I have now finished with my training for CBQ. I had 21 bankers from a variety of positions and with a diversity of experience in commercial lending/credit analysis. Fortunately, those with more extensive expertise helped their colleagues and translated my words into Arabic. Everyone was fully engaged. I was presented with a typical Qatarian present – a decorative wooden door with concealed mirror.
The Doha Golf Course (where the course was held) is the host club for one of the early PGA tournaments so it is extremely posh and lovely. Golfers tee off early (dawn) to finish before it becomes too hot. As I begin class at 8:30am, foursomes are just finishing. It appears that most are expatriates; mostly British with some Japanese.
My last night in Doha, I was able to treat Haitham to dinner at……..Appleby’s! There are many chain restaurants in Doha catering to all the different tastes of the 1.5 million expatriates. Just like McDonald’s the food was well prepared and consistent with the American experience. Haitham’s grocery shopping followed at Carrefour’s, which is a very large British supermarket. It has everything except pork and alcohol. I am taking back different varieties of Cup of Soup!!
I am flying on Royal Jordanian (an American Airlines partner) through Amman Jordan and on to Tel Aviv. Several years ago I spent 3 days in Jordan – both Amman and a 2 day trip to Petra. Petra was one of the magical moments of my life. It is an incredible place. This time though I will just transit thru the airport.
I will blog either during my time in Jerusalem with Rev. Heather Mueller or when I return to California on the 31st. Wishing all of you peace and joy during the next week.
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