Saturday, December 30, 2017

Mein Schiff 5 - in Doha

 the ship can carry four thousand passengers  - belongs to the company TUI

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Young Musical talents concert at QNL


Young 🎶Musical 🎹 talents 🎻
 concert
Time: 5:00 PM -5:45 PM

Language: English

Event time

 Starts:
 05.01.2018 05:00 PM
 Ends:
 05.01.2018 05:45 PM

The library of my childhood

It was a dark November 🍂 afternoon when I was walking with my mom somewhere at our large compound . Passing near the cultural center I saw a lots of books 📖 and people  inside .

- What is this place ? - I asked

- The library - my mother answered . For a very small fee one can read the books there or even can take them home !

- Really ? - I asked happily 😊

- Yes - and even children can be a member . But now it is too late . We are about to move 🚚 to another town . Once settled I will take you
to their library .I promise .

It was a real WOW feeling just to learn about the existence of such facility .( I could compare it to the moment when I learned to ride my bike 🚲.) But even to be a member ! It was far beyond all my expectations !
I was seven and half and I already read all our books . Then the neighbours' books . Then I was starving and ready to devour any book I come across .I was waiting for my summer holiday visiting cousins and I was planning to read their books . Or a birthday , name day or something similar .

The existence of the library opened a new perspective to my life ☼. I praised in myself the one who invented it .I just wished to have something similar for toys and games . But my mom informed me that facility does not exists .


Moving to another town was a real cultural shock . The landscape , the people were so different .☹ But my mom kept her promise and took me to the library . That was a wonderful place ☺.It was in the town center   in an old historical building . Downstairs children's library - upstairs library for the big ones .

We had a really nice sized collection . Old books were well maintained not discarded . I read a lot .
As a result I became a ✍ good writer .Essay writing was always an easy job for me . Walking home from school the sentences ,ideas formed by themselves in my mind . I just had to write them down when arriving home .

My very best friend whom I met at age 12 was also a bookworm . We visited the library together , would read at home cracking apples . Discussing the stories after .One year later we found no books to read downstairs we read them all . So we were allowed to be a member of the library upstairs. But often returned to the kids section for its special atmosphere .

And the kids library just improved year after year . The new librarians were not only advising kids about what to read but they were ready to chat with them . They could tell them about their problems , they helped them with their home works .They provided them a shelter for the afternoons if conditions at their homes were not favorable . They organized competitions , they made some puppets and performed operas with them using their audio collection . Those librarians were real fairies .
We were very lucky .
When visiting cities later in my life I noticed that those city libraries were quite different .So impersonal and less inviting than our town's libraries .

Later it was declining - the libraries did not get much money to buy new books . It was quite sad . Especially to learn how little money our "fairies" made . They retired with very small pension . The new librarians were not similar to them . But the Internet attracted a lots of kids who could not afford it .

Yeah - when I grew up the Internet came and I "owned" whole libraries in my room . That was a real wow feeling but this is another story .

P.S. similar facility for toys and games opened when I was in my twenties - my kids visited it and liked it very much ...

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Qatar National Library - my first visit

I love libraries . I missed them here . I did visit smaller libraries here  belonging to clubs , schools , embassies .  But the big public libraries were in progress in Qatar .

 Arrival : the Education City is a well-known place for us . However arriving at the place was very frustrating . Due to the ongoing constructions in the area- traffic diversion was just too hard to follow . We missed one exit to  QF Gate 1 and the next one was at the Mall of Qatar's tunnel .There we managed to make a U turn . We lost minimum one hour .

 The building from outside is very impressive - a geometric shape with some retro feel from the sides . I liked the Dutch architect's work . Inside it was too cold and impersonal . Big spaces without any cozy  corner .  It would need some  green areas and some warmth . Some armchairs with  fabric -something soft  and inviting .

  Registration  - we  already registered online so we expected quick procedure . Unfortunately - there was no line for those who already registered . We had to wait until other families filled in the forms manually  etc . It took us again minimum 20 minutes . And no chairs around !

 Children's library -  surprisingly small collection . They must have spent too much money on the building itself - it was my first thought . Then I remembered  the rules - 10 books per kids can be borrowed . A lots of books must be out . My ten year old was looking for something about astronomy - but could not find anything . What is even  sadder that there was no one librarian ready to help the kids with the selection . Most of the books were for small kids .
Well behaving kids can visit the library without guardian if they are  older than 9 .

 Other facilities  -  toilets were far from the main entrance . But not far from the kids  section .
The restaurant was right next to the kids library . We just wanted to have some quick bites . It was still half an hour before closing  time but they already closed : ( . The cafe was open . One piece of cake was QR28 .
The elitist attitude !
 The library is clearly not the venue of the wealthy and rich . Some very poor looking Asian families - lower middle-class families  , students were  the majority of the visitors !  Why not to offer something affordable ?

  That was our first visit . We are planning to come back to explore more about it .

The four month Spring Festival at Souq Waqif just kicked off



Many surprises awaiting for us - the organizers promised .For the time being cold weather is coming and you can ride more than 30 games at the Souq .Anyway ,it has very nice atmosphere without those rides as well .It is almost impossible to find a free table outside  the restaurants for Friday breakfasts .

Friday, December 22, 2017

Meanwhile it is very cold in Sanaa

Meanwhile it is 0 C in Sanaa ! https://www.accuweather.com/en/ye/sanaa/355809/daily-weather-forecast/355809?day=10

No way to heat - no electricity or gas !












MIA Park Bazaar


Weather forecast for Monday 2018 - fog warning


Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Drawing competition for kids - I love Qatar

Portray your Love : I love Qatar

Drawing competition for kids in connection with Qatar National Day celebrations.

On Friday,15 December 2017 @ AIMAC centre.


Kids Drawing Competition                            CATEGORY 1 (age 4-6 years)

                                                                                             CATEGORY 2 (age 7-12 years)
                                                                                       
                                                                                             CATEGORY 3 (age 13-16 years)
register for free





Flag of Qatar - heart shape

Qatar National Day celebration - restaurants and hotel offers

Qatar National Day  -  December 18 is celebrated all over the country . The crowd is sometimes really too big - so some hotels got offers  for those who rather would celebrate in private .
 Not a bad idea - I think .

 Here are some of the offers .

Millennium Plaza Doha is a new hotel  with excellent reviews . Small kids eat for free .





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Golden Tulip also has excellent reviews
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if you are the type who likes to save then celebrate with a coupon from Qgrabs. !
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Watch the National Day Fireworks from the rooftop of Fraser Suits Hotel !


Monday, December 04, 2017

A new park and playground for people in wheelchairs


Tuesday, November 28, 2017

New Ice Rink in Qatar










After the City Center Mall and the Villagio Mall there is a new ice rink in Qatar

the Bsquare Mall's "Velocity Ice" .

Ajyal Youth Film Festival 2017: Trailer of Trailers





Ajyal Youth Film Festival 5 th

when : from 29 NOVEMBER

to 4 December

Where : Katara


What to expect : screenings , talks , red carpet events , family weekend

view the details of the the festival

Tickets : to be booked even for the free screenings

from  QR25 to QR40   http://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/films

Monday, November 27, 2017

Thursday, November 23, 2017

It is raining in Doha , Qatar

 What a relief ! It is raining first time after the hot season . Welcome rain  with the hope of getting some fresh air in the city !

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The first indoor trampoline park opened at Tawar Mall ,Doha




Bounce Qatar is the first indoor trampoline park here. It is in the new Tawar Mall . Entry fees are from 80 qr for a two hour session .

from their page ; " BOUNCE Doha is packed with lots of high octane, extreme, fun things to do whether you’re practicing your parkour moves, perfecting your aerial sports techniques, raising your heart-beat at our fitness classes, or simply having fun with friends, kids and family. Its all about jumping high, and landing soft and safe.
If you’re looking for indoor entertainment, BOUNCE Doha is the place to be!
BOUNCE Doha will be the largest indoor trampoline park in the Middle East, spanning over 4,000sqm, filled with wall to wall trampolines, never seen before Adventure Challenge courses for Ninja Warriors wanna be, slum dunk, dodgeball competitions, football pitch, big bags, zip-line, free-running area, and lots of other cool things.
indoor entertainment

Visit us at Al Markhiya Street, Al Duhail South in Tawar Mall Doha, 2nd floor Doha!"

Saturday, November 18, 2017

American School of Doha - 50 years celebration


Rains in Northern Qatar



 the hot season is  over = it is wonderful to spend the time outside   - even in some part of the country it is raining 

Friday, November 17, 2017

free solar mobile charging stations - camp sites n Qatar


special plate number auction inQatar

If you can afford and wish to have a special plate number for your car

in Qatar you can buy it .Every year there is an auction organized by the Traffic Department .

Let's see this year in numbers : 22 plate numbers sold

QR1.25mn ( 400 thousand USD ) was the highest amount paid for a single plate number



QR150,000 was the cheapest


source : 

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

champions of the weekend for endurance


Monday, November 13, 2017

Qatari singer nominated to Grammy 2018




Fahad Al Kubaisi is the first singer from the GCC who got nominated to the Grammy Music Award .Congrats for the nomination !

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Diverted flight - pilot fell ill - QA statement



 Flight number : QR 507 (TRV-DOHA )
 The incident  happened more than one hour after departure . The pilot fell ill - the First Officer landed the plane safely . It was Goa international airport - the closest place .

Everyone arrived in Doha by another plane -safely .

Thursday, November 09, 2017

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

A bird’s eye view of Al Wakra Station - Doha Metro






Tuesday, November 07, 2017

Who are the ones detained in Saudi Arabia


Longines Global Champions Tour - AL Shaqab

Date : Nov 09 2017 - Nov 11 2017

Time: Thursday 9 November 2017 – 11:00 AM - 8:45 PM

Friday 10 November 2017 – 1:45 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday 11 November 2017 – 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Location: AL Shaqab

What to expect

worlds premiere 5-star show jumping event
fun-filled recreational activities
pony rides, jumping castles, horse riding simulator,
face painting and roaming magician
art workshop by renowned Cuban Artist Juan Arel Ruiz Contino
Qatari traditional games

Qatari riders

Bassem Hassan Mohammed

Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani







wise people quote in bright green - wall decal

Qatar National Library Opens Today

Good to know : - free
membership to anyone with a Qatari ID

 - most books are in Arabic& English but books written in 15 other languages
 are also available

Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday - from 8am to 8pm,

                                     Fridays - from 4pm to 8pm

-  dedicated area for teens / children

- computer labs, a writing centre  ,
 creative tools such as 3D printers and musical
instruments  are also available

- cafe , restaurant

 apply for membership  here : www.qnl.qa

- special need visitors can fully access the facility

-  the building 's design by  

Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas






Monday, November 06, 2017

Katara traditional Dhow Festival & photography contest


Sunday, November 05, 2017

Aqua Park Season Finale promotion

If you buy tickets online between Nov 1 to 18  then you can get it at  60 Qr for adults 50 QR for kids .
 They are preparing to close for the season .

Hospitality Qatar 2017 Nov 7-9


 when : Nov 7-9
 what time : 3pm -9 pm
where : DECC

Saturday, November 04, 2017

BREAKING - Yemen's Houthis fire missile at Saudi Arabia's Riyadh


Turbaned Poiret 1900s Fashion Poster

Turbaned Poiret 1900s Fashion Poster


Turbaned Poiret 1900s Fashion Poster

by LorrainesOoLaLa

Between 1910 an 1913, Paul Poiret was the "King of Fashion" in France -  he is credited with the introduction of turbans, tunics, and harem pants into Western fashion. 

Heya Fashion Week - Nov 3 -7




Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Aspire Lake Festival, NOV 9 -11






New route of Qatar Airways - Sarajevo

Four weekly flights , 6 hours of flight time .

Museum of Islamic Art by night - Qatar

Cinema Under The stars - at MIA park



see the schedule here

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

India's smallest baby & infant mortality rates in the world


 Amazing story .

 To learn more about infant mortality rate & where your country's place on the list  ...

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Creative Writing Course at VCU -Q

In case you want to join  :hurry up  ! the course  has already started on Saturday  !



Free Breast & Bowel screening at Sidra 23 October to 25 October

 to get the free screening:
You must be a woman of age 45  to 69
You must have valid  health card (HMC card )

from 23 October to 25 October
7:30 am to 3:30 pm

call 800-1112 to Register

little bundle of joy

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Auqa park has special offers before the end of the season


Full Moon Yoga at Warwick Doha


 You can join  them  by the roof top deck to relax and unwind under the power of the moon on the 4th of November at 7:00PM

Price: 75.00
*Use of facilities are not included
Call: 4456 3337 to book your space!

Monday, October 16, 2017

Feral Cat Day - 16th October




 Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs  are the only human ways to control cat  population .

  Cats are caught, taken to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, and vaccinated and eartipped (to sign that a cat has been  through the surgery).  Then the  cats  can go  back to their area .

   Did you know that the so called shelters kill 70 % of the trapped cats ? 

 I never support similar " animal welfare" groups .

 If you want to help with the TNR program in  Qatar then you will have all the information here . http://www.catsinqatar.com/CIQ/Feral_Cats.html


 

Saturday, October 14, 2017

French healthcare companies explore Qatar

As Qatar spent $763mn on  imported medical products last year  - the French companies  visited Qatar to explore business opportunities .




Biogaran, Logo Silver, Medasys, and Visiomed Group  are the companies   who are currently observing the Qatari market for a  possible  contract  . They would be able to bring to the country medications, medical  devices, e-Health software , A specific , Made in France , wheel chair is also on the list of products France can offer .


Friday, October 13, 2017

smart jacket for workers protection in Qatar

 Coming soon !  Hopefully. The sooner the better !

  The nightmare of impending heart attacks may end with this  new smart jacket & helmet . It will cool the workers  and check their heart rate as well .  A control room will track the worker who is in distress !

It is a Qatari innovation  and  will be manufactured by a Chinese company called NUCTECH .

you can read more here



visa-free entry for citizens of 80+ countries to Qatar



 To find out if you need a pre-arranged visa or not  visit  this page  

Al- Shaqab - free entry today



 In case you /your children are interested in horse riding then hurry up !

 You can get a free tour inside Al- Shaqab today !





Hathab, Qatar Equestrian Tour 2017/18 -free entrance. Don't miss the thrill! (14-13 Oct)
Where ? AL SHAQAB , Gate8 ,Indoor Arena








Saturday, October 07, 2017

Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Museum of Islamic Art opening time changed


 Good to know  that from October  the MIA is open 7 days a week - until 7 pm !

We happened to visit it on a Tuesday -just to find it closed in summer .   My kids got exhausted  in the park and while  waiting for taxi  we found shelter from the heat at the Riwaq Hall  though it was officially closed as well .

Monday, October 02, 2017

Bike rentals at MIA Park


 Good News for the bike lovers  . You can plan  bike tour with your kids in the MIA park as bikes are available for rent again . 
We were there in April and  we were very much disappointed to see no bikes at all . 
Great that they are back !

MIA Park Bazaar Season starts, 6th October 2017

 it is still hot here  but the park bazaar reopens 

on 6 October 2017
Friday at 14:0020:00





nice occasion to go out   and have some home made dish , buy clothes ,books , art and craft
 then walk along the promenade  and have drink at the kiosk cafe to admire the sunset or  Doha by night

My tip :   before 4 pm it is still too hot  - the sun sets at 5 :16  

if you arrive at 4 pm then you can spend one hour in the  bazaar   then walk to the cafe  and see the sunset 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Numbers in Qatar - Qatar Airways

White sailboat - Bon Voyage T-Shirt

four Omani women sailors challenging stereotypes

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Beware of clouds - weather in Qatar


Prince Tamim bin Hamad reception in Qatar after historic journey

Highlights from the speech of the Emir of Qatar at the UN

Saturday, September 23, 2017

European Day of Languages is back at the Institut français Qatar

The Red Arrows aerobatic show in Qatar next week



UPDATE

the Red Arrows were here in Doha . People watched the show from different parts of the city . Qatar Airways wants you to send your best photos .

Al-Attiyah for winning GOLD MEDAL at Ashgabat 2017




Sunday, September 17, 2017

Vintage Fruit Basket - kitchen and dinning set

Vintage Fruit Basket - kitchen and dinning set
Vintage Fruit Basket - kitchen and dinning set
by almawad


Vintage Fruit Basket - kitchen and dinning set. Various products you can customize 

Free bananas & apples for kids at Monoprix Qatar


  Nice gesture  -  though I do not think there are a  lots of kids  in need of free fruit around here . However it may encourage eating  more fruit . 

Katara Gallery - give or take used books

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Congrats Qatar - Diving team bronze

Traffic Diversion from Al Wakra

Wednesday, September 06, 2017

Large Port to be opened in Qatar

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

The first groups of metro trains arrived in Qatar


 they came from Japan  on a sea route
 it took them 21 days to arrive
 it is a great joy for every resident in the country

Monday, July 31, 2017

New sun protection mask from Japan


 this face protection looks like  a Muslim veil   that so many women wear around here 

 here women wear it for religious reasons  as they believe that it protects one from the fire of the hell

 Japanese women wear it for practical reason  - they wish to  have fair skin 

 many Arab women wish  the same 

 now - the invention  of this new Japanese Niqab is that it leaves an open area for the nose 
 the one who wears it  can breathe normally


 In Japan  many wears it  already while driving or exercising  outdoors .

  In Europe it is totally forbidden in most of the countries .

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Casting Call: Seeking Actors with Qatari look

Forthcoming production: “SH’HAB” – written and directed by Amal Al Muftah
Synopsis:
Upon hearing a myth about falling stars, a young girl’s curiosity is sparked. When night falls on old Al-Wakrah village, she sets out on her father’s boat, with the assistance of her older brother, to chase the fabled comets.
Auditions will be held between July 16th and August 10th 2017 for the following roles. All applicants should have Qatari look and speak the local dialect.
AMAL (8-11 years old)
Confident and adventurous.
NAHLA (35 – 45 years old)
Amal’s beautiful, caring mother.
SULTAN (10 – 13 years old)
Brash and confident.
ABDULRAHMAN (40 – 50 years old)
Protective of his children. Strong and stern from years working as a fisherman.
VILLAGERS: (all ages, male and female)
We’re looking for 10 aspiring actors to be play background cast in selected scenes. All cast should look Qatari. These roles are a good opportunity for those seeking to participate in their first professional film production.
Please send the following information to: QFF-Productions@dohafilminstitute.com
• A recent photo of yourself (preferably a headshot)
• Date of birth, nationality, languages spoken
• Previous acting experience / Showreel links

Meanwhile in Yemen :(

The Funniest Fake news about Qatar


 some of the "best of  "the fake news spread about this country 

Dairy products and Turkish vocabulary - Qatar 50 day of siege

It  had been the Saudi who brought to Qatar  a lots of dairy products before : milk  , laban , labneh , sour cream , keshta , creme caramel used to be my favourites .  They used to be the cheapest counter . It  has been for 50 days that they do not bring it anymore ...

 In one  supermarket where I frequently go  - there is a long  counter offering dairy products . Two third of it has been always Western ,expensive , medium priced products from France , Germany ,USA  even there is one Hungarian cheese brand .

 When my friends ask me if I find  food for us  in Qatar then I say - yes . There is no reason to feel sorry for us . Especially when I think of some war torn countries citizens in the area .

Some brands disappeared -  new ones came.

 Now the dairy counter - the cheap part is filled with Turkish and British milk . The latter is more expensive , but people understand the labels . As it is in English  .

 The Turkish dairy products do not always have info on them in English . So  at the supermarket there is a small help with  Turkish words translated into Arabic , English , Hindi , Tagalog .

  something like this

 Süt - milk ,حليب ,दूध , ,gatas
_____________________
Ayran - laban 
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yoğurt - 
yoghurt ,dahee ,زبادي
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Meyveli  yoğurt -  fruit yoghurt ,

expat Qatar