Granted, I’ve only been in my hotel and the airport here in Doha, but here are some of the differences that stick out. Just like in Sana’a, the people here in Doha are friendly. The difference is that they are friendly and efficient here. They do their jobs without prompting, it’s really nice. A related point is that things here don’t just look clean, they are actually clean. Everything in Sana’a is either dusty and/or loaded with bacteria. I’ve heard that the Movenpick in Sana’a is clean… for Sana’a. People who stay there tell me that it still isn’t actually clean, but they do very well by Sana’a standards.
The most amazing thing here in Doha is the humidity. There is actual moisture in the air! My skin, eyes, mouth, lungs, and nose are absorbing every water molecule they can. I may have put on 3 pounds just breathing!:-) Seriously, it’s really nice not waking up desiccated. Don’t get me wrong, I think I would much rather have Sana’a’s weather overall, but sitting in this air conditioned hotel room feels sooo good right now…