Semaj comes over to my apartment every other Thursday evening, and we play video games. Two men in their mid to early forties doing the same thing as 14-year-olds.
Category: Doha
Expat October in Doha
Oh hot October morning sun,We wait for thy fever to fall;To-morrow's winds, if they ever come,Will be welcomed by all.The pigeons in the towers calland bide time until to-morrow.Oh hot October morning sun,your heat makes all creatures slow,robbing us of our energy like a thief.All hearts hope for summer to be done,for an end to… Continue reading Expat October in Doha
Daring and Lucky: My Summer Break Traveling during the Pandemic
Sunday, August 9 was the first workday of the semester. I had to appear on campus, sign a slip of paper verifying to the department that I was actually in the country, and (I almost forgot) fill out an online form verifying to the university that I was back from summer break. Normally, this would… Continue reading Daring and Lucky: My Summer Break Traveling during the Pandemic
Quarantine Postcards
Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, when I was able to travel, I tried regularly to send my nieces a postcard about my adventures and whereabouts. However, since I have been on lockdown, like most of the world, my adventures have been nil and my daily life less interesting. Still, if I were to send my… Continue reading Quarantine Postcards
Response to Fwd: Global Health Advisory – Level 4 Do Not Travel, March 19, 2020
Hello Conan, I hope you are well. Are you considering returning to the U.S. given the DOS level 4 restrictions? Whatever you do, I hope you are well-connected and keeping up your spirits! Best wishes, Friend ---------- Forwarded message --------- The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the… Continue reading Response to Fwd: Global Health Advisory – Level 4 Do Not Travel, March 19, 2020
Response to a Friend on Teaching, Traveling, and Job Transitioning during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Conan! How are you? Are you guys having classes? Is the university closed? I got a job at XXX University! I need your advice as to how to transition and start somewhere new. I am not sure how to begin. Can you give me some advice??? Hey, friend! I am doing well. Thank you for… Continue reading Response to a Friend on Teaching, Traveling, and Job Transitioning during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Cat-Free in Doha
A few weeks ago, as I was driving my car into the entrance of my apartment building, I noticed a small cat huddled on the front steps. After parking my car, I approached the grey tabby. Hey, kitty! It didn’t flee and allowed me to pet it. Up close, I noticed that the cat was… Continue reading Cat-Free in Doha
Illness and Injury While Traveling
As I write this blog post, 722 people have died of the Coronavirus. Many American airlines are halting flights to mainland China (possibly until March 28!). Three cruise ships have been placed under quarantine after several passengers tested positive for the virus. Outside of China the countries with the most reported cases of the virus include Singapore, Thailand and Japan with 20 to… Continue reading Illness and Injury While Traveling
Photowalk at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
The other day I participated in a photowalk hosted by the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum. The Sheikh Faisal Museum is one of my favorite places to visit in Qatar. It is outside of Doha, just past the Mall of Qatar. I have gone there several times and brought multiple people there in… Continue reading Photowalk at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
On Gratitude
Last night, I dropped two of my friends off at Hamad International Airport. They had flown all the way from wintery Minnesota to attend a conference in Doha and spend some time with me. It was a short but satisfying visit. My apartment is large enough to easily accommodate them. Plus, there are quite a… Continue reading On Gratitude