Packet Pick-up

Just got my bib and goodie bag at the "expo." With one store selling GU and Nathan's gear, it's hard to call it an expo. Still, made for an easy trip. Now off to IKEA for lamps and organizers.


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Zikreet Desert Run

I joined some of my friends from the running club this morning for a run in the desert near Zikreet. It was really nice to run along the sea instead of on the road for a change, although my legs got pretty tired pretty quickly. I forgot how much extra effort it takes to move in sand and dirt and climb over rocks. After a fast 15 miles yesterday, I decided 7.5 was good enough for today and opted to hop in Emile's car at the halfway point.

As we drove back to the start, we stopped for some picture-taking while we waited for the last runner to pass by. Pretty cool place. The caretaker is a guy from Sudan named Mohammed. He likes to have visitors and insisted we sit down for a glass of tea. He brought out a very hot pot of tea and some warm bread for us, which was quite a nice gesture. Sure made my first trip out in the desert a memorable one.

Hard to believe there's this much green in the desert

Scenes from Doha

I figured I'd put up a few pictures of what we've been up to the past week or so. The first one, of Roger Federer getting ready to serve, was taken at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open tennis tournament. I don't think I would've gone to a tournament in the US, but when your company sponsors the local one, you don't think twice. How often are we going to get to see Federer and Nadal play from 30 feet away?

This picture is of one of the cars driving through the parking area at the tournament. There's a lot of conformity here, so it's nice to someone show some creativity. It'd be right at home in the Houston Art Car Parade.

These last few are just some random shots taken while we were enjoying the nice weather and walking along the Corniche. Got to get out and enjoy the city while we can.

Museum of Islamic Art