What is this wet stuff?

WE. GOT. RAIN. TODAY!!!!

I was watching HIMYM today when I saw a lightning flash.  Naturally, it was raining in the scene, too, so I thought that was all I had seen.  It took a few more lightning bolts and light rumbles of thunder to realize that a storm was in fact moving through Doha!! There was nothing on the radar or anywhere in the forecast to suggest that rain would be coming, so no one was expecting it.  I immediately jumped out of my chair and ran outside to make sure I wasn't dreaming!  My smile brought on by the impending rain quickly turned to a gasp when I realized it wasn't actually a thunderstorm that was coming...it was a sandstorm! All of us  expats outside quickly ran inside or under our breezeways to avoid the sand. It was such a cool sight to see it coming up toward the compound, but I didn't think to bring my camera out.  Thankfully after the sand was gone we did actually get rain, and it rained for almost an hour! I jumped around in it, as did the other kids, relishing in the cooler temperatures and much needed moisture.

The Qataris, however, had a different idea of what to do in the rain. Enjoy:

This whole weekend has honestly been fantastic :)  Thursday we went to the Grand Mosque with Qatar Foundation.  We had the incredible opportunity to walk around inside and take pictures of the absolutely beautiful house of worship.  It was a nice surprise to see my friend Kyla there, since it had been a couple of weeks.  We took pictures modeling the abayas they gave us (mine was bedazzled in pink rhinestones and gold trim) and the hijabs we brought so as to show reverence for Islam. I had an Indonesian friend do my hijab for me at school since I had no idea what I was doing, and you would have thought the world was ending.  Everyone just stared at me. I had to announce that I was going to the Grand Mosque so they asked us to wear a hijab. Out of everything that I have worn here, that got me the strangest looks...go figure. 

Inside the Grand Mosque

Grand Mosque minaret

The study abroad kids booked flights to Dubai for next weekend...can't wait! It took forever to actually get my ticket booked since flydubai is epically awful online, but everything is taken care of now :)  Who knows what awaits us there...dolphins? skiing? marriage proposal from a prince? Okay, so that last one is out there, but hey, a girl can dream ;)