Saturday , December 7 Park Bazaar at MIA

The MIA Park Bazaar returns this Saturday!

 MIA Park Bazaar is a modern version of the old souq  with a vibrant mix of sellers of arts and cratfs /second hand books/clothes /home made dishes with around 150 stalls. 

Located at MIA Park, Saturday 7 Dec, 12pm – 8pm. For more info http://www.mia.org.qa/mia-park/park-bazaar

http://youtu.be/ENyTPrvPscQ

 art by  Dana Diala who will be selling on Saturday
 see more  at this facebook page Handmade Qatar

Reading is fun

Reading is Fun! Chipmunk Postcard by Meg_Stewart
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Keep Calm and Keep Reading Post Card by baxella
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Illustration of Mother and Daughter Reading Postcards by corbisimages
See other Adults Postcards

Chimpanzee Reading Newspaper Post Card by corbisimages
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Vintage Child Reading a Book, Jessie Willcox Smith Postcard by YesterdayCafe
Try Zazzle's custom postcards printing.

Vintage Photo Japanese Geisha Postcard by Stark_Raving_Realist
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The Annual Book Fair 2013

 Reading is Good ! Browsing books and taking them home is cool too !
 Language learning , art and craft ,classics , antique books  are my favorites . The Doha book Fair is huge  it is worth visiting between  4 -14 December ,2013 .It will take place in the Exhibition Center . The British publishers will be the special guests with 200  square meter  to display their books .Do not miss it !

Reading Together Post Card by tnmpastperfect
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It will be opened  on 4 December around 6 pm  - expect a Scottish folk dance show around this time .

young Qatari boy in coma - again a manhole accident

 Why those workers  who lift the manholes do not think they should cover it once they finished their work ?

 Again a child suffered terrible accident and we all hope he will survive the  fractures in his skull and internal bleeding in his brain .For the time being he is in coma .

The accident happened at Qatar University ,female entrance  9.30 on Thursday night  . The child was a passenger of a car which hit an open manhole there then the car was flung off the road .

How many child victim  will make authorities to punish hard dangerous practices before any  tragedy ?

Street Manhole Covers Post Cards by mollymortphotography
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Leopard attacks five year old in Doha

 An innocent looking leopard cub attacked a five year old local boy in Doha , Qatar yesterday .The attack happened near the circus tent which can be found in the parking lot of  Hyatt Plaza . The mother of the victim just wanted to take photo with the leopard cub as a paid service available there when the cub seized the throat of the preschooler to the greatest horror of the mother and the  visitors . Some men threw themselves on the wild animal and with great hardship they managed to pull the leopard cub from the boy .He was rushed to the hospital . Luckily he survived the attack .

International organizations has been protesting against animals  in the circus for decades .Such attacks happen world wide quite often .

UPDATE ; the little boy is out of  danger but still in hospital 


STRANGE :  somewhere I read that the boy's name is Fahd which means leopard in Arabic ...Nomen est Omen ?
source

Snow Leopard Cub Post Card by prophoto
View Nature Postcards online at zazzle

$350m help to Yemen -Numbers in Qatar

 Qatar is donating $350m to  Yemen.
 It is for a fund  for civilians and security force personals in the South ,.

compare it  with the help that was refused by Egypt some months ago


source

Death of a six year old

A little boy was playing  in the street when he was  crushed to death on Saturday . It happened in Al -Wukair . This is the short news I read . Terrible accident  - that I am afraid from so often . I let my children sometimes play in the street /parking lot .When the traffic is very little . But even so  -it is not the place for kids to play .
In Hungary in the town where I lived most blocks have a little garden and the number of playgrounds is much bigger than here .Here the blocks are designed with  no gardens .When one lives in a compound then it is OK  there are facilities  where kids can play safe but  outside the compounds  the parks  can not be reached easily .

I just wonder when I compare the town planners in Hungary and in Qatar . How well it is made in Hungary !Every district has its own park ,playground ,green area .

When we chose our place to  rent a flat in Doha we considered its proximity  to a park . We have a park just five minute drive from our home . Walking there is life threatening as there is a main road where the traffic is very heavy and no pedestrian cross at all .

Look Both Ways Print by tastefultots
View another fine art print at zazzle

Women's condition in the Arab World

Facts according to the Thomson Reuters Foundation .

 Arab countries with the best conditions for women

 1. Comoros  

 2. Oman

 3.Kuwait

 4.Jordan

 5. Qatar








Woman's Hands on...

Lynn Abercrombie

Buy This at Allposters.com



Arab countries with the worst conditions for women

1 . Egypt

2.  Iraq

3. Saudi  Arabia

4.Syria

5. Yemen

 Read more in this issue

A colorful veil and immense eyes .... print by DigitalCreations
Find more Digital Posters at Zazzle

Numbers in the Gulf 500 thousand

500 .000 thousand new pilots should be recruited in the coming 20 years in the Arabian Gulf
 mind boggling  number

 Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Qatar Airways  are planning huge expansions

 source

New mall at Aspire Park ?

I was shocked reading about this .  The largest green area of Qatar with a big pond is already bordered by two malls ... Should there be another mall and more concrete ? I do not like the idea of having less green in the city .

heavy rainfall and flood in Riyadh November 2013

heavy rainfall and flood in Riyadh - three people is missing ... firefighters are busy to save people trapped in the flood

Rain in Doha

The so much expected rain arrived in Doha .  It is cooler now . The temperature is  between 20-26 C  . Like early summer in Europe .
It will rain all the week  as forecast by the Qatar Meteorology Department .Even thunderstorms can be expected .

 I love to listen to my favorite Italian pop song at this time  ...

Ajyal Youth Film Festival coming soon

Ajyal Youth Film Festival 26 - 30 November 2013

In memoriam of the old zoo of Doha ...

It wasn't the most beautiful zoo in the world, but it had a nostalgic vibe. Some parts of it were good. It had more than a thousand old, shade-giving trees. Something unusual in Qatar. There were some fountains and small man-made creeks there. It cost little. Only 5 rial for each person. Tuesdays were reserved  for ladies only .

The zebras were my favorite. I loved to watch them, and when they saw me, they often got very close. I was very scared of their elephant once. It made a lot of noise and moved toward the fence. The zoo wasn't very big, but it was just right for small children. We usually had a picnic on the grass after seeing the animals, and then went to the Zoo's playground. Wonderful memories. Goodbye, old Doha Zoo.

May  the new Safari park come as soon as possible !

Doha Zoo expected to Open in 2017

 So the old Zoo with its retro feel and sometimes sad conditions is over . The coming new zoo will be wonderful : Just imagine  more than 12 thousand trees will be planted . I was happy to read that the 1 thousand trees from the old zoo will be preserved . From this numbers we can see that the new zoo will be much bigger facility than the old one . Seven times .Three continents will be represented  and the experience of the different climates :  safari trips ,  car trips , trekking on foot through safe passages, trips by boats and Children’s Safari . Even the experience of the rain . Wow !

The  only problem is that my kids will be  four year older and less interested in wild animals - I guess .

By the way  - who knows something about Al muntazah Park? It was closed down for maintenance  in 2004 and it is still closed and no maintenance was observed .

what really happened to little Gloria Huang

 I have been reading the  international /western press for a while . Their coverage on this issue is a one sided story ..

 They emphasize that there is a cultural misunderstanding / that cross race adoption is common place in The USA  and the Qatari police is ignorant . It was really shocking that someone from the officials here called the adopted African child " not good-looking "  - in fact they are really good-looking ones  - I think .

But a little girl died in Qatar. She had not eaten for three days then . And the American parents did not take her to the emergency in time . This little fact does not disturb the western media at all .

I have a picky eater at home . But if he refuses eating and drinking just for 24 hours then I will rush to the emergency . I can not understand why the Huangs did not rush . What were they waiting for three days ?

And I do not understand the western media  , either , Why these questions are not put up ?


  The trials are not over yet . The Huangs are  out of the prison but they can not leave the country .

We all want to know what really happened to this little girl .

Numbers n Qatar - £4.4bn deal

Centrica and Qatar's national gas company, Qatargas signed a deal .
Here are the numbers

3m tonnes a year of liquefied natural gas (LNG)  to be imported to  th eUK

it will cost   £4.4bn ( 6.8bn USD )
till 2018
enough to supply 3 million households

The Mall of Qatar - an important project in Qatar

Quick Facts 

Location ; Al- Rayyan
Status of Project :  under construction
Opening in 2015 -2016
 Size : 400 -500 shops =195 ,000 square meters

A Hungarian preschooler playing the violin n Doha

When I met Lili the first time she was wearing pampers and she looked  an average toddler to me .She was playing like other Hungarian kids at the kids party .Her parents are musicians one from Japan  -one from Hungary .

One year had gone - I think or two . I missed a party at the embassy just to learn that Lily was performing as violinist and she was playing not in preschooler style .I always felt sorry that I could not see her in live .I stumbled upon this video and I was so happy to share it !

Lili left Qatar for good with her parents and she is performing nowadays somewhere in Europe .
We are very proud of you Lily and felt lucky to meet you in Doha !

Damien Hirst Challenge

http://www.damienhirstchallenge.qa/

CREATE
Create a painting, an image, a piece of sculpture, or multi-media. The only stipulation is that, in some way, your artwork is based on Damien Hirst’s exploration of life and death.

 Deadline  28th Of  December

You must be minimum 18 years old and must hold a valid residence visa of Qatar .

One entry per person.

Prize : a trip to London  to Gloucestershire to tour Damien Hirst studio, meet the artist and help create one of his famous spin paintings

MIA Park Bazaar in November -review

It was not very big event . In April  I saw so many tables selling crafts but on Saturday it was less big .I saw beautiful South-African textiles ,Pakistani embroidered bed spreads ,second hand books , fancy postcards and other art and crafts on display .The most shocking thing was to see old Hungarian postage stamps and old electric devices on sale . We are in Qatar and the ticket is minimum one thousand dollar from Budapest .A Hungarian speaking man was selling those things claiming that he just came right from Budapest's famous flea-market the Ecseri .

 The Italian women's cakes and desserts were also memorable .

I hope to be able to visit next month when the weather expected to be nicer  .

Watching the November 3 solar eclipse from the Aspire park

It was wonderful experience -all the family but one watching the eclipse together from the hill of the park .
I expected crowds but there were only a few other people observing the celestial event .I expected that local authorities would distribute solar eclipse  glasses but no one did .

All of it started at 4:20 -at that time the sun was up and strong and looking into it was disturbing even for some seconds only . At this place near the Equator the sun sets quickly .So within ten minutes we could see the setting sun and the moon cutting a large arch from the bottom of it .  The sun reminded me first to a big croissant then I thought that t was rather a parachute . Then at 4 :45 all of  it disappeared . The sun set and we heard the call for prayer .It had a special sound then.

Most people did not show interest in the event or just they did not know about it .They were walking running playing in the park as usual .

We had some madeleine  with milk from the nearby cafe and we all thought that it was a very special event .


.The next solar eclipse from Qatar will be  on December 26 ,2019 ! Early morning - do not miss it ! :)

Qatari Czech Therapy Center

 As so many Qatari visits the Czech Republic every year  for curing their various problems   some therapists and doctors decided to establish  a therapy center right here in Doha .

Six villas will offer all the services when they open all their wards . They are already working in three different villas .

 They have alternative therapies like hydro therapy , magneto therapy  , shock wave therapy ,Exilis therapy ,MOJZIS METHOD - just to name a few .

 They treat patients with arthritis , back pain ,injuries ,paralytic polio -myelitis , post stroke disabilities  . The mojzis method can help and cure  some kind of functional FEMALE STERILITY .

They use the Exilis therapy to REDUCE FAT, contour the body and tighten skin and reduce wrinkles.

 The registration and first consultation costs 300 rial
 and the daily therapies price is 250 rial included every treatment

 It is not far from Ikea  . If you visit their page on Facebook then you can see the exact location .

 You can call them : 0097444174333

Partial solar eclipse tomorrow

Partial solar eclipse will be seen  from Qatar  tomorrow around sunset .
If you are not working at that time  then go to a park or to any open place even better if it is  high from where you can see the sunset . As it is happening  at  4 :20  - 4 :50  - there is no need for protective filters or glasses as the sun shines   weak at this time around here .

Just go  and enjoy the wonderful  celestial event .
 It is so uplifting -one just feels that she is part of the universe !

See what to expect !

150 more taxis to Doha

  The growing population  of Qatar needs more taxis .
  Al -Ijarah company is going to add 150 more taxis soon .


 which in my view is just a drop in the  sea

thousands more taxis needed in fact  with family friendly public buses

MIA Park Bazaar

When : November 2/ 2013 afternoon and evening
 Where : Museum of Islamic Art Park
Event : bazaar - anybody can sell his/her craft work /art /old books /secondhand clothes /home made dishes, cookies
At least that was the thing that I saw there in April  .
The tables are free but they must be booked .
Ask for more info here if you wish to sell  there:

 miaparkbazaar@qma.org.qa

Numbers in Qatar nearly one milliard dollar on art

1000 000 000 = one thousand million  USD is the estimated  sum that Qatar spends on buying  western and modern or contemporary art per year 


source

New Supermarket in the West - Bay

New Supermarket is opening in Qatar  today .Monoprix is a is a major French retail chain .
 Its  outlet will be in the West- Bay between the twin Palm Towers also near the Tornado Tower . Will they offer better  prices than Carrefour ?  The French community is puzzled to see if their favorite gourmet food will  have a more affordable price there than at the Carrefour .

A horrifying example  -   a jar of  pickled gerkins  by Amora  costs in the Carrefour 32 QR (almost € 6.5!) 

 What a luck that I find more reasonable priced pickles at the Megamart  !

 The  made in Sri-lanka pickles  in sweet-sour- hot marinade is my favorite one  there ! Very similar to the Hungarian ones .

 For more info on Monoprix  in Qatar just visit them on the Facebook !

  Update : they are open   from 8 to 10 daily  on Fridays there is prayer time break between 11 h30 and 12 
parking : more chance to find parking inside the office building after 5 pm and on holidays   

Camping Season is Here

and it is the time for the first Qatar Camping Expo

 When : today and tomorrow /24 -25 th October
 Time ; 4 -10pm
 venue : Doha Exhibition Center
 What to expect : all kinds of items related to camping, barbecues, picnics, outdoor sports

 Till April the weather is nice for outdoor activities in Qatar .Camping in the desert is very popular among locals and expats as well . As there is no village tourism in Qatar ( almost no villages ) - this is the way one escapes from the city's noise around here .

Desert Scene Post Card by almawad
More Desert Postcards

Football themed sculpture in Doha

Coup de Tete, a sculpture by Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed, which shows the infamous headbutt by French player Zinedine Zidane on Italian Marco Materazzi during the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, is on permanent display at the Doha Corniche.

You can not see many sculpture in Qatar .This is something new -and it represents a moment which is engraved into the memory of soccer loving people .
Thank you  Doha Stadium Plus for the photo .

UPDATE : I was really shocked when I read that this sculpture was taken away from the Corniche - as some Islamic scientist claimed that it is idol worshiping so  it is  Unislamic .

Reading the comments  of the above linked site I can feel that many football fans are dissapointed  - Muslims and Arabs . This was a symbolic moment of the Arabs - the victory / the ability to strike back . 

A British teacher murdered in Doha

It was a terrible spot on the Eid celebrations that shocked all the community  .A young British Girl aged 24 found dead in Doha -most probably murdered /raped -brought to a wrong house -as her last text message said .The official news are not very clear . The rumor says she was found near la Cigale garbage /other claim she was thrown into the desert .
Some speaks about a local ex-boyfriend who escaped to Saudi Arabia -and about other local guy who tried to save her by beating a taxi driver .
All that seems sure now that she went to a night club then left with two men then she was found dead .

A young most probably naive girl  - I know this age well .It must be very hard to live so far from the family and making right decisions when one feels lone  in a city .She made a mistake when returning home she got into a taxi with two men and the male driver and she payed a horrifying price for it . She will be missed by  her family and at her work .And it is  terrible feeling for everyone who has heart /who has a child to read about this homicide .
I hope that the one who did it will be caught and he will pay price too on his turn .I hope also that the night taxi drivers who harass female passengers will be found and punished .

 It was just less than a year ago that  another  teacher-  an American one - was murdered in her own home by an African security guard .

Murders used to be uncommon in Qatar , A decade ago there was one murder per year .Now it is higher most probably still low by international standards .But even so  One is too much !

The rules for the girls of  travelling by taxi /hitch-hike  Do Not Enter any car with more than one male in .

It happened to me in Qatar that a stupid taxi driver picked up an extra passenger -a man  - without asking my permission .I left the car at once .They did not look dangerous to me but I always keep myself to this rule .Better safe than sorry ,. Girls  listen to your mothers !

UPDATE  - the COURT hearing :
 two local men are the accused ones  -no names are given ,no jobs ,no age .. while  every small details about the victim is published .. how sad ....
 the killers must be punished
but who are they ? the society should be informed about their identity I think .

Police Line stickers by PizzaRiia
Create your own sticker online at Zazzle.


More details about the night when this  naive young woman was killed - friend of her Lea Monet tells about it



The trial of the murder started  - two Qatari men is accused of the murder - for more details about the court hearing  click  here .

Popular Arab singer dies at age 92

Lebanese singer Wadih al-Safi, dubbed "Frank Sinatra of Middle East", dies at 92 .He was called the Voice of Lebanon as well . Very popular all over the Arab world .

Logos Hope in Qatar - review

Visiting Logos Hope in Qatar

It was a nice trip on Friday afternoon to visit this floating library . It was not very difficult to find the right parking near the port .We had to buy tickets and entering a tent to show our ID card and being checked . Then we were told to get on the bus and with this free service we got to the port right to the ship .

Logos Hope is a nice big ship with the world's biggest floating library on board .At least that was the thing that they claim . I found nothing else than a medium sized library packed with not too many interesting books .We arrived here to spend money and hoped to find treasures but we did not .
Some books for the kids and a cook book and a book about home remedies .All that we bought .

I saw a lots of books for Christians .We met lovely young people who are working there . They were happy to chat with us .A UK girl even recognised our language " Ertem minden " = Understand everything -she told us in our language .

There was a cafe and small exhibition .

Doha looked beautiful through the round windows of the ship . The ice coffee was really good The Germans know how to do it .

It was a bit like we left Doha .

So we did not feel so sorry that we went .Though at the Jareer you will find more books I think .

Looking back to the ship there was only one question on my mind ; What 's for this big ship ? It must be terribly expensive .To bring some books that you can find anyway here ?To bring some books for the Christians ? Would not it be cheaper just to send those books ?
And the ship which is large - we saw only a very little part of it .????

Workers right in Qatar

Workers right  in Qatar

The international media is full with accusations that Qatar enslaves the laborers to build this country .Who is a slave ? According to Oxford dictionary a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them .

What is the truth ?

So many Nepali died this year -and it is very sad .

Working in Qatar's heat is a demanding task . I would not love to do it . I would die I think . Workers arriving from very poor places are coming to this country happily .But many of them are unfit physically for this type of work .Many of them are arriving malnourished .

I know that they are happy to come . This might be their only chance to break out from the poverty .But there are people in their country those middle men who  exploit them .They are taking from them recruiting fees and they are forced to pay .This way they are in a trap .When they arrive then they see that the work is very hard and when they want to go back then they can not .They have huge debts at  home .

When an accident happens at the constructions the firm must stop with the work for two weeks .That is a big fine for them  - so the companies try their bests  to avoid accidents .

Many workers think that escaping from a badly payed job is the solution .They run away from their employers  with the hopes that they can find job as a "free-lancer' this way until caught they can collect more money .

Working in Qatar 's heat as a laborer is  very though .In summer they   are not allowed to work during the hottest hours and the employer must provide them a shelter where they can take rest .

I am happy to read that Qatar will boost the workers' rights .

First of all I think  they should set up recruiting agencies abroad to avoid the middle men system and thus the debt-trap .The companies who delay the wages should pay compensation for that delay .Those things would be great steps .

I hope that this will be just the first step and Western- European countries will launch  a campaign for workers rights in Europe itself .
 When going home to Hungary I often hear about forced labor /unpaid wages as well .

Qatargas Chess Championship for children

Qatargas Chess Championship 

for children in the age group of 6-14 years (open to all residents of Qatar from both genders)

Venue : Crowne Plaza Hotel ( Airport Road )

Date ;from October 24 to 26, 2013

Registration :at the Crown Plaza Hotel on October 24 from 4 pm onwards

What to expect : Valuable prizes  to the participants

 Annual championships  in the future

Chess Tees by Brandless
Browse other Real T-Shirts

Lady taxi drivers for ladies only

8004488 is the number that you can call in case that you  would like to book a taxi with female taxi driver  . They have got a flat fee of QR 30 .  Many women do not feel comfortable when they have to travel with a male driver  alone especially at night .This is a new service in Doha - hope it will work .

Male female ratio in Qatar is very bad   4 male and one female ... when you live in a society like that you feel better with other women .

We will have our letters and parcels delivered soon

I can't believe it ! After so many years of living without letters popping into  our mailbox  we will have the joy of  reading our mails instantly .We had to go to the main post office so far  to check out the  our post box  for what we had to pay annual fee . It was so hard .Though we do not leave far from there but the traffic jam is so terrible . Otherwise I like the main post office in Doha  - go and  visit it in case you have never been there .It has some retro atmosphere with fountain inside /cafe inside /exhibitions inside .And the information is written in exotic languages besides English and Arabic like  Hindi /Tamil  - or at least I found it exotic when I arrived at Doha more than a decade ago :)

This service is so much wanted . I do have relatives and even friends who do not use the internet  and  it is much easier to keep in touch with the snail mail ! Coming soon within some months !

Home delivery of mail to become reality soon

stray cat problem in Qatar and the solution

Who loves living in a cage ?  Cats  do not like it  . The most human way to control cat population is to catch them then neuter them then let them live free .Do not stock them in Cages !
Did you know that Qatar government  agencies spay  and neuter cats for free ? No need to pay hundreds of riyal to a private vet or "animal welfare " ...Learn more 



You can help  with trapping .A British expats tells about her experience here .

The Gang Birthday Greeting Card by ZorroCreations
Shop for Rescued cat family Cards online at Zazzle.com

Explosion at Al-Andalus petrol station in Doha

It seems that it has a lucky outcome as nobody even injured as there was a big underground explosion at Al- Andalus petrol station around 1 pm or earlier yesterday . However it sounds quite frightening .The petrol tanks had blown off .It is near a hospital and some small restaurant and a big traffic junction . Witnesses said that there was a big bang then everything shook then the ground collapsed at the petrol station ....

 I was shocked reading here that in 2009 there was a similar accident at  Hilal petrol station with 50 injured . I  remember nothing from that though I usually report things like that here .

Swiss delegation and stroke rehabilatation in Qatar

Swiss delegation  and stroke rehabilitation in Qatar

Swiss delegation of neurologists  has visited Qatar recently

 interesting facts  they mentioned 

 - most of the stroke patients in the GCC countries  are middle aged

- keeping your blood sugar well controlled ,giving up smoking ,taking half an hour daytime nap  and not grumbling about every little issue may save you from stroke

- new methods in neurology can  give full recovery for stroke patients if treated in time

9 out of 10 stroke patients can fully 

recover due to robotic technology

-exchange of visits between doctors of both countries are planned

- treatment of patients in Switzerland  may  also be possible in the future 

source 

Numbers in Qatar - two billions

 Egypt returned  the  aid that  Qatar had sent earlier to the country . It was 2 billion dollars .

source

Numbers in Qatar

 99.5 % of Qatar's population is going to live in cities by 2020

 in Egypt only 45.5 is expected to be a city dweller

in Sudan only 35.1 % is the urban population

 source

retro photos - lady diana in the middle east

Retro photos .Can you remember ?Lady Diana in the Middle East . She wore a transparent shawl in Egypt on the head but in Oman she did not cover her hair .
The most bizarre outfit is from Pakistan . She is wearing  hijab  and mini   skirt.


I wonder what was the message of combining that two pieces ! Traditions and modernity ?Coexisting Western and Eastern values ?

Anyway , I have never been a Diana fan  - it always disturbed me that   we had to read about her and her marital problems  in every women magazine .How much I hated this topic .
 But she represented very well the multiculturalism of the world .

steel structure collapse at construction site

It was early morning some days ago  that a steel structure collapsed at a construction site in Lusail City .Luckily half of the workers on duty were late for work but the 15 laborers who were early risers got seriously injured .I wish them quick recovery and  fair compensation and for the company  in charge better professionals !
"If you pay peanuts you get monkeys "

school bus drivers went on wildcat strike

As a mother I am not very sympathetic with those school bus drivers who refused to take home the kids from Doha Modern Indian School .They went on strike suddenly to get better salary leaving kids stranded at the school and parents in panic  . I wish the bus drivers were well payed ,satisfied people but simply this is not the way  to fight for your rights!
Reading about this incident  I felt  that I have to buy a cell phone for my child - though it is strictly forbidden at schools .
All the panic could have been avoided if the parents could contact their kids !

manhole accident in Doha

What a nightmare for the parents ! A little Indian boy is floating between life and  death  in Hamad hospital . He had fallen into an uncovered manhole while walking with his family some meter ahead of their parents ! The manhole was full of sewage water and 5.5m deep . A rescuer went down to take him up risking his own life and health .
I wish so much that this little child could be saved !
Similar accident had happened not long ago .Walking in Doha has its own dangers .Newcomers may not understand the risk .The whole city is under construction and transformation . Uncovered manholes ,uncovered lamp posts speeding cars had caused accidents .Hold your child's hand tight when you walk !

Update 
__________________
Unfortunately he died .
How could these things be avoided ? Whose child is the next ? We have to think all of us who are living and rising up kids n Qatar .

reading is fun

For every bibliophile ! A floating book fair is approaching Doha .It is expected to arrive on October 10 with 5000 books .Logos Hope is the name of the vessel .Browsing books on the sea ! Fun idea !

owl with red book Dry-Erase boards by almawad
See more Owl Dry Erase Boards

Sandstorm in Dubai caused panic on QA plane

Luckily nobody was hurt but it must have been a terrible experience . Who would have thought that something goes wrong on a routine flight like Doha Dubai ? Unfortunately , a huge sandstorm made the plane lose altitude -so sharply that the passengers were sure for some moments that the plane was to hit the ground .
The QR 112 from Doha ' pilot lifted back the plane to normal altitude and returned to Doha .

I am not an aviation expert and I would like to understand how and why all this happened .Why the poor visibility the brownout made the plane lose altitude ? Aren't there sophisticated devices built -in the plane to avoid such incidents ?


source 

Confusion about the first day of the school

Qatar has a lots of different nationalities .They have their own community schools and so far they had the freedom to choose the first day of the school / the vacations etc . But nowadays the Qatari  authorities try to make every  school to follow the same school calendar .

Here it is how it went this year . We called the school of our  kids just to be informed that the first day of the school would start September 10 . How nice -  I thought . On Tuesday they start and they go to school three days only. For the first week it is enough .  Considering the difficulty to get up early after the summer when many kids go to bed late ...
Then my husband went to the school to pick up the books on September 8  and learned that the school already started . So September 9  we sent the kids to school . Then we opened the Gulf  Times to read that every school should start September 10 . Many parents believed  this was the case and only one third of  the kids turned up at the school  yesterday .

I hope next year we will be informed on time about the first day of the school .Even better we should get a school  timetable  at the beginning of the year about holidays and the last day of the school .

Qatar now has its own satellite

I read the other day that Qatar has its own satellite .It was launched from French Guyana  and it is going to operate from December .What a big milestone in this country's life ! Congrats Qatar !

Satellite Dish Posters by vintage_tees
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Gang rape in Qatar by Indians

I just read about the missing 60 million women in India . They were the ones who were killed as fetus or new born or just neglected to death .Besides  that it is a disgusting mass killing  India now has a great shortage of women . Tens of millions of men are without hope of marrying ever .Especially those who are badly trained or not at all /poor young guys .There are more and more gang rapes in India and this will only increase .

Now , we believed that this type crime will remain in India . But we had to  wake up when we learnt about this rape case on the  10 August 2013 in Doha . A poor maid was at home  when some men was ringing the door  acting as they were detectives . She believed them and let them in just to be raped by them .

Now they are caught and will be jailed I hope . But  will this be enough to deter the others ? Can we keep the misery of the subcontinent out of the borders while masses of poor Indian males are allowed to enter ?

We must be vigilant however . It seems that those attackers are more and more tricky and blackguardly .
We can not be prepared for everything  but keep some rules 1 . keep an eye on your kids / do not leave them unattended  nor home /in the yard /shopping mall  2 . do not open the door to anyone whom you do not know - rather let  the person be hurt rather you look unkind than feel sorry after  3 . when you enter your car again left in the parking lot peep into it -as there were cases elsewhere in the world when  the rapist could enter the car and was hiding until the female driver  got into the car ... the same goes for your home ...if you expect the flat to be empty  but there are signs of somebody is in -even if it is just a bad feeling - do not enter ....

Did You Know ?

You can enjoy a guided tour for free at the Museum of Islamic Art  every Thursdays and Saturdays, at 2pm (English/Arabic)


  The  MIA has an outstanding collection of Islamic art objects, stretching over 1000 years and three continents. 

No booking required, just turn up! 

Turkish Vase Post Cards by almawad
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New commercial for Qatar Airways with FC Barcelona

How to get rich in Qatar ? Bring new flavors !

I think there is a great demand on restaurants , bakeries bringing new flavors to Doha .There are a lots of places offering Arabic , Indian ,Pinoy   dishes and there are some Italian , French , Japanese places  and more .

But what about some more authentic Arab flavors ? Like the tiny fish -market restaurant with a great cook representing some coastal area from Egypt .I am sure that there are more exciting regional cuisines in the Arab world whose flavors did not arrive to Doha yet .

Affordable restaurants with Spanish ,Hungarian ,Creole dishes would be a great hit among the middle class expats  and the locals who love exotic new dishes .

If you want to establish a restaurant here  do not forget that local Arab people and many well-to-do  expats love eating quality dishes .many of them have their own cook at home  -and not only the super rich .
( a shocking conversation I heard at the hospital  while a patient was chatting with a lovely nurse " Sister what is your favorite cuisine ? Indian , Arabic , Chinese ? " " Oh I really like all of them -our cook at home is just wonderful ")

Besides  many of the local and expats travel a lot -so they have experience on the world cuisine .

Cheese platter with red grapes posters by almawad
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Why I like Ezdan Mall

Ezdan Mall is a new Mall near Landmark mall in Gharaffa area in Doha .It belongs to the Ezdan Groups which had built residential buildings ,compounds in Qatar .

After the Villaggio Fire I became fed up with malls .
Last summer we managed to avoid them .This year  after returning to Doha we started to visit this New Mall .And as more and more shops and facilities opened I started to like it .
Why ? Ezdan Mall at first glance is just like the other malls .HIgh-end boutiques selling clothes /supermarket /Fun Ville ,Food Court /Cafes...Somehow it is still different from the other malls .
- It is new
-It has a lots of benches /sofas /armchairs to sit down free of charge
-Turkish restaurant Mado is coming soon with traditional Turkish breakfasts and more
- At Slitti cafe kids can  make their own hot chocolate - they are served some hot milk and a cube of chocolate in a stick .They just dip this piece of chocolate into the foaming milk and watch how the chocolate melts
- At Cerutti cafe one is given an ipad to see the menu
- At Tim Horton  the doughnut is closer to our Hungarian Fank  than the ones other doughnut places in Qatar
- Fun Ville is brand new place for kids to play /it is clean and new and fun
- M& Co offers not only clothes for kids and ladies but special sizes as well  -yes they think about short people -there is petite size and they think about real people and they offer plus size as well  within one place most of their designs are  very attractive as well
-Neal's Yard Remedies offers organic essential oils !

2022 World Cup and the International Media

While the news in Qatar media concentrates on the Eid festival which is bigger  ,longer and better organised than ever  - the international media is full of attacks against Qatar and its rights to organize the  Football World Cup in 2022 summer .

It is very dissapointing . Have you ever heard of a country being attacked so much after a decision ?

They say : Qatar is too hot and football stadiums can not be cooled
The truth  : Qatar has long decades of experience in cooling public places -whenever I go out in summer to a mall I take a cardigan for the kids as it is rather cold inside . Besides   Qatar s most important trade partner Japan is ready to contribute with their technological  innovations . I expect that the Qatari  petro-dollars and  the Japanese innovations will bring  really cool events ......

They say : Even if the stadiums are cooled  the entertainment areas can not be cooled
 The truth : Cooling streets is not something new  - this exists at  various parts of the world  but expect indoor events at large areas  and the entertainment is solved

They say : Qatar must have won by bribing
 The Truth : Nobody ever could come up with proofs

I am not Qatari and I am not working for  any official place here  .I am simply an expat here who is just saddened by the attacks of the international media .
The Asian Games were held in Qatar in 2006 . The international media forgets to mention that fact . The international media did not mention the event then .Middle East on the western media is worth to mention only when it is about war /bombs / crime .

TV News Junkie T-shirt by TVGnus
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Monte Carlo Circus will be performing to September 15

You still have nearly a month to go to the Circus with your kids .The shows are fabulous - they say .Acrobats ,clowns , jugglers and dogs show .Kids can be photographed with baby tigers .

Venue : Monte Carlo Circus  Tent  near Qatar Sport Club 
Time for daily shows  :6:30  for the first show
                                      9 pm for the second show



Tickets :QR 25 -150

Tiger Cub Twins Print by CuteCritters
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Souq Waqif Festival - Some More Days the Show is on

The show will be on two more days

They start at 5 :30 - to 7:45 pm
                    8;30  - to10:30 pm

Somewhere near the Gold Souq

Tickets : Qr25   QR 100

It is such a  lovely place - the Souq Waqif .As one of my friend told me years ago "As you were not in Qatar " She meant as you were not in Qatar where buildings around you are destroyed to make room for another new ones - cars everywhere  -no respect for pedestrians .Why we love Souq Waqif so much ? Perhaps because of its quiet ,traditional atmosphere .Where we can sit outside the cafes and have some real Middle Eastern feel ? What do you think ?

Meteors Shower expected After Midnight

Soon after midnight - so within some minutes-  meteor shower  can be expected . If you find a dark place - away from the city lights you get better chances to see this celestial events .The Perseid meteors are going to fill the sky with fire balls ... Do not miss it !

Vintage image of meteor on fire shower posters by InovArtS
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Eid programs in Qatar August 2013

Malls are going to offer fabulous programs every evening and afternoon  City Center , Lagoona Mall ,Hyatt Plaza ,Landmark ,Villaggio Mall   - expect parade shows ,Angry Birds shows ,Zuma -Zuma ,Rola -Rola  ,Snow White shows   rotated between these places
 from 8 Aug to 17  starting at 2 pm

Katara is going to have fire works displays ,laser show with water fountains and music  - every evening from the 8th of August to 11th of August from 7:30 to 10:30 pm

Museum of Islamic ART will be closed till the second day of the Eid

Aqua Park -  5 day Eidventure  - games ,fire dancers , DJ -s ,face painting ,balloon twisters an more

 Doha Exhibition Cente -  Wanasa Entertainment City , 150 shopping stands ,shows ,games

Souq Waqif From 9 to 14 August 2013, 
 Eid festival with  children's theatre ,soap field ,acrobatic shows ,carnival atmosphere

death and birth in the news

Death  : the 27 year old football player who just arrived a month ago from Ecuador died suddenly due to a stomach problem - he had some strong stomach pain first then he developed peritonitis and died .Shocking news  - but things like that happen all over the world .

Birth : the couple who lost their triplets in the Villaggio Fire  14 months ago -got twins  ... I was very happy to read that .They had enough energy  and courage to restart their lives .I hope that  the daily routine of two babies will fill their lives with pleasure and help to heal those terrible wounds that the loss of three toddlers cut into their soul .

Why nobody is ready to save the QAWS

 QAWS is the Qatar Animal Welfare society .

 I read the letters asking for money -asking for help ...but nobody seems to be ready to help
 No answer from this rich country . I wonder why .

 I have got my own reasons why I do not give them a riyal .

1 .   Whenever we called them that we found a lost pet -  they simply could not help .

2 . I only support no kill shelters - here they put down the sick animals - as in most of the shelters they do here

3 . They had all their  animals killed when a fire - due to a short circuit -broke out and they simply could not put it out ... so many animals died a terrible death ... after this I simply felt that  animals are better off  without them .

 These  are my reasons . But what are the reasons of the others ? I wish  they let the cat out  of the cages . That is not welfare for them at all .

Kitty Scream Poster by donnabellas
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