Brays' Adventures: Where has the time gone?

We landed back in Doha about 50 days ago...just under. I don't think that we have stopped moving since then.

Coming back after Eid to a new supervisor for me and a new job for Big C (2 month contract with Doha Tribeca Film Festival) was like jumping into the Bow River in the springtime. Destined for a high speeds and some cold realities too.

We started by saying good-bye to some really dear friends and that meant good-bye parties, brunches and BBQs.

Then we had the first Canadians in Qatar Pub Night of the season at the Belgian Cafe. It was really great to meet so many new people and see so many new faces.

Add in the usual - swimming with the girls, Book Night and the monthly networking event for Qatar Professional Women's Network and well, September was finished before we even knew it.

Trying to jump back into work and figure out a new boss meant a lot of long days for me and Big C's job just has long hours anyway - festival work is short term and busy.

Then October came and there were some dark days for the Brays (I know, I'm a poet...). Details to come in another post, but the sparkle of expat life was (is?) starting to wear off very quickly. Big C's prospects beyond the festival weren't panning out. Nothing was coming together and the fond memories of home were still close enough in our memories make us very homesick.

What do you do when you are homesick? Surround yourself with friends and travel!

Bring on Bahrain!

Yup, despite the elections (we went the weekend after) and the political unrest we decided it was time to visit some good friends who made the move from Qatar to Bahrain last year. The locals in Bahrain (that we know/met) are very atune to the situation and what is going on. They know what to do and where to avoid.

I needed to get out of Doha. Sometimes it happens.

We left on a Thursday night, arrived and caught up over dinner. Yes, there were still checkpoints and military around but we did not experience any difficulties. Our friends live right by the causeway to Saudi Arabia (a 30km bridge linking Saudi & Bahrain) in a gorgeous compound with their own pool. We were spoiled!

We spent Friday on their boat, at a sand bar off the coast of Bahrain. There were lots of other people there and we talked, swam, played with the kids and relaxed.

Friday night we stayed in, which is recommended on Fridays and we were treated to the most amazing BBQ dinner. Really, it was inspiring. Slow cooked chicken and gorgeous marinated steaks. With hickory wood chips in the BBQ and roasted vegetables. It was absolutely fantastic.

Saturday it was a quick tour around Manama with a stop for a drink at a new hotel in a beautiful neighbourhood right on the water.

Home and in bed by 10 on Saturday night.

We are so thankful to have such generous friends - and we toasted such with some yummy champagne!