Sunday, February 17, 2013
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 ?
Saturday, February 16, 2013
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 .
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 .
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
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
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 :
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Hungarian politician in Qatar
Shall we have some Hungarian food product here in Doha ? Peter Szijjarto was negotiating with top officals of Hassad Food as well .
Monday, January 28, 2013
It is spring in Qatar
It is spring in Qatar . We might have some cold spells in February but it is usually like April in Europe .Yesterday it was sunny ,warm and no wind . I live in an old part of the city where you can find a lots of trees . Birds were singing so cheerfully . Today it was cloudy and a bit windy in the morning . Birds were still singing but not so happily . However I think winter with cold winds lasted only ten days .
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Arabian breakfast - ful ma gubn
We had this traditional Middle Eastern working class breakfast when we ventured into a working class restaurant in Al-Wakra .
It is fava bean puree with chickpeas and cheese ( perhaps feta ) and tomato dices . We had to admit that the working class eats really tasty and healthy dishes here in Qatar . (I would not say the same much about their toilets .)
See how to make the dish .
It is fava bean puree with chickpeas and cheese ( perhaps feta ) and tomato dices . We had to admit that the working class eats really tasty and healthy dishes here in Qatar . (I would not say the same much about their toilets .)
See how to make the dish .
Monday, January 21, 2013
Qatar Airways the favorite airline of the Hungarians
Qatar Airways has become the favorite airline of the Hungarians, The survey called " Az en legitarsasagom " ( my airline 2012 ) was organised by the largest Hungarian online ticket seller agency .
The same Middle Eastern company was the winner in the category of the service value for money as well. In brief , the Turkish Airlines became the second and the Dutch KLM the third . 88 percent of the participants of the survey evaluated a private travel and 12 percent business travel .
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Numbers in Qatar - Population
Who are the people who live in Qatar ?What is the proportion of different nationalities ?
Reading an infographic I learned that only 15 % of the population is Qatari.
Roughly there are 1,800,000 people in the country
24% Indian
16% Nepali
15% Qatari
13% Arabs ( non Qatari )
11% Filippino
7 % other ( westerners -latinos )
5% Sri Lankan
5% Bangladeshi
Reading an infographic I learned that only 15 % of the population is Qatari.
Roughly there are 1,800,000 people in the country
24% Indian
16% Nepali
15% Qatari
13% Arabs ( non Qatari )
11% Filippino
7 % other ( westerners -latinos )
5% Sri Lankan
5% Bangladeshi
Friday, January 18, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
a trip to Dubai may be risky
A Hungarian lady living and working in Qatar just complained to me . Her December trip to Dubai Atlantis with her child failed as she was not allowed to enter Dubai . We were discussing it trying to find out the reason : perhaps the Hungarian Prime Minister's latest visit to Dubai did not turn out well .... it can be that ladies alone with a child without male family members are not allowed .... then we read this article in the Gulf - Times . It turned out that the same thing happened to several Qataris and other GCC residents in the recent weeks . The reason is unkown ...
Monday, January 14, 2013
how to make karak
This cold windy weather calls for a hot drink ! Karak is a kind of spicy oriental tea which is very popular in Qatar
It is always sweet and comes with milk .
Basically it is strong tea cooked with cardamom seeds and sugar then creamy milk added
Recipe : 1 boil water
2 add loose tea ( Wizza tea is preferred by the locals) 1 teaspoonful/cup
3 add cardamom seeds and sugar accordng to your taste keep boiling them for some minutes
4 pour it into cups and let it set for some minutes
5finally add some creamy milk ( rainbow milk is preferred by many )
the tea -milk proportion is also a question of taste
the result is a velvety /smooth hot drink with spicy oriental touch
there is a simple way to get your karak - simply make strong tea then add the canned tea-milk which is already flavoured with cardamom seeds
I this your cup of tea ?
Vintage Happy Man Drinking Giant Cup of Coffee Posters by YesterdayCafe
Search for another posters online at Zazzle
It is always sweet and comes with milk .
Basically it is strong tea cooked with cardamom seeds and sugar then creamy milk added
Recipe : 1 boil water
2 add loose tea ( Wizza tea is preferred by the locals) 1 teaspoonful/cup
3 add cardamom seeds and sugar accordng to your taste keep boiling them for some minutes
4 pour it into cups and let it set for some minutes
5finally add some creamy milk ( rainbow milk is preferred by many )
the tea -milk proportion is also a question of taste
the result is a velvety /smooth hot drink with spicy oriental touch
there is a simple way to get your karak - simply make strong tea then add the canned tea-milk which is already flavoured with cardamom seeds
I this your cup of tea ?
Vintage Happy Man Drinking Giant Cup of Coffee Posters by YesterdayCafe
Search for another posters online at Zazzle
Sunday, January 13, 2013
It is cold in Qatar
It is cold in Qatar . 16 C at night and strong /cold wind blowing .
We went at the weekend to an expensive restaurant ... there were no heaters there either - we were sitting in a place where the cold wind blew on us at every time - the door was opened .
No heaters at my kids schools /kindergarten either / nor at the office of my husband .
I saw workers in the streets wearing slippers .Barefoot .
The local authorities started to speak about flu epidemic .... we are out of it - I hope - but it was not easy to be cured .
I am getting introverted in this weather - I like staying at home with a hot drink and reading something/watching an old movie .... It feels like home ...
We went at the weekend to an expensive restaurant ... there were no heaters there either - we were sitting in a place where the cold wind blew on us at every time - the door was opened .
No heaters at my kids schools /kindergarten either / nor at the office of my husband .
I saw workers in the streets wearing slippers .Barefoot .
The local authorities started to speak about flu epidemic .... we are out of it - I hope - but it was not easy to be cured .
I am getting introverted in this weather - I like staying at home with a hot drink and reading something/watching an old movie .... It feels like home ...
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Umm Kulthum Hologram Concert
ND Productions created this uber sensational, nostalgic performance by a hologram of Kawkab al Sharq Um Kulthum at the launch event of MBC Egypt in Cairo with hundreds of Arab actors, singers, directors, producers and media persons.
ND was asked to generate full 6 minutes of Kawkab al Sharq performing live on stage appearing to be alive, giving the audience a wonderful and breathtaking experience.
ND was able to restore her footage from a 40 years old recording and resurrecting her soul on stage.
Monday, January 07, 2013
healing ginger lemon honey into your tea
You will need : A small glass jars with lid
1 lemon, sliced (preferably organic)
honey
Sliced ginger (equal amounts of lemon)
(Hot water for tea)
How to make it
Put the the sliced lemon and ginger into the jar, pour the honey on them. Put it into the refrigerator. A few days later it is ready .
Add 1 teaspoon of it into your tea - not too hot -for the honey's enzymes would be preserved .
Source: Eva Horvath
down with flu
I do not know why but some people think that the warmer countries like Qatar are not affected by the yearly flu epidemic .In fact there is flu here as well .The Al Sadd emergency reported last week a daily 1700 little patients seeking help with flu like symptoms .A record number which can be due to the fact that some health centers closed for the expat families and operate for the locals only .
Home remedies are rarely suggested by doctors .At the supermarkets one can buy herbal infusions or baby tea granulates .My kids love drinking the one in the blue jar ...At the Hyatt plaza there is a TEA SHOP selling a lots of kinds of herbal infusion ...Linden tree blossom is something that every doctor would suggest in my country in case of flu .
Home remedies are rarely suggested by doctors .At the supermarkets one can buy herbal infusions or baby tea granulates .My kids love drinking the one in the blue jar ...At the Hyatt plaza there is a TEA SHOP selling a lots of kinds of herbal infusion ...Linden tree blossom is something that every doctor would suggest in my country in case of flu .
Friday, January 04, 2013
Happy New Year
Thank you all my readers for visiting my blog in 2012 ! Have a Happy 2013 and keep coming !
Winter holidays in Doha
IT was so quiet in Doha last week .It seems that many people left for winter holidays . There was not much festive atmosphere here expect for the five star hotels .So many people rather left the country to celebrate in the Emirates or at their home .
Ten years ago when we arrived to Doha we were pleasantly surprised at the sight of the Xmas trees in the malls .Then some three years ago those artificial trees disappeared .It had disturbed the native population .They see in the tree the symbol of Christianity .When it has nothing to do with the Christians . It is a winter decoration in Europe /North America ...to cheer people up during the dark winter days .
On the other hand this is the first time that my husband got a day-off for New Year and my child going to an Arabic school got a day-off as well for the first time ...
Ten years ago when we arrived we liked winter holidays here .It was not so bad to spend the days outside at the family park /women's park in Muntazah .. since the those parks have been closed for unknown reasons .We liked the festive selection of products at the supermarkets .Then a day while walking along the Corniche we saw a jazz band playing and singing by the sea . There was a winter festival that year in the city .
Ten years ago when we arrived to Doha we were pleasantly surprised at the sight of the Xmas trees in the malls .Then some three years ago those artificial trees disappeared .It had disturbed the native population .They see in the tree the symbol of Christianity .When it has nothing to do with the Christians . It is a winter decoration in Europe /North America ...to cheer people up during the dark winter days .
On the other hand this is the first time that my husband got a day-off for New Year and my child going to an Arabic school got a day-off as well for the first time ...
Ten years ago when we arrived we liked winter holidays here .It was not so bad to spend the days outside at the family park /women's park in Muntazah .. since the those parks have been closed for unknown reasons .We liked the festive selection of products at the supermarkets .Then a day while walking along the Corniche we saw a jazz band playing and singing by the sea . There was a winter festival that year in the city .
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