Saturday, June 30, 2012
New taxis are to hit the roads
This type of news make me hopeful that life will be improving in Doha .300 more taxis are coming in July and 200 more after that . In the coming years new taxi companies are coming with sophisticated devices to detect their cars in the city and send them to the places where customers need them .Let's hope that all of those promised new services will be working for all of us .
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Murakami Ego exhibition in Doha 2012
Murakami Ego - exhibition ended yesterday . These pictures were taken in the lobby of the exhibition hall .Kawai textile daisies are covering balls .And you could admire the artists inflated Ego .Inside the exhibition hall we were not allowed to take pictures .There were a lots of paintings where cute cartoon figures were mixed with symbols of death .Both came in large numbers as they were copy pasted and they were flooding our eyes and souls like it floods us in everyday life from tv and other media .Like he was to feature the optical pollution of our era . There was a tent
like a circus tent . Inside the movie theater .Two of his cartoons were shown . The main message of the story was that the manure ( poop) is very important.In the first story it resulted in huge watermelons ... in the second story the city eater robotic monster - which could not be destroyed by the army - went into zen mood then passed stool which was stinking first then it changed into gold and spiritual material .This idea reminds me to Friedensreich Hundertwasser the Austrian artist who had said that the human body fluids are one of the biggest treasure on this planet .
The exhibition was provocative /inspiring /funny /depressing ...I wonder if any millionaire bought his armchair covered with cute daisies . It was around 200 thousand rial !
Thursday, June 21, 2012
drumming in the desert ...
Have you ever wished drumming in the desert ? Kayaking in the moonlight ?Snorkeling on the reefs ? Now with entalek it is all possible . 300 rial/person - the last event of the season .I wish all these but Iearned about the existence of this organization too late .We used to paddle in Hungary kayak/kenu as a hobby ... we missed it here in Qatar and we are happy that it is possible now .They say that it is so much cooler outside the city .
I miss very much the chance to escape from the city in the summer .It is just too much here ...and the villages are non-existent here -so is the village tourism .So if you wish to go back to the nature in Qatar then it is a nice chance to join this group .
I miss very much the chance to escape from the city in the summer .It is just too much here ...and the villages are non-existent here -so is the village tourism .So if you wish to go back to the nature in Qatar then it is a nice chance to join this group .
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Reliable teacher to leave our kids with
After that 13 kids-all the kids- died in Villaggio creche/day care center in a slow spreading fire where it would have been so easy to escape if if if.... I do not want to repeat myself ....
The teachers did not recognize the danger in time / plus there was a stupid one who told them that the fire was put out .... then they remained there "it was just a small fire" for 15 minutes when already it was too late to come out .
It was not like the Mexico nursery fire in 2009 that the burning roof fell on the sleeping kids ....where there was a fire exit just closed and they did not find the key ....there was no other exit here ...but the children died not by the fire but by the smoke ...
So I am thinking so much about the importance of the teachers problem solving abilities .Here the anglosaxon expats prefer the maids/babysitters from Phillippines "because they have so much more mind than the other Asians" I think this bias comes simply from the fact that they are both Christians and they would hate to admit about a Muslim teacher/maid/babysitter that she is good .Or they are just simply afraid of them .
We can see that this general views on nations/religions does not lead to any good .We should judge everyone according to the content of his/her character not by the nationality....But how can we do so ? I am coming from a small town . Everybody knows the teachers -easy to ask about her/him . Here people just come and go and this is a city. And even during school year teachers are changed -many times without any explanation /even without informing the parents .So how can we find the right teacher who would save our kids in case that anything unexpected ? How can we find the right teacher who would be able to decide what to do ? I find it nearly impossible .
We can check the building fire safety devices but no more we can see . We can decide to homeschool our kids or just let them go to their school and hope that they would come home safe and sound .
The teachers did not recognize the danger in time / plus there was a stupid one who told them that the fire was put out .... then they remained there "it was just a small fire" for 15 minutes when already it was too late to come out .
It was not like the Mexico nursery fire in 2009 that the burning roof fell on the sleeping kids ....where there was a fire exit just closed and they did not find the key ....there was no other exit here ...but the children died not by the fire but by the smoke ...
So I am thinking so much about the importance of the teachers problem solving abilities .Here the anglosaxon expats prefer the maids/babysitters from Phillippines "because they have so much more mind than the other Asians" I think this bias comes simply from the fact that they are both Christians and they would hate to admit about a Muslim teacher/maid/babysitter that she is good .Or they are just simply afraid of them .
We can see that this general views on nations/religions does not lead to any good .We should judge everyone according to the content of his/her character not by the nationality....But how can we do so ? I am coming from a small town . Everybody knows the teachers -easy to ask about her/him . Here people just come and go and this is a city. And even during school year teachers are changed -many times without any explanation /even without informing the parents .So how can we find the right teacher who would save our kids in case that anything unexpected ? How can we find the right teacher who would be able to decide what to do ? I find it nearly impossible .
We can check the building fire safety devices but no more we can see . We can decide to homeschool our kids or just let them go to their school and hope that they would come home safe and sound .
No cartoons on MBC3 - mourning the Saudi crown prince
My kids wanted to watch MBC3 yesterday . They were annoyed to see that there are no cartoons at all . The Crown prince of Saudi Arabia died - there are programs commemorating him .( we have always thought that MBC3 is coming from Dubai )
Seeing their annoyed faces I remembered that it was the same in Hungary some twenty years ago when Hungary's prime minister died suddenly . He was not popular for everyone - so many parents were upset when the usual Sunday afternoon cartoon was stopped in the middle of the story and sad music came for an hour without any explanation .At least they should have warned the parents that not to expect cartoons that day at all .
I am sometimes really surprised on how much people love the rulers of their country . Once I was working as a tour guide with a group of Belgian tourists .I eventually mentioned them that their king died that morning . I was very sure that they had already heard about it . Unfortunately they learnt it from me .They became deeply saddened /some of them even cried . The cheerful trip was over everybody - with no exception went into terribly sad mood .Like they lost a close friend or family member .
Seeing their annoyed faces I remembered that it was the same in Hungary some twenty years ago when Hungary's prime minister died suddenly . He was not popular for everyone - so many parents were upset when the usual Sunday afternoon cartoon was stopped in the middle of the story and sad music came for an hour without any explanation .At least they should have warned the parents that not to expect cartoons that day at all .
I am sometimes really surprised on how much people love the rulers of their country . Once I was working as a tour guide with a group of Belgian tourists .I eventually mentioned them that their king died that morning . I was very sure that they had already heard about it . Unfortunately they learnt it from me .They became deeply saddened /some of them even cried . The cheerful trip was over everybody - with no exception went into terribly sad mood .Like they lost a close friend or family member .
Daddy is my hero - what about yours
It's Father's Day today in the US . I have always found this day strange when I heard about it in my childhood .As far as I know it is not celebrated in the Middle East ,either .But I found this day to be a nice occasion for sharing my childhood stories with my readers .
Daddy is my hero - you can read here a real story of my childhood when a wonderful trip was turned into a nightmare and how my father tried to help me and how much super power he had had suddenly just to know me safe and sound .
Please visit my page if you want to read a nice true story about a young father and his little daughter . I am also interested in other people's story - so if you have one do not hesitate and share it with us on the page . You can leave links leading to other great dad's stories as well at any time when you read this page .
Daddy is my hero - you can read here a real story of my childhood when a wonderful trip was turned into a nightmare and how my father tried to help me and how much super power he had had suddenly just to know me safe and sound .
Please visit my page if you want to read a nice true story about a young father and his little daughter . I am also interested in other people's story - so if you have one do not hesitate and share it with us on the page . You can leave links leading to other great dad's stories as well at any time when you read this page .
Friday, June 15, 2012
rivers ,streams ,lakes in Doha
You might laugh when you read it .Qatar is a desert surrounded by the sea .You certainly will not see those rivers ,streams ,lakes on the surface .But I am very sure that beneath the desert there is a whole system of streams/rivers/lakes .
What makes me think so ? I am laic . I did not study geology but I was born in a town where the stones/ limestone is in abundance and they are very similar to the ones in Qatar .In my hometown there's a lake right in the centre of the town and it gets the water from underground springs from the caves .
I have always thought that it must be true , then I heard from someone that they found a wonderfully clean/ fast running stream in Doha while digging for a building's foundation .If there is stream then there must be some rivers and lakes .
What makes me think so ? I am laic . I did not study geology but I was born in a town where the stones/ limestone is in abundance and they are very similar to the ones in Qatar .In my hometown there's a lake right in the centre of the town and it gets the water from underground springs from the caves .
I have always thought that it must be true , then I heard from someone that they found a wonderfully clean/ fast running stream in Doha while digging for a building's foundation .If there is stream then there must be some rivers and lakes .
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Qatar continues to expand public investment funds in Europe. The Qatar Investment Authority recently purchased a prestigious shopping center in Paris's Champs Elysees for 500 million euros .
Le Figaro has learned that the 27 thousand square foot retail building was sold by Groupama to Qatari investors.
The Middle East investors are noticeably stronger in European expansion. In Budapest two five-star hotels were bought by Arab investors: the Gresham Palace by investors from Oman, Le Meridient was taken by investors from from Dubai.
Le Figaro has learned that the 27 thousand square foot retail building was sold by Groupama to Qatari investors.
The Middle East investors are noticeably stronger in European expansion. In Budapest two five-star hotels were bought by Arab investors: the Gresham Palace by investors from Oman, Le Meridient was taken by investors from from Dubai.
Monday, June 11, 2012
top Chef leaves Pearl
This issue is major embarrassment for both I think . For the country and for the chef . For the country which invited Gordon Ramsay to open a restaurant at Pearl district and allowed him to sell alcohol . Then it withdrew this license on public pressure .
The chef must be embarrassed as well - he must admit that his gourmet cuisine was not attractive enough to make profit .
The people of Qatar must feel victorious . They might have the illusion that they dictate .
In fact this is the money that dictates .In fact they open new restaurants in a five star hotel .
I am coming from a non-drinking family . It is rather rare in Europe or in Hungary .My father imposed ban on alcohol for himself .In his youth he had some experience with being drunk with his friends . Then one day he woke up and said "Human dignity and alcohol consumption can not go together - I choose rather my dignity "
I am very proud of my dad . First of all because he was not following the others like sheep .Then because he kept himself to his words . Finally because he never forbade us anything .
He just set a good example for us .
The chef must be embarrassed as well - he must admit that his gourmet cuisine was not attractive enough to make profit .
The people of Qatar must feel victorious . They might have the illusion that they dictate .
In fact this is the money that dictates .In fact they open new restaurants in a five star hotel .
I am coming from a non-drinking family . It is rather rare in Europe or in Hungary .My father imposed ban on alcohol for himself .In his youth he had some experience with being drunk with his friends . Then one day he woke up and said "Human dignity and alcohol consumption can not go together - I choose rather my dignity "
I am very proud of my dad . First of all because he was not following the others like sheep .Then because he kept himself to his words . Finally because he never forbade us anything .
He just set a good example for us .
funny story on French expats in Qatar
the following story was posted as fiction in a discussion forum in Qatar
but seeing the reactions even the author was shocked how much truth was in it
Mimi Le Blanc now eats alone at La Cigale and attends French arrogance classes at the French Embassy as her own means of interacting with fellow French nationals.
Dan Singh, part time salsa teacher and intrepid reporter for the Gulftenis Tribune investigated her strange case.
'It all started when I said to my husband, lets save some money and live without a maid. I can clean the house, get the kids dressed in the morning for onion classes and wash our clothes. At first its was great to have my house back to myself and feel satsified at doing a days work. Of course I had to give up wine drinking with the ladies at lunchtime and sneering at the Americans for being so uncultured but then the other French ladies found out what I had done. They said I was setting a bad example to their husbands and they might get the wrong idea. Plus they attacked me for my lack of compassionate saying that some poor Filipino family cannot afford crossiants for breakfast back in Vietnam or where ever they come from'
Dan in his research from that it is not unsual for the French to shun the locals and the other expatriates in whatever country they are posted, but it is unsual for them to shun one of their own, no matter how arrogant or even if they say they like British food. Dan caught up with some of her ex-friends;
Marie of Al French Villas said, 'et is shocking. My husband found out and now wants me to give up the maid, the house boy and the gardner. Who will I have left to shout at?'
Chantelle DeBoobies was even more enraged, 'why doesn't her husband just go and marry a Thai lady if he wants us to scrub floors. Do you know how much my nails cost? This lady is the biggest traitor to France since, well probably ever. I will never let her sample my cheese again'.
The new French President has denied rumours that Mimi Le Blanc will be stripped of her citizenship but did indicate that she will be re-educated on return to France.
Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/3077454#ixzz1xUHbiHjY
but seeing the reactions even the author was shocked how much truth was in it
Mimi Le Blanc now eats alone at La Cigale and attends French arrogance classes at the French Embassy as her own means of interacting with fellow French nationals.
Dan Singh, part time salsa teacher and intrepid reporter for the Gulftenis Tribune investigated her strange case.
'It all started when I said to my husband, lets save some money and live without a maid. I can clean the house, get the kids dressed in the morning for onion classes and wash our clothes. At first its was great to have my house back to myself and feel satsified at doing a days work. Of course I had to give up wine drinking with the ladies at lunchtime and sneering at the Americans for being so uncultured but then the other French ladies found out what I had done. They said I was setting a bad example to their husbands and they might get the wrong idea. Plus they attacked me for my lack of compassionate saying that some poor Filipino family cannot afford crossiants for breakfast back in Vietnam or where ever they come from'
Dan in his research from that it is not unsual for the French to shun the locals and the other expatriates in whatever country they are posted, but it is unsual for them to shun one of their own, no matter how arrogant or even if they say they like British food. Dan caught up with some of her ex-friends;
Marie of Al French Villas said, 'et is shocking. My husband found out and now wants me to give up the maid, the house boy and the gardner. Who will I have left to shout at?'
Chantelle DeBoobies was even more enraged, 'why doesn't her husband just go and marry a Thai lady if he wants us to scrub floors. Do you know how much my nails cost? This lady is the biggest traitor to France since, well probably ever. I will never let her sample my cheese again'.
The new French President has denied rumours that Mimi Le Blanc will be stripped of her citizenship but did indicate that she will be re-educated on return to France.
Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/3077454#ixzz1xUHbiHjY
Sunday, June 10, 2012
World Philatelic Exhibition in Doha
I have just got the information right from the Hungarian Philatelic Museum that Hungary will exhibit postage stamps in September in Doha .
From 21 September to 26 September in Doha Exhibition Center .The aim of such exhibitions is to promote stamp collecting and philately , to maintain friendly relations and friendship among all peoples. . to establish and maintain close relations with the philatelic trade and postal administrations. ,to promote philatelic exhibitions by granting Patronage and Auspices .
From 21 September to 26 September in Doha Exhibition Center .The aim of such exhibitions is to promote stamp collecting and philately , to maintain friendly relations and friendship among all peoples. . to establish and maintain close relations with the philatelic trade and postal administrations. ,to promote philatelic exhibitions by granting Patronage and Auspices .
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Famous Paintings in Qatar
At the Sotheby's May auction The Scream by Munch was sold at record price-the nearly $ 120 million which was paid by an anonymous bidder.Already in April there was a rumor at various economic news portals that the Qatari ruler's family is going to bid for this artwork by Munch - the only one which was privately owned from the iconic series .The base of the rumor was that Paul Cezanne's painting was bought by the Qatari ruler's family the year before :
Art Newspaper understands, in 2007, Ileana Sonnabend collection was bought by Qatar . It was a collection of $ 400 million, including Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol's works . Advisory representatives of the family are renowned professionals such as Christie's former president, Edward J. Dolma.
Thursday, June 07, 2012
still I am Sad
It happens that I can sleep at night . After the Villaggio fire I could not .I was too much upset to be able to do so .Or when I did fell asleep then I saw always the same nightmare ; I am in a public place with my kids ... then we lose each other ...and I am desperately crying out their names . And I can hear the fainted noise of their laughs but there are huge walls between us. The huge walls are frightening - I know that I can not reach them and I feel awfully alone . I wake up and I am sweating and happy to see my kids near me . But the depressing feeling is still in me and makes my days sad .Then I think of the families of the victims and about the silence that they must bear after loosing their little ones .The sounds of the cheerful life of the toddlers /preschoolers /juniors who perished in the smoke .They had been noisy kids as all of us were a day -and now it is only silence .Two sets of families lost 3 kids . A toddler who did not want to go that day to the creche lost 3 siblings those who did go .How much burden he has to carry all his life !The memory of three siblings who died .And all of us -we must carry this burden now all our life .
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