Old Fashion New Years Card Vintage Design by golden_oldies
greeting cards
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Happy New Year !

Booming Economy in Qatar

Mind boggling numbers

Dessert Truffle costs 2000 rial per kilo
and it takes only some hours to sell it here !

The density of the millionaires population in Qatar is the 5th highest in the world !

I love my bike - I have already told you about that .
Also I have told that it is not very popular thing here . The mean of transportation of some Indian laborers .

Will this ever change here ?
Some people belonging to some sport organization decided to do something about it ! They want to advertise bicycle riding around here .But they admit that it is not an easy mission at all !

Boys tend to refuse riding a bike - so how to make local girls to try it ?

I love my bike ceramic ornament

by almawad

sunny days by almawad
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PLACES IN QATAR

Messaid in December .23C -wonderful springlike weather at the sealine .


See more photos of Qatar Beaches !

Knifes Trick In Japanese Restaurant Sakura In Qatar - Click here for more amazing videos

How to make Sashimi ?

Japan 2009 by bishaphoto
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A great photo calendar made by a Canadian citizen living in Japan ! It is worth to check it out !

Japanese hors d'oeuvres by almawad
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We had this as hors d'oeuvres !

Going to Oshi Sushi restaurant at Eid proved to be a great choice !As it is a new place at the third floor of the Royal plaza we managed to avoid the crowds .Only four five families were having Eid lunch and it was really relaxing there !The music , the beautifully and simply set table , the bento , the sashimi , the miso , the Japanese curry ... all made me feel as I was in Japan ... it was a reaL ESCAPE .
We were using fork and spoon - but also we were trying to use the chopping sticks .The hot, wet towels were meant to clean our hands before and not after eating .I learnt that only later when I was reading more on the Japanese cuisine !
I had the first raw salmon of my life and I survived !

bento by almawad
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Hungary on Arabic speaking channels : the other day the while we were watching Al- Jazeera children channel -we saw a 15 minute documentary on Hungarian horse riding heritage . All the film was shot in Bugac puszta .I wish they were able to pronounce at least the name of this place ! ( not boo-ghak - but booghats ) Otherwise it was nice .
I do not watch a lots of TV . So I can not mention every occasion when Hungary or Hungarians are on TV around here . There was a documentary on Hungarian ethnic minority The Roma or Gypsy people some six years ago on Al-jazeera . It made me very upset . It spread such lies that " The Hungarians do not let the Roma kids go to school - that is why they needed a grammar School built just for them in Pecs "
The reality is that the Hungarian government , teachers etc beg the Gypsy parents that they send their kids to school . Then I heard such thing from villager Gypsy woman" The Hungarians do not allow me to get potable water - if I am lucky I can drink the water for animals " - and she was pushing the usual blue well - found all over the country in the streets - whose water is drinkable -and used by any villagers who do not have an access to tap water .

I just heard that nowadays on LB EU there is a competition of belly dancers and among a contestants there is a Hungarian girl . I was not surprised as belly dance became very popular form of exercise lately at home .

Arabic speaking Hungarian cartoon in Doha

The other day I went to Al- Sadd emergency with my kid . I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that in the waiting lounge kids can watch a cartoon . A Hungarian one .VUK
It's about a brave fox .It's about the life from the point of view of a wild animal .It teaches children to care about the nature , the wildlife .It criticizes human practices
threatening the flora and fauna .

Eid mubarak
by

Rainmountain

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* Measures 14" in diameter
* Quartz movement
* Aluminum body
* Glass face
* Runs on single "AA" battery (included)




NEW ITEMS IN MY BOSS COLLECTION

Funny and bold text design in brown . Just to show the world who the boss is !

MIND BOGGLING NUMBERS

SCHOOL FEES IN QATAR CAN BE AS HIGH AS 52 .000 RIAL PER YEAR
THE CHEAPEST SCHOOLS ARE AROUND 8000 RIAL PER YEAR
THE SCHOOL BUS COSTS US 120 % MORE THAN LAST YEAR !
QATAR GDP IS REACHING SOON 70 .000 PER PERSON PER YEAR

HUMOR DURING RAMADAN

One may think that there's no laugh during the fasting month here . But the truth is that the Arabic TV channels offer a wide selection of funny TV shows or plays just for this month . It reminds me our New Year's Eve TV shows .
The Qatar TV gives a funny serial made in Kuwait . One can learn a lot about the life of the Arabs nowadays .
The TV play was about marriage in the past and nowadays :
1. scene an oversized wife is having dinner alone - when her well -fed husband arrives it turns out that there's nothing left for him but a cup of tea " say Thanks God " the wife is yelling at her husband - who starts to dream about the " nice old days "
2. scene - the husband dream - he is coming home and a lovely wife is waiting for him offering a tray of delicious food . He is eating alone - it turns out the wife did not have dinner yet " You are my man - how could I eat before you had yourself enough "
-and the touched husband offers some food for his wife who is holding in one hand a flag shaped fan cooling her husband ( that was before the time of AC )

3 . scene of nowadays - the wife is in a boutique shouting at him - because the money she had got for Eid clothes shopping is not enough for her .Quite ashamed he goes to the bank to get more money

4.The wife is in bad mood and shouting at home without reason . The husband asks her to cool down .She gets more furious and wants to call the police - but then rather she calls her family . The husband is terrified " Oh no , all her tribe will come " .
She claims her husband beat her . All the family members came to threaten the husband included the Indian driver and maids and cooks . Nobody listens to him that he is innocent . Finally he is forced to buy a lots of jewels to his wife who " forgives him anyway " but moving home with their sons
5. scene - in the past the man has to go far to find job . The wife is very sad and every day is just talking about her husband while she is having coffee alone . When the husband arrives after two months- it turns out that for some reasons he could not bring any presents to anybody - but the wife is very happy just to see her much beloved husband and doe snot care about presents at all .

Did the life really has changed so much ?

paprika red
by

almawad

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BEST SELLING TIE OF THE MONTH

Plain tie in paprika red .For those who love the monochrome style .By the Zazzle tools also you can add some designs of your own .

Mid -September Memories

MId- September is the time of harvest festivals all around Hungary .Grapes and paprika harvests are the most popular ones .My mum was last week at her village where she tasted the results of "tripes cooking " competition . Tripes stew in paprika sauce is a popular dish made for great occasions . Paprika harvest is a busy time in South Hungary -all who is able are on the lands to pick the peppers before the chill of nights would destroy the savor .  For the paprika fans : in Qatar you will not find any kind of Hungarian paprika .French paprika is sold instead. They might think that anything from Western Europe is better than from Central Europe .There's a total ignorance here on this spice .So if you are to move to Qatar - you should bring enough paprika with you !

chili peppers in burlap look All-Over Print Apron
by almawad

Ramadan Lanterns Ramadan Card
by

hakimakarima

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Send a unique and suitable card this Ramadan with matching stamps also available! This is a photo of Ramadan lanterns in Cairo and is colorful as well as appropriate for all of your Muslim friends.

interested in Ramadan ? Read more about it !

MY AWARD WINNING DESIGN

blue checks
by

almawad

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Beautiful , blue plaid pattern with matching laces and details .Classic ,casual wear .Unique design by Alma Wad .That's me .

Zazzle gave it TBA award - today's best award . Daily around 30 designs get it out of thousands I guess .It's a great honor for me .

WHERE TO LEARN ARABIC IN QATAR

Qatar Islamic Cultural Center -near souq Waqif
2 months courses - tel:444 7444
free tuiton

Qatar Guest Center -near Landmark
tel: 486 2390
free tuiton

Qatar University
135 hours QR 4000 evening course
tel : 485 6333

FRENCH CULTURAL CENTER
for both English and French speakers
tel :493 0862

CHN Institute
six week courses
tel: 4878288

Berlitz Language Center
tel:4550506

ONLINE TUITION WITH YOUR SELECTED TUTORS HERE

A BOY DID NOT RETURN home from summer vacations .
He had left for England for a five weeks language course .While having his dinner with his friends in a kebab shop he was attacked by a group of drunken youngsters .
he got a punch due to that he got fracture in the skull .Later he died in hospital .
It 's simply terrible !
The kebab shop owner said he had been attacked 25 times since 2005 when he opened his buffet .
Gang attacks are common in England nowadays -I simply do not understand what is going on . This attacks are not necessarily racists - but many times they are .
Anita and me this film showed how just by fun local ,bored teenagers from socially backward families beat to death a Pakistani man waiting for bus
Things are repeating -it seems .

This is one thing .
The other aspect of this case is that some local people feel nowadays entitled to call any ex-pats "racist leech " who dares criticizing the local customs at the local discussion forums.
That is also quite a saddening thing .

festive abstract
by

almawad

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WHY CAN'T YOU SEE NICE ELEGANT CARS IN QATAR ? I kept asking myself for longtime .I mean you see a lots of expensive four wheelers but not stylish sport cars . I know the four wheelers are great for the desert trips - but here many families can afford a lots of cars . I think I found the answer -people from Qatar do have elegant cars - just they use them for their European summer vacations .Even they ship them to Europe -even by air . Check out these photos if you want to see some really stylish vehicles . Still ,I do not understand where are these cars when they are at home !

hungarian flowers
by

almawad

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I have just created the first lens of my life at Squidoo .It seems that I am in the mood of trying new things nowadays .

Last week I learned how to design templates in the Zazzle .It was a bit difficult to find out how to design a frame for the pictures in a way that the customer's image would fit into it . The Zazzle June news letter did not give great information on that topic .Finally I found DT's blog on this topic .it was very well explained and I think I would return there later on -for more info on other topics . Here are my first templates :

red apple with your photo card
by

almawad

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eugum1
by

almawad

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Still life in the afternoon

After drinking my tea I am looking out of the window .Doves are flying .Cats are jumping in and out of the garbage can of the street .A pashtu family goes somewhere .A nice looking bus takes the workers home from a nearby construction .Then two men from Nepal are chasing away the cats from the garbage can .They are working very well organized: one of them is looking for the cans of drink -the other is beating them flat by a stone and then collecting them in a bag . Our black garbage bags are opened -they are examining our garbage then choose the cans .Only the cans .They work bare hand .Ten minutes of hard work gives them a bag of metal .
Then they leave .An Indian man is coming with a stick -looking for something he could not find .
The sun is setting .You can hear the call for prayer .

When you look at these snap shots you may think at first glance that they were taken in Europe .
But they are in a mall where they are imitating the Italian architecture .Isn't that miserable? Still it is much beloved and visited place .Like Europe is by the upper ten of Qatar .Yes ,the Arabs adore Europe .

Then there was this dessert pancake with ice cream . Nothing special -you may do better yourself at home .Dulce cafe as well .It is usually packed with Qatari people .Their cook may not know this style of cooking .Otherwise I can not make out what for they are visiting it in large numbers .

Gourmet blogger 2

That was a chicken salad at the dulce cafe at the Villaggio Mall .We had a coupon booklet in which there was this discount" you buy a main course and you get one more free" .So we had this chicken salad .I like the look of that cafe with their vintage advertisement posters and terrace look -but their salad was very plain .It looks so great -it is served in huge and heavy plates -then when you eat it -then you realize that you can make a tastier one at home .

Gourmet Blogger

This cake was one of the best cake I have tasted in Doha .I must say that compared to the Hungarian confectionery here the selection of cakes is poor .This one was really original - not the usual cream sponge cake style .There was a thick base - it was baked with plenty of ricotta -on it there was a thin layer of lemon cream then lemon ice cream at the top .WE had it at the Romano Macaroni Grill at the Villagio Mall .

Funky Bride postage stamps
by

wedding_tshirts

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MIND BOGGLING NUMBERS ON THE WEDDING BUSINESS IN THE USA

2,160,000 weddings YEARLY
$86 Billion SPENT

9,000,000 weddings in China per year
$19,900 per wedding SPENT

Number of weddings in the world around 115,000 per day!

Wedding cities of the world :
1. Las Vegas
2.Istanbul ,Turkey
3.Gatlinburg ,US

vintage rose - R.S.V.P.
by

almawad

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Beautiful ,romantic photo of a rose of our times .Some filter was added to the original photo to get this vintage look . R.S.V.P -text design wad added to get a stylish stamp for your invitation card 's envelope .

MY SUMMER READING

Sundays were marred, from the troops point of view by church parades:'Totally unnecessary ,really a matter of showing-off to the native population ."

Living in Qatar I also met h some of my compatriots showing themselves as very much Christians - to show off their superiority over the native Muslims .It's just making one feel sick .
Being far for home must have been very tough before the advent of the internet
" You would race back to your bungalow and read those longed-for letters from home .You lived for that letter day "

The hot season in India was easier than here as there were some Hill Stations to escape .
"It's difficult to convey how enormously romantic the atmosphere was in Simla -warm starlit nights and bright ,huge moon those towering hills and mountains stretching away ,silence and strange ,exotic smells ."
" But for most people these sojourns in the Hills were brief and uneventful .Many wives came down to join their husbands in the plains at the earliest opportunity and without waiting for the rains to end ."

summer joy Wall Clock

exciting and unique -inspired by the freedom of the summer joy .

More and more people are planning to come and I get more and more questions about the cost of living here .

RENT
flats : 6000 - 12.000 rial
villas :14-20.000 rial

EDUCATION
per year : 4000 -36.ooo rial
universities ,colleges : 20.000 -100.000 rial per year

HEALTH SERVICE
GP - free of charge supposed you have health card( 100 rial per year per person)
specialist:30-50 rial
one day hospital stay :100 rial
( most of the examinations and operations are free of charge )

FOOD
a kilo fruit : 6-40 rial
a loaf of bread:6-10 rial
a cup of yogurt : 1.50-2 rial

buffet lunch : 30 -100 rial

Entertainment :
cinema : 30- 50 rial
ice rink : 30 -50 rial
zoo ; 5 rial
fun cities : 20 -50 rial
clubs : 11.000 rial per family per year to... the sky

These dreamy retro stripes look good on the shoes as well !

purple stripes no7
by

almawad

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Mysteries in Qatar

Last week a tyre ripper attacked in Qatar .He slashed hundreds of cars then the coming night he smashed around ten car's windows .
He was caught - an American citizen -wanting to take revenge on one single motorist - but not quite sure about the car vandalised so many vehicles in two areas .
The other thing is the color of the sea which turned murky in the area of the Corniche .Was it caused by pollution or ground water ? It is not known yet .

Life is full of unexpected things .The other day I woke up and decided to design some wedding buttons when I noticed that new products arrived to the shop .KED shoes .
So I found myself decorating shoes all the day long instead of wedding pins . It was a real joy !

joyful stripes
by

almawad

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MY SUMMER READING : Plain tales from the Raj -edited by Charles Allen -first publishes in 1975

When reading this book - many times I say to myself .Huh ,just like in Qatar !" We were always meeting the same people .Everyone knew rather too much about every one else ;s affairs and it was a staple topic of conversation - what was going on ,who was going out with who so -and so ."

It was also very interesting to read about how they beat the heat without air -conditioning .

""We talked about shutting out the heat .Hurdles of dried straw called kash -kash tatties were put across the open doors and verandah ,and a man would be kept outside to fling water on them now and again .so that such air as did come into the bungalow was mildly cooled ."
WE never slept indoors in the hot weather ."
" Until the advent of air -conditioning the hot weather had to be suffered like toothache .
When the nights became intolerable we used to wrap ourselves in a wet sheet "
"those forced to travel by train did well to secure a large block of ice so that you could sit with your feet on it until it melted away "
" the only sure way of beating the hot weather entirely was to avoid it . The time -honoured custom of taking refuge in the HIlls persisted till the Second World War ."

As an army brat myself I was giggling when reading that :" wives tended to acquire the rank of their husbands " My mother used to be annoyed by that very much tough it was not in India but in Hungary - but human nature seems to be very similar .

purple stripes no7 with LOVE
by

almawad

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MY AWARD WINNING WEDDING POSTAGE
Two days ago this simple design got Today's best award which made me very happy .

cherry glow
by

almawad

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MIND BOGGLING NUMBERS


3000 children die daily due to malaria in Africa alone

300.000 people in India belong to the middle class

every 400 people on the Earth is Hungarian

FITNESS IN SUMMER


I am just trying to make some exercises at home .
Apart from the Moroccan bath -which I tried at medical spa - I do not go out anywhere to follow a course though I know very well how much inspiring it is to do exercise in group ..
So I bought this DVD with Lizbeth Garcia .It came in a nice box with a ball .It was a bit challenging to inflate it -as no instruction was given on how to use the pump -but somehow we managed to do it !All the family was happy with the huge ball : the little ones were pushing and bouncing it or leaning on it and relaxing while the bigger ones are using the ball as a chair while sitting at the computer desk .What a nice way to make your muscles work while sitting !
The DVD with Lizbeth Garcia is simply dangerous to follow : it is full of outdated exercises which put too much strain on the neck and gives you headache .The very first exercise was : sit on the ball then while your feet are on the ground lean back - lie on the ball .It is very difficult - and the ball rolls from under you and you might find yourself on the ground very easily !It advertises itself as pilates but in my opinion it is rather a kind of old fashioned aerobics with a ball .Lizbeth hoarse voice makes one feel that an old chain -smoker is trying to teach you on the fitness and the whole thing is very badly shot . My favourite part is when Lizbeth says ' do it for long beautiful ,sexy legs "- then the camera goes on close -up and shows the imperfections of her knees :)) .Not talking about the fact that one can not get long legs if was born with short ones however hard she is working out !
Seeing how disappointed I was : my daughter surprised me with a yoga DVD with Rainbeau March :it is better -it is radiating some kind of spiritual energy though the exercises are concentrating rather for the upper body .It's not for beginners either as it is advertised -but one can feel where to stop when stretching her body .
So I am doing these things nowadays and dreaming about returning to the Moroccan bath .It was at the Villagio Mall 's ,Medical spa and was simply fabulous : tiny little bulbs with slowly changing colors in the ceiling ,with relaxing music ,vapor - some drink in an elegant glass, seeing a beautiful old styled lamp how it is projecting wonderful shadows above me ,lying in four -poster beds ,relaxing while drinks are being served ...

cherry glow
by

almawad

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BLOGGING FROM QATAR

I have had stat counter now for a half year installed on my blog .It is a very useful service :I can see where my visitors came from ,I can study the keyword activity , and see the number of my visitors .
I learnt from that : my blog gets a lots of clicks thank to image search .Cooking+cherry keywords brought quite a lot of visitors .Practical infos on Qatar's every day are also very popular .
Most of my readers are coming from Qatar and the USA - then from all around the word .
Stats counter is a great fun !

BEST SELLING DESIGN OF MY SHOP - JUNE 2008

THIS card with Hungarian folk motifs was my best selling design last month .

Summer with Kids In Qatar

Summer camps for small ones :
ICC from age 4 at DPS -MIS
Noble Indian Kindergarten: Al Hilal Area from mid June -art craft ,dance ,music ,public speaking ,indoor games - 5 days a week for a month - for kids up to 12 y.
4428624
Starfish kindergarten : creative sand&water play art &crafts ,kitchen fun 487 5939
Busy bees nursery :water play ,kitchen fun ,music ,art 447 2319 for kids aged 3-6 years
Elder Tree nursery :455 10 20
Little Cherubs :577 95 18 for kids aged 3 - years , summer camp : Medium French & English , sport ,art ,computer ,swimming , trip , cooking , music ,dance
Apple Tree Nursery :582-6234/ 551-4533 / 481-2147 Summer Camp
cool indoor play areas and weekly themed activities
timing :from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m
location :three minutes from Villaggio.

For bigger ones :Kid's camp on the Beach of Intercontinental Hotel for children aged 6-14 y.
tel:484 44 44

ICC at DPS -MIS school building .there are two groups 1. for children aged 4-9
2.for kids above 10
programs :art,craft ,swimming ,music ,dance ,table tennis and other indoor and outdoor sports and games
timing :daily from 9 -12.30
QR 500 for six weeks


REGATTA SAILING ACADEMY - at the Hotel Intercontinental
courses open for kids from the age of 6 years
5 day holiday courses
more info 4424577

MY CENTRE SUMMER CAMP

for kids aged 4 - 11 years
3days /week
QR 2500 1 month
timing : 8 -13 30
tel :498 00 99 more info

Summer & Computer
starting from 5th July
4 hours a day = 2 hours computer studies + 2 hours painting ,karate ,games ,movies at the playing area
from age 8 years and above
tel; 4673399
more info at the Aptech :Al- Andalus Compound or here

Summer & ART for girls only
The Girls Creativity Center offers courses in art for girls 7 years old and above
tel:468 88 35

SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Summer Workshop 2008
for kids 4 -10 y.
transport available
art & crafts
fun games
cinematic dance
karate & yoga
drawing & painting
light music
Tel : 4655433 /4659481 /5403288


My Gym Qatar
It offers Gym courses from age 6 weeks to 13 years
babies are supposed to be with parents during training
from age 3 and above the courses are independent
tel :498 00 99 or here more info

SPECIAL SUMMER RATES - Dana club ( Dafna area )
special summer membership for families
3 months 5000 QR
with indoor - outdoor swimming pool for kids,large play area ,tennis court
children can attend the club only with parents
tel : 496 0600 or more info

SUMMER & LANGUAGE LEARNING

Special summer rates for language courses : English ,Arabic ,Hindi ,Sinhalese ,Malayalam
Location : behind LULU hypermarket
tel: 4660559

ICDL course -Summer rates at the same place

International Academic Society
Special activities and classes
for kids aged 3-15 years
in July and August
Main Courses : Fun with Maths ,Science activities ,Art & craft ,Learning the world ,Game with languages ,Physical Fitness ,Social grace and Courtesy
tel :4554068


INDIAN CLUB SUMMER CAMP
From 1st July
timing :9.30 -12.30
age group :5 -15 years
dance ,music ,public speaking ,swimming ,shuttle badminton ,aerobics ,yoga ,craft ,salad making ,cake dressing ,fun cooking ,tailoring , mono-acting ,farm visiting
tel :5244762 ,4669056

TENNIS LESSONS FOR KIDS
flexible timing and location
tel : 531 6644


Café Céramique Summer Camp

in association with Party Kingdom & Elder Tree Nursery
for kids 5 years and above
programs :china painting , cooking ,decoration
meal included
QR 95
tel :4671100


SYSCOMS -Hot & bright Courses for the Wise
from 5 years and above
IT courses 20 hours ,32 hours
location ;Lulu Center 3rd floor
(opposite Hamad Hospital )
tel:4367597
5881308 ,5100935 more info

I would rather be at Lake Balaton !

Travelling by train in Hungary
travelling by train was always a great pride for me .I used to be very proud of our country and our railways . I was very sad seeing the last ten years how the rails are neglected and how many little railway station is closed .
Here in Qatar there is no train .I heard plans about skyline train but I do not know ho w serious were those plans .
The nearest train station from here is around 800 km away ;it is in Basra ,Iraq .Thus I spend her my summers without the joy of riding a train .

The Hippie and the conductor

Everything was fun on the train .I enjoyed the speed ,the tunnels ,the buffet , the magazine for kids , the conversation of the adults ,the view of Lake Balaton .There used to be only one thing I hated : the conductor .She /He used to come with a grim face "tickets please " then my parents always got scared as they had something to fear -and served her/him our tickets .he/She checked them with superiority and gave them back then I saw my parents getting relief .Other passengers used to behave  the same way .It was weird all in all .
Once a strange man entered our compartment : he was barefoot ,he had big beard and long hair .He was wearing striped jeans and a waste coat without anything under just his bare skin .
"Can I sit here ?" -he had asked with docile face .
Everybody had a shock on his face -but they answered : "yes ,you can ."
There was a big silence after that .The man with a strange look closed his eyes - and fell asleep or at least he pretended to do so ."hippie " the passengers whispered to each other .
Half an hour later the conductor came : Tickets !!!
The man did not react .She shook him very much .When he opened his eyes he looked innocently to her ."Ticket ?"
He checked all his pockets .There were a lot in his jeans and bag .He was quiet and did not seemed to be scared at all .Everybody was mute .When he finished checking all  his outfit  then he told to the conductor :"it seems that I do not have ticket " - everybody was scared hearing about such a big mistake but him .
The conductor was scared  from his tranquility as well .In her most polite voice she just answered :" Then please leave the train at the next stop "
So he did . After he left I asked my mum about him : "a hippie" she answered smiling .
 Then I admired him very much and at once I decided to be a hippie when I grow up and I will never be afraid of anybody especially not of big headed conductors ...

Sweet Memories by almawad
See other Strawberry Photo Cards

MIDSUMMER NIGHT POTION

This date takes me back in the time :six years ago our family was having a wonderful holiday at this time of the year in South Hungary in Mecsek Hills .WE rented a village house and day after day we went on hiking - exploring everyday something new -spending most of the day in the forest .Once we didn't arrive home before dusk -and the fireflies suddenly were all around us .It was a magical scene !
Six years ago I was a mother of one child .Six years ago my family was living around me .Six years ago bringing up a child was very easy as I got so much help from my mum .
Many things have changed .I became mother of three .I spent my years mostly far from my family ,far from my country .And I miss my mum and her help very much nowadays .
And before getting too old and bitter by these above I decided to make a rejuvenateing magic potion during this very night .

I took five lemons and 30 cloves of garlic cut them into small pieces and added some water and put them into the blender .After that I boiled it for some minutes -and all the flat got a very special smell .Then I let it cool and put it into the fridge .I took the first portion of the potion .It was teeerrribleee! After taking a spoonful of it -I felt something strange around my heart -then during all the night I had a burning feeling around my stomach .
I plan to take it for 30 days !Then I might tell you about its effect !

NEW kind of Hungarian Cheese is on the market !

I was very happy to discover the new KAVAL sliced Hungarian cheese on the market .It is very tasty -ideal for cheese platters or sandwiches .It is made in Hungary but the name of the company was not clear for me .
At the same time I noticed the ewe cheese from HAJDU is available again .It is not cheap 46 riyal -but it has a strong flavor so one does not need a lot .I like mixing it with cow cheese in hot sandwiches and scones .Try it !

horizontal flowers _ I LOVE HUNGARY
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almawad

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Cayenne pepper in baby food ???

I happened to buy some red lentil soup for my baby made in Poland by Gerber .It was spicy hot even for me !Why does a baby need it ?Isn't it dangerous?I think it may provoke allergy easily .How can it be on the market ?

The other thing I do not understand about baby food : the honey .I read everywhere "Do not give honey to your baby -as it may cause a terrible ,fatal disease the botulism .At the same time I find in the market baby food ,baby cereal with honey for small babies .

pink daisy
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almawad

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MALLS

These are the most important places to go out when the weather is hot . How hot is it ? My relatives keep asking such things .Typical European question .Who cares here if it is 40 or 49 C ? It is not enjoyable to go out .Still we go -but only one hour before sunset .For vitamin D .

Last week I was at the Hyatt plaza .I heard nice melodies .I was shocked to hear Poliushka - the Russian song - which is calling the men to the war ."The girls are crying ,wind do not bring their sounds to us ,let us hear encouraging songs , and let the red flag fly " .Is Poliushka in ?

The other day I was at the small fun fair of the Villaggio .While my child was playing I was standing .One male employee working there was offering me a seat .It was very kind just he had forced a far eastern baby sitter to stand up for I can sit down .When I realized that I felt terrible and I left quickly the place .
The most terrible thing was that she stood up . She learned here that she is just a third class citizen .
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité - if you long for these values - you will have hard time here .

MEDICAL SPA - at the Villagio Mall

The staff was very nice .Ready to show you around even if you do not look Qatari or super rich .The place is out of this world . Relaxing atmosphere - the smell of the massage oils ,steam bath , the wonderful interior design ,some music ,makes you really forget about your every day problems .
In the center of the spa there is a court surrounded by columns a fountain in the middle .This is the relaxation area .Around this court you can find the treatment rooms : Moroccan bath ,Bride's room , massage rooms , hairdresser's ,beautician ,manicure ,pedicure .They offer every kind of treatment :chocolate massage ,green tea wrap , gold and diamond bathing ,algae and infrared ,stone massage ,aromatherapy ,Ayurveda ,Thai ,Swedidh massage ,reflexology .They offer private yoga lessons and ear spa . This latter I have never heard about .They claim it cures earache ,itching ,insomnia and depression plus it stimulates lymphatic drainage Well , they are not cheap at all .
A hair cut is 150 riyal , a facial 220 , a 30 minutes Moroccan bath with massage around 200 rial .En eyebrow sculpting is 40 and the gold ,diamond bath is 800 riyal !For special occasions !

tel :4517590/4517591

Father's day is coming .

super daddy
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almawad

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and I have got some items for super daddies .This is the occasion when I should tell nice memories of our Father's Day - but I can't because this holiday is not celebrated in my country !
Anyway , thank you Dad for taking me with you to the wood and walking with me miles when I was so little thank you for teaching me how to ride my bike .Thank you for tasting my first cake I have ever made and accepting my choice when I got married .Thank you for coming and see me every time I was showing tourists around our town .It was a very nice feeling that there is a man in the background listening proudly to the words in English or French - and watching me with great pride as I had been performing in a theater.
If only we could meet more often !

It is not difficult to find out who is daddy's little girl after all !Just look !

daddys
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almawad

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daddys
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almawad

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butterfly& Daddy's little girl
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almawad

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Kinga Szabo - the Hungarian artist had an exhibition here last week . It was just for three short days open .I wished to go - but I was informed that kids are not welcomed .After that I learned that there were plenty of kids there -ad I felt very sorry for this missed opportunity .Especially that her style is very close to Zsolnay's style which is my favourite types of ceramics designs .

pink heart, It's a girl !
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almawad

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It is difficult to believe but true - postage bearing my designs are used in the USA .Who would ever beileve that it would be like that one day ?
This simple design turned to be the best selling postage at my shop in May .

Romano Macaroni grill restaurant definitely became our favourite .It is kid's friendly -my preschooler is so busy with drawing while we are waiting -that we can relax and talk .
At very few restaurant one can combine fine dinning with children entertainment .
The kids menu is generous : there 's six options 1. grilled chicken with broccoli and pasta 2.fettucine Alfredo -parmesan cream sauce over pasta 3.chicken fingerias with fries or macaroni and cheese 4.macaroni and cheese 5. spaghetti with red sauce or meat sauce + one giant meat ball 6 . Mona Lisa" master pizza
One meal is 18 riyal served with your choice of soda ,apple juice ,orange juice or milk .Free refills .The dessert is also included - and it is a real gourmet one : vanilla ice cream in choco sauce .Kids are given chalk -and they can feel free drawing on the table which is covered by a huge sheet of paper -or they can draw in the magazine - they get .
I had some portobello mushroom soup - it was fine - but as I have never eaten similar before I can't compare it to other portobello soups .
The prawn with spinach and cheese was also excellent -though the amount of spinach was very little in the dish .The mushroom ravioli was sweet a little bit -strange to my taste and that was the thing that disturbed me in the garden salad as well .
Last time I complained about the water that it was too expensive .This time we got water for free .
The most delicious part of the dinner was the lemon cake .It tasted like a Hungarian
cake called bottomless cheese cake ( aljnelkuli turos ) with some lemon mousse and fresh cream on the top .
it is not the cheapest place - we payed 160 riyals - they charge for the service as well .But as we rarely dine out without the kids - it was relaxing experience compared to other places .

Location :Villaggio Mall
tel:451 7585