out of their villas to watch the rain fall and just take it all in.  The kids were out in force; riding their bikes, running in the rain and splashing in the puddles.  Here it seems, rain brings people together!!

The grey clouds looming above 

Rain speckled ground 

Then a very wet ground 

And even puddles!! 

Some of the kids riding their bikes in the rain 

The Aussie blood in Zoe told her to stay out of the rain but I made her join in the craze and we did a lap of the compound together.  sad to say, she didn't enjoy it one bit!!

 

Another kid splashing in the puddles

And of course, the end result of rain and a owning a black car.  

Funny cause I only got it washed the night before and the result of the rain has made it look worse than it was before it got a washed.  Lucky for me, car washes are cheap and done while you shop.  Guess the car washer will have their hands full today!!

Sun, sand and camels??

Yesterday, Zoe and I took a aimless drive around Doha to break in my new car.  It was really only suppose to be a quick drive but the smoothness of the ride ended up putting her to sleep.  So, what was suppose to be a quick drive, ended up being a two and a half hour drive instead.  I did manage to find my way around without referring to Google Maps that often, but I did get myself in to a bit of a pickle when Google Maps indicated that I was driving on a road that stopped in the middle of nowhere!!  Never mind that, cause I ended up driving on and finding civilisation!!  Phew!!

Today we took the car for another spin down to Sealine, just over an hours drive from home.  The drive was rather pleasant and peaceful with Zoe sleeping most of the way and what awaited us was exactly what we needed; sun, sand and surf!!

                           

The lonely drive with nothing but sand, sand and more sand.  

On Zoe's first day in Doha, she pointed out the window at all the sand by the side of the road and proudly proclaimed "look mum, it's just like the beach".  Little did she know that the sand is everywhere is Doha.  My front porch can be described as a beach on some days!!

Sealine Beach Resort

Zoe by the kiddies pool with its own waterslide which Zoe refused to go down.  

Looking out to the beach

The lush green gardens surrounding the pools

 Anyone for a game of chess?

The garden chess set 

 The two of us

And of course, what is a beach without camels?? 

Zoe was certain she wanted to ride the camels, but I was able to convince her that we would wait till Cousin Mya and Cousin Anaya came to ride the camels together

Freedom on wheels

After my constant bad luck with cars; my twice failed attempt to buy a VW and flat tyres with both my hire cars, I have finally managed to secure and take possession of my own car...and all I can say is, <happy sigh> ahhh!!  

I am hoping my luck has changed, although they say bad things happen in three's.  I only went in last Saturday to have a proper look and make sure that yes this was the car I wanted, put a deposit down on Sunday and by Thursday, I was driving away with it.  Things in Doha can move quickly and boy am I glad that they did this time!!

Driving it is such a pleasure!  So quiet and spacious and bluetooth connectivity, I am loving!!  Sitting up high in the traffic knowing that you have all the safety around you in case of an accident is real peace of mind.  One has to be realistic here; traffic accidents are the number one cause of mortality in Doha, but that is not to scare or worry you!!  I am sure we will be fine!!

So here is a few snaps of my car before it left the showroom, all shiny and clean...and yep, by the time I got home, it was dusty!!

Getting the once over before handing over the keys

Clean, clean, clean

The car from the backside.  Yes I got black and yes it will get hot, but oh my, it looks so smart and sleek!!

Yep, its a Volvo!!

The first, and probably the last time the tyres and rim will ever be this shiny again

Zoe testing out the built in booster seats.  Two thumbs up for such a clever idea!!  But she will be sitting in her car seat as you can obviously see, she doesn't quite get the concept of how a seatbelt should be worn...hahaha!!

And so life begins...

It's been just over two weeks now since Zoe has joined me in Doha and we are getting along like we were never separated.  It is so good having her here; life can now begin as I have everything that I need here with me!!

 The moment they walked through the doors!!  I got my big reunion cuddle and kiss from her, which I was hoping for but never expected!!

Some of the 'supplies' that she came with 

A pit stop at the ELC toy shop and all she wanted was a cleaning set.  We couldn't convince her to buy anything else, but then she eventually settled for a cake with candles

This is how Zoe and Safwaan's friendship first began.  Safwaan is a regular visitor to my house, keeping me company when I was all alone

...and now they are like this.  Zoe loves Safwaan!!  

She asked me one day "where is the farm?" and I said to her that there isn't a farm here, but I could take her to the Zoo instead but she continued on about "the farm" and I kept insisting that there was no farm here and it wasn't until she said, "no the boy the farm" that I realised that she was actually asking for Safwaan!!  Oh dear!!

Nothing has changed here!!  Practically begged me to wear my high heels!

Sure has the pose all sorted!!

Zoe's first of many to come, Pinkberry treats.  Frozen yoghurt with her choice of topping...blueberries, brown chocolate and pink chocolate (of course)

Zoe sunscreening herself up!!  Oh, I had forgotten the things that they can get up to when you turn your back for a second

Taking a dip in the compound pool.  The temperature is the same as that of a bath so its not as refreshing but at least you don't get the chills jumping in!!

First day of childcare.  So proud of my baby girl who embraced the whole first day without any tears.  Lets hope she makes some new friends fast, but I know they will not be be like her best friends Elizabeth and Anika from back home

Zoe and her strawberry milkshake which was more like a thick shake 

Zoe and Aaliyah

Zoe's special handmade bracelet and necklace from Luke, Dale and Maria

Good byes are never easy and Zoe kept saying "I want to go with you daddy" but all it took was a strawberry lemonade and she was back with her mummy again!!

A little piece of home found at my local grocery store, and the items weren't too badly priced either.  Thanks Lulu!!