Dragon's Den & Black Camels

We are currently experiencing one of our first staycations since we moved to Qatar.  It was the result of a little bit of procrastination and poor planning (apparently plane tickets to any of the Stans, Denmark, or Malta get really expensive when you try to purchase the day before the flight.  Go figure).  I was kicking myself that our entire family had over a week of vacation time and we were left on the burning Qatar island (yes, I know that Qatar is not an island, but for people who can't freely enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it might as well be one).  

It turns out that Axel's obsession with Google Earth comes in really handy when you are desperate for an afternoon activity.  We piled the kids in the car and headed towards the desert again.  We had little direction or sense (common and geographical), but with Axel's Arabic and a few bottles of water, we were good to go.  While asking for directions, we met a desert man who was helpful and authentic.  After asking Axel if he was Syrian or Lebanese (because my husband looks SO not caucasian) he was delighted know where we came from and then mentioned we were the very first Americans he had ever met. True story.      

                                   

Before we actually arrived at the dragon's den we saw camels in the distance.  BLACK camels, which were specifically genetically engineered in Qatar, which can be referred to in the Quran.  I must admit, these guys were pretty awesome with their black fur and all.  The keeper of the camels took us closer so we could interact with these marvelous, and smelly, creatures.  

Axel also sniffed out this little terrestrial gecko while driving through.  Of course he did.  

We finally made it to the dragon's den.  Asa was apprehensive because surely only nasty, gnarly creatures live in a sunken hole in the earth.  After much force kind encouragement, he held my hand and took the plunge.  All of the kids did.  Heavah and Xavier were not at all scared of the unknown beneath, which just proves that the oldest ones were raised to kick ass and the youngest? Well, Asa would gladly cagefight a human, but mythical creatures with fiery breath are not really this thing.

The dragon's den (sunken hole) went deep into the earth and there was plenty of Arabic and Hindi writing to keep yourself entertained on the way down.  In fact, the entire descending walk is rewarded with large graffiti at the end that reads: I heart India.  Great to know, so do I.

Climbing back up.

The entire trip was completely worth it because:

 a) It was a free and entertaining day drawn out by slaughtering dragons, physical exercise with both inclining and declining movements and cooler temperatures below.

b) Dangerous driving with children atop a van can bring attention, even if it is just by a heard of goats.

c) Who the hell knew camels were black?

Archeological site of a police station.  Dated WAY far back to the 1970s.  Not really, but the heat could definitely do this to a building within 5 to 10 years, just drive throughout Doha.  Case and point.

Although a week ago I would never admit it, staycation Qatar has been really, really fun.  I don't feel I must do it again any time soon, but the memories will be awesome.  After a week like this one, I heart Qatar.