Qatar / February 2016



I have so much to say about last week: the trip itself, my sisters, leaving my kids, amazing-super-dad Devin, and the list goes on. Where do I start?

The biggest takeaway of the week was the gift of time. Having days to be with two sisters that I usually only get hours at a time with was by far the best part of it all. Days with a sister I usually see for a only few days a year meant no need to force or rush conversation because there was time for things to unfold naturally. Time to be ready to talk about something, time to ask the right questions. I loved talking with my sisters. I seriously can't remember ever talking so much in my life. I must have been starved for some sister time because I took full advantage of it.

Then there was Molly. Getting to travel with her and be with her for a week was so awesome and fun.

And Betsy, who has been living in the Gulf region for almost 7 years. That sort of distance makes relationships harder, for sure, so getting to be in her daily life for a week and get to know her kids on a deeper level was so valuable and fun.

The perfect weather: 75-80 degrees and sunny every day.

Experiencing a different culture: the sights, smells, food, and the people. Stuffing myself full of Turkish food with Betsy's small group. Eating Yemeni food on the floor in the souq next to a Syrian family. Walking down the paths of the souq with the smell of shisha and coffee floating through the air. Bargaining over shirts for kids and a shisha pipe for Devin. Traipsing through the downtown of a very non-walking friendly city to have specialty coffees at Illy. The crazy Doha traffic and watching Land Cruisers speed past driven by men in thobes or women clad in black from head to toe. I think the experience of being in a totally different culture is so valuable and fun (maybe a tad stressful at times).

Then the reality of leaving two small boys at home and adjusting to not spending my days meeting their needs. It was hard at times, entrusting that care and control to other people. There was the  constant tension of the excitement of being away and the sadness of missing the little people I love so much.

And Devin. That amazing guy I'm married to who made meals and did laundry and held our feverish boys in the middle of the night and cleaned puke off of the floor. He was my biggest encourager to take this trip, despite what it would mean for him. Though had he known the boys would get sick while I was gone he may have changed his mind. :)

And my sisters who weren't in Doha, who helped with my boys so Devin could at least work a few days. So thankful for them!

There was one low point of the trip... On our 14 hour flight home we shared a row with a very bad smelling man. Ask me the story sometime, I think Molly and I might actually be ready to laugh about it. :)

Overall, this trip was a gift that created such amazing, lasting memories. I'm so glad it all worked out to visit Betsy and help her while Ryan was out of town. To connect with my sisters and even to gain perspective on my own life by being removed from it. And finally, the pictures...





















13 comments:

Sara Huber said...

So great. I still kind of can't believe how amazing the Doha shots are from the plane. Wow!

Heather Hoerr said...

fun to read about your trip! so glad you got to visit Bets! It's really beautiful there.. I think I forget how nice it is! Hope the boys are feeling better... that is the hard part of going.

sarah.flyingkites said...

I loved how you wrote/documented your trip. Short and sweet yet so well put and detailed! I'm so glad you got to do this!

Linda said...

I have been waiting for this! Loved reading it and seeing your pictures! Doha is a feast for the senses and I'm reminded of this each time I get off the plane. Love that you had such a special time together! That last shot....do you know what that area is called?

Linda said...

That last picture is just unreal!!

sandra said...

Awesome! I had heard you and Molly were going there. What an amazing time I am sure to spend quality sister time!! Glad you got to do this.

Betsy said...

This was fun to wake up to. Your pic of The Pearl is fabulous! Great memories...

smw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
smw said...

Such a big, amazing trip! I'm so glad things went well and you are all back with your families again with lots of memories to cherish.

Shane and Stef Beer said...

Fun recap- I was excited to see the pics!

leah said...

What an awesome recap! Thanks for giving us such a good taste of your trip - looks absolutely amazing. So thankful this worked out for you to go, what a great opportunity.

...And I want to gag at the thought of your airplane ride home. You know how I am with smells ;) :P

Daveana said...

Your pictures look amazing! I'm so glad you got the opportunity to spend so much time with your sisters. I was just thinking tonight how nice it is to just hang out at home with my siblings and have relaxed conversations! Go Devin for surviving with sick kiddos. That is no fun! I selfishly wanted more pictures! I'm curious to see a picture of your henna.

Christen Leigh said...

Great recap!! So glad you posted--was checking last week in eager anticipation. Sounds like the perfect time with sisters--so glad you could go. :)