February 25 is their Independence day. They have been preparing for it for the last week or so. Many of buildings are completely covered with lights of their national colors. The martini shaped water towers are lighted in many ways. The roadways are lined with small national flags and pictures of the Amir and other leaders.
Some of our people went into the city last night to see the festivities. They traveled to about five miles away from the Gulf when traffic came to a crawl. It took 90 minutes to get to the gulf to park. People were stopped on the freeways and running and dancing around spraying silly string and some type of shaving cream-like foam on and in cars. All very happy and celebrating, calling out to any Western looking people, "Thank you America", "We love America".
It was the same 90 minute commute to get away from the traffic jams to continue the 30 minute drive to our site.
I was thinking of trying the trip this evening but, thanks to video footage from our guys and gals, I think I've sufficiently experienced it. They had a great and inspiring time and came away with a new outlook of this culture.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Twelve days left
It's been a couple of weeks since my last post.
We were required to have a special escort to access one of the sites. All plans were made for the short trip and access times were scheduled. We arrived at the site to find that our escort didn't have the proper pass to enter the site. The escort gave me a contact name and phone number. We arrived at our scheduled appointment, without escort, made the contact and completed the inspection. Turns out that all of the protocol was just that. Protocol. Our host said just call me whenever you want to come back.
Another site had the same issues. We were to have a Host Country Civilian ID to enter the site. We started the process when we arrived in January and a month later were told that it takes up to six weeks to get this ID. We had four weeks left. It was decided that after many days of personal escorts from remote parking lots and hours of wait time, we should just try to drive in and see what happens. The next day we drove to the site, handed them our badges and entered. No problems, no questions.
The guys are starting the countdown to their return flights. Our morning meetings usually start with someone stating the number of days left. People are pretty much focused on that thought and are in a routine to make it to the end.
I'm not sure how I'll ever be able to stay up past 8:30 PM again. Finish work at 7 PM, eat dinner at 7:30, shower at 8, sleep at no later than 9.
We were required to have a special escort to access one of the sites. All plans were made for the short trip and access times were scheduled. We arrived at the site to find that our escort didn't have the proper pass to enter the site. The escort gave me a contact name and phone number. We arrived at our scheduled appointment, without escort, made the contact and completed the inspection. Turns out that all of the protocol was just that. Protocol. Our host said just call me whenever you want to come back.
Another site had the same issues. We were to have a Host Country Civilian ID to enter the site. We started the process when we arrived in January and a month later were told that it takes up to six weeks to get this ID. We had four weeks left. It was decided that after many days of personal escorts from remote parking lots and hours of wait time, we should just try to drive in and see what happens. The next day we drove to the site, handed them our badges and entered. No problems, no questions.
The guys are starting the countdown to their return flights. Our morning meetings usually start with someone stating the number of days left. People are pretty much focused on that thought and are in a routine to make it to the end.
I'm not sure how I'll ever be able to stay up past 8:30 PM again. Finish work at 7 PM, eat dinner at 7:30, shower at 8, sleep at no later than 9.
Monday, February 9, 2009
New experience
Traveled to a smaller site, about 15 miles away, to begin inspections. Just myself, my boss, and a graphics person to get the lay of the land.
I entered the wrong gate to meet some local military police and realized my mistake. I got out of the car to ask directions. The language barrier proved to be too much so I was asked to sit for a minute while an English speaking officer made his way to our position. While sitting in their office, I was asked if I wanted some tea. Asked is the wrong term. I must have tea, and dates. It is an insult to refuse an offer like this. So, I'm sitting there, drinking my tea and eating dates, while my boss is sitting in the car wondering what happened to me. He came to the rescue and soon all three of us were drinking tea and eating dates.
We visited, sort of, for a few minutes until the English speaking officer arrived to interpret and to show us the way to the right entrance. They were very friendly people. We shook "sticky" hands and were on our way.
We traveled to the markets "suuqs" yesterday. They are what you would imagine. Many shop keepers with small, not extremely clean, spaces to sell there goods. Everything from custom made traditional clothing to fish, and every kind of fresh seafood you can imagine, including octopus, squid, and shark. the floor in this area was covered with scales from all species. Also, many shops selling all types of fresh produce and meats. It took over an hour just to walk through the area. Afterward we sat in and adjacent open air food court to eat several different dishes of kabobs, salads, and deserts. I also enjoyed my first huka experience. Basically apple/bannan flavored steam. Not bad, although I question the sanitizing methods.
I entered the wrong gate to meet some local military police and realized my mistake. I got out of the car to ask directions. The language barrier proved to be too much so I was asked to sit for a minute while an English speaking officer made his way to our position. While sitting in their office, I was asked if I wanted some tea. Asked is the wrong term. I must have tea, and dates. It is an insult to refuse an offer like this. So, I'm sitting there, drinking my tea and eating dates, while my boss is sitting in the car wondering what happened to me. He came to the rescue and soon all three of us were drinking tea and eating dates.
We visited, sort of, for a few minutes until the English speaking officer arrived to interpret and to show us the way to the right entrance. They were very friendly people. We shook "sticky" hands and were on our way.
We traveled to the markets "suuqs" yesterday. They are what you would imagine. Many shop keepers with small, not extremely clean, spaces to sell there goods. Everything from custom made traditional clothing to fish, and every kind of fresh seafood you can imagine, including octopus, squid, and shark. the floor in this area was covered with scales from all species. Also, many shops selling all types of fresh produce and meats. It took over an hour just to walk through the area. Afterward we sat in and adjacent open air food court to eat several different dishes of kabobs, salads, and deserts. I also enjoyed my first huka experience. Basically apple/bannan flavored steam. Not bad, although I question the sanitizing methods.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Traffic
The driving practices here are interesting. The average speed for what we would call an Interstate Highway is 120 kph. Not many people observe the limit. The expressways are usually three to five lanes wide with cars passing on all sides with inches to spare. Much worse than US big City drivers. All of the vehicles I've driven have mandatory bells that chime when you reach the speed limit. I can't imagine what it sounds like in those cars. Exits and entries are an experience. In many cases you actually merge to the fast lane, than merge off to a deceleration lane in the middle of the expressway and complete a u-turn and merge directly in to the fast lane going the opposite direction, in order to get to the lane of your desired direction.
People also exit and enter the roadways at will. They simply pull of the road and drive through the sand to any point of their choosing and do the same when entering the road again. If there is a fence in the way the just cut it open to allow access.
There are many very badly damaged vehicles along the roads daily. Not sure what happens when an accident occurs. But the cars just sit there for days.
I have completed my indoctrination to the local driving habits. I was traveling to the city and missed my exit. I could see the lane I needed to be in just across a small paved divider and thought I might as well go for it at about 80 kph. I couldn't see the 10" drop-off on the other side. An interesting ride but no damage to the SUV.
People also exit and enter the roadways at will. They simply pull of the road and drive through the sand to any point of their choosing and do the same when entering the road again. If there is a fence in the way the just cut it open to allow access.
There are many very badly damaged vehicles along the roads daily. Not sure what happens when an accident occurs. But the cars just sit there for days.
I have completed my indoctrination to the local driving habits. I was traveling to the city and missed my exit. I could see the lane I needed to be in just across a small paved divider and thought I might as well go for it at about 80 kph. I couldn't see the 10" drop-off on the other side. An interesting ride but no damage to the SUV.
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