December 18 is Qatar National Day, much like the 4th of July in the USA. At Qatar Leadership Academy we celebrate the end of our term and National Day with a promotion ceremony for our cadets and a outdoor luncheon for faculty on the parade ground. When I got to the spot of the festivities I saw three camels, one falcon and an outdoor tent set up with traditional Qatari food.
Of course as the school's principal I was cajoled into riding the camel much like having to sit in the dunk tank at a school picnic. I think that certain amount of self-deprecation is needed as a high school principal. Something about seeing your boss in funny situations is good fun. Fortunately I like having fun and I leaped at the chance to ride a camel. I had ridden horses, but a camel was brand new.
Meanwhile my wife and children had a blast dressing up in the national dress. Charlotte and Angie went to the Souk and had custom Abayas made and the same tailor designed Piper's special dress. Finn was given his Thobe by one of my teachers who invited him and me to a lunch and trip to his farm.
People ask me, how are you enjoying it? They wonder if the place is good for my kids, is it safe, how are the people? I want to be perfectly clear. This is one of the best decisions that our family has ever made. The kids are settling into school really well. You need to remember that they were homeschooled their entire life. This is the first time any of them has attended school. Academically they are doing great, socially they are learning all the things that school brings.
I think we enjoy it so much because of our ability to have an open mind about other people's culture. We take the time to build relationships with our Arab neighbors, and coworkers. We have found them welcoming and very gracious. At the end of three months we have no complaints. We take the new situations that cause frustrations in stride. Thursday we head to Italy for Christmas Break, so all in all not a bad life to lead.
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