THE DECCA LEGACY - Wootton Bridge Historical

CHAPTER 7
A DESERT TAXI DRIVE
(Ron Burr)
Whilst I was working for Plessey Services, I had occasion to visit Doha in Qatar on the Arabian Gulf. I
stayed at a Four Star hotel with comfortable accommodation and good food. As you know the purchase
and drinking of alcohol in public places is forbidden in Moslem States. At this hotel however, there was
a concession to foreign visitors. There was a room set aside on the fourth floor where between five and
six in the afternoon service of alcoholic drinks was permitted for Christians. A permit was required from
the management to gain entry. This was provided after producing a certification signed by ones’ local
Christian priest showing you were indeed of that faith.
During my stay at Doha, I had to go to Abu Dhabi for short business trip. I took a Gulf Air flight to get
there. When I had completed my business, I thought it might be fun to get back to Doha by taxi. There
was proper road back to Doha and taxis could be hired in the town. The distance was about 150 miles.
We set off at 2pm. But after15 minutes a sand storm blew up. Visibility quickly fell to about 20 feet. Not
only was there loose sand swirling about us, but also pieces of wood and empty tin cans. Our driver (who
must have been a distant relative of the Pakistani driver already described in the last section.) ploughed
on regardless. Our passage was punctuated by continual pleas from our brave driver to Allah to be
merciful. I murmured the Lords Prayer at regular intervals and promised to go to church more often and
not just at Christmas and Easter. I was terrified. I promised my self a stiff whisky if we arrived safely.
When we eventually arrived at my hotel it was five past six, and yes you are right, the bar was closed!
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