12-27-14 Doha, Qatar

• Lunch in Souq Waqif.

• Visited Museum of Islamic Art.  Everything labeled in English & Arabic, with what it was, where it came from, and date.  But nothing else.  Not even sure what some of the items were.  Lots of photos of cartography, decorative patterns.  I.M. Pei designed it.

• Falcon souq, than sat with shisha and tea, to just hang awhile.  Cafe had internet, so checked mail, read NY Times, checked weather. 

• Saad helped me with flight reservation & airbnb in Dubai: 5 nights @ $45/night.  Then went out for another shisha (and mango juice).  Stayed up until 2 am, talking of life, love, travels.  He made big bucks some years ago playing Texas holdem, but decided to call it quits.  Engaged to Lebanese (?) girl after long courtship, expects to marry in ~ 4 years, after career and living conditions are settled.  Really nice, honest, friendly guy.  Insisted on paying for shisha.  He’ll be in Dubai over New Year’s, wants to see me there.  Very security conscious.  Always uses incognito browser tabs.  And my Dubai host wouldn’t give his address over the internet; instead, sent his phone number in pieces over 4 consecutive emails.

• Phoned Caren via Skype again - works great!  Email from Rachael in Jerusalem: loving it.  Caren not sure if she’ll come to Israel:

   1. 2 jobs to work.

   2. 2nd floor living setup in Tiburon still not settled.

   3. 2012 audit.

   4. Kids actually not that excited about traveling with us.

12-28-14 Doha

• Walked along Corniche in other direction this morning.  Biggest problem is crossing roads, which are full of fast-moving cars not used to pedestrians.  Amazing buildings, including “penis building” (so-called by Saad). 

• Sitting at the Costa Cafe on Corniche, looking over Doha Bay.  Large latte & croissant: $8.  Breakfast before at an Indian restaurant around the corner from Saad’s apt (he never eats in Indian restaurants - seems to have a thing against Indians, in fact).  Masala dosa, my first in years: $3.50.

• Bought Saad dinner: $45. 

• I leave for Dubai tomorrow