Day 6 – Monday, February 21st. Off to Dubai

On Monday I took off for a three day visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  I was looking forward to it for various reasons.

Primarily I wanted to see Dubai.  I’ve heard so much about it over the years and the project we are doing there.  My curiosity was up, but I’ve also heard Doha will be the next Dubai.  In seven years Dubai has gone from nothing to Disneyworld on steroids.  I wanted to see it.

As this journey started, this beginning was no different.  I got to the airport to find my ticket wasn’t issued and I’d have to buy a ticket – WHAT!?  I was told I’d have to get to the airport two hours in advance of my flight – thank God, I had to wait in line to get my bag x-rayed, go to the check in desk to find out I didn’t have a ticket and go back out to the Qatar airlines ticket desk to buy a ticket.  Like I said it takes me two times to get anything right.

Got to the gate in plenty of time and off to Dubai I go.

I was met at the airport in Dubai by an old friend who whisked me through Dubai to our project office.  At the office, I was invited to lunch and off we went.  Initial impression, Dubai is a mix of Disney World and New York City, Doha is kinda like Baltimore.

After lunch I was given a presentation on our work with the RTA on the Dubai Metro then off to the Metro Station for a ride on the system.  I could talk about the architecture, which is fascinating, the interior decorations, the large raised steel bits on the floor to guide the sight impaired, the contactless smart card system used for fare payment, the “gold” level car with a special section for women and children, the simple beauty of the car interiors.  A lot to take in on a first visit, but what really struck me was how quiet the system was.  Very quiet and it had a very smooth start and stop.  Totally automated except for the attendant that checked tickets when folks boarded the “Gold” car to make sure they had the right ticket.   Nice.

Rode the Metro system to the Mall of the Emirates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mall_of_the_Emirates

Ski Dubai is located in this mall, as well as many major US and UK retailers.  How funny to see people on a lift and skiing down a small hill.  There was a tubing ride for small children and a sledding run too.  Nice.

I was promised dinner at the Iranian Grill.  We drove over to the grill and got a table.  As soon as we sat down it started to rain.  Who knew, rain in the desert.  The place cleared like a tornado was coming.  People took off for cover in every direction.  No Iranian Grill tonight.  We ended up at a, of all things, steak house.  The food was good, conversation delightful.

Very tired out, still not adjusting to the time change.

Day 5 – February 20^th.

I couldn’t wake up.  Edgar called me at 8 am to see if I was ready.  Of course I was ready – not.  I slept until 11am.  I could not and would not wake up until I slept off the Tylenol taken the night before.  God this jet lag was getting the best of me.  I was warned.  The first few days I’d want to sleep during the day and be awake at night.  True so far.

I did get up and went to the office.  First Day in the local office and I get there at 12.  Oh well, its gotta get better.

I was put in an office with two other folks.  One engineer and one BD guy recently hired by our Commercial Business Unit to sell hospital work.  He has been to Iraq and has been in Qatar for two years, his contract with that company ran out.  He was excited to work on the big projects Qatar offers, not the little add on projects he worked on in the US.

I missed breakfast and was on the verge of missing lunch.  As luck would have it the BD guy had just gotten lunch and he had a sandwich to share.  Starving and having no idea where to go for food (not to mention I just got to the office) I took him up on his offer.  It was thin on meat and veggies and heavy on bread.  Oh well, I was hungry.

I noticed my new friend was sniffling and coughing a bit, so I asked if he was catching a cold.  "No", he said, "I went to the Camel Races over the weekend and I think I’m allergic to them".  OK.

I was warned the office wasn’t much and don’t get discouraged.  I found the office delightful.  Engineers working 2-3 to a cubicle, just a little crowded, but nothing worse then what I had experienced at various times in may career in construction trailers and transit agency offices.  It could do.  I don’t think it is the kind of place you’d bring a client.  And the human condition is lacking.  We are moving to new digs in late March or April.  The new place is supposed to be owned by one of the best landlords in the country - related to the Emir I'm sure.  Hopefully the schedule won't slip. 

Just some quick observations :

No wireless in the office, Ethernet cable only, had to open a port for the Internet, not everyone gets access.  Told the new office would have wireless.

There is an office boy and a driver.  Both very important to know.

I met the office boy when he came over and asked “sir, can I get you something – tea, coffee?"  First off, he isn’t a boy – he’s a man of at least 40.  I couldn’t think of an answer, but it was right after that turkey sandwich, so a glass of water would be great.  This led to the second question – is chilled ok?  OK, no one randomly comes over asks me if I need anything when they meet me the first time and secondly, I didn’t know you had a choice with water - chilled will be fine.

I’ve got a lot to learn.  This is getting interesting now.

Day 4, February 19th

This is my first full day in Doha.  It was also a fairly full day from a schedule standpoint.  I had a breakfast meeting with a local business man.  It was an interesting conversation centered around his desire to educate me in the local business dealings and his firm.

The firm is primarily an executive recruiter which is handy when it comes to staffing the many jobs developing in Qatar.  He also took the time to outline the ruling family and businesses in Qatar.  It is amazing the number of businesses owned by the same families and how they are related.  One piece that learned that only I would find interesting is the word “bin” in a name means the son of.  I also learned that last names beginning with Al- typically indicate an important person, and Al-Thani in Qatar is the name of the ruling family.  It seems very integrated and incestuous.  One other important note is there is only one of each type of car dealer in this country.  There is no dealing on the price – what you see is what you get.

Saturday night I had dinner with the Country Director and a couple of others that just arrived to the city to work on proposals and evaluate the possibility of working in Qatar.  Our local operation has 160 people and is expected to grow to 300 by midyear.  There really seems to be opportunity here, and it’s not hard to find.  The trick will be how.

Breakfast and Dinner was my first introduction to the Qatari buffet.  Every hotel seems to have a buffet.  As always there is too much to choose from and they are trying to satisfy every nationality.  The food was good – generally.  It was good to meet the folks arriving in the region and get to know them.

Although feeling really tired, when my head hit the pillow my eyes popped open and I laid in bed staring at the ceiling until 3:30 am.  Thinking I was clever I popped two Tylenol PM pills which put me to sleep, only to keep me from getting up in time to go to the office at 8am, it was 11 when the phone rang and the locals were wondering where I was.  More about that later.

Day 3 – February 18th

I don’t recall much from my first day in Doha in the state of Qatar.  When you land at the airport you are put on a bus and taken to the airport.  From the bus you are taken through Passport control, 100 QAR is collected for your 30 day visitors visa and you head to baggage claim.  Your carry on is x-rayed.  I was asked to describe what was in my bag – computer, books, papers, etc.  Then I went to collect my bags and head for the hotel shuttle.  I arrived very late and it took all of the energy I had to get to my room. 

However, having gotten to my room and unpacked it was soon 12:30 at night (or in the morning, depending on your perspective).  I talked to my wife on the phone, promised to take lots of pictures and she, like any good wife encouraged me to get something to eat.  I  was wide awake and wandered around the hotel.  Nothing in most hotels at 2 am is open – even in Qatar.  So, I went to bed and stared at the ceiling.  Unfortunately.  Didn’t get to sleep until 3 am and had a 10 am breakfast meeting to get to.  Not good for a guy who likes to sleep.

Day 2, February 17th - or Doha take 2...

I stayed at a local hotel near the Dulles airport to make sure I didn't miss my flight.  The hotel would only let me stay until 2pm so I went to the airport 7 hours and fifty minutes before the flight.  I went to the line the lady night before told me I would need to get in.  The agent at the end of the line - asked "International?"  Yes, I said.  She said you need to go around to the other side this way...  I confirmed "this way?"  She said yes.  So I walked the length of the counter the direction she sent me to the other side and found I had to walk the length of the counter to the other end (directly opposite of where I was and had I walke THE OTHER WAY, I would have been there in half the time).  Checked in to my flight 7 hours early and found I was too early to check my bags.  Dammit.  What should I do, I asked the airline rep.  He said "There is a tavern over there, a little pricey, but you could hang out there for a couple of hours and come back to check your bags.  So… to the tavern I went.  Nothing eventful to talk about, the wine was good, but I was anxious to get going – also a bit nervous.  Needless, to say I went to the check in to drop my bags five hours in advance of the flight and went to the gate.  I bought one of those neck pillows.  Does anyone know how to wear one of those things.  The natural inclination is to put it on the back of your neck, but your head tilted one way or another is the most comfortable.

It was suggested I take two Tylenol PM pills to help with sleeping.  I don’t know if it was the lousy United seat, the discomfort from the pillow or the felling I got from the pills, but the sleep was not restful.  I woke up in Frankfurt to cold air and a mist.  Found my way to the next gate, which by the way required a pass through security.  I never thought a plane from the US to anywhere in the world would require re-screening, but it did.

My next flight from Frankfurt to Qatar was on Lufthansa airlines – another 9 hours in the air.  I must say the Lufthansa flight was much more comfortable.  I watched a movie – Due Date with Zack Alifinakis and Robert Downey Jr.  If you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it for a good laugh.  It is a bit Trains, Planes and Automobiles, but it is good entertainment.  Of course, I slept most of the rest of the way (not what I wanted to do).  We stopped in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – dumped 80% of the people, refueled and an hour later went on to Qatar.

Day 1 – February 16, 2011

As my wife will tell you, I have to do everything twice - the first time is practice and I get it right the second time.  My first trip to Qatar is no different.

I love my wife, and more importantly I love hanging out with my wife.  The night before I was scheduled to leave she asked me which of my favorite places I wanted to go to dinner before I left for Qatar.  We have a rotation of restaurants that we go to Outback, Sean Bolans, DuClaws.  On a given Friday evening you will find us at the local Outback or Sean Bolans.  DuClaws is reserved for Saturday night, Friday is too busy for our liking.

So off to DuClaws we went.  After dinner a lovely dinner with my wife, I drove to Dulles Airport for the direct flight to Qatar.  I arrived at the parking lot at 8pm.  Two hours before the flight was scheduled to leave.  I had plenty of time.  I got to the Qatar Airways counter and NO ONE WAS THERE.  What is going on.  I circled the counter several times until a man in uniform asked me what I was looking for.  I told him of my dilemma and he told me the flight was closed.  I would need to go the the Qatari office and ask for help.

I raced down the escalator, juggling my baggage.  You know that feeling you get when you know there is no hope.  Well this was one of those times.  I went into the office to find three women with their backs to the door.  I asked if they could help me get on the plane.  Nope.  Flight is closed.  You need to go to the United counter and rebook your ticket for tomorrow night.  OH NO I MISSED MY FLIGHT.  How in God's name was I supposed to know check in for the flight was only open from 6-8pm???

So, I schlepped my bags back up to the United counter and got in line.  I finally got up to the airline rep and told her my tale.  She looked at me like anyone at the end of their shift and said "Is this an International Flight?"  Yes, it is.  Oh, well you need to go to the other end of the counter and talk to them down there.

I went down to the other end and got in another line.  I got to the counter and met another lovely airline rep, but this time a lady who had a sense of customer service, she listened politely to my tale and started to look up my options for the next night.  She looked at me and said the flight I wanted was "sold out"  every seat.  After I picked up my stomach, I said, how can I get to Qatar tomorrow.  The quickest way she said was to take a United flight to Frankfurt and Lufthansa to Qatar.  The flight left at the same time the next night, but would be five hours longer. So, 24 hours and 17 hours of travel I landed in Doha, Qatar.

Qatar Adventure - Introduction

I am a Business Development Director for a major Engineering Construction company in the US and a career transit professional.  Our company has a large base of operations in MENA, almost one third of our company is based in the region, with plans to grow it to 50%.  In December 2010 my boss returned from Doha, Qatar excited about the opportunities for Rail in the country of Qatar.

He said to me "I need two Vice Presidents to go to the Middle East and stand up our rail business".  He wanted a sector manager and BD manager to go.  One would go where the projects were - one in Abu Dhabi, UAE and the other in Dubai, UAE.  The rail opportunities are in Qatar and that is where the BD manager should set up shop.

Of course, with the announcement of the FIFA World Cup going to Qatar in 2022, the Qatari government announced a 70B+ investment in infrastructure - our company, and Engineering Construction company was more then ready to help the country meet its goals.

Always anxious to volunteer and be a part of something exciting I went home and told my wife about it.  She thought I was crazy for considering it, but my in law's and son's thought it was an interesting and exciting opportunity and we should pursue it.  So, she succumbed to my crazy idea.  Of course, she thought it would be a good idea until it became real...

I sent my boss an e-mail in early January 2011 and told my boss - I would go to Qatar.  Of course, as life goes he didn't take me up on the offer right away.

In late January I got and e-mail from him asking when I could be in Doha.  At that point I was questioning my own sanity, but I offered, so after explaining my current calendar to him, we agreed I would go in mid February to perform an assessment of what our division will need to do to set up shop in this country and build our business in the region.

Oh boy, what was I thinking.