Qatar Foundation (QF) and Texas A&M University arranged for some people who work for QF to go to the horse races. There were only a small number of tickets available (they were free), and some how we were able to get some. They also provided buses for those who wanted to take the bus. Steve decided that would be best for us. But of course something would happen. We got on the bus at the designated place and waited. Nothing ever happens on time here, except church, but we're expats. We saw a family that we know. I watch their daughter after school during the week and she and Elliott are good friends. The bus we were on was full and so they got on another bus. Steve suggested that we get off the bus and join them so that Elliott would enjoy the ride with some one to talk to. But we didn't. And we should have because as it goes, no Doha adventure is complete without something going wrong. Yesterday was no different. Our bus driver didn't know where we were going.
The event was held at the Equestrian Club. I knew where this was as I've driven past it a number of times on my way to other places. It's a huge compound like area with a number of large beautiful buildings and a race track. There are large letters on the building closest to the street that say "Equestrian Federation." I knew this was were we were supposed to go. But the driver took us to Al Shaqab, which is on Education City campus. (Steve went there to tour it a few weeks ago for work. He wrote about it here.) It is a horse raising facility. Al Shaqab, though it does have a race track, is not the Equestrian Club, and it was obvious that there was not an event there. There were no cars in the parking lot, nothing was being set up in the area. There were no people. And besides, why would there be a special bus service for something that is on Education City campus? Oddly enough, the guards who let us in didn't seem to know the difference either.
We tried to tell the driver where we were supposed to go, but he didn't seem to think that we knew what we were talking about. Steve even brought it up on a map on his phone, but that didn't convince the guy either. so he drove us around the complex again and the guard tried to tell us again where to go in the complex, which wasn't right either. Finally the driver parked the bus near the administration office and asked someone, but by that time someone on the bus had called another person on the second bus to ask her where the event was supposed to be. They were already there even though we left before them. She went and told the driver where we were supposed to, which was were Steve's map showed it to be. When we got there, the driver of course didn't know where to go, so he just stopped the bus at the nearest building. And...wait for it... it wasn't the right place in the complex. The event was actually at the opposite end of the rather large complex. A number of us got out and walked around to find out where we were supposed to go. And after finding out, we started to walk, but a two people drove up and offered us a ride. Actually it was a Qatari man (who helped organize the event) and a women and her 7 year old son. Her husband was in a car behind them to help pick up people. This Qatari had a nice car. I think yesterday was the first time I've even ridden in a BMW. I was surprised that he was the one to pick us up. Not because Qataris aren't kind, but because he was in the car with another woman that wasn't his wife (I don't know if he's married or not). I know it depends on the guy as to whether he'll be in a car with a woman that's not his wife. I was just surprised.
To look on the bright side, we arrived just as the ponies were being brought in for the kids to ride. Elliott loved riding the ponies. The event was from 3:30 until 7. We, of course, didnt' get there until about 4. But all throughout the time we were there, Elliott kept asking to ride the ponies. So Steve and I took turns going to take him to ride a pony. And when the ride was done, he didn't want to get off. "But I'm not done riding," he'd say. Amelia wanted nothing to do with sitting on a pony, but we took a picture with her and me and a pony.
Here is Elliott watching the horses race.
Each ticket had detachable stubs for popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream. The ticket itself also got us a boxed dinner. And all of this was free for us. Elliott got his first taste of cotton candy and of course loved it. Steve even let him have two cups of ice cream as Amelia didn't need any. That boy was so happy. He even asked for popcorn before we left, which of course he didnt' eat because he never eats popcorn. But Amelia enjoyed feeding me the popcorn as we waited for the bus.
Amelia was content to watch and walk along the railing in front of our front row seats. On the way home on the bus, she sat on my lap and lead up against me and clapped her hands the whole way.
There were boxes to place bets in, but no money was exchanged. The race was funded by an Al Thani, someone from the ruling family. The last race was the big race. The winner got QR 500,000. (QR stands for Qatari Riyals) That's $137,340! I'm glad we got to go. It was my first horse race, and it was neat to see how fast the horses ran. When they were at the opposite side of the track, it looked as if they were gliding on wheels, rather than running.
So here's to another Doha adventure.
The event was held at the Equestrian Club. I knew where this was as I've driven past it a number of times on my way to other places. It's a huge compound like area with a number of large beautiful buildings and a race track. There are large letters on the building closest to the street that say "Equestrian Federation." I knew this was were we were supposed to go. But the driver took us to Al Shaqab, which is on Education City campus. (Steve went there to tour it a few weeks ago for work. He wrote about it here.) It is a horse raising facility. Al Shaqab, though it does have a race track, is not the Equestrian Club, and it was obvious that there was not an event there. There were no cars in the parking lot, nothing was being set up in the area. There were no people. And besides, why would there be a special bus service for something that is on Education City campus? Oddly enough, the guards who let us in didn't seem to know the difference either.
We tried to tell the driver where we were supposed to go, but he didn't seem to think that we knew what we were talking about. Steve even brought it up on a map on his phone, but that didn't convince the guy either. so he drove us around the complex again and the guard tried to tell us again where to go in the complex, which wasn't right either. Finally the driver parked the bus near the administration office and asked someone, but by that time someone on the bus had called another person on the second bus to ask her where the event was supposed to be. They were already there even though we left before them. She went and told the driver where we were supposed to, which was were Steve's map showed it to be. When we got there, the driver of course didn't know where to go, so he just stopped the bus at the nearest building. And...wait for it... it wasn't the right place in the complex. The event was actually at the opposite end of the rather large complex. A number of us got out and walked around to find out where we were supposed to go. And after finding out, we started to walk, but a two people drove up and offered us a ride. Actually it was a Qatari man (who helped organize the event) and a women and her 7 year old son. Her husband was in a car behind them to help pick up people. This Qatari had a nice car. I think yesterday was the first time I've even ridden in a BMW. I was surprised that he was the one to pick us up. Not because Qataris aren't kind, but because he was in the car with another woman that wasn't his wife (I don't know if he's married or not). I know it depends on the guy as to whether he'll be in a car with a woman that's not his wife. I was just surprised.
Here is Elliott watching the horses race.
Each ticket had detachable stubs for popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream. The ticket itself also got us a boxed dinner. And all of this was free for us. Elliott got his first taste of cotton candy and of course loved it. Steve even let him have two cups of ice cream as Amelia didn't need any. That boy was so happy. He even asked for popcorn before we left, which of course he didnt' eat because he never eats popcorn. But Amelia enjoyed feeding me the popcorn as we waited for the bus.
Amelia was content to watch and walk along the railing in front of our front row seats. On the way home on the bus, she sat on my lap and lead up against me and clapped her hands the whole way.
There were boxes to place bets in, but no money was exchanged. The race was funded by an Al Thani, someone from the ruling family. The last race was the big race. The winner got QR 500,000. (QR stands for Qatari Riyals) That's $137,340! I'm glad we got to go. It was my first horse race, and it was neat to see how fast the horses ran. When they were at the opposite side of the track, it looked as if they were gliding on wheels, rather than running.
So here's to another Doha adventure.
4 comments:
I was hoping that you would have some pictures! I really want to come and play with you guys! You are having such fun adventures. Thanks for the post.
Sounds incredible! I can just imagine how excited the kids would be.
Oh, and Yea!! for Amelia!
Sounds awesome!
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