And...
There are, of course, other reasons why I find living in Doha frustrating. I think there needs to be a debate about whether citizens who are well-provided for but don't live under democratic rule can be truly happy. Citizens here are well-off, but does security without a voice in the government and future of your country really not cause dissent?
reason number 1
Reason number 1 why I don't like living in Doha is because it's not a pedestrian/non-car owner friendly place. I know it's poor form to complain about a city I've only recently moved to, but tough. I'm not loving Doha today.
I called for a cab at 6.30. I asked for it to be at the offices at 7.30 and they said they could only get one out for 7.45 (this is typical of the cabs here. They suck). I walked out at 7.45. No cab. I called and they said '15-20 more minutes, ma'am. We'll call you when the cab is there'. Fine. I walked back into the office, wrote a few e-mails, then glanced at the clock. It was 8.30. No cab. So I called again. '15-20 , minutes, ma'am'. ARGH. I had a slew of complaints about this service.
I feel sorry for the poor woman on the end of the line, but aside from the fact that there is no alternative to these cabs, I'm frustrated that this is a country that thinks it is ready for the Asian Games in December, and this is just indicative of how unprepared they are. Honestly. In addition to bad roads, the transportation here is appallingly poor. You're definitely out of luck if you don't have a car or want to walk someplace.
I have to say that there has never been a day when I thought I could live for anything more than two years in Doha. One year is pushing it, I think. It's great that I love my job, otherwise I'd be really frustrated. I had enough of living in a city I didn't like when I lived in Atlanta (which Doha might actually nudge out from top position of worst places I have lived at some point). I've got to say that Doha definitely pushes my tolerance level to new heights.
