As you will have gathered from the last post, Qatar has a very healthy bureaurocracy. Another example lately has been the process of getting residents visas for Leo and Robbie. There is an extensive process involving family sponsorship (in our case from Ian), a medical check (chest x-ray in herd-like conditions) and blood tests to check for HIV, hepatitis etc. You have to get your blood type analysed and registered with the authorities also. The final hurdle is to get your criminal past investigated and to go to the CID to be fingerprinted. Luckily most firms that employ expatriates have one or two people on their staff called "Mandoubs" to act as an intermediary between the organisation and its employees and families and the various government departments that need information.
Not so long ago it was the boy's turn. We met Abdul Raziz, one of Worley Parson's Mandoubs there. We were taken into the VIP lounge to wait. All government departments have a system of numbered tokens and an electronic screen that flashes up your number when it is your turn. The boys' numbers flashed up one by one and they went up to the staff at the front.
"Will they find out about me smoking at Ohope Beach School?" asked Robbie.
I couldn't resist sneaking out my camera and taking a shot of the procedure, much to Abdul Raziz's alarm. The police here can be very severe if roused, but luckily didn't notice. The boys (as I did previously) had a full set of full-length electronic finger prints taken from each finger as well as full palm prints.
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