I've discovered I have allowed myself to get criminally spoiled by the safe environment here... to the extent that I now take safety for granted and have become less vigilant even outside Qatar.
Not long ago during my vacation back home, I was in a bus and I spotted a friend at the far end... and I quite carelessly left my purse on the seat and walked all the way up to say hi... It was a small miracle that I actually found the purse and all its contents where I had left it, but then I guess the bus was not full enough to encourage any aspiring thief... anyway the stupidity of what I'd done hit me only after I came back to my seat.
Walking home alone after midnight is another example, I would never THINK of being afraid in Doha, but in my country being aware of danger is a healthy habit - one that I have to acquire again every time I go on leave.
I've discovered I have allowed myself to get criminally spoiled by the safe environment here... to the extent that I now take safety for granted and have become less vigilant even outside Qatar.
Not long ago during my vacation back home, I was in a bus and I spotted a friend at the far end... and I quite carelessly left my purse on the seat and walked all the way up to say hi... It was a small miracle that I actually found the purse and all its contents where I had left it, but then I guess the bus was not full enough to encourage any aspiring thief... anyway the stupidity of what I'd done hit me only after I came back to my seat.
Walking home alone after midnight is another example, I would never THINK of being afraid in Doha, but in my country being aware of danger is a healthy habit - one that I have to acquire again every time I go on leave.
=^..^=