MB Meets World

Henry is the research guy in our family. When we went on family vacations over the years, I was in charge of getting kids packed, house cleaned, dogs boarded. Henry was in charge of big planning efforts: figuring out planes, hotels, rental cars and tourist attractions; all things a researcher loved and, more importantly, he was good at it! As the kids got older, they contributed to the planning of activities and attractions, particularly Charlotte, who really likes to have that sussed out in advance. Charlie’s method is to identify one thing in advance that you absolutely MUST see, a few things that sound fun but you won’t feel horrible if they don’t make the cut, and leave some time for spontaneity. The schedule is planned according to the weather once the trip has started.

I gave some thought to what kind of traveler I wanted to be on this trip.  My first goal is to see and experience new things.  And, I also want to contemplate, meditate and grieve.  I don’t want to feel like I am wasting precious time, but neither do I want to be a traveler who rises at 6 a.m. and sight-sees till midnight.  Some relaxation, please! 

I decided to give myself some focus, but not to over plan. I will do three things in every country: 1. Visit an art museum (now expanded to “seek out beauty, both human-made and natural”); 2. Eat a really wonderful meal (now expanded to “eat many wonderful foods”); and 3. Note things about the country — processes, structures, rituals— that are different to me as a white, cis, heterosexual, politically-liberal, middle-aged woman from the USA. I am not here to judge, or make political statements, or to change my host countries. I want to observe, learn, and consider.

It is with this framework that I summarize my time in Qatar.