PERSIAN RESTAURANTS - Shater Abbas
Lamb for our weekend picnic lunch ? - we nearly got objected as we do not like it -but when we tasted with my daughter the dish called "riyash " which seemed to be some spicy grilled lamb chops -then we were more than satisfied .It was a half year ago .Then we decided that we have to visit once the Shater Abbas restaurant for we can learn more about the Persian cooking here .
We entered the restaurant and went up the badly designed steps . It was a large place with separated family section -and even with some totally separated compartments . The whole place had some retro touch -and suddenly I felt as I was with my father in a club's restaurant at Lake Balaton as a little girl.Some columns as decoration even added to this feeling with their metallic op-art style .The walls were tiled with yellowish pattern -which was imitating a Persian carpet on the wall .One or two of this pattern was OK but it was repeated too many times all around us and made me feel dizzy . The wooden partition was decorated with art-deco motifs .The tables were large and nice and the chairs as well -they made me feel I am at an elegant place .Then I had to face a large screen on which there was a football match on -and it made me feel as I was at a pub .
I had mixed feeling about the interior design .I thought that the original design was spoiled with some amateur's elements .What a pity !
We opted for the open buffet .The tables were nicely set .The selection of dishes was very big - two long tables were full of main dishes .
A smaller table was dedicated to the hors d'ouvres and salads .
I started with mutabal -which is my favourite anyway - but it was the best I have ever tasted .The baba ganough was also very good .I went on with some soup - the addas was wonderfully spiced and the classic mushroom soup was excellent .
As a main course I chose first some khorma with beef and bean - it was not my plate of khorma .... Then I opted for some chicken biryani -it was very plain - almost supermarket quality .The kofta with potato in tomato sauce was very good .
I was almost full when I ventured for some mashi -in tomato sauce .It was some stuffed green pepper or zuccini - and it was surprisingly similar to the Hungarian dish called "stuffed pepper" ,some spicy roasted chicken was also tasted by me -and I felt sorry that I had not discovered it earlier .
There were too many dishes - and most of them one can't even taste .
The selection of the dessert was too modest compared to the main course selection : some egg custard in oriental style ,baklava ,melon .
The buffet lunch was QR 55 for adults and QR 35 for children .As they did not offer any kids meal we had to pay that for our four year old .It is not fair price for a small kid - I think .Plus we had to pay 17 % service charges though nobody served us .
The toilets were nicely designed with red and white tiles -but badly maintained .The flush was not working and the floor was flooded with muddy water .There was a cleaner who had some tools very 'retro 'besides she had to clean the glasses at the drink bar and even she had to serve some water to the guests .
Most of the customers seemed to be Arabs and Persians .It was full on Friday.
See other review !
Sunday, May 11, 2008
THE LITTLE BRIDESMAID
This painting was made by me - based on a family photo .First a freehand pencil drawing was made -then I got it scanned and with this sketch as a base I made the digital watercolor .
I saved that .Then I went on with the work .I made every white spot transparent - then I added this burgundy background . The result was surprising for me : I got a little bridesmaid of African origin !
And look at the skirt - how beautiful it became !
This painting was made by me - based on a family photo .First a freehand pencil drawing was made -then I got it scanned and with this sketch as a base I made the digital watercolor .
I saved that .Then I went on with the work .I made every white spot transparent - then I added this burgundy background . The result was surprising for me : I got a little bridesmaid of African origin !
And look at the skirt - how beautiful it became !
May is a wonderful season in Hungary .Everything is green and blooming . May the first is the Labour Day -it is the day of eating out in plein air -spending most of the day outside -going to fun fair -to river banks .In the past companies and institutes used to set up a tent in the local park -and we used to gather there for a lunch .Nowadays - as there is a big unemployment in Hungary -it became only a nice souvenir from the past .
Mother's day is celebrated this month with a lots of flowers .This is the time for farewell days at schools -when graduating pupils stroll along the school building holding hands -and every class is richly decorated by flowers .In the evenings the same students take a horsed carriage and sing melancholic songs for their teachers as a sign of gratitude for their work .
This is the time when chestnut trees are blooming and fill the air in the public parks with their wonderful smell .
This is the time when I became mother first time in my life .
In Qatar this is the time of the heat .It goes up to forty C -and makes one avoid going out before 5 pm .
There is a film festival on in the Mall cinema on Palestine , in the exhibition center we visited a Wedding Expo with fashion show and we saw lots of nice decorated tables but too many flowers in paper .
My mother returned home after a month stay in Qatar .She was amazed to see the beauty of the blooming country -and was surprised how unpleasant it is without AC especially in the car .
On the other hand : many people expected her to return with a nice tan - and it was difficult to make them understand that one does not go outside day time -as it is too hot .
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Antique Carpets of Maktabi and sons
This is a private collection of some people from Lebanon .The exhibition took place at the Sharq village - a beautiful resort by the sea - built in old Qatari style .
There was a large collection of different carpets .Floral and geometrical designs and some"tableau " carpets .
The traditional Persian style to me is too much charged - and I prefer the geometrical designs .
The colors are faded in many carpets and we can only imagine how beautiful the carpets might had been when new .The estimated age of these items are around 100 or 150 years .
Praying rugs and huge "wall to wall" carpets were on display .
The exhibition will be open only some days .
Weekend craziness
We decided to go out on Thursday night .It seemed at the beginning a nice idea .We went to see an antique carpet exhibition to Sharq village .It was nice and it did not draw crowds -we saw many beautiful things .
I wish we had returned home at that moment ! But someone had the idea to go to the Corniche .It was OK - the air was fresh and it was not too crowdy either .As we were leaving there was fireworks then a lots of Qatari youngsters were cheering wildly and throwing firecrackers on the road . It was too late to return we were already heading towards the City Center for a dinner - and we were riding among wildly celebrating fans of Al Sadd Football Club and it was a bit frightening .
After having dinner we got stuck one hour in a traffic jam in the City Center;s parking .The line did not move for one hour .We got no idea what was going on and I felt terribly tired and fed up .
Then we got out and again had to go along the Corniche road which was still full of happy football fans sitting on the tops of their cars or in the window , cheering and throwing the firecrackers .
I decided rather to stay at home at the coming weekends .
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
TAMIL NEW YEAR
I suppose there are so many Tamils living here -but no one big hotel advertised special lunch or dinner on the occasion of the Tamil New year .Only one restaurant offered lunch for this great holiday for 25 rials .
It seems that they are not of the richest ones .
They are mostly labourers fishermen and maids .They get low salaries .But even that is too much for some Sri Lankan officials who accuse Qatar of helping the Tamil terrorism by giving them wages .It might be used later to fight the Sri Lankan government .Deja vue !
I wonder what the solution should be .They should not get their money ?Or Qatar should fire them from here for not to be accused of the support of terrorism ?
I suppose there are so many Tamils living here -but no one big hotel advertised special lunch or dinner on the occasion of the Tamil New year .Only one restaurant offered lunch for this great holiday for 25 rials .
It seems that they are not of the richest ones .
They are mostly labourers fishermen and maids .They get low salaries .But even that is too much for some Sri Lankan officials who accuse Qatar of helping the Tamil terrorism by giving them wages .It might be used later to fight the Sri Lankan government .Deja vue !
I wonder what the solution should be .They should not get their money ?Or Qatar should fire them from here for not to be accused of the support of terrorism ?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
If I WERE THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION IN QATAR
I would introduce for every lines families only
buses in the city .I would employ a security guard or something like that to keep non families out .
It might sound expensive but it would ease much more the heavy traffic on the roads .
To give you an idea how hard it is here at times I would mention our trip last year to the ZOO - which took 20 minutes to get there -and coming home was 2 and half an hour !
The buses nowadays in Qatar can be cold "Labourer's buses " .Though they are open for every one - but 99.99 percent of the passengers are labourers .
I would introduce for every lines families only
buses in the city .I would employ a security guard or something like that to keep non families out .
It might sound expensive but it would ease much more the heavy traffic on the roads .
To give you an idea how hard it is here at times I would mention our trip last year to the ZOO - which took 20 minutes to get there -and coming home was 2 and half an hour !
The buses nowadays in Qatar can be cold "Labourer's buses " .Though they are open for every one - but 99.99 percent of the passengers are labourers .
MATERNITY CLOTHES IN QATAR
H&M - you can find it at the Villagio Mall - they have a nice selection of maternity trousers ,blouses ,tops - 200 -300 rial will do for a top and a pair of trousers
DOROTHY PERKINS - it is also at the Villagio - they have a corner with nice selection - it is more colorful then H& M and a little bit more expensive you might need 500 -600 rial for a full outfit
ZARA - only some pieces - trousers and tees ,fresh style with affordable price -200 rial will buy you one full outfit
OUMNIA - it is at the Royal plaza .It has unique selection of maternity jeans and cargo pants ,blouses ,tees ,pull-overs .It is the most expensive place that I saw in Qatar .But it is nice - if you have 600-700 rial for a pair of trendy jeans and something like that for a top .
CARREFOUR SUPERMARKET - it has got only some pieces - difficult to spot them - they are not fantastic -but who knows - they might fit in your garderobe -it is the less expensive choice here
H&M - you can find it at the Villagio Mall - they have a nice selection of maternity trousers ,blouses ,tops - 200 -300 rial will do for a top and a pair of trousers
DOROTHY PERKINS - it is also at the Villagio - they have a corner with nice selection - it is more colorful then H& M and a little bit more expensive you might need 500 -600 rial for a full outfit
ZARA - only some pieces - trousers and tees ,fresh style with affordable price -200 rial will buy you one full outfit
OUMNIA - it is at the Royal plaza .It has unique selection of maternity jeans and cargo pants ,blouses ,tees ,pull-overs .It is the most expensive place that I saw in Qatar .But it is nice - if you have 600-700 rial for a pair of trendy jeans and something like that for a top .
CARREFOUR SUPERMARKET - it has got only some pieces - difficult to spot them - they are not fantastic -but who knows - they might fit in your garderobe -it is the less expensive choice here
Friday, April 04, 2008
Dudaze is a fellow artist at the zazzle .com ..She is a mother of three and her studio is their dinner table .
Her success story is simple and great : she loved needlework ,cross stitching and so on .
One day she decided to create dolls .When drawing the sketches she noticed that it is easier to draw and paint than making those dolls .Since then she is amazing the world with lovely characters for every occasions .
MOTHER'S DAY is celebrated all over the world on different dates .
For the Arabs March 21 (first day of spring) is Mother day . I read in the newspaper some hotels offering spa and light lunch for mums on that special day . For more than 700 rial at Sharq village - the lucky mother could get some spa ,beauty treatment ,massage ,a light meal .It seemed to be very posh .
For the British it is before Easter .
For the Americans it is the second Sunday of May .
For us - Hungarians it is the first Sunday of May .This day smells lilac in my memories.
It seems to be that after difficulties my mother got visa to visit us .We wanted her to come in February - but she did not get visa then .It is a little hot now here - but it comes with the advantage of being able to celebrate this day together .
I can read for her the story that I had written for her birthday .If everything goes well .
yadiin
For the Arabs March 21 (first day of spring) is Mother day . I read in the newspaper some hotels offering spa and light lunch for mums on that special day . For more than 700 rial at Sharq village - the lucky mother could get some spa ,beauty treatment ,massage ,a light meal .It seemed to be very posh .
For the British it is before Easter .
For the Americans it is the second Sunday of May .
For us - Hungarians it is the first Sunday of May .This day smells lilac in my memories.
It seems to be that after difficulties my mother got visa to visit us .We wanted her to come in February - but she did not get visa then .It is a little hot now here - but it comes with the advantage of being able to celebrate this day together .
I can read for her the story that I had written for her birthday .If everything goes well .
yadiin
WOK OF FAME
It was dizzying mixture of styles . The restaurant is a typical Chinese one .Dark wooden tables -yellow china plates - junk plastic vine leaves .Our waiter was Indian .The mall itself is in Venetian style .
It is located on a bridge over the canal - this way one can watch the Canal street with gondolas .
It was a Friday afternoon and it was packed with Far Eastern looking people .We waited too much -more than half an hour for our sizzling chicken . Our children became fussy .it was not really kids friendly .
The chicken itself was good but not very special .I had already far better sizzling at the Great Wall - at the Center .The size of the meal was very large . Actually it was enough for three persons .It was not expensive around 20 rial .
My fried noodles was disappointing . I expected some kind of Asian noodles -but what i got it was something like tagliatelle in soy sauce .
I recommend it for people without kids - having plenty of time to wait - and prefering the huge meals over the gourmet one .
Qatar
country of records
This country has the highest ever GDP per capita in the world .
It has the worst male -female ratio in the world .( too many single workers -without FAMILY )
It is among the highest per capita diabetes in the world - 16-25 % -like the other GCC countries .( only the tiny Nauru island has higher 100 % )
It has the largest ever hand printed logo - Qatar Gas .
It has served the largest serving of KFC chicken .
It has the sixth highest hotel room per resident ratio in the world .
country of records
This country has the highest ever GDP per capita in the world .
It has the worst male -female ratio in the world .( too many single workers -without FAMILY )
It is among the highest per capita diabetes in the world - 16-25 % -like the other GCC countries .( only the tiny Nauru island has higher 100 % )
It has the largest ever hand printed logo - Qatar Gas .
It has served the largest serving of KFC chicken .
It has the sixth highest hotel room per resident ratio in the world .
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
MISSING STRAY CATS IN QATAR
Potted Black Kitten Notecard from my Original Art!
by
buckscountydesigns
Get this custom card
at Zazzle
A lovely black cat .I used to have similar one in Hungary .The other day I was in the Al -Bida park - and I did not meet any stray cat there .Where are they ?
Potted Black Kitten Notecard from my Original Art!
by
buckscountydesigns
Get this custom card
at Zazzle
A lovely black cat .I used to have similar one in Hungary .The other day I was in the Al -Bida park - and I did not meet any stray cat there .Where are they ?
Saturday, March 22, 2008
HAPPY EASTER !
Creating an Easter ambiance here in Doha is difficult .We do not have spring here at this time - it is like summer 21C -31C .After that -there are no tulips or daffodils here -at least I did not ever see those flowers here .Our relatives are not here either : essential thing for a great holiday .Especially that the Great Hungarian Sprinkling Day at Easter requires male relatives who would sprinkle on you some water .( my husband never understands why it is so important for us )
What do we have ? Eggs to dye .Red food color . Internet to keep in touch .Delicious cakes I bought at the Center supermarket .Their bakery is really wonderful and I am a little bit tired to bake .And Duna tv to watch some old American film and other one on the life of Mother Teresa .That's how a Hungarian Easter in Doha .
Creating an Easter ambiance here in Doha is difficult .We do not have spring here at this time - it is like summer 21C -31C .After that -there are no tulips or daffodils here -at least I did not ever see those flowers here .Our relatives are not here either : essential thing for a great holiday .Especially that the Great Hungarian Sprinkling Day at Easter requires male relatives who would sprinkle on you some water .( my husband never understands why it is so important for us )
What do we have ? Eggs to dye .Red food color . Internet to keep in touch .Delicious cakes I bought at the Center supermarket .Their bakery is really wonderful and I am a little bit tired to bake .And Duna tv to watch some old American film and other one on the life of Mother Teresa .That's how a Hungarian Easter in Doha .
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
When I was a little girl I liked those fine dots very much and I always wished to see my father in such tie .But he did not like the idea . I have just designed some ties with dots - and I wanted to know how others like dots in men’s fashion .
I put the question in a discussion forum for ladies and here are the answers I got:
I just don’t think polka dots belong on a tie.
If they are tiny, I like polka dots. But I don’t like the big 70s-style dots.
I’ve got nothing against polka dots in general, but IMO, some of those ties require sunglasses.
I do like the capuccino, cafe latte, burgundy dots, and fine dotted blue. I would never buy the very LOUD plaids and blocks though. But someone out there may like those.
Different strokes for different folks.
I would never buy anything polka dot for a man.
Truthfully, I don’t think I would ever see ties like those on men in my company...not even the gay ones.
This were the answers I got . I wonder what do you think about men wearing necktie with polka dots ?
I put the question in a discussion forum for ladies and here are the answers I got:
I just don’t think polka dots belong on a tie.
If they are tiny, I like polka dots. But I don’t like the big 70s-style dots.
I’ve got nothing against polka dots in general, but IMO, some of those ties require sunglasses.
I do like the capuccino, cafe latte, burgundy dots, and fine dotted blue. I would never buy the very LOUD plaids and blocks though. But someone out there may like those.
Different strokes for different folks.
I would never buy anything polka dot for a man.
Truthfully, I don’t think I would ever see ties like those on men in my company...not even the gay ones.
This were the answers I got . I wonder what do you think about men wearing necktie with polka dots ?
Ides of March is an important date in Hungarian history : it was the date of an uprising in Pest in 1848 which later lead to a Freedom war .When I was in my twenties -we celebrated it in Pest with loud demonstrations - and anti -government slogans - citing the 12 points of those rebels whom we commemorated .
Here ,in Doha the Hungarian embassy gave a garden -party with goulash some years ago - these were nice reunions of the Hungarian living here .
This year there was nothing at all .
A Roman chatholic church was opened with 2000 seats .There is an estimated number of 150 thousand Christians living here temporary - out of whom 100 thousand is Roman Chatholic .
However ,the church was not full at all .
Here ,in Doha the Hungarian embassy gave a garden -party with goulash some years ago - these were nice reunions of the Hungarian living here .
This year there was nothing at all .
A Roman chatholic church was opened with 2000 seats .There is an estimated number of 150 thousand Christians living here temporary - out of whom 100 thousand is Roman Chatholic .
However ,the church was not full at all .
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Talmacsi,the Hungarian did not win the Losail race as he had planned .His motorcycle let him down .
However I am very proud of him - and it is a great feeling that one of my compatriots is performing very well here in Qatar .
My male relatives in Hungary were very much excited about this race .They strongly encouraged me to go to Losail to support him .The race took place 10 pm - and I do not know exactly how to get to Losail .The guys of our family could not really understand how I can miss such important event !:)
HAJRA MAGYAROK !
However I am very proud of him - and it is a great feeling that one of my compatriots is performing very well here in Qatar .
My male relatives in Hungary were very much excited about this race .They strongly encouraged me to go to Losail to support him .The race took place 10 pm - and I do not know exactly how to get to Losail .The guys of our family could not really understand how I can miss such important event !:)
HAJRA MAGYAROK !
Balhmabar restaurant
We went there around two weeks ago after visiting the Robot Zoo at the Corniche .As we approached the restaurant we saw somebody going unconscious and the guests of the restaurant all jumping up from their chairs and were standing around the poor woman - who had nobody with her on that sunny afternoon . I kindly asked if she was breathing then they became happy for a moment thinking of me that I was a doctor - and for a moment I really wished I was one .As the ambulance arrived we left the scene to look around the restaurant itself .In the terrace a large shami Arab family was celebrating something with a delicious looking cake .Otherwise there were western looking tourists relaxing there .The waiter was a young Qatari .Real rarity - some people could not even believe me that a Qatari takes up a job where he has to serve other people - especially serving the non - Qatari ! Well- he did not do it with pleasure ! He turned up for a short time then he escaped .As I did not wish to wait for ages _ I entered the restaurant to order some drinks and egg custard .Traditionally built Arab house with thick walls is the restaurant building .Rustic interior design - calm ,quiet atmosphere .Some Qatari families just finished their lunch .There is an open buffet for 100 rial .Otherwise one can not eat much there !
The egg custard was very good - it had some extra oriental flavour added - I think it was rose water - and it was really something special .
When the waiter appeared I told him to bring the bill . Fifteen minutes later I ran out of patience and went inside the restaurant again . He was not busy at all -sitting quietly at his desk - the least caring about my bill. When he saw me he apologised .
Besides this special local way of serving - this place had impressed me very much .We were sitting in the terrace with sea view .The massive structure of the building isolated us from the busy city -and it was very calm there .
I do recommend anyone to sit there but only in case one has plenty of time ...
We went there around two weeks ago after visiting the Robot Zoo at the Corniche .As we approached the restaurant we saw somebody going unconscious and the guests of the restaurant all jumping up from their chairs and were standing around the poor woman - who had nobody with her on that sunny afternoon . I kindly asked if she was breathing then they became happy for a moment thinking of me that I was a doctor - and for a moment I really wished I was one .As the ambulance arrived we left the scene to look around the restaurant itself .In the terrace a large shami Arab family was celebrating something with a delicious looking cake .Otherwise there were western looking tourists relaxing there .The waiter was a young Qatari .Real rarity - some people could not even believe me that a Qatari takes up a job where he has to serve other people - especially serving the non - Qatari ! Well- he did not do it with pleasure ! He turned up for a short time then he escaped .As I did not wish to wait for ages _ I entered the restaurant to order some drinks and egg custard .Traditionally built Arab house with thick walls is the restaurant building .Rustic interior design - calm ,quiet atmosphere .Some Qatari families just finished their lunch .There is an open buffet for 100 rial .Otherwise one can not eat much there !
The egg custard was very good - it had some extra oriental flavour added - I think it was rose water - and it was really something special .
When the waiter appeared I told him to bring the bill . Fifteen minutes later I ran out of patience and went inside the restaurant again . He was not busy at all -sitting quietly at his desk - the least caring about my bill. When he saw me he apologised .
Besides this special local way of serving - this place had impressed me very much .We were sitting in the terrace with sea view .The massive structure of the building isolated us from the busy city -and it was very calm there .
I do recommend anyone to sit there but only in case one has plenty of time ...
How I recovered in two days from a bad flu ?
I had been taking care of my ill four year old for a week when the flu attacked me on my turn . Usual symptoms : pain everywhere ,high temperature ,very painful coughing .
It reminded me a similar bad flu which had attacked me 17 years back in my twenties .Then it took me more than three weeks to recover .
Now I remembered what I read about the vitamin C and how to cure ourselves .I took one tablet of vitamin C C(1000 mg) every half an hour until it caused diarrhea .Then I took only one or two in the afternoon .The day after I repeated the vitamin C intake and like a miracle I became much better and I was able to get up from my bed and to do the housework .
So easy ,isn't it ? It is difficult to believe since it is so simple !
17 years ago I spent one week in bed - then another week just lazing around the house .We had a holiday booked in the mountains - I had to go . But I still felt terribly weak at times .As we were riding up and down the hills I had big pain on my ear drums . It was a wonderful Indian summer around us we were living in a villa in the middle of the forest and I was not able to enjoy it at all . Then as we were walking in the forest I found some rose hips _ I collected them. When we were kids we used to have a lots of rose hip tea - but it became somehow forgotten . I ate them fresh I drank some infusion ... It worked like a miracle : half day later all my symptoms had vanished ... and i enjoyed a lot our holidays ...
I had been taking care of my ill four year old for a week when the flu attacked me on my turn . Usual symptoms : pain everywhere ,high temperature ,very painful coughing .
It reminded me a similar bad flu which had attacked me 17 years back in my twenties .Then it took me more than three weeks to recover .
Now I remembered what I read about the vitamin C and how to cure ourselves .I took one tablet of vitamin C C(1000 mg) every half an hour until it caused diarrhea .Then I took only one or two in the afternoon .The day after I repeated the vitamin C intake and like a miracle I became much better and I was able to get up from my bed and to do the housework .
So easy ,isn't it ? It is difficult to believe since it is so simple !
17 years ago I spent one week in bed - then another week just lazing around the house .We had a holiday booked in the mountains - I had to go . But I still felt terribly weak at times .As we were riding up and down the hills I had big pain on my ear drums . It was a wonderful Indian summer around us we were living in a villa in the middle of the forest and I was not able to enjoy it at all . Then as we were walking in the forest I found some rose hips _ I collected them. When we were kids we used to have a lots of rose hip tea - but it became somehow forgotten . I ate them fresh I drank some infusion ... It worked like a miracle : half day later all my symptoms had vanished ... and i enjoyed a lot our holidays ...
Monday, March 10, 2008
There was a cultural festival in Qatar last week . It started by Placigo Domingo concert and ended by another opera Il barbiere di Siviglia and Demis Roussos concert . There were a lots of events during this one week - exhibitions and theatre plays : fireworks and old boats show .
I wished to go and see it all - but like a typhoon -a virus swept across our house leaving everybody lying in bed with high temperature - so either I was treating my ill family members or I was ill myself - not able to go .
I wished to go and see it all - but like a typhoon -a virus swept across our house leaving everybody lying in bed with high temperature - so either I was treating my ill family members or I was ill myself - not able to go .
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Che Bello ! Romano Macaroni Grill
I have a stomach ache after eating the kids menu''s pasta with cheese . It was very heavy:in thick cheese sauce there was some floating pasta .My child refused to eat it at once . I had some salad and sandwiches - it was good - not fantastic .The service was excellent . The tables are covered with white sheets of paper - our waiter introduced himself and wrote his name on the paper with a chalk .We laughed and liked the idea .Kids were given a magazine and some chalks to color .It was excellent still they are coloring .The white sheet was also attractive I saw others as discovering the artist in themselves and are drawing on the table .So did we .Waiting for the meals was fun .Besides the chalks we got a round bread and some olive oil .It was oven fresh and tasty .If only they gave some water cheaper ! One bottle of water was 10 rial ! The waiters were wearing extravagant ties .Each of them different ones .For we can recognize our one .
The kids meal came with a drink with extra fillings and an ice cream - vanilla one in chocolate sauce - it was excellent .
Lovely place .Little bit pricey : a kids menu was 18 rial , the sandwiches with salad 29 rial .
I have a stomach ache after eating the kids menu''s pasta with cheese . It was very heavy:in thick cheese sauce there was some floating pasta .My child refused to eat it at once . I had some salad and sandwiches - it was good - not fantastic .The service was excellent . The tables are covered with white sheets of paper - our waiter introduced himself and wrote his name on the paper with a chalk .We laughed and liked the idea .Kids were given a magazine and some chalks to color .It was excellent still they are coloring .The white sheet was also attractive I saw others as discovering the artist in themselves and are drawing on the table .So did we .Waiting for the meals was fun .Besides the chalks we got a round bread and some olive oil .It was oven fresh and tasty .If only they gave some water cheaper ! One bottle of water was 10 rial ! The waiters were wearing extravagant ties .Each of them different ones .For we can recognize our one .
The kids meal came with a drink with extra fillings and an ice cream - vanilla one in chocolate sauce - it was excellent .
Lovely place .Little bit pricey : a kids menu was 18 rial , the sandwiches with salad 29 rial .
TALK Of THE WEEK
According to a new law no landlord is allowed to increase the rent until further orders.
Qatar became too expensive - and the inflation became too high .All of it started around four years ago when rents started to go up in price .Officially -it is said that there are more newcomers than available flats -but one living here can clearly see that there are too many new ,empty flats here with terrible high rent .
According to a new law no landlord is allowed to increase the rent until further orders.
Qatar became too expensive - and the inflation became too high .All of it started around four years ago when rents started to go up in price .Officially -it is said that there are more newcomers than available flats -but one living here can clearly see that there are too many new ,empty flats here with terrible high rent .
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Winter is over .Spring is here .Birds are singing happily all the day .The park is full of people "no more cold - everyone is happy " feeling is common .Kids are wearing pullovers but the bold threw it -and wearing t-shirts .
Valentine Day is coming .Last week I saw the Royal plaza with splendid decor for this day .
There is a jewelry fair and expo in the city .Seef hotel invited me and my husband ( comme il faut par ici ) for two nights at the price of one night .Other hotels and restaurants are inviting us for a dinner .
The conservative imams are telling their usual speech : no imitating of westerner is allowed ,no pagan traditions ! The milder imams approve valentine day -but only for wife and husband .
So ,it is just the usual mid-February here .
Valentine Day is coming .Last week I saw the Royal plaza with splendid decor for this day .
There is a jewelry fair and expo in the city .Seef hotel invited me and my husband ( comme il faut par ici ) for two nights at the price of one night .Other hotels and restaurants are inviting us for a dinner .
The conservative imams are telling their usual speech : no imitating of westerner is allowed ,no pagan traditions ! The milder imams approve valentine day -but only for wife and husband .
So ,it is just the usual mid-February here .
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
A SIXTY -FIVE YEAR OLD STORY
It was a very strange evening in Al- Bida park . It was late March - the weather started getting warm . After sunset it became all misty . The fog covered the park not evenly but in patches . When the park 's lights were on -it became even more whimsical .I was watching people walking on the paths - and disappearing in the dense fog then appearing again . Young ,slender girls walked into the mist like serious fairies in their black outfit and walked out of it .
. Pop corn, curry , biriyani , cardamom smell all mixed with the cool air from the sea . The park was loud with happy families relaxing , having picknick ,playing . Apart from the weather -it was a usual Friday night .
We met our friends there . Our children were playing ball and we were having hot tea and samosas and telling stories of our childhood .
Riding home we got stuck in a traffic jam . MY husband started to talk about the new car that we should buy .
And while he went on analysing the different models -I hardly could hear what he was telling .
IN my mind a picture appeared , a blurred but irresistible one . I stared into the lines of car to see he picture sharply :
I saw a woman walking on a country road . She was walking slowly with a big packet on her back . Hopelessly she moved forward . On her back there was a child crying :" Is it still far ?"
" Hush " - she kept answering " Soon we will be at home " - but less and less hope she had .Will somebody would feel sorry for her and take them?..
People in her village did no like what she did . When something started to grow on the neck of her little child
they kept telling her ;" God gave the child God takes her " ""we are not aristocrats , but poor villagers - we can not afford an operation "
But my grandmother had different view on this . She sold whatever she could and went to the town's hospital .
The doctor was rude to her ;" What do you want , Woman ?"
"Please , remove this from her neck " she was pointing to the small ball sized thing growing on her daughters neck .
"Where is your husband ?" " I am divorced ,I have no husband ." The doctor became furious hearing that :
" No husband ? What do you think ?An operation is too much money !!"
"Please ,listen to me ""It is true ,I have no husband -but I do have money ,I sold whatever I could - and if it is not enough I still have some lands to sell "
This way the doctor was ready to examine the little girl .He did not look into the her eyes when he took the money .Only little remained - my grandmother had to pay for accommodation and bought a little ,cheap toy for the five year old with a wound on her neck ...
There was no money left for paying for a bus ticket or horsed carriage ...
She took the child in the morning from the hospital and at sunset still there were some kilometres ahead of them . She had expected to arrive home before midnight . But there were also good men in her village .One of them stopped and took them home on his carriage ...
The next morning my grandmother went to the market to sell her fruit and vegetables and bought pigeons for the little girl .She had fed her by pigeon soup and she was living on bread and water . She was in great mood .She won .In spite of all the talk of the village -she saved her little girl .The doctor told her that type of cancer will not grow back most probably .
And he was right ! MY mum has just celebrated her 70 th birthday !
Slowly we arrived home from the park .We were packing our things and trying to arrange our memories . The misery of 1940 's today is only history in Hungary . But Europe is a long way from here . The distance is painfully big at times !
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
UPCOMING EVENTS IN QATAR
Qatar cycling event TOUR DU QATAR from 28th February till
2 February more info
FIRST ARAB STAMPS EXHIBITION
location :Villagio mall
from 30 January to 3 February
Wheels'n heels
cycling ,walking , roller skating all along the Corniche from
the Sheraton till the Village
starting point : Sheraton ,at noon
Sailing Gulf Regatta
from 3 - 9 February
Location: Doha sailing club
Jewelry Fair
CIRCUS
until 15th March
location : Hyatt plaza
from 5.30 - 7.15 every night
at weekends there is one more show from 7.45
tickets : fro: 33 QR to 100QR
CAMEL RACE
location :Al Shahaniya (30 km from Doha )
more info :487 20 28
PLACIDO DOMINGO CONCERT
more info
Tickets can be bought ay Virgin book shop at Villagio
DOHA CULTURAL FESTIVAL
from 28 FEbruary -to 6th March
HOrse race
every TUESDAY at 4 pm till March
more info
Qatar cycling event TOUR DU QATAR from 28th February till
2 February more info
FIRST ARAB STAMPS EXHIBITION
location :Villagio mall
from 30 January to 3 February
Wheels'n heels
cycling ,walking , roller skating all along the Corniche from
the Sheraton till the Village
starting point : Sheraton ,at noon
Sailing Gulf Regatta
from 3 - 9 February
Location: Doha sailing club
Jewelry Fair
CIRCUS
until 15th March
location : Hyatt plaza
from 5.30 - 7.15 every night
at weekends there is one more show from 7.45
tickets : fro: 33 QR to 100QR
CAMEL RACE
location :Al Shahaniya (30 km from Doha )
more info :487 20 28
PLACIDO DOMINGO CONCERT
more info
Tickets can be bought ay Virgin book shop at Villagio
DOHA CULTURAL FESTIVAL
from 28 FEbruary -to 6th March
HOrse race
every TUESDAY at 4 pm till March
more info
Saturday, January 26, 2008
NEW RESTAURANTS IN DOHA
La Veranda restaurant + cafe
The largest food court in Qatar .
Location : to the back of Ramada Plaza Hotel
tel: 4411919
private chambers for families
there is a lounge for ladies only
Le Central
Italian ,Japanese + international cooking
location " La Cigale Hotel
tel:
Irish Harp pub , restaurant
location : Sheraton Hotel
tel :974.485.4449
Krispy Kreme for doughnut fans
it opens 1 st February in the villagio
CHe bello
La Veranda restaurant + cafe
The largest food court in Qatar .
Location : to the back of Ramada Plaza Hotel
tel: 4411919
private chambers for families
there is a lounge for ladies only
Le Central
Italian ,Japanese + international cooking
location " La Cigale Hotel
tel:
Irish Harp pub , restaurant
location : Sheraton Hotel
tel :974.485.4449
Krispy Kreme for doughnut fans
it opens 1 st February in the villagio
CHe bello
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
If I were a cat
If I were a cat I would like to live a healthy ,free life . Perhaps I would like to have the right for reproduction but surely I would like to be cured if I were ill .
I would be surprised very much if those people who catch me to neutralize called themselves my friends . As it is the case here in Doha – and I guess in many other parts of the world .
And worse than that they condemn me to death if I were ill.( they would kill me softly – this makes them think they are great )
If I were a cat I would run far far away from QCC ( qatar cat friends organisation) !
P.S. And for those Qatari residents who would complain on me that I enter the staircase and I make dirt and noise I would send this message : „ do not kill us – just mend your entrance doors „
If I were a cat ...
Bobby Fischer died some days ago
Telling the truth I have not known too much about him .Thanks to Gulf- times I learnt some interesting facts on his life :
that he lived as refugee in Iceland because his homeland the USA wanted him for his anti- US attitude
having Jewish origins he criticzed the Jews very much
by the age 15 he was the youngest person ever to hold grand master title
at the top of his career he gave up playing
he spent much of the 1990's in Budapest appeared in public baths from time to time -looked like an old hobo ( there are some figures like that in our much beloved capital -and he was right
Budapest is a great place to live especially if one has five million dollars to spend )
he refused to advertise any products inspite of the great sums he had been offered for that
according to him chess as a sport died due to computers
However it is sad I can not feel sorry about that .
Chess will be again a nice recreation and not a political issue .It will be better - I think .
Telling the truth I have not known too much about him .Thanks to Gulf- times I learnt some interesting facts on his life :
that he lived as refugee in Iceland because his homeland the USA wanted him for his anti- US attitude
having Jewish origins he criticzed the Jews very much
by the age 15 he was the youngest person ever to hold grand master title
at the top of his career he gave up playing
he spent much of the 1990's in Budapest appeared in public baths from time to time -looked like an old hobo ( there are some figures like that in our much beloved capital -and he was right
Budapest is a great place to live especially if one has five million dollars to spend )
he refused to advertise any products inspite of the great sums he had been offered for that
according to him chess as a sport died due to computers
However it is sad I can not feel sorry about that .
Chess will be again a nice recreation and not a political issue .It will be better - I think .
Qpost services
An Indian woman living in Qatar being fed up with te slow post services between Qatar and India -tried to find out why it takes so long .
She went to the main post office in Doha and posted a letter for her own post box which can be found inside the same building .
It took nine days until it was sorted into her post box .
I still did not get my brother's parcel he had posted in mid december .OK , we did not expect it to get here on time for Xmas – but it is really too much !
Once I got a parcel in early June - it had been posted in February in Hungary by ground mail .
It came on foot I guess :))))
An Indian woman living in Qatar being fed up with te slow post services between Qatar and India -tried to find out why it takes so long .
She went to the main post office in Doha and posted a letter for her own post box which can be found inside the same building .
It took nine days until it was sorted into her post box .
I still did not get my brother's parcel he had posted in mid december .OK , we did not expect it to get here on time for Xmas – but it is really too much !
Once I got a parcel in early June - it had been posted in February in Hungary by ground mail .
It came on foot I guess :))))
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Nemes Nagy Agnes , HUngarian poet and essayist works were translated into English and published in London yesterday . The poems were translated by Zollman Péter and Tom Hubbard made a speech on them .
"It is not easy, you know, to insulate the days one from another, to place the date. I'll go and check if asphalt or snow is melting. This is no more than an early-morning botch of time, it will pass. Though not pass completely, for I was just examining a moment ago my five-year-old right knee and its palm-sized purple scab with the fading blue-and-iodine beach. These bruised and battered children's knees are embossed maps of discovery."
(From The Earth Remembers,
translated by Hugh Maxton)
I like her poems for kids very much . One of her books was in my suitcase when we arrived to Qatar It is a pity that they are not translated .
"It is not easy, you know, to insulate the days one from another, to place the date. I'll go and check if asphalt or snow is melting. This is no more than an early-morning botch of time, it will pass. Though not pass completely, for I was just examining a moment ago my five-year-old right knee and its palm-sized purple scab with the fading blue-and-iodine beach. These bruised and battered children's knees are embossed maps of discovery."
(From The Earth Remembers,
translated by Hugh Maxton)
I like her poems for kids very much . One of her books was in my suitcase when we arrived to Qatar It is a pity that they are not translated .
Monday, January 07, 2008
Would you adopt a horse if you could afford it ?
I was a little bit shocked when I visited the Qatarpets site that besides the usual adoptable cats and dogs they also have a horse in need of a master .
Adopt a horse. Have your own horse in a private Stable. Dana is a 7 year old mare. She was rescued about a year ago, and now she is looking for a family to adopt and care for her. Dana is very calm and sweet natured. She requires a medium to fair skilled rider. See poster for more details.
I was a little bit shocked when I visited the Qatarpets site that besides the usual adoptable cats and dogs they also have a horse in need of a master .
Adopt a horse. Have your own horse in a private Stable. Dana is a 7 year old mare. She was rescued about a year ago, and now she is looking for a family to adopt and care for her. Dana is very calm and sweet natured. She requires a medium to fair skilled rider. See poster for more details.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
KHALIL GIBRAN was born 124 years ago as an Arab from Lebanon .Later he emigrated to the USA and wrote his novels in English, in Arabic .
"You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen,—the seven masks I have fashioned an worn in seven lives,—I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, “Thieves, thieves, the cursed thieves.”
Men and women laughed at me and some ran to their houses in fear of me.
And when I reached the market place, a youth standing on a house-top cried, “He is a madman.” I looked up to behold him; the sun kissed my own naked face for the first time. For the first time the sun kissed my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love for the sun, and I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, “Blessed, blessed are the thieves who stole my masks.”
Thus I became a madman.
And I have found both freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.
But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief."
"You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen,—the seven masks I have fashioned an worn in seven lives,—I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, “Thieves, thieves, the cursed thieves.”
Men and women laughed at me and some ran to their houses in fear of me.
And when I reached the market place, a youth standing on a house-top cried, “He is a madman.” I looked up to behold him; the sun kissed my own naked face for the first time. For the first time the sun kissed my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love for the sun, and I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, “Blessed, blessed are the thieves who stole my masks.”
Thus I became a madman.
And I have found both freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.
But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief."
Saturday, January 05, 2008
PAUL'S CAFE
I was very disappointed when I found this cafe closed during Eid . Was there a mouse like at the Carrefour in summer ? I have not heard anything - just I saw with sadness that it was closed due to the municipalities order .
This restaurant cafe is so popular and not without merit .
The service is quick and nice .The decor is vintage style - rustic chairs arranged in casual manner.The cakes are tasty ,old fashioned calorie bombs .
When we asked for a kid's meal -first we were given some tasty bread and butter and tapenade .Then came the chicken sandwich which was described as small in the menu - but actually it was large enough for three kids . The ice cream was OK . The cappuccino was a real ,continental hot drink , not a bucket -but a reasonable cup comme il faut .
When sitting at this cafe I got the surrealistic feeling that I just arrived to South France to visit my non-existing French aunt -and this fictive ambiance made me feel so good ..
Cats of Qatar .I like them .I like their aristocratic way as they jump out from the garbage can with pride -as they are lying on the top of cars on some hot afternoons in summer .Friends of all watchmen at sites happiness for us to share with them our daily leftovers .
Learn more about Qatar pets !
Friday, January 04, 2008
FITNESS SOLUTION IN QATAR
FITNESS SOLUTION IN QATAR
New Year - new plans .Getting fit must be always on our agenda .Here are some advice where and how to get physical here :
disadvantage : from the road you breathe less fresh air - however at dawn even the city's air is clean
my tips : always take a mobile with you - it is long and in some hours deserted - the public phones are not always working and you need a card to use them .
there's only one public comfort station all along the 6 km path -be aware of that before your start
every 500 m or so you can find boards with instructions about exercise .
there are guards everywhere
you can find restrooms here and there
Mall walking is the perfect workout, alongside controlled temperatures; it provides a clean and safe environment to exercise. Where can you walk?
Al Khor Mall & Hyatt Plaza: 8am-12am Daily
Landmark & Villaggio: Sunday-Wednesday 8am-10pm and Thursday-Saturday 8am–11pm
Cheap solution : some TV channels also have fitness classes .the Indian Zee Tv has yoga sessions as early as 5:30 every morning nowadays
Future Tv has yoga classes between 6:30 and 7:00 am
bring your own 🚲 bike
Aspire Active For women : walking ,spinning ,hatha yoga ,lift and burn ,flex and strength , beauty full workout , prenatal , step core training ,tae bo ,pilates ,diabetes ,latin combo classes
supposed you can swim - you can take part in water sport activities as well .
Aspire Active for MEn :kung -fu ,group fitness ,boxing fitness ,indoor spin bike ,muay thai boxing classes
Aspire Active for children : sensory motors for babies and moms ,mother and toddler ,kindergarten age school age - these courses are so popular that are sold out very quickly after launching them
martial arts like karate and kick-boxing
taekwando ,kick box , gymnastics for kids
kick -box for men
Art of living Qatar : Yoga and breath workshop tel :4671042
Horse Riding : 480 7413 for new or experienced riders also for children
Ice skating : City center Mall , Villagio Mall
FITLINE SPA - Location at Bin Mahmoud
The Center roundabout at The Merzam residence
GYM , INDOOR POOL ,SPA
Learn more at : 4427 4037
clubs and gyms -read reviews on them
more reviews
KALABHAVAN centre -Karate - Yoga
location near Birla School
tel: 4662980
MY GYM
fitness for small children
tel :498 0099
yama yoga studios
Drop in yoga classes 50 QR
10 session pass 450 Q
* validity 3 months on session passes
974-325 1396 (Please call after business hours)
BLOKARTING
Regatta Sailing Academy : call 5507846
VLCC - Doha they are offering tailor-made fitness and diet plan -just for you
_______________________________
Gymmito Fitness Club
is a large mixed facility on the Pearl island in Doha
New Year - new plans .Getting fit must be always on our agenda .Here are some advice where and how to get physical here :
1.Cheap solution : walk ! Corniche
advantage : it is free , by the sea you can breathe the fresh air from the seasidedisadvantage : from the road you breathe less fresh air - however at dawn even the city's air is clean
my tips : always take a mobile with you - it is long and in some hours deserted - the public phones are not always working and you need a card to use them .
there's only one public comfort station all along the 6 km path -be aware of that before your start
Aspire Sport city walking - there is a 3 km path for walking, jogging and cycling .
advantages : it is near some shopping malls -so you can arrange the shopping and the fitness at the same timeevery 500 m or so you can find boards with instructions about exercise .
there are guards everywhere
you can find restrooms here and there
Mall walking is the perfect workout, alongside controlled temperatures; it provides a clean and safe environment to exercise. Where can you walk?
Al Khor Mall & Hyatt Plaza: 8am-12am Daily
Landmark & Villaggio: Sunday-Wednesday 8am-10pm and Thursday-Saturday 8am–11pm
Cheap solution : some TV channels also have fitness classes .the Indian Zee Tv has yoga sessions as early as 5:30 every morning nowadays
Future Tv has yoga classes between 6:30 and 7:00 am
2 .Affordable solution
Ride a bike in the ASPIRE PARK
there is a bike track - it is 5 km
bring your own 🚲 bike
Doha Fencing Academy
"French Fencing School " style - the coach is French Maitre Christophe CLEMENT
they offer classes for Specific young age 4 and 5 years old kids
general after-school training for children
Adults classes, from complete beginners till advance and competitive level
Locations : West Bay: Lycee Voltaire
Al- Waab
Tel: 123-456-7890
Fax: 123-456-7890
Girls Rhythmic Gymnastics for Girls ages 6-15 years
locations : Gharafa /West Bay
once a week training
for more info call : 4486 6293
Monkeynastix classes
fun and challenging non-competitive movement education program for children ages 1 to 6 years to improve not only the fitness level of kids but the cognitive and social skills as well
location ; Al Jazi Village II , Ghraffa
email: info@monkeynastixqatar.com
United BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) Qatar
location : Ain Khalid Gate compound/ Al Jazi Compound Gharaffa/
training for adults and children available
Anytime Fitness
+974 44111999
Location
Fireej Bin Mahmoud, Doha / Al Wakrah Main Street, Oryx Building
Al Wakrah, Al Wakrah
Open 24 hours
Aspire Active For women : walking ,spinning ,hatha yoga ,lift and burn ,flex and strength , beauty full workout , prenatal , step core training ,tae bo ,pilates ,diabetes ,latin combo classes
supposed you can swim - you can take part in water sport activities as well .
: Aspire sport club . You can join +974 413 6219
Aspire Active for MEn :kung -fu ,group fitness ,boxing fitness ,indoor spin bike ,muay thai boxing classes
Aspire Active for children : sensory motors for babies and moms ,mother and toddler ,kindergarten age school age - these courses are so popular that are sold out very quickly after launching them
Skill Development Center
Location : new salata area - yoga classes
martial arts like karate and kick-boxing
Falcon Taek wando Academy - Location : new location -call them for more info
taekwando ,kick box , gymnastics for kids
kick -box for men
| Phone | 44423012 / 44314415 ------------------------------- |
|---|
gold's gym gym tel: 4666622
AL Massa Active (behind Jareer book store )4444 4161 - for ladies 44364850 for men
Sehati Beauty Mall( at the decoration roundabout )Art of living Qatar : Yoga and breath workshop tel :4671042
Horse Riding : 480 7413 for new or experienced riders also for children
Ice skating : City center Mall , Villagio Mall
BOOTCAMP QATAR
Location : outdoors at the Education City or at the Corniche
one hour long, group fitness class using a range of strength and conditioning techniques to get you to feel fitter than you ever have before.
ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS at
Fitness Qatar
FITLINE SPA - Location at Bin Mahmoud
The Center roundabout at The Merzam residence
GYM , INDOOR POOL ,SPA
Learn more at : 4427 4037
clubs and gyms -read reviews on them
more reviews
KALABHAVAN centre -Karate - Yoga
location near Birla School
tel: 4662980
MY GYM
fitness for small children
tel :498 0099
yama yoga studios
Drop in yoga classes 50 QR
10 session pass 450 Q
* validity 3 months on session passes
974-325 1396 (Please call after business hours)
POSH Solutions : golf in Qatar
Nice outdoors activity .Children from age 3 are welcome , too .
The tours take place in the mangroves of Qatar ( Al-Khor area)
200 QR per person
for more info call 5549 0895
BLOKARTING
Regatta Sailing Academy : call 5507846
VLCC - Doha they are offering tailor-made fitness and diet plan -just for you
_______________________________
Gymmito Fitness Club
is a large mixed facility on the Pearl island in Doha
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Doha
Budapest
Buzau
Bangalore
Brooklyn New York
New York
Cochin
London
Ft. Worth
Calgary
Boston
Berkhamsted
Muscat
Las Vegas
Aliso Viejo
Hasselt
Bellevue
Seoul
Conroe
Mountain View
Leeds
Sydney
Regina What is the common in the above listed cities ? Well , I got readers from all of them . About ten days ago I managed somehow to install the stats program on my blog and it is very exciting to see who are clicking on my page .It is one of the great things about blogging .I get the most readers from Qatar though I did not manage to get on the list of qatarliving bloggers however hard I tried . I gave up that and I am trying to reach people through community forums and directories .
It was very hard at the beginning .Sometimes my posts disappeared ,sometimes they could not be published for some unknown reasons .Then I became more confident technically .When I had around 30 posts I submitted my blog to some directories .One of them refused me claiming that my blog is not a quality blog yet . To be admitted I should post minimum three times a week and my posts should be no longer or shorter than 400-500 character .First ,I thought I would try .Then I told to myself : how terrible to write only because you have to . I think the charm of the blogs is coming from their spontaneous ,unprofessional nature . This way I remain an everyday blogger - and wish I could go on with it the next year .
The great surprise that I am not the only Hungarian who is blogging from Qatar .I discovered tunde2006 is also sending posts in Hungarian about the life here and got a message some weeks ago in Hungarian from cowbabies - who is posting in English from here .
I read with pleasure Marjorie 's blog and tall&ginger'blog . Rain in DOha also gave me a lots of practical information .
Unfortunately , I did not have time to study and read all the blogs -and I suppose there are many others worth reading .
THank you for the blogging , the reading !
I wish a very happy blogging year for all of us !
Budapest
Buzau
Bangalore
Brooklyn New York
New York
Cochin
London
Ft. Worth
Calgary
Boston
Berkhamsted
Muscat
Las Vegas
Aliso Viejo
Hasselt
Bellevue
Seoul
Conroe
Mountain View
Leeds
Sydney
Regina What is the common in the above listed cities ? Well , I got readers from all of them . About ten days ago I managed somehow to install the stats program on my blog and it is very exciting to see who are clicking on my page .It is one of the great things about blogging .I get the most readers from Qatar though I did not manage to get on the list of qatarliving bloggers however hard I tried . I gave up that and I am trying to reach people through community forums and directories .
It was very hard at the beginning .Sometimes my posts disappeared ,sometimes they could not be published for some unknown reasons .Then I became more confident technically .When I had around 30 posts I submitted my blog to some directories .One of them refused me claiming that my blog is not a quality blog yet . To be admitted I should post minimum three times a week and my posts should be no longer or shorter than 400-500 character .First ,I thought I would try .Then I told to myself : how terrible to write only because you have to . I think the charm of the blogs is coming from their spontaneous ,unprofessional nature . This way I remain an everyday blogger - and wish I could go on with it the next year .
The great surprise that I am not the only Hungarian who is blogging from Qatar .I discovered tunde2006 is also sending posts in Hungarian about the life here and got a message some weeks ago in Hungarian from cowbabies - who is posting in English from here .
I read with pleasure Marjorie 's blog and tall&ginger'blog . Rain in DOha also gave me a lots of practical information .
Unfortunately , I did not have time to study and read all the blogs -and I suppose there are many others worth reading .
THank you for the blogging , the reading !
I wish a very happy blogging year for all of us !
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Pizza Places in Qatar
- Pizza Places in Qatar
It might be useful to know :
Biella cafe-pizzeria -ristorante 4677731 the Mall D- ring road + City Center
il rustico ristorante italiano 4385444 rydges hotel al-bida
the italian job - ramada hotel c ring road 4281428
papa johns -food center ,al khor + Al Emadi Building, along Ras Abu Abboud, Old Salata
Contact Number: 4662161
sbarro - Al Emadi complex ,B ring road tel :4440401 +Royal plaza top floor tel:4477763 + Center point mall .Jawaan street 4477780
yellow cab - Tv roundabout
4888310
Lo Spaguetto -behind the royal plaza tel:4341601
Pizza Express - Villaggio Mall , City Center mall , top floor 4839595
Pizza Hut - American Pizza Ramada Junction 4657744 ,4657733
Pizza Inn tel 4443596
4783357
4817576
PizzeriaFresh Pizza/PastasDoha Marriott Gulf Hotel4432432
Porcine Italian Ritz-Carlton 4848000
Il Foro Romano Ristorante
location :Hyatt Plaza
tel:4581111
Ristretto
location : Villaggio Mall
tel:4507208
Romano's Macaroni Grill
location : Villaggio Mall
tel 451 75 85
Domino's Pizza
Location Al Nasser Street and Rass Abou Aboud Street
Contact Number: 4340000
My list is not full .A week ago I tasted Sbaro's pizza and it had very fresh ,Mediterranean flavour - I would recommend that to everyone .
SZABO MAGDA , the much beloved Hungarian writer died some weeks ago . She was ninety and had a very exciting life and carrier .A woman novelist ,a great teacher .I must stop and think about her . WE met 27 years ago . I was a teenage girl she was the famous writer .She came to visit her cousin to the little town where my brother graduated from the secondary school . The form teacher of my brother happened to be cousin with the great writer and she had promised the visit on the farewell day of the class .The school building was from 18 th century , baroque style . It used to be monastery .ON the farewell days in my country all the school buiding is decorated by flowers .The students before the final exams walk along the classes and sing a farewell song .All of it was very romantic .She was there: a very simple person with very simple manners .
How nice to remember her !
IN her last interview she said this sentence : " I have had a deep fear in my soul since my early childhood : if I do not listen to those who want to talk to me then God is not going to listen to me either ."
Part of her great success was that she was a great listener !
learn more about her in English
How nice to remember her !
IN her last interview she said this sentence : " I have had a deep fear in my soul since my early childhood : if I do not listen to those who want to talk to me then God is not going to listen to me either ."
Part of her great success was that she was a great listener !
learn more about her in English
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas story or the ugly book's tale
1970 was a pretty difficult year . My father saw no other way to rise the family's living standard than going to the capital to study for a year in hope of getting a better position . It made us suffer financially and emotionally as well . How much I missed him ! He came home just for a short visit for the weekends . On Sundays he had to leave us right after our lunch . After kissing him good-bye at the bus station my mum was walking home with grim face – then before arriving home she burst out crying . Usually , I could not help crying with her - we were sobbing in the street . The next door women were laughing at us .” Hey ,are you crazy ? /” He is coming back next week – he didn't go to war , but to college ."
It was hard for my mum .She was left alone with three little kids and very little money .My father had to concentrate on his studies . We had to suffer for a better future .
Christmas was very near and my mother had very little money for presents . She hoped to get something unexpected : bonus or some money from my father – but nothing came .She had to arrange all the presents somehow on her own means ..
The shops were going to close and remain closed for Christmas time when
my mother ran to the toy shop : she had found a wooden toy car for my little brother and a doll for me – after paying she was left with very little money .” could you suggest something for a nine year old boy ?” she asked „for this money we've a book „ she had pointed to a ugly looking book with grey cover in the shop window . It was meant for summer visitors – a travel book on lake Balaton at discount price .
„ No „ was the first reaction of my mum „ „ it can not be a present for him „
We do not have anything else -and sorry we are closing „ Are you taking the book or not ?”
My mother recognized that she had no other option . She bought an ugly looking discount priced book for her first born son . What will he say when he sees it under the tree? What a life ! How far were her dreams from the reality !
My father arrived just some hours before exchanging gifts .He was not scared at all when my mum told him about the book .” I will arrange that „ he had told her with confidence . (They never lied us about the presents – it was always clear for us that they bought it or they prepared them on their own .)
„ My son „ „ You get no toys this winter , because we thought with your mum that you are big enough to have a book instead – and not any book but a book written for adults . I consider that you are smart enough to read it and tell us later about it"
That was my father's trick .
And it worked wonderfully ! My brother was not disappointed but proud !He started to read as soon as he found some free time . And the book despite its ugly cover turned out to be very interesting : it told stories ,legends on the origin of the mountains and hills surrounding us . We had lived in Tapolca basin surrounded by so many different type of mountains . He had learned a lot about them .First he told these stories only for us at home . Then he shared his knowledge with his buddies as well .Finally he became famous in the neighbourhood as an expert of mountains -and often even adults stopped him and asked him to tell about the story of this or that mountain .
When they asked amazed:where did you learn all this ?: he answered proudly : from a book I got for Christmas .
Epiloge
My brother is in his fourtiies nowadays and he still knows a lot on that area ,he loves the books and had learnt a lots of different hobbies merely from books wihtout tutors .And of course he still remembers with pleasure to that ugly looking book ...
Saturday, December 15, 2007
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