It is common practice in Doha to dig a trench across a street, even a freshly-laid street, and fill the trench almost to the top with dirt. This results in what can best be described as an inverted speed hump. Hitting one of these trenches at speed will do interesting things to you, both physically and mentally. It's a good test of your spiritual walk. I like to have a Methodist along with me when that happens, so he can cuss for me.
While trying to make my way to someone's house downtown one night, I took a wrong turn and ended up on a side street. There, lurking just below the headlights, was a trench--left there, no doubt, by some al-Qaeda wannabes who were hoping that a hapless American infidel would hit it. I hit it. The Jeep promptly died, and wouldn't start again. I pushed, Danna tried to start it. Danna pushed, I tried to start it. The only result was that we were both dripping with sweat. So, we got up enough momentum to pop it up onto the curb, right next to a stone wall, where it would hopefully be out of the road enough to avoid getting smashed. We then called Russell, who rescued us. Supper at A&W, topped off with a root beer float, helped us put things into perspective.
The next day, I called Abdullah at the American Automotive Center, and he gave me the number of a wrecker service, or more accurately a guy with a beat-up old Nissan Patrol and flatbed trailer. I called, met Jobi at the AAC, found the Jeep where we had left it, and trailered it back to the shop. Cost me all of 40QR (about $12.50) for Jobi's services...too bad the repairs were not as cheap. Turns out the fuel pump had shorted out, and burned up a wire or two and a few fuses. It took them a couple of days, but they got it fixed. Now the fuel gauge doesn't work. Proof positive that, yes, this is a genuine Jeep. Maybe one of these days it will be dune-ready....
Posted by jon at September 4, 2004 06:50 AM