Hear I go again. Talking about the weather. Well since it is the most easiest to write on, to deabate, to quarrel over... . I AM turning into a weather reporter from Doha ;-)
Today morning started off with the 'beginnings of Summer' kind of weather which is going on for 10 days or so. Here in the desert, summer beginning means 30 deg inside the house sans AC. Outside it is 39 deg but feels 39 + 3or4 because of the added humidity. India this year, has been hitting the highs of the temperature chart and breaking records in the process. Relatively, spring has spread her umbrella longer than usual protecting against the harshness of the coming season.
Coming to the surprising element, there has been rain for 51/2 months here. Well ,(There are no wells here, dug ones) there is obviously no monsoon in Doha. It has surprised everyone here that it is raining a few days every month since december. There are clouds in the sky for days together. Sometimes I had this nostalgic feeling of being in Bangalore with these sudden showers, cool breeze and generally cloudy sky.
Today's thunder, lightening and the sudden darkness with the sharp showers again cleaned the fine desert dust on my windows. What is happening ? These days most of the answers are in two words whether people understand it or not. Global Warming. In Qatar though, it is not warming for sure. It is raining !
Showing posts with label At Present. Show all posts
Showing posts with label At Present. Show all posts
May 16, 2010
February 09, 2010
cold, colder, coldest
Today is cold. As we Doha'iites thought that this winter has gone into history, wind blows across chilling the city. Inside the house, it shows a not so impressive 20 deg when, pictures of life at a virtual standstill in many parts of the world especially the U.S are flashed on the tv.
A snow remover(whats the actual word ?)is partially being shown(is the cameraman shooting from inside this contraption?) behind which the whiteness of the Capitol Hill blends in with the accompanying scenery.
In Kashmir, India; snow piled 6m high on an army base camp causing death.
In the face of all this heavy precipitation, a middle east winter is not actually winter.But here I am with sweater & socks, feet tucked in a siddhasana position, typing with exposed, cold wrinkled,nervous hands.Why is it that some feel so cold at so little dip in temp.
I would wonder at the actresses with their bare bodies sitting through award nights as award ceremonies are usually held in the winter in India & elsewhere. Last winter, Bipasha Basu made an entry into Doha in January and walked about in bare back, leg exposed outfits. Are these damsels more thick skinned than me? May not be but they sure are hotter :)
A snow remover(whats the actual word ?)is partially being shown(is the cameraman shooting from inside this contraption?) behind which the whiteness of the Capitol Hill blends in with the accompanying scenery.
In Kashmir, India; snow piled 6m high on an army base camp causing death.
In the face of all this heavy precipitation, a middle east winter is not actually winter.But here I am with sweater & socks, feet tucked in a siddhasana position, typing with exposed, cold wrinkled,nervous hands.Why is it that some feel so cold at so little dip in temp.
I would wonder at the actresses with their bare bodies sitting through award nights as award ceremonies are usually held in the winter in India & elsewhere. Last winter, Bipasha Basu made an entry into Doha in January and walked about in bare back, leg exposed outfits. Are these damsels more thick skinned than me? May not be but they sure are hotter :)
January 12, 2010
silence
Today I woke up at my usual 4.10 (weekdays). The temperate cold these days is enjoyable. It is dark for an hour more and so combined with the darkness, I just sat and absorbed the silence. A few years ago,as a new resident in Doha, the silence here was frightening and even claustrophobic. But now I value this.
Sounds and Noise has become part of our lives that we forget what silence is. This is one 'sense' that we can't cut off voluntarily. Plugging our ears hardly shuts off the sounds. So, we are exposed to them all the time. I am not aware of the efficiency of today's soundproof windows etc.
Yesterday I listened to a Swamiji's New Year talk on the 'Faculty of Silence'. This sure has made me more aware of the silence. I have to question 'what when I am always in a noisy place ?' Maybe I will have to search for the silence or quietude in noise. And make it mine.
Sounds and Noise has become part of our lives that we forget what silence is. This is one 'sense' that we can't cut off voluntarily. Plugging our ears hardly shuts off the sounds. So, we are exposed to them all the time. I am not aware of the efficiency of today's soundproof windows etc.
Yesterday I listened to a Swamiji's New Year talk on the 'Faculty of Silence'. This sure has made me more aware of the silence. I have to question 'what when I am always in a noisy place ?' Maybe I will have to search for the silence or quietude in noise. And make it mine.
June 22, 2008
haze
Today the haze has settled down, here in Doha and I could feel the full force of the summer sun once again. Till yesterday, the blue sky over Doha which I had adored and which enchanted me from the moment I landed here, had become invisible. A dusty screen, miles long was the culprit. This dusty atmosphere has become a frequent phenomenon of late.
Even last year the desert wind would blow creating a temperory haze which would settle as instantly. So, what has changed now ?
The met office says that scanty i.e practically nil rain is resposible for this. Maybe ! I strongly feel that this is due to the gigantic scale and pace in which this sleepy country is turning into one of the most happening places in this part of the world. This was mentioned in the papers too & they have used the term 'urbanisation'. So, you can imagine what is exactly taking place here.
Even last year the desert wind would blow creating a temperory haze which would settle as instantly. So, what has changed now ?
The met office says that scanty i.e practically nil rain is resposible for this. Maybe ! I strongly feel that this is due to the gigantic scale and pace in which this sleepy country is turning into one of the most happening places in this part of the world. This was mentioned in the papers too & they have used the term 'urbanisation'. So, you can imagine what is exactly taking place here.
May 30, 2008
45 - 50 degrees
Very little separates Spring & Summer in Doha. As the warmth increases after winter, it is pleasant for a few days. The lingering memory of the cold blends with the slightly warm sunshine. The petunias, marigolds and the other flowers that line the roads, thrive in this combination and the drive through the traffic becomes an enjoyable experience. The colour soothes.
Then suddenly we are taken by surprise at the strength of the desert sun. He bears down hard. Summer makes a hot entry. The flowers start to wilt and so do we. The sun is up at 4.30 and by 6.30 in the morn, it is like noon. The air conditioner softens the harsh effect. If you have to move about in the sun , then it is like being being in a sauna.
Teaching in these conditions is tough. The air conditioner is not strong enough for a motley class. Concentrating becomes tougher for the teacher as well as the students, in the afternoon. I too wait for the 1.30 bell.
Now, it is not the end. There is still the bus ride in the midst of high pitched crowd of about 50 children. They are now full of energy & talking non-stop. Sweat streams from their faces but it does not make them uncomfortable. I frown at the trickle running down my spine. The baked bus cannot be cooled enough for our comfort and so, the children put down the windows. A slight breeze now blows and it forms a refreshing cloak around me. But soon, it turns into hot air. I feel I am in a suffocating sauna. Luckily, I am one of the first to get off and I run to the comfort of home.
Then suddenly we are taken by surprise at the strength of the desert sun. He bears down hard. Summer makes a hot entry. The flowers start to wilt and so do we. The sun is up at 4.30 and by 6.30 in the morn, it is like noon. The air conditioner softens the harsh effect. If you have to move about in the sun , then it is like being being in a sauna.
Teaching in these conditions is tough. The air conditioner is not strong enough for a motley class. Concentrating becomes tougher for the teacher as well as the students, in the afternoon. I too wait for the 1.30 bell.
Now, it is not the end. There is still the bus ride in the midst of high pitched crowd of about 50 children. They are now full of energy & talking non-stop. Sweat streams from their faces but it does not make them uncomfortable. I frown at the trickle running down my spine. The baked bus cannot be cooled enough for our comfort and so, the children put down the windows. A slight breeze now blows and it forms a refreshing cloak around me. But soon, it turns into hot air. I feel I am in a suffocating sauna. Luckily, I am one of the first to get off and I run to the comfort of home.
April 22, 2008
Journeying through life, imagine you are at a traffic signal which has just turned red. You are sure it is not going to change for quite some time. you are waiting and waiting...
Do you sometimes switch off the engine or keep it running.
If you are in the middle lane. Then what ? when the light turns green, where will you be ? To the left , everyone will zip past. And to the right, they will go slowly but surely to their next stop. But where will your lane go ? Or where will you go ?
I feel I am in life's middle lane. As in age, direction and destination. Hence, the title to this blog.
Do you sometimes switch off the engine or keep it running.
If you are in the middle lane. Then what ? when the light turns green, where will you be ? To the left , everyone will zip past. And to the right, they will go slowly but surely to their next stop. But where will your lane go ? Or where will you go ?
I feel I am in life's middle lane. As in age, direction and destination. Hence, the title to this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
