THESE flat, concrete roofs are cool considering the howling northerly wind at 50km/h that's going on right now. No flying roof tiles or any such threats. I actually feel safe.
We're currently in the midst of a dust storm since Friday. The weather report projects that the storm will last till Wednesday. While it's not uncommon to have dust storms here, I've never experienced a case of constant strong winds that last for days before in my life. Given the landscape, the wind brings with it tiny sand particles that layer as dust in our homes. No matter how shut you think your house is, the dust has a way to get in and line your panties (figuratively speaking that is!). The particles are that fine, as fine as how your best loose powder should be.
My cable TV has been gone since Saturday and the Internet is trippy. Outside, well, it's dusty, sandy and windy. Imagine standing next to a helicopter with its blades still running. Sometimes the wind is that intense. It makes perfect sense why the locals wear the all-covering robes that they do: the covers let the sands slide off them without getting onto the body. Sand in the eyes or nasal passage is like drowning in a pool of sand I imagine.
The first video from top was taken by me. I suck at it but you see the moving sands. The second clip was by a friend. A much better video. Notice the waves. It's like they're alive. They dance and twirl, and, fly and flip, and, hover and crawl, it's both magical and dangerous. In worst cases, a storm obstructs visibility, making driving difficult. Needless to say speeding on this condition can cause accidents. Too much sand on the driveway reduces grip.
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| (From left) Notice the thick layer of dust on the balcony sofa. The pool is a mess with sand at the bottom and floating debris. |
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| I washed this jar just yesterday. See the dust on it this morning. |
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| The temperature today on a pix taken during a calm, clear day. |
During a strong wind two weeks ago, my friend and I experienced a scary 'turbulence' while sitting in our immobile car in an empty, open parking lot at West Bay, Doha. I mean the car shook like it was being possessed. The trees outside were flailing crazy like they were going to come off the ground any time and drag us with them. I almost saw my life flash before me. We held hands and sat still till calm returned and the tall, date palms went back to looking normal.
"What the hell was that?"
"I don't know. Sure felt like an earthquake. Let's get out of here before the Tsunami".
We were by the bay after all.
Thinking back, I'm grateful that I'm inside this flat-roofed box of a house right now. I can deal with the threatening panty-lining dust later.
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| Young dates. I don't think I've ever seen fresh dates on a tree before coming here. |
I can't see the video Jaya but life in Doha sounds like an incredible experience, there's so much natural beauty around, it just sounds like an amazing place to live, just absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Matthew! i suck at these things but another video is up and hope you could see it now. many ppl don't like here at first...may take them a while or a long while or not at all but i guess, i can adept to it.
Deletethe only dates I ever see around here are the dried versions that don't look so great.
ReplyDeletethat's the only kind of dates i've seen before i came here, Adam.
DeleteWow, I guess people like me tend to forget that Doha is a desert. When I lived in Cape Town, we had similar problems with sand dust because of the very strong winds that would carry beach sand inland. Hope the storm comes to an end soon!
ReplyDeletehey Azra! today it's much calmer. windy but not as bad with the dust. if the desert sands dont travel with the wind, i think i'd be a perfect place for me :)
DeleteYuck, i think my ocd would have a fit with all that dust about
ReplyDeletehehe, Pat. i think so too :p
DeleteThanks for sharing....interesting
ReplyDeletehope the vids were helpful, Sheila.
DeleteI've never been in a sandstorm, and I think it would freak me out. Of course, some people would be appalled by the blizzards I experienced when I lived in Maryland and might prefer a sandstorm.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
you're right. what i'm experiencing here isn't half as bad as some thunderstorms or your blizzards, Janie.
Deletehope you're well and fine.
Yes, I am well. Thanks.
DeleteLine my panties? What do you know about my panties? You knowing about them somehow sounds more scary than that sandstorm, Jaya J. But now that I've got a picture of your finger, I'll zoom in on it with my special blue spyglass and find out everything about you that I need to know. I mean that in a non-James-Bond kind of way and more in a let's-read-your-hand (finger) kind of way. So let's see... you hate dust... you love sunny days (without too much dust).... and you suck at making videos. Pardon my Swedish, but I'm just quoting the finger. ;)
ReplyDeleteA few more days to go.
oh Blue, i don't want to know about your panties! i'd be more than happy to show you my full palm so you could read everything about me.
Delete:)
not so bad today. its windy but maybe st 30km/h or less. when it's wind from the south, then we know that it's peak of summer. eeks. 52deg :)
52 degrees... I assume centigrade... That's like living in an oven. I hope there's plenty of water for you to dive into.
DeleteI've only seen sand move like that on the beach. I never witnessed a dust storm whenI was in Saudi Arabia - must have been the wrong time of year? Sounds miserable.
ReplyDeletehello! hope you are well.
Deleteyeah, you're right. probably it was a different season. it's not fun of course but i feel it's much better than thunderstorms ?
where i come from, the thunderstorms can be really bad. i don't miss it.
The only thing I could see on the videos were patches of discolouration in the sky that came and went. How did you protect your eyes? Sunglasses?
ReplyDeleteoh really, GB? i'm sorry i don't know why you see that.
Deletei suppose we don't really think of eye protection because we are not outdoors during these times but yes, sunglasses.
some cover their faces with a thin cloth. i just pity those who have to work outdoors like the labourers but during summer peak and bad weather times, they are not allowed out to work.
Try these: CLICK.
Deletehehe. trust you Blue man.
DeleteHow's life, Jaya J? Much less windy I hope.
DeleteJaya. Me no like. I would be afraid to breathe in such a situation and would have to don one of those masks like Michael Jackson used to wear or people who are afraid of germs. And sand. I'd always have my big sunglasses on anyway but I'd look kind of ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI think it's best to stay in and read. :)
hehe. i know right, Juliette! it's no fun of course. my sinusitis gets triggered easily in such conditions. i love sunnies :) here, you wear em all the time when you're outdoors. it's too bright outside.
ReplyDeleteyeah. in and read :)
I'll trade you. We almost had a tornado in the city this week.
ReplyDeleteJaya, how come Damien's bad luck is always worse than ours? Do you have a theory? I mean, I turned him into a superhero (CLICK) and he calls himself the Incredible Sulk.
DeleteKnock knock...
ReplyDelete