Tuesday, May 24, 2011



photos of the marine festival 2011 in Doha -it was in March ,there were a lots of programs but the main attraction -the seal show was not available for most of us ..in vain we were waiting an hour we could not get into the free show .. it was so big dissapointement for our kids that we would have been ready to pay for the show -but they did not give extra performances ..

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Saturday is expat day at the aqua park in Qatar  . I read  the colorful ad in the Gulf Times.
What does it mean ? Are we allowed to enter only on that day ? Or does it mean relaxed dress code .
I had read before local women complaining about the expat ladies who are wearing swimming suits at the aqua park .Does it mean that we have to wear abaya on the other days ?

I just wonder why the women of Qatar  fight against the expat women . They should ask ladies only day for themselves . Then things would be all right .

Thursday, May 19, 2011

City in progress no4 tie from Zazzle.com
City in progress no4 tieCity in progress no4 tie
City in progress no4 by almawad
Make a necktie on zazzle
Tower buildings being constructed in Doha .Digital photo-based painting by Alma Wad .Urban necktie for architects , engineers , contractors .

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mango Season is Here

The fruit markets and supermarkets are offering mango from different countries like : India , Pakistan , Yemen , Kenya .
This is the season when we have a large selection of this fruit at the lowest price .
Take advantage of this -eat mango it is full of vitamins we need . Learn how to cut the fruit to get the most of the pulp .


How To Cut a Mango on Howcast

Monday, May 16, 2011

Doha expatriates held anti-Gaddafi rally

I read in the peninsula qatar .I was really surprised at the fact that there is a Libyan community living in Doha . I have never heard about anybody being Libyan and living here .

What the Libyans want is a life with honour, dignity and freedom. 


said a rally speaker .

 I do understand what they mean . Once it happened that a group of Libyan musicians of traditional music performed in our town . I had to translate for them . There was something terribly depressing around them - nobody was behaving relaxed everybody was concentrating on the orders of their leaders too much .
The day  after an Egyptian group came to perform - they were so lively and cheerful // It was so nice after the Libyans .

I hope that will change soon and the Libyans will also experience  how to be relaxed and leave without fear .

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Exhibitions at the Katara

 It was a nice afternoon and evening at the Cultural Village , Doha . First we went to see the Islam and Science exhibition . This is a topic that interests me very much . This is something that we were not taught at school . At least not in my time .So I had great expectations . It was nice but not so great . The explanations were in French and Arabic .No English text .  Many  text came in small letters -and  it was difficult to understand the way of devices work despite animations .

 There were a lots of astrolabs  and other devices for astronomy . Mechanical illustrations - how  they lifted water in gardens  how they made automatic drinking machine . How they made operations etc .

 The topic is much greater than this exhibition could show us .


 It was not very child friendly .

We saw also at other rooms contemporary art exhibitions . A calligraphy artist with his art -which looks certainly great -but much more enjoyable for those who can read somehow the message . My kids got little gifts there , Coloring pages and even pens to color .So we relaxed at the Karak and Chapati tea house and we were enjoying the fresh Indian flat bread and spicy tea and the mild evening weather .

After that we ventured to other exhibition .  I think these are  expats living in Doha . I love watching this kind of art very much . I know I should mention names - but I only remember Hilda , the Brasilian one . She had big sized female shapes dressed in patterns . They were great , striking ,original artwork .

 There were some  light colored graffitti like paintings . Like an artist in good ,relaxed mood was scribbling on the canvas . I liked the result - fresh , urban art .

But the most memorable certainly will be the charcoal tree trunks and their prints  on white canvas . It was some kind of minimalism-  I guess .A big size of  trunk slice turned into black charcoal . There was a lizard on it . next to it the canvas with a print.  We kept explaining to our little kids . No need to be afraid . Not a real  lizard ! Then suddenly it ran away . There was a big scream then came the guard .
That is how art and reality meets in Doha .:)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Good News for Bikers

A major track for cyclists has opened recently .It is going along the Al Waab road -which is the road from where you enter Villaggio Mall .It runs to the Aspire zone .There will be soon bike stations as well -to rent a bike .And this is just the beginning ! There will be more and more Bike track in the country .I can't believe it !So great !

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

SCHOOLS IN QATAR
GUIDE 2010 -2011

The publishing house Planet News Business has released a Handbook of Private Schools in Doha. It is full of practical information on everything that you may want to know on schools in Doha .
The guide is free, it can be foundat the stands of Qatar Olympic Comittee in Villagio and Landmark.




1. It covers everything you need to know about schools in Doha. 99% of private schools are listed in this guide, as well as some of the Independent, the languages ​​they teach, how they pass the exams, their hours, their ages and dates of registration ... etc.
2. The guide provides detailed explanations for all examinations set in Doha and the country or which examinations are recognized.
3. It also contains step by step instructions to follow when visiting a school, before enrolling their child.
4. He explains the difference between schools in Doha, private, independent etc. ..
This book is what every parent should have at hand ...

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011



rainy day in the hills . the original photo of alma wad was taken in hungary- tolna county ... it was turned into a digital painting and applied on several items .
It is raining in Doha .A woman from Hungary just woke up. Her mum visited her unexpectedly in her dream .There is no need for visa anymore -she said happily ...I can come at any time  when I wish to see you .. .
It was just a dream ...Bitter feelings - but the rain is true ... It is comforting . It feels like home .It feels like being child . Sitting in the veranda of grandma well protected from the rain still enjoying the fresh air and watching how everything gets washed in the garden . The dreams , the smell of wheat and corn from the pantry the puddles in the streets of Doha . Everything get mixed .
A Hungarian man in Bolivia is being tried behind closed doors, a Hungarian  man who believed that one should fight against ugly dictatorships .His friends were shot dead in their dreams in their hotel rooms . His life was spared and now he is being tried without witnesses .
It is raining . It is comforting somehow ...

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Ripples on Beach, Sealine Beach Resort, Qatar, Middle East




Ripples on Beach, Sealine Beach Resort, Qatar, Middle East






Qatar is a peninsula surrounded by the sea .It has more than 700 km of this kind of shore .It might be a day greater treasure than the gas and petrol .If you are looking for a job/position in tourism you will certainly find one .


Wednesday, March 16, 2011


A Hungarian - Iranian group - the singer is Persian and the musicians are Hungarians .

Golestan is a Southern-Hungary-based world music group of Hungarian folk and rock musicians led by Doctor Khonji, a Persian living in Pécs, Baranya. They perform songs in Achom, a South-Iranian language of the Khonj community. Their musical arrangements are of a hybrid style including Persian nomadic, Hungarian, Gypsy and other popular elements.
They are going to perform this week in Abu Dhabi and  Dubai ...

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Japan Relief T-Shirt Tee Shirt from Zazzle.com

Japan Relief T-Shirt Tee Shirt from Zazzle.com Designed in support of relief efforts in Japan, this t-shirt is made for you to wear as you stand in solidarity with the earthquake victims and their families. For each purchase of this shirt, $10 will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross as they provide relief aid during this difficult time. Due to the large number of orders, please allow 4 to 5 business days for production.
日本の救援活動のサポートにデザインされたこのTシャツは、地震で被害にあわれた被災者とその家族への支援を意味しています。この地震への支援として、Tシャツが売れるたびに10ドルが日本赤十字社に寄付されます。大量生産をご注文の際は、製作に4~5営業日をいただいております。

Monday, March 07, 2011

Do you like folk dance ? Would you like to dance just for fun ? Then join this club

Hungarian &; Balkan Folk Dancing
Every Tuesday evening 7-9 PM

Folk Dance Club in the French Cultural Centre with circle dances from Hungary, Romania and other Balkan countries. Open for everyone, no previous experience necessary.

Contact: Csilla Szenti, 33866314, csilla.szenti@gmail.com for more info and directions

Friday, February 25, 2011

I heart fondue aprons from Zazzle.com





Yesterday we went to the Food Festival behind the Exhibition Center.It was not exactly the gourmet event I expected. A bunch of 5 star hotels were offering junk food like hamburgers ,French fries etc .For the real gourmet dishes one have to go around all the tents and hunt .First I
ordered for myself a beef sausage with Sauer Kraut from hotel Kempinksi Suites( or something like that) They gave me a decent sized fried sausage, so much French Fries but I saw no Sauer Kraut at all. When I inquired as to where the SauerKraut was , then they pointed out to a few threads of braised cabbage under the sausage. Sausages were great hit for the children and I had to order them 2 more portions . The chef was very proud of himself:) My husband bought some Goulash which was sold for him as German dish :) or :( ..It was a stew with rice ..really not very much Hungarian)

Then I ordered swiss raclette from the Movenpick hotel, which was a decent fondue with melted swiss ? cheese - tiny boiled unpeeled potatoes and a hint of pickled veggies.. it was good as it was ..While having the fondue my husband brought me some fantastic ,subtle flavored herb tea ... but he had forgotten at which tent he bought it ...

The sushi at Dana club was an easily forgettable experience. The raspberry cream in tiny cups at Le macron was fine but giving five riyals for a thimbleful fruit cream !It was not the deal I expected here ! The tiramisu was of decent size - I just missed the flavor of coffee from that dessert .

Malay cuisine was featured at one hotel's tent - there was a large crowd of Malays there I saw some weird green candy were taken.I saw Latino dishes at other hotel ...

We just had something to eat and we spent 100 riyals quickly . It was nice spring weather - it was outdoors - every hotel brought some of their seats so there were chic nice places to sit around and relax ..from the heralded fun programs for kids we saw only an empty stage between 3pm and 5pm on Friday..

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Food Festival this weekend at The Exhibition Center Doha

It sounds very nice deal .For the gourmet at least .Great restaurants are offering their dishes  at very low prices .The most expensive one is only 15 riyal .This is  the second year this event is held and it is already very popular .Take your family for a culinary adventure at low cost !


Wednesday - 4pm-10.30pm; Thursday - 12pm-10:30pm; Friday and Saturday - 1pm-10:30pm; Sunday - 12pm-10:30pm.
Qatar in 1971. Extract from

After seeing the Aspire Tower you can have a look at 1970's film when everything was much much simpler in Qatar .

Did you Know ?

Aspire Tower has 51 floors and it is 300 metres tall
The tallest building in Qatar
It was designed by Hadi Simaan

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Sipping Soda Greeting Cards from Zazzle.com
Sipping Soda card
Sipping Soda by Memory_Lane
Shop for a greeting card on zazzle.com

Who has the most beautiful Hat ?

Do you like vintage fashion ? Do you like horse races ? Do you like contests ?
Then you must participate at the hat contest organized by Racing and Equestrian Club .
When : 24th February from 03:30 pm to 06:00 pm
Where: Racing and Equestrian Club ,Al Rayyan racetrack

Registration : by e-mail patriciamusial@hotmail.com

More info :Patricia Musial

Mobile: 974 55536839

Sunday, February 13, 2011





Qatar 2022's First Five Stadiums - impressive presentation of the five futuristic football stadium to be built in Qatar .

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Egypt Is Free! Poster from Zazzle.com


the words of the desinger

"

True Democracy has come to Egypt!

On February 11th, 2011, the people of Egypt did what very few people imagined was possible: They peacefully forced their dictator of 30 years, Mubarak, to resign and hand over his power to someone else! The hope? That this will be the start of something big! That this will be the dawning of a new age fore the people of Egypt full of democracy and freedom! When I created my original "Free Egypt" poster, I had no idea that the people of Egypt would be able to achieve something so amazing so fast! My heart goes out to the people of Egypt and I sincerely hope that this works out for the best!"

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Dhows in West Bay, Qatar Greeting Card from Zazzle.com




Dhows with their lateen sails illuminated moored in West Bay, Doha, Qatar, Jan 2011


I just stumbled upon this great photo at zazzle .I am happy that I am not alone there taking photos around here and publishing them for sale .I like the contrast .Look at the the modernity of the new buildings and the ancient sail boat .This is a very exciting era here .Everything is changing .You can capture many things like that .

Sunday, January 30, 2011


Japan won the Asian Football Cup in Doha yesterday .They played against Australia .
Not everything went well . Some fans with valid tickets were not allowed inside .Some people complained about the fireworks which hurt kids ....Qatarliving forum is full of threads like this ..
Actually there were thousands of fans who were barred from the stadium by police in full riot gear
Read more:  http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1594568#ixzz1CVfikGAd

Imagine how those fans feel who came all the way from Japan or Australia ....

Thursday, January 27, 2011

after the prayer posters from Zazzle.com


An illuminated mosque in Doha Qatar after the last prayer of the day . Original photo poster by Alma Wad .It was taken in the Cultural Village /Katara .Available in four different sizes .

Thursday, January 20, 2011

There will be Japanese "Yosakoi" Dance performance at Aspire Fan Zone (behind Hyatt Plaza) with below schedule:

21-Jan (Fri), 22:00-24:00
22-Jan (Sat), 14:00-16:00

the event is organized by Qatar Vision
Ms. Hala Omar Hashisho
tel. 4447-6660

Great  event to see after the Friday Japanese match .

more cultural programs will be on at Katara and Souq Waqif  See details here

Nippon Sunrise invitation
Nippon Sunrise by almawad
See a different custom invitation on zazzle

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

 According to the Hungarian  paper Nepszabadsag  the first direct flight between Doha Budapest landed in Ferihegy airport ,Budapest some days ago .Four flights a week for the time being but it can be increased into daily flights within a half year .
Great news for us .  Hopefully their prices will be attractive too .

Saturday, January 15, 2011

football mania in qatar print from Zazzle.com



As Qatar was a bidding nation for the World Football Cup in 2022 the public places like Aspire park were decorated by giant footballs .They became the winner so you can expect to see these balls if you visit before 2022 .Original photo by Alma Wad .

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Flag of Qatar Ornament from Zazzle.com

New designs in Alma Wad's shop gifts with the Qatari flag : ceramic ornaments . silver jewelry , iphone case and more ... just click on the image to see them .

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

brand new beach poster from Zazzle.com
brand new beach print


Brand New Beach in Doha

It is at the New Cultural Village .Near Exhibition Center .
Daily Pass: 100 QR
Children : 25 QR ( special offer )
Family member ship : 7000QR/year(child=bellow 16 years)
Why all these sounds so unfair ?
I had expected that it would be the new municipality beach -that had been promised long ago ...
Now -this one turns out just a new place for the upper ten .

And it is long - nearly two kilometers -but no any private place for ladies - though the guys who are selling the membership claim that a part of the beach is preserved only for women ...

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Made in Qatar Fair

Place : Exhibition Center
Date :4-7th January 2011

abayas ,jalabiyas ,evening gowns ,hats ,sheilas ,t-shirts ,hair accessories ,bags ,jeans ,evening suits ,

Africa exhibition at Katara

It was rather sad /genocides ,wars , famines .Some half naked tribal girls and child laborers for a change . Though kids were allowed to enter it was really not for them .It ends tomorrow .

Friday, December 31, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

 The largest cake of the world was made in Qatar the other day .It was part of Qatar National Day celebrations and a five star hotel was involved .The total weight was 1.7 tonnes .New Guinness World Record was set .
Only one question remained unanswered . Who were the lucky ones who ate the cake ?

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Qatar National Day

Have a nice weekend . There will be a lots of programs for kids at  the Corniche - near Sheraton park , at a tower building .Fireworks and fountains with laser show ... Military parade and old boats show .

Check the details here .

I am going to attend only morning programs  .In the afternoon things may get out of control - like it was last year .

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Doha is full of empty  buildings nowadays .Rents are still high compared to salaries .Many Asian families share accommodation as they can not afford renting a flat just for them .Expats in Qatar fear that with the coming   World Cup in 2022 in Qatar rents would go higher and higher ...

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Qatar 2022 -the Celebration

This little country has big dreams . An we are all amazed how theses dreams coming true . Good Luck with the 2022 World Cup ! May it bring prosperity and union for all the area !

Saturday, November 27, 2010





You can learn art and you can teach art in Qatar . I took photos at an art exhibition at the Tribeca film festival . This was in the tent of International Academy for Intercultural Development

You can contact them to learn more about their art courses .

Friday, November 26, 2010

middle east sunrise speckcase

middle east sunrise ipad skins


middle east sunrise speckcase



middle east sunrise iphone 3 skins


middle east sunrise speckcase

middle east sunrise iphone 4 case

Falconry in Qatar is an old tradition . These birds can be bought at the souq /bazar .We saw this man with a falcon at the heritage tent at Tribeca film festival

Saturday, November 20, 2010

ipad / iphone cases with photos from Qatar
 by Alma Wad
Fully customizable speck cases with a photo background . It was taken in Doha , Qatar in 2009 by Alma Wad.Great gift for architects , for  Qatar expats and for  nationals and for the lovers of modern architecture .
For more details click on the image



Modern Cityscape speckcaseModern Cityscape speckcase




According to my experiences it takes 3 -4 weeks to arrive.It comes from the US .If you happen to be in the US it will be only question of days to get it .
And a great thanks to the great number of customers from Texas and recently from Italy who keep buying my photo art on Qatar .It seems to me that they had been living here  a day .
New Beach in Qatar

It looked amazing . Like a dream . Well maintained beach with colorful parasols beach beds and seats - flag systems , slides for the kids in the water and WC and showers and so on . As you were walking at a famous French riviera beach . It was not open yet . It was not clear when would it open . Some signs said that one can use it from 9 am to sunset . It was not clear either if it was for the grand public or it would belong to a club . But the size of it - 2km perhaps or more - makes one think of a public facility . I do not think  it is possible to make a women only day  -as it is by the edge of the Cultural Village -also known Katara . However if it opens for us - ordinary people- it will be a great step ahead .

Monday, November 08, 2010

Important dates

November 16 2010 EID in Qatar and GCC
December 2  2010 the Decision will be revelead on the location of football worldcup 2022

December 18th Qatar's National Day

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Monday, November 01, 2010


Tribeca Film Festival - Family Day 2010


It was the second festival . Last year the free screening and family day was held on the Corniche at the Museum of Islamic art .This year in the brand new Cultural Village in the outskirts of Doha.Oh my so so much concrete ! Last year we were in the city still near the nature .There were enough seats for everyone .This year we were not allowed to see the free screening . No more seats was the answer .The open air theatre was a huge structure - not very kid or family friendly . You had to climb  so many steps and it looked frightening . Last year I bought some Middle Eastern stuffed cabbage from local women .It was cheap and delicious . This year we saw a lots of exclusive restaurants . Nowhere the traditional local women selling their dishes from their hot pots .Last year on the family day there was a Hungarian - Iraqi cartoon on . This year there was a Disney film on .I thought that film festivals are for films which can not be seen too often on tv .Now as they brought this Disney film - you did not have the feeling that you see something special .There were a lots of programs organized to have this festival feel . We managed to see some and they were really good . We got a program guide only there to see that we missed a lots of other performances .
Well guys , you wanted to make this festival and family day very good and perfect event and it was spoilt by your good will - I had this feel .Everything became too posh too artificial .And heard many people asking each other" But where is Adel Imam ?"

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Karwa was celebrating itself . I read in the Peninsula . The company is a success story .
Though they know that there are problems .Not everything is solved but they say that  there are enough taxis on the roads .
Are there ?
 Where are they ? Today I had an appointment  .I started to  wait for a taxi in Bin Mahmoud at 8:30 .Hundreds of cars were speeding on the busy roads .  I might have seen five taxis altogether  - none of them were available .Where are the taxis at this  time from the roads ? Are the drivers sleeping ?After one hour I gave up . I had to cancel my appointment . I was irresponsible not ordering 24 hours before a taxi .
Karwa is a success story . Success for who ?

 The other day I had to visit an embassy in the West Bay . The driver was new - and  could not find the place though I gave him exact address which number , what square . We were riding here and there  half an hour in the darkness .Finally we found a jogger who could help us . The cost was nearly double of the expected cost. Guess who had to pay  that !
Yes  be prepared if you ride a taxi in Doha you have to show the way to the driver . They are not educated before sending them to drive . They are new . They has just arrived and might leave soon as Singapore is a more attractive place for a driver .New ones are coming and leaving soon .
On the other hand the roads are full of illegal drivers  offering a ride . I had to turn down minimum ten guys during one hour .I do not dare to ride with them .It is not their beard or their  traditional clothes that disturbs me . Just that they are not registered and can not be controlled .They should get an official rank .They are the ones who know Doha and who are ready to live here .



Thursday, October 14, 2010

Red sludge disaster near my hometown

We always loved to draw with those red pebbles and stones when we were children in Veszprem county , Hungary .Now it reminds me to that terrible disaster  which happened a week ago . You must have heard about the alumina factory which reservoir was overfilled and the toxic sludge poured on a village in the hills bellow the alumina plant 5-6kms .The Luck that it happened at lunch time  and not at night , This way most of the villagers had chance -around 20 seconds - to climb on a tree ,rooftops ,fence . Those living in lower part had less chance . Luckily the children were at school which was in an upper area . But the small ones were at home . Some of them died as their parents simply had no time or way to save them .They were drifted by the sludge which was burning their skins ...One mother told she had around 20 second to understand what was going on  and catch her little child put her on the top of a cupboard and then she was already burning  - she was standing  in the sludge until waste . as she was sure  she was going to die - she managed to grab her mobile and called her husband to tell him goodbye and begging him to try to save their kid  who was on the top of the cupboards surrounded by the toxic sludge . It was impossible to enter the village - the husband called the neighbours who rushed to save them . Everybody was saved  - though they pay the price  -suffering of burns ....
 This case was full nice of uplifting stories .Firefighters and policemen working hard to save lives ....
When the sludge dries it will turn into a toxic powder . People of three towns should leave everything behind ... and move and build a new place ....
The managers owners of the alumina plants are millionaires . Their greed caused that disaster .They should pay as soon as possible .They should be forced to pay .
Instead of that  money is begged here and there .I was shocked to see that money is  asked by our consul  here in Qatar for those victims .It is always nice to help however  the greatest help  would be if we Hungarians got rid of those corrupt people who grabbed  important factories ,facilities  20 years ago  then they irresponsibility causes danger  all the time .They are greedy in a revolting   way . Now this was a wake up call for all of us . We have to care about public issues  and not to burry our heads into the sand .
 

Friday, October 08, 2010



Royal Plaza at Eid . I love the look of this art deco structure at any time of the year but their festive image is so uplifting ! Five star for the designer !

Sunday, October 03, 2010




Torch Tower in Doha Qatar illuminated for Eid - as I managed to capture that two weeks ago ...

Saturday, October 02, 2010


Qatar News Agency

Again a building in good condition is being pulled down ...

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Doha Film Institute is currently looking for extras to appear in two projects to be filmed on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. All roles are voluntary (not paid), but they will provide refreshments on the day, and you will be able to see the finished project on 100s of cinema screens around the gulf. If you are interested in being involved, please drop an email to casting/-a-t-/dohafilminstitute.com
It was someone who signed James and posted this  this ad at Qatarliving . It sounds good fun .

Monday, September 13, 2010

So the Eid is over . At least my husband had to go to work .It is still very hot . So we had organized indoor programs . So did the other 1 .6 million people in the country .But we were not surprised . Crowds everywhere . It is just Eid . Not a catastrophe .The special offer rush at Lulu was a little bit too much to handle . We saw an ad about lap tops . Special offer . We arrived at Lulu at 5 to 5 .. Others saw the ads as well .There was a large crowd in front of the mall . Most of them labourers . I do not think that they have no right to enter .They should have a place . And it is Lulu .I felt we were the intruders .We wished to get to the desired item to check it out - but there were too many people staring at them ..reading the details and dreaming .It was hard job to get it then to arrive to the cashier and to pay then to go out from the LuLu. I thanked God that family days exist at other malls .
We took the kids to ice rinks ,amusement parks . We  went to Sealine . Jammed roads .Arriving late at slow pace . The rescue helicopter had just landed near us . We just hoped that it was precaution and everybody survived the holidays .( It reminded me M7 the motorway to lake Balaton .)Being late there we could not see the blue sea -but we saw at night a very special thing in the sky . The moon and the Day Star were in very special constellation .Very close to each other . I kept taking photos - but I do no think that I managed to capture the thing .


While we were eating out we heard Hungarian talk .My kids were all excited but I was too tired to check those people out . I am always happy to meet nice , simple intelligent people . I   am just  tired by many bad experiences in the past eight years.Somebody reading this might think that I am a terrible person .I have a lots of very good friend in Hungary and a few in Doha . I had met in Doha before Hungarian people who are able to hold conversation on their four wheelers and similar topics during hours - speaking Hungarian with a lots of mistake ( an being proud of their ignorance ) and not speaking really any other language thus not being able to understand what is going on around them  but judging very harshly other nations living here . Many of my fellow Hungarians are real Mezga Geza and Paula . I would have never thought before that there was so much truth in that cartoon ...

Saturday, September 04, 2010

art courses in Qatar         Mme Dhamiya Brandone - watercolor course tel 5563 97 10 or e-mail brandone/-a-t-/qatar.net.qa
 Her workshop is somewhere near Ramada hotel . Her courses are for adults .

Dar al Founoun art school  - Souq Waqif -5519 3224.( not sure if it still working)


Cafe Ceramique  - in case you are interested in ceramic painting
Laurence Hamenthienne drawing and painting workshop 5514 74 24 e-mail: halaurence/-a-t-/hotmail.com

Jannie van der Hagen drawing and painting course 5504 10 57 e-mail : rademaker.vanderhagen/-a-t-/gmail.com  Her courses are held at her workshop behind  Lanmdmark's Carrefour .She is open to teach anyone eager to study art .

The Talents Center Mme Rolande Gerges 5505 63 33
fine art courses for ladies and kids

Visual Art Center
Phone : +974 4467 8864 ext 231
Location : Al Hilal West, Near Mall round-about
Various workshops in painting, drawing, design, ceramics, graphic design and photography

Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/17786#ixzz15tqx6asR

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar organizes non-credit community classes in art .All classes are open to both women and men and unless otherwise noted are taught in English at the Recreation & Sports Center located within Education City on Al Luqta Street, Doha. More info about  their courses  here .

SPRING 2011

Drawing Basics

Instructor: Jennifer Mock
Sundays and Tuesdays, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
February 6 – March 15, 2011 (12 classes)
Fee: $330 (QR 1200)
Room: 266

Ceramic Mosaics

Instructor: Zaineb Balasem Yasser
Sundays and Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
February 6 – March 8, 2011 (10 classes)
Fee: $275 (QR 1000)
Room: 172

Color in Interior and Fashion

Instructor: Manjulakshmi
Sundays and Fridays, 5:30 – 7:00 PM (12 classes)
February 6 – March 18, 2011
Fee: $330 (QR 1200)
Room: 255

Intro to Fashion Design

Instructor: Manjulakshmi
Monday and Wednesday, 6:00 - 7:30 PM (12 classes)
February 6 – March 17, 2011
Fee: $330 (QR 1200)
Room: 255

Intro to Fashion Drawing - Level 2
nstructor: Don Earley
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
February 7 – March 9, 2009
Fee: $275 (QR 1000)
Room 241

Clay Sculpture and Pottery

Instructor: Zaineb Balasem Yasser
Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
February 7 – March 9, 2011 (10 classes)
Fee: $275 (QR 1000)
Room: 172

Design Your Home

Instructor: Manjulakshmi
Tuesdays and Saturdays, 7:00 - 9:00 PM (16 classes)
February 8 – April 2, 2011
Fee: $440 (QR 1600)
Room: 255

and more courses Read ABOUT THEM HERE

Monday, August 30, 2010

Ramadan in Qatar

Art Collage by Alma Wad(aka me)



Ramadan in Qatar print
Ramadan in Qatar by almawad
See other ""poster designs on zazzle.com

  This art poster features an intricate Islamic lamp with the view of the modern city in the background at sunset .It shows the modern and traditional side of this country in the Middle East . The poster is available in five different sizes .
 
How was it made ?

Picasa is a free image editor - that you can download at google.com . It can make collages .I chose multiple exposure option  and played with transparency untilI got the desired image.Orignally the photos were taken  on the Corniche and in the Pearl Island .
 
If you are interested in art and photos  you can read in my next post about the posibilites in Qatar .


Sunday, August 29, 2010

Petrol Dollars Blessing or Curse ?
Aljazeera tv channel


Giving Birth in Qatar

 The other day there was simply no bed available in the delivery room for mothers in labour ....
 here is what the peninsula qatar writes 

A couple of days ago, procedures at Women’s Hospital, which sees more than 50 births each day, came to a standstill. The emergency services were stuck, the labour room was jammed and the inpatient beds were all occupied.
The reason was that some of the inpatients who had been discharged and were fit to go home were waiting in their beds until their families felt it necessary to move them. Due to lack of inpatient beds, post-natal women had to wait in their delivery beds in the labour room. Since all the delivery beds were thus occupied, women with labour pains could not be admitted and hence delivered in the Emergency Unit.
“Who has to be blamed here? When doctors say patients are fit to go home, we are responsible for them. We are not pushing them; we just need to make space for an equally important patient. Is it not unfair to leave a woman in labour spasm to deliver in the emergency,” asks Dr Halima Al Tamimi, Chairperson, Gynaecology & Obstetrics Department, Women’s Hospital.



I am really worried .One of my friend is expecting a baby ...Will she get a bed for delivery and after ?

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Museum of Islamic Art print

Programs for kids during Ramadan :

 It seems to me that at the Islamic Art Museum there is  a program called Treasure Trail for kids between the age 6 -16 ..

You can visit the museum after iftar on Thursdays and on Saturday  between 8 - 11 pm

 Here is more detail about their timing

The Children Treasure Trail Competition will be running during the holy month of Ramadan.

Museum of Islamic Art Ramadan Timings:
Sunday – Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m.
Friday: CLOSED
Sat: 10:00 am – 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m.

Please note that Museum of Islamic Art will be closed on the first day of EID.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

  Tribeca Film Festival

Volunteer Recruitment and Orientation: September 15 - October 14.
Mandatory Department Training Days: October 9 & October 16
Doha Tribeca Film Festival: October 26 – 30

One of my child was working there last year . The festival itself was great and we plan to visit it again . But this volunteer recruitment and orientation was rather time consuming  and without giving much useful information .
Come here go there  -but it was not understood well what for . So she refuses to volunteer again as she can not  spend so much time on all those  trainings ..However if you do not mind the time then  give it a try ...They distribute promotional stuffs like tees etc . you will be invited to exclusive movie shows and to a party  and the work  itself can be interesting  and emotionally rewarding .I think it is a great adventure after all .

Friday, August 20, 2010



I can’t believe it ! Zazzle sent me the e-mail yesterday that Alma Wad is a pro seller at Zazzle . I am very happy . A thing that I did not hope at all when I started to set up my shop at Zazzle .

For this occasion Zazzle sent me a $30 coupon gift and I can read and discuss at the proseller’s forum .I can use the icon of prosellers . That is all the changes that I noticed for the time being .

I think this blog helped me a lot with the promotion and I hope that it will help in the future !

Saturday, August 14, 2010




Ramadan Karim

 the fasting month has started on 11th August in 2010

timing at many places change  at this period 

most of the big supermarkets open at 9 am and they close only at 1 am - so they are open all the day - they  have one hour break only  on Fridays
( Family Food Centre  closing at 4 30 pm and reopens only at 7 pm)


Health Centers open at 8 am   and  there is no service in the afternoons   they reopen at 7 pm to close at 11 pm

 boutiques - if you feel like shopping in the plazas during ramadan then you can do it from 10 am till 12 /12 30 am  all the afternoon they remain closed only to reopen  at 7or 8 pm 


post office : from 8 am till 12  in the mornings
 in the afternoons there is no service
 they reopen at 8 pm  to close at midnight


Qtel : from 10 am to 3 pm
          from 8 pm 11:30 pm





P.S. if you need a stock photo for your ramadan posts you can find a lot around here :www.fotonium.com

Friday, August 13, 2010

AQUAPARK IN QATAR

  It is going to open soon  - at least for Eid  . It is a bit far from Doha .  16 km from the Ain Khalid roundabout driving along the Salwa road .What to expect there ? Lazy river ,1,500 square -metre activity area for kids ,giant wave pool where you can surf  ,food court to have lunch .  It costs 100 rial per person .For kids under five it is free .Tuesday is ladies only day   - Friday is for families.

Sounds like  great fun ! :) We have expected  it for so  long .
Update Finally the park opened only after Eid .Friday, 24 September 2010 .Nobody spoke about Ladies only days anymore ...


water abstraction profilecard
Can you believe that a taxi drives away with all your shopping bags in the back of the taxi then  after one hour he comes back then he wants you to pay for  that ?
Well , that is what exactly happened to  us . I had just left the  taxi and wanted to open the back of the car when he drove away and left me in  the middle of the road . He forgot the bags obviously . Then I called the karwa supervisors  - they wanted to know all sorts of things about me and my bags  - that had nothing to see with the matter .But finally they found the forgetful driver .

I expected him to apologize but at my greatest shock he wanted me to pay for his coming back .I was furious  I told  him my mind . But he would not get hurt  and would not go away . He was just standing there  in front of our house .


Finally my husband gave him some money .You can laugh at us -but it was so disturbing to see that he was ready to camp in front of our house for the want of 25 riyals . ...


Things like that happen only in Qatar I think .

Monday, August 09, 2010

While I was away from Qatar two important things happened in July .

1. There was an earthquake with the epicenter around 300 km from Doha .It was 5.8 .
It seems to me that very few people noticed that at all .

2 .All telephone numbers changed into 8 digit numbers in a way that you have to add the first digit one more time ... for example if you call karwa then in stead of 458 8888 you have to use 4458 8888 .
  Both landline and mobile phones changed this way .

Perhaps you need a new business card then with this change !:) Here is one of my bestseller:


 




Modern Cityscape profilecard

Sunday, August 01, 2010

I have not been able to write for a while . There was a bug and I had not been able to post .

I was back to Hungary and I compared the two countries all the time .  
 

It was rather hot there as well and  no AC at most homes . The days were longer even at 9 30 it was daylight . I think  this is the thing I miss the most when  it is  summer  in Qatar . It is early   and it is totally dark at 6 .Mcdonald's in Hungary is selling all kinds of healthy food :  fruit , cheese bars ,grilled chicken breast with salad ,muesli with yoghurt . 
Health service in Hungary is still not very well organized . It is still better in Qatar . It was not a surprise .Just I was shocked when at emergency  my adult child was asked to pay around  $50 for the treatment . I had always thought that emergency is something free everywhere  .

Summer entertainments are numerous in Hungary festivals all the time .
Here I saw no clue having something like that.

Hungarian Vacations bag
Hungarian Vacations by almawad
Create a customizable bags using zazzle.com

It is nice in Qatar that dogs and there owners right is not above humans'. In Hungary you can see so many big ,dangerous dogs  without the prescribed protections .Nobody cares though there have been so many tragedies .
My kids enjoyed seeing frogs , spiders  , fruit on  trees / and my preschoolers noticed that women outnumber men in Hungary while in Qatar just the opposite .












All in all it was a nice holiday and a nice return .I have a nice spacious home  here and  I have  some friends  and we  can work and have a comfortable life .





expat Qatar