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What do you suppose this says? 
A couple hints: Use the arabic selections from the arabic alphabet, below. The letters create sounds that can combined, like diphthongs to make new sounds. Oh, and arabic is written right to left! 
Answer in next week's blog!
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 Dhow are the traditional boats that Qataris used for oyster and pearl fishing, the main economic driver for Qatar before intense Japanese pearl cultivation and the discovery of oil and natural gas in 1939, made the business obsolete. Doha hosts several events aimed at reminding the country of its roots. Pearl diving, sounds romantic, right? Well...a few bits of information: † only 1 in 10,000 naturally occurring oysters has a pearl † dhows, in large fleets, were typically packed full of divers working frequent shifts on tours lasting 40 days to over 6 months. † If you survive the constant stress of dehydration, malnutrition and illness due to close quarters and limited access to food and fresh water, you get to do multiple rapid dives to depths of up to 200 feet. † here's your equipment list: - a weight attached to one rope that you tie around your ankle for decent - a second rope, tied like a harness around your waist for the ascent - a nose clip, finger covers and an oyster bag † if you don't drown from getting tangled in your ropes and you avoid getting attacked by barracudas, sea snakes or sharks, your two minute round trip will reward you with a bag of oysters with a very small chance of having a pearl. All in all, this was a fun cultural outing, even though all the signs were in Arabic and I almost got run over riding home! Coming up:
Looks like someone has a case of the "Sundays", or Learning to enjoy a Tuesday hump The Sidra Tree The Sidra tree is found primarily in the deserts of Qatar. With deep roots to extract limited water it produces fruit, flowers and leaves that are used for food and healing. The Sidra tree is considered a beacon of comfort in the harsh desert environment, allowing life to flourish. The tree also is known for providing shade and shelter to travelers and scholars, who would escape the desert heat, gathering together to share stories and knowledge. Her Highness, Sheikha Moza bin Nasser selected the three-branched tree as the namesake and symbol of her country's newest hospital.  "The Sidra tree, growing strong and proud in the harshest of environments, has been a symbol of perseverance and nourishment across the borders of the Arab world. What is the significance of this glorious tree? With its roots bound in the soil of this world and its branches reaching upwards toward perfection, it is a symbol of solidarity and determination; it reminds us that goals of this world are not incompatible with the goals of the spirit." The three branches are meant to represent the the three missions of education, research and patient care. If it lives up to the hype, this promises to be an exciting project! 
Marhaba
One week in the country and my head is still spinning. Take a guy who spent half his life in New Mexico, the second half in Hawaii, and toss him in this melting pot of a middle eastern country. A few facts about Qatar |
Tod and Greta AebyTwo native New Mexicans off to the Arabian Peninsula! Archives
October 2017
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