After sitting through four cancelled flights in a week I have finally returned to Bagram. I ended up spending the better part of eight days in Qatar on a four day pass. I can thank the Air Force for the extra days. Speaking of the Air Force; as of today I have completed the equivalent of three consecutive Air Force tours. I only have one and a half Air Force tours left until I get to rotate out.
Unfortunately while I was gone in one four day stretch we lost eleven Soldiers in several separate incidents. Even with my Afghanistan news search, only two of the incidents made the news.
In my eight days in Qatar I only went on one trip into Doha. Here are some photos.
This is the downtown skyline from across the Persian Gulf Bay.
Approaching downtown is a sword cross arch; very popular in many middle eastern cities.
Here is the biggest Mosque in Doha.
The pearl industry is huge in Doha.
You can’t even get away from Mastercard in Doha ;-) (Note that everything is in English and Arabic.)
Everything downtown is either brand new or still under construction.
They even have a five story shopping mall that has a very western feel to it.
Doha looks nice. I have read a little but about it and I think I would like to visit one day. It is pretty westernized right? I am sure you would rather be there under a different stuation but I am glad you got a break.
Comment by Chad — September 4, 2007 @ 6:41 am
It is very westernized, yet still distinctively muslim. There were American and European families with children and all; but simultaneously my finger was on the trigger expecting masked gunmen to rush us at any time. My motto was in full force; be polite and professional to everyone, just make sure you have a plan to kill them.
I think after we are out of Iraq I would go back to visit; the construction should be done by then, and it really is beautiful!
Comment by Joel — September 5, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
I wish I’d known you were in Qatar - I just came back from there. I didn’t have access to your blog, or I would have bought you coffee from the Green Bean while you were there!
Comment by SSgt Jami Lynn — September 19, 2007 @ 5:45 pm