Driving in the labyrinth

This evening we head off to the Traffic Department, where I obtain my temporary Qatar driver's licence. This has to be done within seven days of my arrival, otherwise I may be required to takes a driver's test. Pat has to be there to sign a letter of permission, since she is my "sponsor". Without the temporary licence, it would be impossible for me to drive & we certainly need a car. Later, when Pat has her residency status, I can apply for a permanent licence. We have a rented car (Mitsubishi Lancer) for four days (allowed under my Canadian licence). That's another story, but it took about four hours to get it sorted out. Tonight we will have the help of Mr. Mohammed, who is a "specialist" in guiding people like us through the complexities of the system. He comes highly recommended by a friend that Pat made this morning while on her way to be finger-printed (part of the residency process). We're thinking of renting a car for the year. Another friend said that when (not "if") you are involved in an accident, it's much better to have a rental car. That certainly put us off buying & later selling a second-hand vehicle, which was the way we did it in Trinidad. The driving itself is another challenge. Fast, unpredictable, & surprising are all words I'd use to describe it. Street names are difficult to see (when they are there) & the easiest way to find directions is by getting to know some of the individual roundabouts, of which there are literally hundreds. Key ones are: "Oryx Roundabout", "Burger King R/A", "Sports R/A", "Arch R/A", & many others. The best advice we were given was to head for the sea whenever we get lost. The "Corniche" is a beautiful 7 km seafront that curves around the main part of Doha & is home to some of the world's most incredible office towers (photos in a later blog). From Al Corniche, it is a relatively easy matter to find the main road you were looking for half an hour earlier, & if you're in the right lane you stand a chance of getting home.