Here are a few more pictures from the boat races yesterday. Just to show what you can find in surprising places. This was obviously the podium to hold the cups or medals whatever they were. But how beautifully done, it looks just like smocking.

I walked around from the main viewing area and found another fellow photographer who had found a quiet spot by the tents set up for VIPs. Behind the tents were quite an assortment of items including these ornate chairs. I dont know where they were going to be, but they looked quite amazing glistening in the heat and sun - these very ornate chairs with gold and filligree on them.

Very close to the abandoned chairs, were all these carpets rolled up waiting for them to be used at the appointed time!

Also near to the lone photographer was this bit of graffiti on the wall that surrounds the corniche. I found another one the other day with pictures on it as well. I will add it another day, together with the beautiful flowers I discovered a little further on my walk.

Today I had my appointment, together with a number of other people from the company, to have my medical which is required by the Qatari government before we are given our identity card. A chest x-ray and blood test is required. It involves a dance of moving from chair to chair until it is your turn to pay, and then you have to navigate your way through with all the other women (men are in a separate area) as you get each procedure done. In all it only took about an hour or so, but it seemed very random. No taking of numbers - and some people went ahead of me who should have been behind and vice versa. There was a lady in charge who just nodded at you as you were supposed to do something and if you missed her nod - you had to wait until she nodded your way again. Then if an employee of someone important came in, they went to the head of the line. All in all, a very interesting exercise. As least we went early in the morning but there were still a lot of people to be processed. It just shows how many people are entering the country to work on a continual basis. The other woman from the company and I still beat the guys and we ended up having to wait for them, as usual in this country, there are a lot more men than women.