New budget airline from Qatar to Europe

Pegasus is a private Turkish airline with excellent safety records  which has been operating for more than twenty years .It will start flights from Doha to Europe via Istanbul in mid June .I checked the prices for various European cities and I found the average price was around 2000 Qatari riyal .They do not fly to Budapest but to Vienna from where there are a lots of cheap buses to Budapest .( only two hours ride )
I found  round trip tickets as cheap as 1400 riyal online .
What are the disadvantages ? No direct flights -one must change the plane in Istanbul .It flies to a smaller airport to Istanbul not to the big international one .Luggage included in the ticket price is only 20 kg .You must buy your own meals in flight or in advance .It costs around 10 -15 USD /meal .

Qatar airways is around the  double in price .It has direct flights in more  convenient  times with gourmet meals .

Turkish Airways is a bit more expensive than Pegasus .Its safety records are not the best .The flight between Doha -Istanbul   was very uncomfortable for me with so little leg room  . Istanbul Budapest was much better .Their meals are OK  a bit better than a  canteen style meal . One must change plane in the big international airport in Istanbul . They are flying in less convenient  hours .

All in all -if money does not  matter then QA seems to be the best choice going home .But it does matter and for me Pegasus seems to be a hope of  being able to go home more often . Have a nice Journey !

A year after the Villaggio fire

A year  after the Villaggio fire we still do not understand what had happened on that terrible day .
It was a nightmare just to hear that 13 little kids died trapped in a mall's day care .How many times I saw nightmares after this tragedy ."My kids were on the other side of the wall and I could not reach them "
I hope  that the families of the victims  managed to restart their lives .I hope that the truth will turn out one day .
I hope that Doha Mums Club will apologize at least once for heavily advertising a dangerous  facility for little kids .
 So few people attended the remembrance   - it was a Doha Mum Club event rather than a real nationwide  thing .

the safety of our kids in Qatar

 This country is work in progress  -   everywhere  constructions  Half -ready buildings  , buildings to be destroyed or being destroyed . I have been reading the news for more than ten  years and I remember many accidents where the victims were kids .
 More than ten years ago a Pakistani boy was going to the grocery  when  a four wheeler  hit him while walking at the sidewalk .He died . A three years old little girl died some 8 years ago while walking in the Corniche  with his parents and touched an uncovered lamp post  .Lamp posts in the street with naked wires and no cover are  not a rare thing to see around here  !  Even nowadays after that tragedy !

I just wonder who takes those covers off  and why nobody cares at the municipality !  Then the uncovered manholes  ! They took the life of a little child  last year -  not in a poorly lit suburb but in  front of a Hotel's main entrance    in the center of the city !Similar  horror happened  in  Wakra as well .

 The little Sudani girl survived  when she   fell into the lift shaft   at the hospital   while her mum was waiting at the pharmacy ...

 This country is safe . If you leave your belongings in the car  then most probably  nobody will   steal it . Burglary is not common . But on the other hand  negligence  can cause a lots of tragedy .I forgot to mention that  workers   tend just  to throw  unwanted things out of the building  including   bags full of cement .

 Living in a small town in Hungary  I  could send my ten year old to  school alone / shopping in the supermarket  or to visit  grandma . Here I do not dare . Sometimes I  think I should give her more freedom .   Then my motherly instinct does not allow me to do so .  This is the city   full of single males /constructions and unpredictable  dangers which can happen   due to the transitional state of this country .Unfortunately   it s very difficult to let them have life experience .

The First Qatari at the top of Mount Everest

He is a lover of mountains previously climbed up  the Mont Blanc , Kilimanjaro and other peaks around the world . He is Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani  coming from the upper ten  of the local society  . He  was promoting  the  charity organization Rota .  He climbed with Raed Zidan , Masoud Mohammad, Raha Muharrak ,Elia Saikaly .

Congratulations  !

My  cousin    conquered  in March a nearly 5000 meter peak  ...She has never been so high before and she was over fifty when it happened .I was very happy for her success  .
Much of this victory is due to the Serpas . They fix the ropes , they carry the luggage , they go to rescue, they know the mountains , they take care of every step of the strangers .They eventually die during all this .Their names  rarely make headlines but they are a must for  hikers .   Some  Hungarian hikers just disappeared  some days before  the  Qatari victory  while coming  down the Everest .Above 8 000 meters . That day 11 people reached the peak and five of them died .It is a dangerous sport indeed . But even more dangerous when climbers  want to save money and  leave the Serpas out of their climb . This is what happened to the Hungarians .

Raha Muharrak  the first Saudi woman to reach the highest peak of the world .

Water melon Carving

Watermelon carving is the hobby of many Indians around here . This fruit is available at low /moderate price during six months .This carved watermelons make a wonderful centerpiece on the diner table . Usually mandalas ,birds ,faces are carved into the fruit but oh my even they had Che Guevara on the surface of a carved watermelon !These pictures were taken at Qafco vegetables and flower show on March29 , Messaid ,Qatar. Happy carvings !

watermelon mandala - add text medium gift bag

by almawad

Longer maternity leave planned for more breastfed babies

I am always shocked to see how short the maternity leave is in Qatar . In Hungary mothers can stay at home for years and they get some kind of allocations  during those years .Now  some experts think Qatari working women should have a longer leave .

 It's the norm to stay at home in Hungary with little kids for three years . Here it is just some weeks - I guess - the American model is followed .

 The percentage of breastfeeding mothers is very low here .

 People in my home think the opposite about Arab mothers .They think Arab mothers are more traditional and they certainly   breastfeed . Unfortunately it is not the case .

 The hospital staff is poorly trained as well when it comes about teaching new moms how to breastfeed . My personal experience was that they  just throw the baby into the arm of the exhausted  mother . Just six hours after the C -section  came a nurse  and threw my baby into my weak arms and gave the order ; Feed your Baby !  She was talking to me as to a criminal who must be reminded to the law . I was horrified . I was still very weak after / suffering from motion sickness  / needles in my arm . I was screaming " Take away the baby - I can not even hold him "  Then they took  the baby angrily and came a doctor with serious face  reminding me to my duty of breastfeeding.

 This is not the way . Friendly approach needed from experienced and well trained female staff .Not orders but sisterly advice .

Eat Local / Breastfeeding / Nursing Icon Poster by TerryBain
Make custom prints online at zazzle.com

Hungary and Qatar for stronger trade

Coming soon ! Hopefully . More cooperation in tourism, farming, and communications between Hungary and Qatar . Officials met and expressed their intention for stronger  trade ties .Let it be . There is already daily flights between the two countries and cargos are coming as  well . Hungarian expats in Qatar can't wait to see Hungarian food products on the shelves of Doha supermarkets .

Source 

Harbor Fish Market - take-away restaurant

Harbor  - take-away  restaurant  . It is a small new place at Badriya signal at a new half-ready shopping corner in Bin Mahmoud . It  has retro interior design -very nice old photos /graphics /metal sail boat  and the  available fishes displayed .Even the staff is wearing sailor suit .Though it has  a few chairs if you wish to eat there but basically it is a take-away place .

After all this pleasant look the staff is not very professional . Their menu is coming with selected fish from the Mediterranean / from Local fish  market  with rice and salad .  They forgot the salad twice out of three orders . How unprofessional they are !Once they  started to  fight with each other over how to cut a fish . It happened in front of my husband who understood very well their Egyptian dialect .

After all - the menu  meal was excellent . The fish came out tender and firm and with spices going very well with the fish and with the spicy brown rice and the green salad . It tastes   good  like a home-style Egyptian dish  though I must admit I do not know well  the Egyptian cuisine .

I can suggest this place if you are bored with the usual  copy-cat restaurants in Doha . It is affordable and healthy .  When taking the meal -  double check the paper bags  to see that nothing is missing .

Summary : Interior design/decoration    five stars
                  the Food quality                   five stars
                  service                                  two stars

 You can visit their facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harbor-Fish-Market/439124816143138?sk=info

Post by Harbor Fish Market.

Post by Harbor Fish Market.

Indian actress , Shobana will perform in Doha May 23

Event : Shobana Musical  Show with Dance (The music is in Hindi and the dialogues in English)
when    :May 23
Where   :  Regency Hall ( near Mall roundabout )

 I read it here  unfortunately I found no more details

Will water be exported to Qatar or Not

 I read an article  in the Gulf  Times that  huge ice   blocks might be  exported from Chile to Qatar  as a new resource of drinking water . After that I read another article denying it . Chile will sell water in bulk but no ice blocks .
Chile  itself is suffering from water shortage and the news that the " rich countries" will  buy up their freshwater supply  has caused a public outcry  recently .

water abstraction no2 business card template by almawad
Find other Business Business Cards at zazzle.com

Numbers in Qatar - 7000

7,000 is the number of the researchers that Qatar needs to  carry out  its prestigious plans by 2030

 said  Faisal M Alsuwaidi, president of Research and Development at Qatar Foundation yesterday.
He added " “We need to adopt many efforts such as  changing the attitude, changing rules and many more  to attract scientists to relocate to Qatar. We also need to develop a different mindset to attract these scientists.”

What a rare instance of self-cirticism in Qatar !
  Just some days after an excellent professional / a Nepali teacher was bullied out of the country  !

Dorje Grunung is Free

Qatar  Academy's jailed teacher  was set free and returned home to Nepal .His ordeal was told in a previous post . According to many and me too he had not done anything wrong . Some students  simply does not understand English well enough but it seems that they are powerful enough to send a teacher to jail .The real losers in this story  are the children  who are losing  teachers of high profile .

Gift Idea from Qatar - Middle east sunrise note book

middle east sunrise note book by almawad
Shop for Middle east Notebooks online at Zazzle.com

It is a poetic city scape in the middle eastern city of Doha ,Qatar . You can see a palm tree in the front with the rising sun - and in the distance you can see the city .Original photo by Alma Wad .It is applied as a reflection on this notebook -as a mirage . You can change the word if you like . It was taken in 2006 early morning going to work . Qatar had different look at that time and it is nice to look back .

Let the Sun Help your Immun System

When  you hear  about the new virus attacks - the new cases of death - instead of panicking  schedule  your daily activities in a way  that you spend half an hour in the morning and in the afternoon in the sun . There is no better  way  to strengthen  your immune system than that .Hiding from the sun is as big mistake as  exposing ourselves to it   for too long .

Double check the cars and buses - NO ONE IS LEFT THERE

It is almost three years that a lovely four year old was forgotten on the school bus in the scorching heat of Doha May - and got baked alive .Remembering Sarah Gazdhar  is  very important .  Are the best people  employed as school bus drivers nowadays ? Selected ones with big experience and trained for this special jobs ? Unfortunately not . Somewhere I read that local authorities  found schools where the drivers did not even have legal status in this country . Runaway  workers who  take up a job for a short time and satisfied with little money .We as parents have little  say /knowledge about that . It is very important to teach your child to  take care of each other .For nobody should be left behind because some adults are lazy to do a one-minute-job to check the bus .God save us all from such terrible event !

A jailed teacher and the misunderstood English sentence

I was very sad when I read the story of the Nepali teacher of Qatar Academy who was jailed over allegations that he had insulted Islam .  This man is described as a highly intelligent and tolerant person who would never be stupid to insult any religion .He had warned some of his pupils bullying him  not  to stereotype anyone  as it can be hurtful   -  as hurtful and stupid as it would be from him  to say  that every Arab is a terrorist .

The pupil must have had a problem to understand the  Conditional sentence in English and took it as an affirmative  one. This misunderstanding was enough to jail a teacher .


It is  sad . Not only from the point of view of the  Dorje Gurung and his co-workers  but from the point of view  of the children . They are going to lose a lots of wonderful teachers who do not wish to work anymore here .Qatar spends a lots money on bringing here highly trained and experienced professionals but it seems that  they can not keep them for long  for similar reasons . As one of my child went to an international school I know that teacher bullying is not something unusual here .So I respect very much those who are ready to work here as teachers . Telling the truth  -coming from a family with generations of teacher - having more than ten years teaching experience - I am very much scared from the idea of having to teach here .

I am always saddened when I remember the case of the Taek Wan Doe  master whose classes my teenage daughter had attended . She was a highly trained  and lovely  trainer for girls only classes . Most of the girls were Qatari and nice cheerful ones . Everything went well until one girl got minor injury while practicing the fighting  - then she was shouting with this coach terribly  - when it was not her fault at all .It was very humiliating . Then soon after the trainer "had to go home to Korea urgently" and never returned to Qatar . According to my knowledge  there has not been  "Girls only taek wan doe classes "  in Qatar ever since . A lots of girls must have given it up  .

Karwa taxi booking service is worse and worse

Last week I  did not have access to  our family's car -so I was forced to book a Karwa taxi twice . I had to go with my kids to a shopping center where there is no taxi station at all .I needed a car both times to come home .The first time the taxi that I booked came 15 minutes later than it should have .So the next time I booked it  for an early time . It came then 40 minutes after the booking time . At the same time one of my child suddenly became sick in the shopping center. There are no seats at all inside for the customers .We were forced to sit outside in the stuffy air with a child who was already so weak . Daddy is in the other side of the city . I felt miserable .I called five times the taxi center .Every time they said " Madame your car is there in the parking " when it was nowhere . Then when he came forty minutes later he said " Sorry -but the traffic jam was too bad " I know the traffic jam is not something new in Qatar .How it comes that they do not calculate it when arranging the booking? Half year ago the booked taxis used to be there 10 minutes before the booking .Now  they are too much late . Forty minutes would have been enough for us to walk home .
Another time I had to go to our embassy .
The limousine service of Karwa also astonished me . The car was nice and came with five minutes delay only -well it was not in the peak hours .But even the call center lady warned me  "madam , you have to know the location "  - I knew the location and told exact address but they meant that I should have guided the driver from street to street .In the past they used to send experienced drivers  with their limo service who knew the city well .After all it is 50 rial per hour and one expects more than from a usual cab .
I have no idea how the strangers in this city can get from one place to the other in this city when the drivers do not know the place .
For those who do not know . A decade ago Qatar had a well working taxi system which was established as the private business of every driver . They  rented the car from a Qatari company and were interested to work well as the money they made was theirs . They knew very well the city .Though booking did not exist at all and they were wearing traditional Asian clothes . Now many of those drivers  went illegal  . I warn ladies never take those cars . You may never know who is inside .  Even I read it shocked that some legally working drivers locked lady passengers and asking for more money at night . It is something that had been unimaginable here so far .

Numbers in Qatar - 80

 Eighty is the number of pedestrians killed on the roads of Qatar per year . It is very clear that the country should be more pedestrian friendly . They should build bridges or underground  paths for pedestrians at the major junctions / at the places where most accident happens .
It is not something new . At the Hamad Hospital - Lulu  every year 5 -6 or  more people die when walking accross  the  road . Still nothing  has been done to prevent those accidents .

Heavy rains and feeling like home

The other day it was raining in Doha heavily .It felt like I was home back in Europe .I was sitting at a library room's privileged fast computer and was designing neckties .There was a glass wall separating me from the play room .I saw my kids playing happily when I looked at them . " That would be the perfect place for work  - I thought "  then we returned  home in the evening  .My computer works at snail pace . " nothing is perfect  -said the fox"

Tribeca and Doha film festival separate

The film festivals in Doha started four years ago . It became a large event during that period .It was certainly  due to the fact that it was organised by Tribeca Enterprises .So it is shocking to read that they end their partnership with Doha Film Institute . What is behind that ? Is this because of the new leader of Tribeca ? What will be the Festival like after this rupture ?

The secrets of the Bosnian Pyramids - Lecture at the Katara

A secret of Europe revealed 

 when : 30 Apr 2013 05:30:pm - 07:30:pm
where :Drama Theater, Building 16

Join Dr. Osmanagich  as he shares the exciting story of the first pyramids ever discovered in Europe along with a lot of micro-images which will be presented for the first time.

new countries that maids recruited from

Maids from Vietnam, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Cambodia and Bangladesh are going to enter Qatar soon . The Pilipinyas became way too expensive .Their embassy is asking now a minimum wage of 400 dollars plus plus plus .
Some Western people claim that they are the most intelligent ones in Asia and then they believe it themselves and they ask high fees . I have only part time maids now and then . I did meet one intelligent Phillipina and a bunch of annoying ones .
Talking to some Arab ladies from other GCC I hear that African maids are the best ones . Happy with their work and salary and loyal to the families  and they are serving decades there .

Light Showers in Doha and the secrets of the desert truffles

silent rains in Doha and  the desert truffle

 The  weather is not as hot as it was last week .   The sky is covered with clouds and a few drops are  coming down from the sky .It is called  light shower here .
 I enjoy this weather very much .Yesterday while sitting outside we were watching the sunset with clouds  then  the round shaped moon with  white vales .

 I just told to myself : Had been living here for ten years and I still do not know how the desert truffle search is made in Qatar . In Europe it is made by the help of pigs - but as in the Muslim countries pig is considered as an unclean creature then it is impossible that it is the same way .

 Then I just came across this article . I learnt the secret .Go to the desert after rains . Look for the plant called desert sunflower . Then try to  draw a circle  with  one meter radius around the plant  . Then you have to dig from five to ten centimeters  and you might be the lucky one who will find the truffles . They sell it 3000  Qatari rial a kilo . It is in February and March when you  find the most  .Especially in the North .

  Read this if you want to find out why it is a good idea to sell  truffles in Qatar !

Jews - Interfaith Conference - Doha

It was around a year ago that the Jews United against Zionism organizations leaders were in Qatar . They were here to inform people about the aim of their group / they emphasized very much the fact that it is unfortunate that many people do not differentiate between Zionism and Judaism. This is a success of the

Zionist propaganda. Judaism is religion while Zionism is a nationalist ideology. It is a transformation of Judaism

from religion and spirituality into nationalism and materialism ...
Now one of the most respected  Muslim spiritual leader Qaradawi expressed his dislike when some Jews arrive in Qatar for an interfaith dialog /conference ."The Jews were the one who caused so much pain to the Arabs " he said .
Can it be that he has not heard the request of those who asked not to mix those things up  ?

cool stadiums powered by sun

the plans for solar powered cooling systems for the huge football stadiums sound very exciting ... it is still nine years until 2022 soccer World Cup and Qatar wishes to show how they can use the solar energy ... they are negotiating with German companies about the researches ... Qatar wishes to sell energy in the future even when the gas fields are depleted .. this is a hot and windy country so they can use two kinds of alternative energy if they wish to do so

oriental sun mandala canvas prints by almawad
See more Abstract Canvas Prints at zazzle.com

Emirati Dessert Lgeimat

fried dumplings in date syrup - the description is in Arabic -  you will need flour , sugar , baking powder ,milk powder , yeast powder , then mix them - add one egg , some oil, then mix again add slowly some water and a pinch of saffron  - then  you can form small dumplings either by wet hand or wet spoon and fry them  -eat it fresh with sugar /date syrup  ... a more detailed recipe can be found here

some words in Arabic  you might find interesting to learn
 flour  - taheen
sugar -  sookkaar
milk -  haleeb
oil  -    zeit
egg -   baida
water -  maa

Child with dove coming to Qatar

250 million dollar for a Picasso painting  ...According to some reports it is a Qatari owner who will get the famous painting Child with dove .This way Qatar is collecting more and more famous paintings to open their own galleries .Previously they bought paintings of Cezanne .

related words in Arabic

child - teefl
children - alatfal

dove - hamama/ jamama

painting - looha
famous - mushhoor

A ironic list about the signs of living in Qatar for too long

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/9990816/Fifteen-signs-you-have-lived-in-Qatar-too-long.html

 How long have you been to Qatar ? How did it change your ways when returning home ?

 It is an interesting and ironic article .It is a British woman's point of view . Me as a Hungarian expat in Qatar see things slightly  in a different way .

 I  never use the five star hotels as a landmark when navigating the city . I feel lucky that a four star hotel  opened some years ago the next street and this way and I am able to make  the taxi driver understand where to come .
I have never found funny the street names here . Except for OLD SALATA  area - this is a district 's name in Doha and it means the OLD SALAD's area  - guess it - there is New Salata area as well !
But I think vegetables can be street names in other parts of the world too . At least in our town  at the posh green belt there are streets like ; Bean street , Pea street , Lentil street  .
 I wish our street in Doha had a name !Vegetable or  any other ! It has not . It  was built around ten years ago only .  Other interesting street name here  for me is Kahraba  street   which means the street of the Electricity  -  as this was the first street where  homes were supplied with  electricity .
Reading street names is a good way to practice Arabic reading. In Doha every street name is written both in English and Arabic .We often practice this way when walking the side streets with my  little children .

 The sight of farm animals on a truck is not unusual for me .Here one can see sometimes camels /sheeps being carried  somewhere. At home in Hungary I see horses  /cows rather .

Despite of leaving in Qatar for a decade I can stand the cold well .However sometimes it feels much colder than one should expect when it is 17 -18 C as the winds from the sea are usually very strong .

 I rarely drink Karak -  usually when I am at the Katara district .

About the Western outfits .  I was shocked when I came to Qatar . How many British women show their body ...I mean that this is a conservative Muslim country  and apparently they did not care .I was shocked to see overweight young   British women showing their tummy when wearing small tees when it should have been rather covered as there was nothing to be proud of .Luckily in Hungary women have more common sense and they cover up when it is more flattering .:)

 I miss the rain very much . I need it  as inspiration . I get very much in mood of writing when it is raining outside . The constant sunshine makes me an extroverted person.

  When  I went home the first time from Qatar I was shocked about the amount of green areas in my country  - about the indifference of the people towards the wonderful summer nights ( at eight everyone is at home watching tv ) - here though summer nights not as enjoyable as at home -one can see families in the parks even at midnight . I was shocked hearing a lots of foul language in Hungary / smell of wine and palinka in the streets and tobacco smoke at public places .I was impressed  how cheap my beautician works ( though she was trained in Paris and used famous French brands ) and that  despite the massive media coverage the Hungarian - Gypsy conflicts had no apparent signs  in the streets .I was pleased to hear that at the Tesco the shop assistants and the cashier was very polite and nice to the  Roma customers too  - that is rather  strange  attitude from shop assistants in Hungary .
Well - if there is a thing I really liked in Qatar that it is  impossible that anyone could be accused of stealing at shop only because he/she has a tan . I could tell you about humiliating experiences when the cashier made me empty my bag and pockets just because  my kids had not soo white look .Street dogs are rare here as well , and streets are not infected by their dirt .
Well , that was the point of view of a Hungarian living in Qatar for a decade .

Win a trip to Barcelona and travel with FCB to Germany

Passion drive us all  competition .

  What I have to do ?   1 . you click on the link above
                                    2. download and print the banner
                                    3 . get yourself photographed with the banner in front of a well known landmark  and submit the photo

Prize :  a trip( for two) to Barcelona, travel with the FCB team to Germany, and watch the Bayern Munich vs FCB game live on 23 April!
Deadline :    April 17  - when I am writing this you still have 18 hours !

Good Luck !

soccer ball pattern neckties by almawad
See more Soccer ball Ties

7.8 earthquake in Iran - around 1000 km from Doha - one hour after April 16 2013

Tremor and panic in Doha again . Tall buildings were swaying  and evacuated .  The center of the earthquake was in Iran /Pakistani border near the  town of Khash .It was felt even in Delhi they write .

I felt nothing  but  some says the bed was shaking under them while taking their afternoon nap . In Abu Dhabi many people complained that the whole school building was shaking / that people fell off from their chairs in their offices and that it lasted much longer than the  one last week .

  related words in Arabic

  eartquake    -  zeelzaal
  help            -  anajdaa

Been to the Africa Festival ?

How did you like it ? I was absolutely amazed by the African art and  attitude .We saw African acrrobats /dancers / an African monster which reminded me very much to the Hungarian Busho  - we saw a lots of masks and sculpture . One of them look like an ET - really ! Colorful African textile and art . We saw a lots of African families living among us in Qatar but not noticing them  here .The highlight for my kids was the African drums . They were invited to the stage to perform with an African band and with twenty other kids . It was a really great experience to be united by the rythm  of the drums sounds .
We even got free food and drink . Some  rice with lamb /chicken couscous was offered with pineapple juice and ginger juice . They came in small dishes but even so . Rarely  I can mention you any event here where anything is offered for free . I remember a book fair where at the French  corner sweets were offered only for people with Qatari look . I was there with two little kids  who were screaming : Me too , me too ...
 I really wish to learn more about Africa after this  festival .

See photos here 

P. S. this festival reminds me a  North- African festival in our hometown in Hungary where  I was working as an interpret - it is a story that I must tell one day  - how  this exciting and wonderful event turned into a nightmare

Fashion Show in Doha

Event name :Fingerprint: 14th Annual Fashion Show

When :
16 APR – 18 APR, 2013
7:00PM - 8:00PM ( Your seat will be given away if you do not present your ticket by 6:45pm. No exceptions.)

Where :SALAM, THE GATE MALL

Tickets : QR 50 ( seats  and reception ) available online
or at the Education city /VCU Qatar reception from 9am - 3pm

Eric Gaskins  , The New York based fashion designer will open the show then the work of VCUQatar fashion design students will be presented .

Pearl Necklace Post Cards by taiche
Browse Nouveau Postcards

Death toll in Iran earthquake 37

God may save those who are under the rubbles .So far the death toll is 37 people . The area was around 100 km far from Bushehr - the nuclear power plant .I was really surprised that the power plant is on the coast and so close to us .I have always believed that it was somewhere in the middle of the country .It is only 400 km from us . Having spent much of my life in a town only 5 km from a nuclear power plant and having experienced alarms on in the morning and 40 minutes no information at all on the national radio channel about the cause - I really appreciated that the Arabian peninsula was free from nuclear plants .Now I know that we are not so much safe .400 km is not very close - but because some countries are threatening it always then it sounds worrisome to me .

Earthquake panic in Doha one hour ago April 9 2013

There was an earthquake in Iran  of magnitude 6.3  . The tremor was felt in Doha . In some parts it was felt other parts not . Tower  buildings were swaying around 30 seconds .Tall buildings were evacuated in the Pearl and the zigzag . I did not feel anything nor did other family members or friends on various parts of the city  .
The day before I had terrible headache and weakness , I thought it was due to the changing weather  as we are going from early summer like weather to the hotter and hotter time .

UPDATE : APRIL 16 tremors in Doha again

Geology Rocks Bumper Sticker by LabelMeHappy
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palm trees and trampolin wallclocks -souvenir idea from Qatar

palm trees and trampolin wallclocks by lumirala
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Sunset with palm trees and trampoline .Photo was taken in Doha Qatar in a park near the Museum of Islamic Art .The warm colors reflect the typical Middle Eastern atmosphere while the bars of the trampolines give a modern geometric feel .

the last day of the park bazaar

It was the last day of the MIA park bazaar on Saturday before the hot season .It was a windy day and I had thought that it might have been called off but it did not happen so .Though there were some empty tables but there were a lots of artists : I saw origami ,paintings ,handmade jewelry ,fancy shaped soaps and a lots of people selling not original art but handmade products from their countries /simply homemade food or even secondhand books and clothes .It seemed that the organizers let it to be an attractive community event where people get together and sell what they have whether it is art or not .
It is free ! So every craft men and women should be ready  for the next art bazaar in November !

I liked Sue Akers  handmade jewelry very much .She was wise enough to have her business cards ready on her table .This way I managed to show my readers her page .Think about having your own business cards .

Finding the right school for your child

Finding the right school for your child can be a challenging task . It is not always the best sounding name that provides the best quality education . Actually we found a wonderful school for our child some years ago at a school which was not very well known . At the same time my friends got their kids enrolled into an illustrious school - yes the name sounded very well internationally - but what they found there was very poor education at some subjects ( teachers with not understandable English / subjects where no teachers were provided but exam expected etc .)

Actually I know people who moved back to their own country and gave up their carrier in Qatar because they were so much disappointed at the quality of the education of the school that they chose for their children . And they simply could not believe that better education exists in this country at any other school .

So you really have to take your time and try to figure out which school would be fine for your budget /lifestyle / your child personality .It can be very harmful for the future of your kids and family if you chose the wrong one .

There is a list of schools where you can find all the existing schools in Qatar .

A lots of international schools open for anyone . Some international schools are made for the Muslim kids as they have daily religion and Arabic .The independent schools are for local children but one can find a lots of non-Qatari kids there as well . I do not know how children can get into those schools .I guess that government-close companies can provide places there . I heard that they are very well equipped new schools but I am not sure about the quality of the education . Community schools are for certain nationalities : Japans , Norwegians , Indians , expat Arabs ,Germans , French and more all have their own schools in Qatar .

So far the large Indian schools accepted non- Indian students but recently they complain that there are not enough sits for the Indian kids themselves .They were popular among some expats for their low fees / strong English ( Indian kids speak English among each other ) and Maths . They were infamous for the stress they put on the kids and on their way they force the kids stand on the sun in scorching heat . ( nearly every year the government had to threaten them for they give up assemblies outdoors in May /June ) in short they are not so much child centered .

I hope I could help you with this post . I have been here in Qatar for ten years and I heard a lot . If you are a mother looking for school for her kids then you can e-mail me for more information : argeleb2003@yahoo.com

Palm Trees at surrealistic sunset Print

Palm Trees at surrealistic sunset Print by almawad
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Can you find out which park in Doha is featured on this art print ? There are small details - you can find out the answer if you know the park .

Poetic landscape with a surrealistic sunset .By Alma Wad . This image can refer to marriage /love /friendship . They are standing and growing close to each other .Nice gift for anniversary as well .Or without any occasion "just because " .Palm trees are trendy home decor - if you click on the main page then you will find out which size you want / which medium .

Cheap Flights from Dubai - coming soon

October 27   is the date   when the new airport in Dubai is going to open . This date will hopefully bring a new era for a lots of us  who could not travel home as often as wished  since two budget airline is going to   operate regular flights  as cheap as 200 euro  return ticket  Dubai - Budapest  direct flights . You have to pay extra for the baggages but even this way it is something revolutionary in the Gulf .
Wizz Air is going  not only to Budapest  but to Sofia , Bucharest , Kiev .

 The other budget airline is the Saudi Nasair and it is going to fly to  Saudi cities .

Check out the Wizz Air website to check out prices book and learn about the special conditions  when flying with this budget airline .

African festival at Katara

The busy season of festivals in Doha .  One festival just finishes then coming another one . It seems that there is a serious  wish from the side of the authorities  to turn Qatar into a more exciting place . May all of us benefit from such movements !
So what is next ?

 Event Name : African Festival

 Date : April 7 to 13




Location :Katara

 Featuring : African art, dance, music and film ,exhibitions, music and dance shows, jewelry and handicrafts, urban painting, a drive through cinema and a kidszone ,African Circus, stuffed animal zoo ,face-painting, workshops ,large wall where children can paint.

180 artists and performers from 15 countries

Africa Poster by vintage_poster
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Numbers in Qatar - 72. 000

72,000 visited food festival at MIA Park

this turn out was unexpected and highly praised succes


my personal view : the best food festival so far at wonderful location with interesting programs

International carpet expo in Qatar

Event name : QCarpet 2013

Date : April 2 -7

Time :from 10am to 10pm

Venue : Doha Exhibition Centre.

 What to expect ? carpets from Iran, Egypt, China, Iraq, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, and the UAE and other countries

5,000sqm of exhibition area

Vintage Persian Tapestry Stretched Canvas Prints by OutFrontProductions
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Did you change your car number plate?

 From the facebook page of the  Ministry of Interior - Qatar "Did you change your car number plate? not yet? Rush to the workshop as specified in the Metrash message received by you as tomorrow (March 31, 2013) is the last date. Complete it before end of official duty hours tomorrow to avoid any violations."
See more details here 

Update  The final date has been changed to April 30, 2013.

New Food Delivery Site for Qatar

It seems to be a very useful site . You have to register then you are able to place an order at the restaurant of your choice . You can search for restaurants according to your location /cuisine type .  The site  gives information about the minimum order /opening hours .  The order must be submitted online .
 It was a little bit disappointing that to the area  where I live there were only 7 restaurants which are ready to deliver anything .

Food Festival Experience - Qatar 2013

It was around four o'clock that we arrived at  the Museum of Islamic Art Park .The weather was still hot and there were not too many people there . On the stage a Spanish (?) folk group was dancing and  this " maria ,maria takeiro" music turned us into festival mood at once .Then we looked into the issue of having lunch-dinner . Foolishly we wanted to see everything first -so we walked around and we became exhausted .We bought 90 rials tickets and we had some sandwiches from the Deli cafe /lamb satay from W hotel / Thai chicken from a  fast food outlet .I love Thai food -but this one was very  much supermarket quality . The gourmet sandwiches from the Deli and the lamb was very good ,also the vegetables noodle from W Grand Regency hotel / but these five stars hotels give so small portions that you should call  it only a bite for taste  than a main course . I just wonder why they try to save money  -  this  would be great advertisement for them .When we went to  W Grand Regency for an expensive open buffet in summer they were so generous with the discount ! Actually those small dishes  here were so small that they should have been distributed for free and not for 10 -20 rials .
 We were sitting around a nice round table and a Qatari family asked if they were allowed to sit there too - as there were not enough tables for everyone .That was very unexpected for both families - their girls were laughing embarrassed at the idea of their parent that  they share a table with  strangers  . From the stage we heard jazz we were sitting around a table with total strangers and we were enjoying those little bites that we could afford .
 The night came and slowly the park became crowded .A crane lifted up  the hanging restaurant of a five star  hotel .Laser lights were dancing around them . It was 500 rial/person .I was very happy that we could not afford that because it looked frightening . Security sits and a table around - then you are  up in the air . Nothing under your chair . If someone can afford it and needs excitement then  he should go for it . Certainly it is a very special way of having dinner !

 Shifting the festival to the park was a good idea . This MIA park is so charming especially at night  .At the end of their promenade there were the BBQ donuts  -  round shaped boats  large enough for five people  to have dinner  in . Daytime they are serving tea /coffee - cakes and at night dinner on the boats while floating in the small bay  . That is 230 rial .

The festival last day is today when they are open from 2 pm-10 pm . It has very nice atmosphere -  go out if you can  this evening .

important trials go unreported

Important trials go unreported in Qatar and UAE .In UAE the  trial of 94 Islamist  started on March 4 . They are accused of plotting to overthrow the government .International journalists are prevented  from reporting on important court proceedings .The large number of arrested people makes the case   very unusual  - so  people wish to get more information .

In Qatar it is not the politics  but the case of a nursery fire of last May that people are interested in very much .It is understandable .13 little kids  - everyone who was in the nursery - died of smoke inhalation Somehow the fire fighters were not informed about the existence of a nursery when they arrived at the mall to put out the fire - and the teachers did not try to get out on time  . The case has a lots of points that are so difficult to understand . Critical reports came from a blog and a local English paper  -now both banned to report .

Rugged Justice Scales Posters by TradeWare
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Digital photography courses for beginners

I saw an ad on facebook - and I share  it because it might be interesting for some people .

 When ?


Sunday Mornings | 9 - 11am | April 14, 21, 28 + May 5  and 12

Tuesday Evenings | 6.30 - 8.30pm | April 16, 23, 30 + May 7 & 14

Field Trip Friday, May 10

 Where ?


Doha Golf Club


Course Fee:

QR 1,200 {US$330.50} per person

 Read More ....

Photographer / photography logo and lens flare business card templates by pics4merch
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CHI - AL SHAQAB 2013

Home | CHI - AL SHAQAB
This equestrian  festival  is said to be the biggest  event of this kind ever  organized in the Middle East or in Asia .You can enter the festival free of charge . It will be on from today March 27 to March 30 . If you want to see the competition then  day tickets are available  for QAR 30/15 for adults /kids at the Spectator Plaza.There will be also an exhibition  and other cultural and equine events .  The Spectator Plaza also offers food ,game zones ,tents with vendors , and child-friendly areas . Al- Shaqab is found at the QF .Even if you are not so much for  the competitions itself  you and your family still can find entertainment  and festival atmosphere there . Do not miss it !

Majestic Arabian Post Cards by lover196969
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Weather Forecast

Today it is partly cloudy. High of 28C. Windy. Winds from the NNW at 20 to 35 km/h.Low of 19C at night .Today  the chance for rain is 10 % .  During the week the temperature will go up to 33C . No  rain . Slowly but surely we have to say good-be to this wonderful spring to accept early summer weather .

Fridge Weather - PARTLY CLOUDY Magnets by SamanthaLiz
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QAFCO Flower & Vegetable Show 2013

Venue: Al Banush Club, Mesaieed
Time: 9.30 to 18.00

Date : 29 March 2013

 This is a traditional one-day event where local farmers gardeners and florists meet and show their pride .Professional and hobby gardeners display their  indoor plants /garden flowers etc .

 related words in Arabic

  flower  - zahra /zoohra
  flowers - azhar/azoohor

  vegetables - khadrawat

Food festival in Doha 2013

Garden Salad in a...



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When ?
March 28 to 31 2013
What time ?
Thursday from 6pm to 11pm, Friday (1pm to 11pm), Saturday (1pm to 10pm) and Sunday (2pm to 10pm)
Where ?
at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park
Featuring :healthy food and a healthy lifestyle highlighting traditional dishes from Britain and Qatar and a lots of other world famous brands who opened an outlet in Qatar
Entry : free
vouchers to buy food can be bought at the place

What to expect ?
 gastronomic sensations :dinner in the sky by W hotel  and dining in the sea  by The Diplomatic Club
Cooking Theatre with international chefs Ramzi Choueiri, Vineet Bhatia ,Chef David Okuda ,Valentin Krapf


  Enjoy !

Ikea Grocery Shop

 GEEE!  The Swedish love things I do :elderberry syrup /apple pie /salmon /herring and chocolate biscuits  ! That was my first impression when I visited the small grocery Ikea has  inside its huge furniture  store .Its selection is very much limited and unlike its restaurant it is not very cheap . Everything is written in Swedish  - and the small prints come in English :) this way I learnt that the cake or pie is called Kaka  the syrup is saft ...I remembered once working with Swedish schoolers for some days  - their language sounded very similar to  English . Oh my !  what uncontrolled children they were ! Whatever restaurants we visited  we left a lots of broken things behind  : taps /chairs  etc .Since that time I often ask myself if the world would be a better place if the Swedish style of child upbringing spread all over the world . And telling the truth I do not know the answer .
But for this time they imported only their food and furniture  to Qatar .

Buy it , Sell it , Swap it Qatar

One of my friends drew my attention to this Facebook Group .

Buy it , SEll it , Swap it

You can advertise your household items , books , cars etc for sale . It is only for the personal use of people who want to get rid of their used items - no commercial items allowed for advertsing. It is better than the usual adds because you can communicate at once with the seller at the facebook comments .It is only for people residing in Qatar .

Please use your common sense when buying or selling or swapping . Hope this virtual flea market will bring you good Deals !

 By the way ! Have you heard the story of the Chinese bowl which was bought for 3 dollars  at a garage sale in New York and sold for more than 2 millions recently ?

Ikea restaurant review

Ikea restaurant can be found inside the furniture store -going towards Al-khor from Doha . It is on the second floor . It is cheap neat place with some simple selection of breakfast dishes and wider selection of dishes for lunch and dinner . They open at 9:30 and close around ten on week days and they are open till midnight on Fridays .
This is a self- service restaurant with a retro feel. Places like that were in abundance in the 70's and 80's in Budapest .You take your tray/tray trolley and then you take the dishes you like . There were sandwiches - gourmet plates /baby food /Swedish cold plate /Swedish meat balls . The most expensive dish was 30 rial - a large salmon steak grilled with steamed veggies .The dish of the day was 19 rial roasted chicken leg with Risi e Bisi . The other dishes were in between . They offered two kinds of soup . And three /four types of desserts : rice pudding , fruit salad ,muffin , and other pastries. The hot drinks came at the price of five rial - you must take an empty mug and pay for the nothing at the cashier .After that you can help yourself to your favorite coffee/cappuccino /tea at the machine and you can have free refill as many times as you wish . The same goes for the soft drinks. You pay at the cashier for an empty glass then you fill it on your own .Very generous treat -indeed !And the quality of the cappuccino was excellent !( and I am very picky when it is about the quality of coffee based hot drinks )
We tried the daily dish . It was the best risotto I have ever had . The roasted chicken leg was good . The rice pudding was excellent . My only concern was that we could not finish our dishes - they were too large portions and the restaurant did not provide any wrapping for take-away . So it was a sad waste of food for many other people as well -as I saw .

You can have a nice view to Doha -especially at night you can have this modern city feel while sipping a hot drink . There are two small playing areas for kids inside the restaurant -rather for preschoolers . There are products displayed for sale -large curtains this or that inside the place which somehow did not come out nicely to me . It was like they say " You are enjoying our cheap meals and drinks so you must have a look at our merchandise ."
Apart from that it was a nice new gourmet experience in Doha where I would return with pleasure .

newest hotels and attractions in Qatar

Nigel Tisdall reports on the newest hotels and attractions in Qatar

How to get rich in Qatar - my business ideas part one

I was reading the advertisement of a Hungarian cake shop :"Strawberry yoghurt cake with birch sugar, floating islands and mille-feuille with birch sugar: these are our New Weekend Specials ! You can taste them, come and visit us": Van Gogh's Cafe and Pastry Shop "

Then I asked myself ; why not in Qatar ?

Xylitol has natural sugar taste and it has far less calories than usual sugar .

Qatar has a high number of diabetics . Around 25% of the population . Qatar has wealth . Many people love cakes /cafes - but as far as I know - there is no healthy choice for those who wants to keep themselves away from regular sugar .

My recipe for this business : find expert pastry chefs who know how to use the birch sugar /buy birch sugar /open a cafe in a mall .. then sweep the money you earn :)
Easy isn't it / You can send me some cake as well !

Ionian Islands, Greece by Danielle Gali

Navagio, Zante, Ionian Islands, Greece

Danielle Gali

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Six Greek islands were bought by Qatar

$11m was paid for six picturesque and peaceful isles in the Ionian sea .Debt-stricken Greece tries to balance its books and is going to sell 50  out of their 6,000 islands.Qatar got those isles at bargain price .

 source

GREECE, Ionian Islands, KEFALONIA, Assos: Gallery Wrap Canvas by danitadelimont
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Computer Age

Computer Age



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I found this print at allposters.com - I liked the humor of it - the artist name was not found .

Sellng with Zazzle to every continent

I got an order from Egypt yesterday . Someone bought Hungarian  themed  greeting cards . With this new African customer I can  say proudly  that I have already sold  designs worldwide .My design shop at Zazzle have had customers from the US /Canada / UK /Brasil  / Australia ,Japan , Thailand , all major Western Europian countries . I must say that my micro business really became multinatonal :)
 Thank You Zazzle for that !  Thanks to my customers and visitors! Thanks to those  who invented the internet  and brought the world to my room !

A beautiful March morning in Doha

Can someone love a city that one had known only from the car ?Can one feel the  tingling warmth of an early spring day?  Can one hear the joyful song of the birds? Can someone notice the fruits laden  tree while riding a car ?. (Yes, there is such thing in Qatar) Can someone have the delight of  seeing the old villas' fences full of bougainvilleas  upon which cats sunbathe? Can one be surprised when  the  gate of an old villa is opening and a little Indian  girl wearing a floral printed cotton dress is smiling in the sun on the passing stranger? Can someone know the city he lives in while riding his car on the main roads only?And knowing nothing about the little streets which  guard the pleasure of the past ?
 We saw thousands of wonders this morning on this splendid March morning while walking to the kindergarten with my  child .My dear friends  - may you  have  some similar pleasures  !Leave your cars in the parking sometimes .  Walk and explore the wonders of  the area where you happen to live !

  Mood   -  poetic

  Music I am listening too  -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W_G3xmSGfo

Ikea Qatar is openning in Mid-march

Are you interested in buying furniture ? Are you ready to assemble your furniture ? You do not mind that it  has been already sold in millions of copy  ? Then it is IKEA  whom  you need .
Ikea in Qatar is opening soon -  in two weeks time .March the 11 th - they say so .It is somewhere in the North of Doha ( Shamal Road ).
See their online catalogue 
Update March 12
 Now it is open . It looks good and big .It has a big restaurant  with more than 500 seats /affordable and healthy meals and play area for kids .
if you are not for assembling the furniture on your own then you can ask for their team who will put it together in your house .
It is a ten minute drive  from Landmark  going to Al-khor direction .There are huge posts leading to Ikea . You can't miss it !Enjoy !

Poet in PrisoN

Qatar is much criticized internationally for putting one of their nationals in prison .Learn facts about this case .
The accused name : Muhammad Rashid al-Ajami his pen name is ibn al dheeb ( the son of the wolf - I think)
His crime : he wrote a poem about the corrupted Arab leaders calling each and everyone a thief - this was understood by the governemnet of Qatar as an attempt to overthrow the regime
Where - it happened in Egypt while he was studying Arabic literature and he was challenged at a poets competition
He was sentenced for life then it was reduced to 15 years .

Calling for the overthrow of the government is codified under Article 136 of Qatar's penal code,and it calls for life sentence .

Learn more about the CASE .

Dolphin and seal show in Doha spring festival -review

It is more than 15 years now that I saw a seal show in Austria . They were amazing ,playful ,cheerful animals and they touched my heart .This  seal show in Doha included two seals only  and perhaps ten minutes .They were lovely but  I expected something more .

 The real stars   were the dolphins here . During 40 minutes  they were entertaining us . They played with balls ,with rings and swam with their tamers . The young man was very brave - the dolphins pushed him up  in the air or pushed him  ashore .These are quite heavy creatures and  it was frightening to see how they  threw this man out of the pool . The  show was what you expect from a circus . No more no less .

Tickets were sold just before the show .It went very slowly . I wish they sold in advance  as well .It was difficult to find the place and find out the info about buying a ticket .

 P. S. there was a strange incident during the show .. a bird flew very fast  very close  to us then suddenly changed its direction in a sharp angle and flew away but it came back minimum three times .. what the heck it might have been ? It made the same with the audience of the opposite site .Was it a real bird ?

hat and fashion contest at the horse races

Ladies ! You can show your stylish side now !  Wear your best hat and outfit and go to the Al Rayyan race track on the 28 February 2013 . You can register between 12:30 pm and  1:30 .At 4:30 the prizes will be given .
 the first two prizes will be a steel ,gold and diamond watch but many other prizes will be given as well .To learn more about this event  consult this website .

Vintage Lady with spring hat Business Card Templates by almawad
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Giant Soccer Ball in Qatar - New Guinness record

Qatar has been always seeking to set a new  world record  .Previously  the world's largest cake was  made here  and now  a  giant soccer ball was built   .

Its diameter is 40 feet  and it is  displayed somewhere in the country  - but I have not seen it yet .Do you know where is it ?

soccer balls of Qatar Party Plates by almawad
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My first yard sale experience

I have never  tried to sell anything at a yard sale . In my country the tax office make this innocent way of making money  very difficult .This year  when I saw  Doha Mum's yard sale   I thought  I would try . Why not ? The kids wanted it very much  - it is holiday  for them and their happiness makes me happy .

It was very hard work to select the items / clean them and labeling them .I  selected toys for  girls and boys  and  a lots of clothes   for females .I included brand names as well hoping that it would attract  shoppers .

It was a nice sunny   spring  day  - we arrived  just before 12 . Everything was organized very well . Someone from the organizers even was carrying our heavy  boxes to the spot .The spot itself was  generously large place in the yard .( I  had seen places  before  with very small tables )My friend borrowed me a tall clothes  dryer to hang the clothes on . We  turned our big boxes into tables .Hanged the clothes and the rest  of the things went on the blankets . Everything was fine and relaxed  - green grass ,hedges  singing birds .  The sellers were looking around and shopping from each other .
Then at one o'clock the gates were opened for  shoppers . Suddenly a lots of people around us .I want this I want that . Take the money - I will take this . Can you give back   from 500 qr ? I felt dizzy .It seemed that many people came to make a bargain .Originally I thought  that my  nine year old   would do the selling  but  the rush was too  big and  was hard to handle even for me .
After  half an hour it became normal  and the last  one hour was rather  slow . Most people were very nice and lovely . Some shoppers  wanted  me to reduce the prices  to very low  and they were aggressive when asking for it . But  they were only a few .
 I was  happy  including a lots of very small toys  for one rial -  it attracted many little  guys to our place .I felt  sorry that I did not bring plastic bags for shoppers . Most of them wanted one . About  clothes  - it seemed that brand names did not attract people  . I should have highlighted  the size  and the age of kids  rather than brands . I did not expect  working class  men looking for cheap clothes . I had thought that it was a middle class event   and I felt sorry  that I did not include  my husband  clothes that he wanted to give away  anyway .
All in all it was a nice experience . We sold a lots of things and brought back a lot . I   found some " treasures" for ourselves among our own stuff as well . There were a lots of baby clothes on sale and other stuff for kids  but for bigger kids the selection of clothes was limited and  clothes for men were only a few .Much more ladies  wear . Most of the shoppers were  American looking / Phillipinos / very few Indians ,Pakistanis and  expat Arabs .
At the food section   there were fun cup cakes , waffle , some Asian and Arab dishes for sale .

Leaving the place was not so simple as only four cars were allowed into the yard at a time .So  as we were  short of time  we had to carry out  our boxes  from the yard to  the parking .It was OK .
 

souq waqif -spring festival doha 2013

Spring festival ... how nice ! My kids happen to have  spring holidays .I can take them to a dolphin show !  I can't believe it!Magic show  ! The favorite of my four grader ... other events seem  to be extraordinary as well .Like  human canon ball ,bungee  jump ,thrilling air drive ,smurf's kids village .They promise live theater shows, carnival rides and many other amazing surprises, as well as daily concerts and folk band performances.

It is not clear  which  event  needs ticket  and how to buy . I plan to update  here  -as soon as I get information .

Date: Feb 7 - 21, 2013
Location: Souq Waqif

UPDATE : the free events started around four and six pm - they included magician show /African acrobats /traditional dances / brass band with bagpipe band

the tickets for the dolphin show can be bought from today or tomorrow at the ticket office near the Gold souq - 25 rial for kids 50 for adults - at least this was the information I got at the souq's information center

Dolphin Jumping Poster by WildlifeAnimals
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Doha Mum's Yard Sale - members or not members

Anyone   can come  and  sell or shop  to Doha Mum's Club annual yard sale .

Please read the details here on their  flyer :