Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Beau-Derrick Livingston, from Myrtle Beach, S.C., rides a...... read more read more
By Dustin Senger
Area Support Group Qatar Public Affairs
AL KHOR, Qatar – Qatar Army Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah, armed forces chief of staff, completed a three-day outing for U.S. service members at his beach home in Al Khor, Qatar, Feb. 10. Over 700 visitors benefited from the top Qatari general's generosity, which included several seaside activities along the warm Gulf waters – three days of entertainment with an Arabic twist.
"It was amazing hospitality to experience while deployed," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ieaka Jones, from Cartersville, Ga. "I feel honored to come out here and see how Qataris enjoy themselves. This is a beautiful country."
Jones enjoyed jumping a few waves on the general's powerful watercrafts – one of the day's most popular offerings. Other venues included: rides on all-terrain vehicles and one of five Arabian camels; holding one of eight valuable falcons and watching lure training demonstrations; petting an incredibly friendly cheetah; swimming or sunbathing along the beach; deep sea fishing; smoking flavored tobaccos in Shisha pipes; and traditional refreshments.
"I was nervous to pet the cheetah at first," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jeff Ledoux, from Mountain Home, Idaho, "but as you get closer to it... it's not that scary. It reminds me of my yellow lab back home. This is a memorable experience that I recommend for anyone given the chance."
"It feels like we are appreciated by the Qataris," said U.S. Army Sgt. Jon Camacho, from Fairfield, Calif., enjoying a four-day respite from duties in Iraq by participating in the U.S. Central Command rest and recuperation pass program at a U.S. military installation in Qatar. "My favorite is the cheetah – it's definitely something you don't see every day! I've never met anyone who has a cheetah in their house." Later in the evening, Camacho rode his first watercraft and said "the speed and power is awesome – unbelievable!"
"The Qataris expect the same things in life," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Beau-Derrick Livingston, from Myrtle Beach, S.C. "They are courteous to us, as we are to them. My family and I are looking at vacation packages to visit Qatar together sometime."
Each day ended with an evening feast inside a massive Arabic tent. Food servers dished up various Gulf country cuisines, such as: salads, rice, hummus, fish, barbeque chicken and beef, lamb and arguably the most adventurous food for many in attendance: camel meat.
"Camel is really good!" said U.S. Army Spc. Richard Dyer, from Hillsboro, N.H., enjoying a four-day R&R pass in Qatar that allowed a break from the daily grind of duty in Iraq. "It's probably something I'll never get to try again. This is a great cultural experience."
"When it comes down to it, we take pleasure in many of the same types of things the Qataris enjoy," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Wolfgang, from Youngstown, Ohio. "They're not much different than us."
"The Qatari general enjoys hosting the U.S. military at his beach home," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scott S. Naelitz, from Cartersville, Ga. "He said he looks forward to future opportunities, to further strengthen relationships between the two nations' armed forces."
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2009 01:14 |
| Story ID: | 29913 |
| Location: | AL KOHR, QA |
| Web Views: | 935 |
| Downloads: | 549 |
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