A SONG FOR THE HOMESICK HUNGARIANS
especially for those who have some nice memories of our capital .
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
We set off as early as 6am on Friday .We thought that the shore will be calm .How naive we were !
The so called family beach was full of crazy riders of sand buggies .To have a quiet picnic was just a dream -as these vehicles were speeding right next to us .
Mesaid or Umsaid - needs a municipality run affordable and protected family beach .
Sunday, May 11, 2008
PERSIAN RESTAURANTS - Shater Abbas
Lamb for our weekend picnic lunch ? - we nearly got objected as we do not like it -but when we tasted with my daughter the dish called "riyash " which seemed to be some spicy grilled lamb chops -then we were more than satisfied .It was a half year ago .Then we decided that we have to visit once the Shater Abbas restaurant for we can learn more about the Persian cooking here .
We entered the restaurant and went up the badly designed steps . It was a large place with separated family section -and even with some totally separated compartments . The whole place had some retro touch -and suddenly I felt as I was with my father in a club's restaurant at Lake Balaton as a little girl.Some columns as decoration even added to this feeling with their metallic op-art style .The walls were tiled with yellowish pattern -which was imitating a Persian carpet on the wall .One or two of this pattern was OK but it was repeated too many times all around us and made me feel dizzy . The wooden partition was decorated with art-deco motifs .The tables were large and nice and the chairs as well -they made me feel I am at an elegant place .Then I had to face a large screen on which there was a football match on -and it made me feel as I was at a pub .
I had mixed feeling about the interior design .I thought that the original design was spoiled with some amateur's elements .What a pity !
We opted for the open buffet .The tables were nicely set .The selection of dishes was very big - two long tables were full of main dishes .
A smaller table was dedicated to the hors d'ouvres and salads .
I started with mutabal -which is my favourite anyway - but it was the best I have ever tasted .The baba ganough was also very good .I went on with some soup - the addas was wonderfully spiced and the classic mushroom soup was excellent .
As a main course I chose first some khorma with beef and bean - it was not my plate of khorma .... Then I opted for some chicken biryani -it was very plain - almost supermarket quality .The kofta with potato in tomato sauce was very good .
I was almost full when I ventured for some mashi -in tomato sauce .It was some stuffed green pepper or zuccini - and it was surprisingly similar to the Hungarian dish called "stuffed pepper" ,some spicy roasted chicken was also tasted by me -and I felt sorry that I had not discovered it earlier .
There were too many dishes - and most of them one can't even taste .
The selection of the dessert was too modest compared to the main course selection : some egg custard in oriental style ,baklava ,melon .
The buffet lunch was QR 55 for adults and QR 35 for children .As they did not offer any kids meal we had to pay that for our four year old .It is not fair price for a small kid - I think .Plus we had to pay 17 % service charges though nobody served us .
The toilets were nicely designed with red and white tiles -but badly maintained .The flush was not working and the floor was flooded with muddy water .There was a cleaner who had some tools very 'retro 'besides she had to clean the glasses at the drink bar and even she had to serve some water to the guests .
Most of the customers seemed to be Arabs and Persians .It was full on Friday.
See other review !
Lamb for our weekend picnic lunch ? - we nearly got objected as we do not like it -but when we tasted with my daughter the dish called "riyash " which seemed to be some spicy grilled lamb chops -then we were more than satisfied .It was a half year ago .Then we decided that we have to visit once the Shater Abbas restaurant for we can learn more about the Persian cooking here .
We entered the restaurant and went up the badly designed steps . It was a large place with separated family section -and even with some totally separated compartments . The whole place had some retro touch -and suddenly I felt as I was with my father in a club's restaurant at Lake Balaton as a little girl.Some columns as decoration even added to this feeling with their metallic op-art style .The walls were tiled with yellowish pattern -which was imitating a Persian carpet on the wall .One or two of this pattern was OK but it was repeated too many times all around us and made me feel dizzy . The wooden partition was decorated with art-deco motifs .The tables were large and nice and the chairs as well -they made me feel I am at an elegant place .Then I had to face a large screen on which there was a football match on -and it made me feel as I was at a pub .
I had mixed feeling about the interior design .I thought that the original design was spoiled with some amateur's elements .What a pity !
We opted for the open buffet .The tables were nicely set .The selection of dishes was very big - two long tables were full of main dishes .
A smaller table was dedicated to the hors d'ouvres and salads .
I started with mutabal -which is my favourite anyway - but it was the best I have ever tasted .The baba ganough was also very good .I went on with some soup - the addas was wonderfully spiced and the classic mushroom soup was excellent .
As a main course I chose first some khorma with beef and bean - it was not my plate of khorma .... Then I opted for some chicken biryani -it was very plain - almost supermarket quality .The kofta with potato in tomato sauce was very good .
I was almost full when I ventured for some mashi -in tomato sauce .It was some stuffed green pepper or zuccini - and it was surprisingly similar to the Hungarian dish called "stuffed pepper" ,some spicy roasted chicken was also tasted by me -and I felt sorry that I had not discovered it earlier .
There were too many dishes - and most of them one can't even taste .
The selection of the dessert was too modest compared to the main course selection : some egg custard in oriental style ,baklava ,melon .
The buffet lunch was QR 55 for adults and QR 35 for children .As they did not offer any kids meal we had to pay that for our four year old .It is not fair price for a small kid - I think .Plus we had to pay 17 % service charges though nobody served us .
The toilets were nicely designed with red and white tiles -but badly maintained .The flush was not working and the floor was flooded with muddy water .There was a cleaner who had some tools very 'retro 'besides she had to clean the glasses at the drink bar and even she had to serve some water to the guests .
Most of the customers seemed to be Arabs and Persians .It was full on Friday.
See other review !
THE LITTLE BRIDESMAID
This painting was made by me - based on a family photo .First a freehand pencil drawing was made -then I got it scanned and with this sketch as a base I made the digital watercolor .
I saved that .Then I went on with the work .I made every white spot transparent - then I added this burgundy background . The result was surprising for me : I got a little bridesmaid of African origin !
And look at the skirt - how beautiful it became !
This painting was made by me - based on a family photo .First a freehand pencil drawing was made -then I got it scanned and with this sketch as a base I made the digital watercolor .
I saved that .Then I went on with the work .I made every white spot transparent - then I added this burgundy background . The result was surprising for me : I got a little bridesmaid of African origin !
And look at the skirt - how beautiful it became !
May is a wonderful season in Hungary .Everything is green and blooming . May the first is the Labour Day -it is the day of eating out in plein air -spending most of the day outside -going to fun fair -to river banks .In the past companies and institutes used to set up a tent in the local park -and we used to gather there for a lunch .Nowadays - as there is a big unemployment in Hungary -it became only a nice souvenir from the past .
Mother's day is celebrated this month with a lots of flowers .This is the time for farewell days at schools -when graduating pupils stroll along the school building holding hands -and every class is richly decorated by flowers .In the evenings the same students take a horsed carriage and sing melancholic songs for their teachers as a sign of gratitude for their work .
This is the time when chestnut trees are blooming and fill the air in the public parks with their wonderful smell .
This is the time when I became mother first time in my life .
In Qatar this is the time of the heat .It goes up to forty C -and makes one avoid going out before 5 pm .
There is a film festival on in the Mall cinema on Palestine , in the exhibition center we visited a Wedding Expo with fashion show and we saw lots of nice decorated tables but too many flowers in paper .
My mother returned home after a month stay in Qatar .She was amazed to see the beauty of the blooming country -and was surprised how unpleasant it is without AC especially in the car .
On the other hand : many people expected her to return with a nice tan - and it was difficult to make them understand that one does not go outside day time -as it is too hot .
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Antique Carpets of Maktabi and sons
This is a private collection of some people from Lebanon .The exhibition took place at the Sharq village - a beautiful resort by the sea - built in old Qatari style .
There was a large collection of different carpets .Floral and geometrical designs and some"tableau " carpets .
The traditional Persian style to me is too much charged - and I prefer the geometrical designs .
The colors are faded in many carpets and we can only imagine how beautiful the carpets might had been when new .The estimated age of these items are around 100 or 150 years .
Praying rugs and huge "wall to wall" carpets were on display .
The exhibition will be open only some days .
Weekend craziness
We decided to go out on Thursday night .It seemed at the beginning a nice idea .We went to see an antique carpet exhibition to Sharq village .It was nice and it did not draw crowds -we saw many beautiful things .
I wish we had returned home at that moment ! But someone had the idea to go to the Corniche .It was OK - the air was fresh and it was not too crowdy either .As we were leaving there was fireworks then a lots of Qatari youngsters were cheering wildly and throwing firecrackers on the road . It was too late to return we were already heading towards the City Center for a dinner - and we were riding among wildly celebrating fans of Al Sadd Football Club and it was a bit frightening .
After having dinner we got stuck one hour in a traffic jam in the City Center;s parking .The line did not move for one hour .We got no idea what was going on and I felt terribly tired and fed up .
Then we got out and again had to go along the Corniche road which was still full of happy football fans sitting on the tops of their cars or in the window , cheering and throwing the firecrackers .
I decided rather to stay at home at the coming weekends .
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
TAMIL NEW YEAR
I suppose there are so many Tamils living here -but no one big hotel advertised special lunch or dinner on the occasion of the Tamil New year .Only one restaurant offered lunch for this great holiday for 25 rials .
It seems that they are not of the richest ones .
They are mostly labourers fishermen and maids .They get low salaries .But even that is too much for some Sri Lankan officials who accuse Qatar of helping the Tamil terrorism by giving them wages .It might be used later to fight the Sri Lankan government .Deja vue !
I wonder what the solution should be .They should not get their money ?Or Qatar should fire them from here for not to be accused of the support of terrorism ?
I suppose there are so many Tamils living here -but no one big hotel advertised special lunch or dinner on the occasion of the Tamil New year .Only one restaurant offered lunch for this great holiday for 25 rials .
It seems that they are not of the richest ones .
They are mostly labourers fishermen and maids .They get low salaries .But even that is too much for some Sri Lankan officials who accuse Qatar of helping the Tamil terrorism by giving them wages .It might be used later to fight the Sri Lankan government .Deja vue !
I wonder what the solution should be .They should not get their money ?Or Qatar should fire them from here for not to be accused of the support of terrorism ?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
If I WERE THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION IN QATAR
I would introduce for every lines families only
buses in the city .I would employ a security guard or something like that to keep non families out .
It might sound expensive but it would ease much more the heavy traffic on the roads .
To give you an idea how hard it is here at times I would mention our trip last year to the ZOO - which took 20 minutes to get there -and coming home was 2 and half an hour !
The buses nowadays in Qatar can be cold "Labourer's buses " .Though they are open for every one - but 99.99 percent of the passengers are labourers .
I would introduce for every lines families only
buses in the city .I would employ a security guard or something like that to keep non families out .
It might sound expensive but it would ease much more the heavy traffic on the roads .
To give you an idea how hard it is here at times I would mention our trip last year to the ZOO - which took 20 minutes to get there -and coming home was 2 and half an hour !
The buses nowadays in Qatar can be cold "Labourer's buses " .Though they are open for every one - but 99.99 percent of the passengers are labourers .
MATERNITY CLOTHES IN QATAR
H&M - you can find it at the Villagio Mall - they have a nice selection of maternity trousers ,blouses ,tops - 200 -300 rial will do for a top and a pair of trousers
DOROTHY PERKINS - it is also at the Villagio - they have a corner with nice selection - it is more colorful then H& M and a little bit more expensive you might need 500 -600 rial for a full outfit
ZARA - only some pieces - trousers and tees ,fresh style with affordable price -200 rial will buy you one full outfit
OUMNIA - it is at the Royal plaza .It has unique selection of maternity jeans and cargo pants ,blouses ,tees ,pull-overs .It is the most expensive place that I saw in Qatar .But it is nice - if you have 600-700 rial for a pair of trendy jeans and something like that for a top .
CARREFOUR SUPERMARKET - it has got only some pieces - difficult to spot them - they are not fantastic -but who knows - they might fit in your garderobe -it is the less expensive choice here
H&M - you can find it at the Villagio Mall - they have a nice selection of maternity trousers ,blouses ,tops - 200 -300 rial will do for a top and a pair of trousers
DOROTHY PERKINS - it is also at the Villagio - they have a corner with nice selection - it is more colorful then H& M and a little bit more expensive you might need 500 -600 rial for a full outfit
ZARA - only some pieces - trousers and tees ,fresh style with affordable price -200 rial will buy you one full outfit
OUMNIA - it is at the Royal plaza .It has unique selection of maternity jeans and cargo pants ,blouses ,tees ,pull-overs .It is the most expensive place that I saw in Qatar .But it is nice - if you have 600-700 rial for a pair of trendy jeans and something like that for a top .
CARREFOUR SUPERMARKET - it has got only some pieces - difficult to spot them - they are not fantastic -but who knows - they might fit in your garderobe -it is the less expensive choice here
Friday, April 04, 2008
Dudaze is a fellow artist at the zazzle .com ..She is a mother of three and her studio is their dinner table .
Her success story is simple and great : she loved needlework ,cross stitching and so on .
One day she decided to create dolls .When drawing the sketches she noticed that it is easier to draw and paint than making those dolls .Since then she is amazing the world with lovely characters for every occasions .
MOTHER'S DAY is celebrated all over the world on different dates .
For the Arabs March 21 (first day of spring) is Mother day . I read in the newspaper some hotels offering spa and light lunch for mums on that special day . For more than 700 rial at Sharq village - the lucky mother could get some spa ,beauty treatment ,massage ,a light meal .It seemed to be very posh .
For the British it is before Easter .
For the Americans it is the second Sunday of May .
For us - Hungarians it is the first Sunday of May .This day smells lilac in my memories.
It seems to be that after difficulties my mother got visa to visit us .We wanted her to come in February - but she did not get visa then .It is a little hot now here - but it comes with the advantage of being able to celebrate this day together .
I can read for her the story that I had written for her birthday .If everything goes well .
yadiin
For the Arabs March 21 (first day of spring) is Mother day . I read in the newspaper some hotels offering spa and light lunch for mums on that special day . For more than 700 rial at Sharq village - the lucky mother could get some spa ,beauty treatment ,massage ,a light meal .It seemed to be very posh .
For the British it is before Easter .
For the Americans it is the second Sunday of May .
For us - Hungarians it is the first Sunday of May .This day smells lilac in my memories.
It seems to be that after difficulties my mother got visa to visit us .We wanted her to come in February - but she did not get visa then .It is a little hot now here - but it comes with the advantage of being able to celebrate this day together .
I can read for her the story that I had written for her birthday .If everything goes well .
yadiin
WOK OF FAME
It was dizzying mixture of styles . The restaurant is a typical Chinese one .Dark wooden tables -yellow china plates - junk plastic vine leaves .Our waiter was Indian .The mall itself is in Venetian style .
It is located on a bridge over the canal - this way one can watch the Canal street with gondolas .
It was a Friday afternoon and it was packed with Far Eastern looking people .We waited too much -more than half an hour for our sizzling chicken . Our children became fussy .it was not really kids friendly .
The chicken itself was good but not very special .I had already far better sizzling at the Great Wall - at the Center .The size of the meal was very large . Actually it was enough for three persons .It was not expensive around 20 rial .
My fried noodles was disappointing . I expected some kind of Asian noodles -but what i got it was something like tagliatelle in soy sauce .
I recommend it for people without kids - having plenty of time to wait - and prefering the huge meals over the gourmet one .
Qatar
country of records
This country has the highest ever GDP per capita in the world .
It has the worst male -female ratio in the world .( too many single workers -without FAMILY )
It is among the highest per capita diabetes in the world - 16-25 % -like the other GCC countries .( only the tiny Nauru island has higher 100 % )
It has the largest ever hand printed logo - Qatar Gas .
It has served the largest serving of KFC chicken .
It has the sixth highest hotel room per resident ratio in the world .
country of records
This country has the highest ever GDP per capita in the world .
It has the worst male -female ratio in the world .( too many single workers -without FAMILY )
It is among the highest per capita diabetes in the world - 16-25 % -like the other GCC countries .( only the tiny Nauru island has higher 100 % )
It has the largest ever hand printed logo - Qatar Gas .
It has served the largest serving of KFC chicken .
It has the sixth highest hotel room per resident ratio in the world .
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
MISSING STRAY CATS IN QATAR
Potted Black Kitten Notecard from my Original Art!
by
buckscountydesigns
Get this custom card
at Zazzle
A lovely black cat .I used to have similar one in Hungary .The other day I was in the Al -Bida park - and I did not meet any stray cat there .Where are they ?
Potted Black Kitten Notecard from my Original Art!
by
buckscountydesigns
Get this custom card
at Zazzle
A lovely black cat .I used to have similar one in Hungary .The other day I was in the Al -Bida park - and I did not meet any stray cat there .Where are they ?
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