Back in Doha

We have been back in Doha for just over two weeks...It’s hot - averaging over 45 degrees most days and well into the 30’s in the evening. The humidity is higher too so it can be quite sticky – like being in a sauna. We've been enjoying swimming back at the Dip Club.
It is the month of Ramadan so Muslim people are required to abstain from food and drink ( and other bodily pleasures ) during the daylight hours. It’s difficult especially with the heat. It seems that most people tend to sleep in the afternoons; the shops are closed from around 12.00 until 6.00 p.m. The evenings are when everyone gets out and about. Iftar is the breaking of fast after sundown so as the evening progresses the restaurants become very busy – as do the roads. Ramadan is a time of being with family and friends and a time where people are expected to exercise goodness in all that they do – this however does not seem to extend to driving, which seems more crazy than normal....possibly due to large numbers of very hungry people wanting to get somewhere quickly to eat. Iftar feasts are large banquet affairs where you can eat as much as you like and are very spectacular displays of Middle Eastern food – all very delicious. We actually haven’t been to one yet – but hope to do so before the end of Ramadan.
Schools haven't opened yet - the kids start at the end of September this year (once Ramadan is over). We have 7 schools this year, so far, that we will be working with. A much smaller team of advisors than last year although that may well change.