Finally made it to Nepal. Doha was amazing-very unique for sure. Arab style progressive architecture and cultures blending beautifully throughout the experience. I met a sweet nepali couple fleeing the earthquake and a really funny young Muslim couple from the Doha area as we were grouped to ride shuttles across Doha for our 14 hour lay over.  

  prayers were answered about luggage at the airport, a young man next to me saw me struggling with my bag and he immediately began to help. Turns out he studied engineering at la tech for his masters and was flying home to check on his family. So goal #1 of surviving airport accomplished.