Today

Its been a good day today. The sun has shone, the coffee machine is working again and Keri came up for coffee and a girly chat. Keri was in Qatar with me and when we get together, we laugh about the special aspects of our life there. 

The driving, always an experience getting to work; the long walk we did from our apartment to the mall in 46C temps; the bonding and conversations of women on the other side of the world; the things we did and the things we missed out on like playing golf on the sand course.

A bit more on walking to the mall. We set off, after being offered and refusing a ride by Sue, in the mid day heat. The mall is around 10km from our place. After a short time, we looked at each other and one of us said, "quiet today on the Corniche". Yes, we were the only ones out and about. Mad dogs and Englishmen out in the midday sun as the old song says. 

We had a bit of a giggle, and a drink, and kept going. We finished our water early on so it was lucky that Keri found a can of warm lemonade in her bag. We were about three quarters of the way there and we were wilting, needed to keep going as going back was further! We had both stopped sweating, not a good thing. 

Th mall was like a mirage. We could see it shimmering in the distance, although it didn't look as if it was getting any closer. We arrived at the under mall car park almost collapsing, but still able to laugh as we walked through the door. Laughed with relief but also at the look of each other. 

When you go from 46C to about 18C by going through a door, you begin to sweat. Actually, sweating isn't the word for it. Sweat flows off you, soaking all your clothes and dripping onto the floor. We were both red faced and dripping as we fell about laughing and headed for the coffee shop. 

A much needed coffee stop and we cooled off quickly. Who should walk into the mall but Sue, who laughed at the look of us. She was amazed we'd made it and gave us a little lecture, thanks Sue. Looking like we did and getting colder by the minute, girly shopping was out of the question so we got our groceries and out to the bus for the ride home. 

Another good day out, another experience we wouldn't be without! The photo is of a not such a hot day on the Corniche. The flowers are amazing on this well tended part of the waterfront.