Paragliding in Qatar

One way to avoid traffic jams in Doha 

Doha surprises. Every day. Some days... how shall I say this, the surprises are not entirely desired: cockroaches in the dishwasher; roads closing overnight; ‘protocol’ so flexible it could be a professional contortionist. 

Other days the surprises are on the other end of the scale  - these are the moments that keep us here. When I keep these moments in focus, I find that I am living in Qatar not ‘in spite of it all’, but rather ‘because of it all’. 

The month of October has more surprises than usual. It’s easy to forget that half of the world is currently steeped in the chill rains of autumn, while here in Doha it feels more like spring. Well, sort of, as much as a desert can feel like spring. Flowers are planted in traffic circles. Festivals come to town. Energy and desire are revived. 

This morning doing the school run, I spotted three paragliders floating near Al Waab Street. I’ve never before seen any in Qatar - for the obvious reason that high precipices are usually required for flight. Doha is completely flat. Did they jump from the Aspire Tower? Were they dropped by helicopter? Who knows? But it was a picture perfect surprise. For a moment I focused on the sky, rather than on the traffic jam on the ground below.