Tuesday, April 08, 2025

Numbers in Qatar - QR 2 trillion

 


 What's Going On with Qatar’s Banks?

📢 According to the Qatar Central Bank, in February 2025, the total assets of commercial banks in Qatar exceeded QR 2 trillion. That means the banking sector is growing stronger and managing more money than ever.

So... how much is QR 2 trillion?  🇶🇦 QR 2,000,000,000,000 ?

💰 QR 2 trillion is a massive amount of money. In more familiar currencies:

  • $550 billion USD - 💵 $550,000,000,000

  • €527 billion EUR

👉 Just to give perspective: That’s roughly as much as Germany spends on healthcare in a whole year!


ther key figures:

  • 🏦 Domestic deposits (savings & corporate accounts):
    QR 855.5 billion → ≈ $235 billion USD

  • 📈 Domestic credit (loans & financing):
    QR 1.32 trillion → ≈ $363 billion USD


Why does it matter?

These numbers show that Qatar’s economy is stable and growing. People are saving more, banks are lending more, and overall financial activity is increasing. That’s a good sign for the future of the country.

 


 

Sunday, April 06, 2025

Post-Eid & Ramadan Fatigue? Life hacks to Bounce Back


After the joy of Eid and a month of fasting, many of us feel like our energy's on vacation and our sleep clocks are totally confused. 😴
But don’t worry — with a little care and some clever hacks, you’ll feel like yourself again soon.

Here’s how to gently guide your body back to balance:


🔥 1. Wake up your metabolism!

Fasting slows down your inner engine. It’s time to spark it back to life!

🏊‍♂️ Start with low-impact movement: swimming, yoga, or a walk in the park.
🏃‍♀️ Then ease into cardio workouts when you feel ready.

🌶️ Don’t underestimate the power of spice! Hot peppers, ginger, and cinnamon can also help fire up your metabolism naturally.


☀️ 2. Reset your sleep rhythm

Your body clock might still be in Ramadan mode. To gently reset it:

🌄 Spend more time outside – especially in morning sunlight.
🌿 Try walking barefoot in fresh morning dew (hello nature therapy!)
🍳 Don’t skip breakfast – your body needs that signal to start the day.
🌰 A handful of walnuts around 5 PM helps boost melatonin naturally.


🥗 3. Eat smart – little and light

Big portions and sweets? Tempting, but not your friend right now.

🚫 Too much sugar can spike and crash your energy.
✅ Instead, say yes to:
• Fresh fruits and veggies 🥦
• Omega-3 rich foods 🐟
• Fermented goodies like yogurt and pickles 🥒

Let food be your gentle fuel, not a sleepy trap.


Be patient — your body needs time

It once happened to me — a full month after Ramadan, I was still waking at suhoor and couldn’t fall back asleep. 😵‍💫

Someone gave me a bold (and slightly crazy) tip that actually worked:

😳 Stay awake for 24 hours straight.
Yes, extreme — but it worked like magic. The next night, I crashed into deep sleep at the right time... and voilà! My clock reset itself. 🛌✅


💛 Final note: Be kind to yourself. Rebalancing takes time.
Let nature, good food, and smart routines help you glide back into your groove. Ramadan may be over, but self-care is forever. 🌙✨


Saturday, April 05, 2025

Night at Lusail Sky Festival - my unexpected experiences

Living in Qatar as an expat, I like its vibrant celebrations. Lusail's Sky Festival at Al Saad Plaza from April 3–5, 2025 was no exception. Running from 4:00 to 10:00 PM, the celebration featured laser displays, skywriting, aerial acts, and fireworks.

We arrived around 8:30 PM hoping to witness the highlights of the evening. Fireworks illuminated the sky as we neared the site; security at 8:45 informed us the event had finished early and sent us back to the metro station. But  seeing  the   crowd we rather sought refuge at a café.

 Getting us in the area required negotiating with the security personnel; finally we found a peaceful spot. After relaxing we decided to return to  the metro station , But  the crowd  was compelled to stroll in a fenced path and not into the direction of the metro but in the opposite direction to Lusail's high structures. It was an unusual long trek. The elderly, pregnant ladies, and young families were worn out. Some worn-out individuals were given a golf cart ride to the metro station, a small comfort in an otherwise challenging walk.

The subway trip was seamless. Given the itinerary indicated more time to appreciate the celebrations, we questioned why so much forced walking was required following the events of the night.

Big events call for effective crowd control and communication.   Hoping future festivals find a better balance between grandeur and attendee comfort.​


 An exceptional celebration like no other, attended by more than 340,000 visitors! ✨ Relive the most wonderful moments from the Lusail Sky Festival, from breathtaking air shows to unforgettable entertainment events.


 

expat Qatar