SO Middle Eastern
The direction of Mekka is shown on the mirror of a hotel room in Doha .
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Our Great Flat Renovation Experience
The floor of our flat had been sinking for three months when our landlady went on holiday . She ordered her Indian valet/driver to arrange all within a month . We were forced out of our flat( in a way that the rent was payed by us during the renovation) . We had to pack everything within a week and find a temporary accommodation while the floor would be done .
In vain my husband tried to persuade her about her duty to pay for us the accommodation . She was very upset about the request . " You get the flat very cheap from me " was her answer . Right. Her rent augmented only 300 % the last seven years we lived there . That is the landlord ethic in Qatar .
We were searching for a flat which is sublet for a month or two while the lodger is on holiday . We saw terrible things. Whole families living in 20 square metre "furnished appartement"= there were matresses on the ground .Laundry room , shed advertised and let as family accommodation ..
Finally we found that a cheap hotel would be better .WE found one run by Indians and were ready to move when my husband found a bit more expensive suite hotel . Everything was wonderful there - a complete furnished flat in retro style .We could not resist - my husband was offered a bargain by the boss . We payed in advance and enjoyed this temporary luxury. Everything was nice but the boss. He called my husband after two days : You must pay more because we just noticed that one of your child is over 18 years old .
After a heated debate my husband refused to pay more .. Then he threatened him " if your little kids destroy something you will have to pay for that " ... Welcome in Arabia ...
Once I read in an old book that the Arabian hospitality is the best in the whole world .The Hungarian traveler and orientalist Germanus Gyula who travelled all around the Arabian Peninsula seventy years ago wrote about that ... Everything is changing .. the old traditions are forgotten ... quick profit and money is more important nowadays ...
Finally the flat is done ... the brand new toilets are leaking in a terrible way ... the floor was changed but according to my husband description they did not put enough layers of different soils to isolate properly . We count our expenses : accommodation , transport of the furniture , decorating the walls , mending the toilets ...finally we found that more than 6000 rials we had to pay because ten years ago when the house was constructed some people did not isolate properly the floor .
We expect it to be sinking again . We hope that we will not witness it here ... but for this price or a little more we would find a much better place to live next year ...
The floor of our flat had been sinking for three months when our landlady went on holiday . She ordered her Indian valet/driver to arrange all within a month . We were forced out of our flat( in a way that the rent was payed by us during the renovation) . We had to pack everything within a week and find a temporary accommodation while the floor would be done .
In vain my husband tried to persuade her about her duty to pay for us the accommodation . She was very upset about the request . " You get the flat very cheap from me " was her answer . Right. Her rent augmented only 300 % the last seven years we lived there . That is the landlord ethic in Qatar .
We were searching for a flat which is sublet for a month or two while the lodger is on holiday . We saw terrible things. Whole families living in 20 square metre "furnished appartement"= there were matresses on the ground .Laundry room , shed advertised and let as family accommodation ..
Finally we found that a cheap hotel would be better .WE found one run by Indians and were ready to move when my husband found a bit more expensive suite hotel . Everything was wonderful there - a complete furnished flat in retro style .We could not resist - my husband was offered a bargain by the boss . We payed in advance and enjoyed this temporary luxury. Everything was nice but the boss. He called my husband after two days : You must pay more because we just noticed that one of your child is over 18 years old .
After a heated debate my husband refused to pay more .. Then he threatened him " if your little kids destroy something you will have to pay for that " ... Welcome in Arabia ...
Once I read in an old book that the Arabian hospitality is the best in the whole world .The Hungarian traveler and orientalist Germanus Gyula who travelled all around the Arabian Peninsula seventy years ago wrote about that ... Everything is changing .. the old traditions are forgotten ... quick profit and money is more important nowadays ...
Finally the flat is done ... the brand new toilets are leaking in a terrible way ... the floor was changed but according to my husband description they did not put enough layers of different soils to isolate properly . We count our expenses : accommodation , transport of the furniture , decorating the walls , mending the toilets ...finally we found that more than 6000 rials we had to pay because ten years ago when the house was constructed some people did not isolate properly the floor .
We expect it to be sinking again . We hope that we will not witness it here ... but for this price or a little more we would find a much better place to live next year ...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Some lights
Can you tell me why this campaign to cover up and plans to force people to do so (especially women)leaves a bad taste in the mouth ?
Reading the local news I noticed the view of a Qatari man on the issue :
At least some lights !
Abdullah Hussein — Qatari
“What one wears is one’s own choice. We can’t force people to wear clothes we like. It’s a matter of individual freedom and I believe in personal freedom.”
“I agree that people should respect our social and religious values and traditions, but they should do it voluntarily. We cannot force them. We can only make them aware through campaigns. We can convince them about that and we have to be extremely polite doing that.”
Can you tell me why this campaign to cover up and plans to force people to do so (especially women)leaves a bad taste in the mouth ?
Reading the local news I noticed the view of a Qatari man on the issue :
At least some lights !
Abdullah Hussein — Qatari
“What one wears is one’s own choice. We can’t force people to wear clothes we like. It’s a matter of individual freedom and I believe in personal freedom.”
“I agree that people should respect our social and religious values and traditions, but they should do it voluntarily. We cannot force them. We can only make them aware through campaigns. We can convince them about that and we have to be extremely polite doing that.”
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
SUMMER WITH KIDS 2009
Doha Expat Mums & Kids: Pool + Indoor Playgroup for 18-36 month old kids (Villagio area)
Date: 06/01/2009 to 07/27/2009
Time: 3pm-5pm
Visit the website for details and to RSVP www.dohaexpatmumsandkids.com
Fun First Nursery this summer
July for 4 weeks Summer Camp, from Sunday 5th July until Thursday 30th July
children up to 6 years old
QR 1800/ per child
contact the Reception at 4110953 between 7am and 2pm
Creative Child Nursery
30/ 3/ 2009
If you are from 2 to 6 years old, join them this summer for a lot of fun! From July 5th to August 20th. Time from 7 am to 1 pm Information and Registration: 479 5916
ICC SUMMER CAMP
THE OASIS 2009
“The Indian Cultural Centre is all set to conduct its Fourth Summer Camp – “The Oasis 2009” involving a wide range of informative, innovative educational and entertaining programs for 6-weeks starting from 2nd Aug.2009 to 10.Sept.2009 at the MIS – DPS school.
The formal inauguration will be held on the 1st.Aug.2009 while the Grand finale on 11th.Sept.2009.
Registration formalities must be completed at the ICC office only. For any further details, please contact ICC reception at 4674845 / 4674891 from 10 to 12am and from 4 to 10pm.
APTECH SUMMER CAMP( COMPUTER EDUCATION)
FROM 1ST OF JULY
REGISTER :4673399
Junior Hotel Academy
Let your child enjoy the summer season and let them feel being a young professional hotelier.
It's open for children ages 6 to 12 years old. Schedules will be every Thursday from July 2 to August 20, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more inquires please call Catherine Vidonia on 496-6511, 496-6600 or email her at catherine.vidonia@movenpick.com
Entertainment Village
Doha Exhibitions Center
children’s rides, ‘extreme rides’ and organised sporting activities in the outdoor area, with entertainment, games, restaurants and shopping areas indoors. Artistes from Europe and Asia will perform live shows, including plays, acrobatics, puppet shows and magic tricks to entertain the young and old alike. An appetising collection of restaurants and cafes will satisfy visitors of all tastes. The Entertainment Village will welcome fun-seekers from 10am to 10pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays.
SEE COMMENTS ON IT
BEACHES IN QATAR
AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF BEACHES , LOCATION , DESCRIPTIONS
Regatta Summer School - Learn to Sail
5 afternoons, Sunday through Thursday.
Starting of the week 5th, 12th and 19th of July, 2 pm to 5pm.
QR 800 per students per week. Minimum age 6 yrs.
Qualified RYA Instructors, Buoyancy Aids Provided, Safety Boats on hand at all times.
For further details contact 442 4577 / 550 7846
email : regatta/-a-t-/qatar.net.qa
Evolution Soccer Summer Holiday Club
Evolution Soccer will be hosting summer courses.
5th to 9th of July at Doha College from 9 am to 1pm.
12th to 16th of July at Doha College from 9am to 1pm.
Each weeks will cost QR 700.
Children can attend a minimum of one day at the cost QR 150 per day.
For futher info pls call 506 4794 or email evolution_soccer/-a-t-/hotmail.com
CHILDREN COURSES - Dar Al Founoun Art School, Waqif Art Center
Drawing
MONDAYS: 4:00pm ! 5:30pm
Beginning: June 8th, 2009 ! 4 sessions once per week
Ending: June 29th, 2009
QR 650 (all materials included)
Children: age 7 -10 (grades 3-5)
Children will learn to look and reproduce on paper what they see by using
the 5 basic elements of drawing: dots, ovals, straight lines, curves lines,
and angle line. Through a variety of exercises they will learn to draw
abstract designs, animals, faces and objects.
info@waqifartcenter.com
434 09 21
Opera for kids
Hansel and Gretel
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra
Date: 07/13/2009 to 07/23/2009
Venue: Aspire Hall Shows are at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m
QR 25 per child, QR 75 per adult
available at the door or reserved by phone
call 520-6319
MY GYM
498 0099
SUMMER CAMP - 3 TIMES A WEEK
QR 2750 PER MONTH
Café Céramique Summer Camp
on Thursdays , Fridays , Saturdays
QR 95 per day
cooking ,craft , snacks included
tel :4671100
Doha Expat Mums & Kids: Pool + Indoor Playgroup for 18-36 month old kids (Villagio area)
Date: 06/01/2009 to 07/27/2009
Time: 3pm-5pm
Visit the website for details and to RSVP www.dohaexpatmumsandkids.com
Fun First Nursery this summer
July for 4 weeks Summer Camp, from Sunday 5th July until Thursday 30th July
children up to 6 years old
QR 1800/ per child
contact the Reception at 4110953 between 7am and 2pm
Creative Child Nursery
30/ 3/ 2009
If you are from 2 to 6 years old, join them this summer for a lot of fun! From July 5th to August 20th. Time from 7 am to 1 pm Information and Registration: 479 5916
ICC SUMMER CAMP
THE OASIS 2009
“The Indian Cultural Centre is all set to conduct its Fourth Summer Camp – “The Oasis 2009” involving a wide range of informative, innovative educational and entertaining programs for 6-weeks starting from 2nd Aug.2009 to 10.Sept.2009 at the MIS – DPS school.
The formal inauguration will be held on the 1st.Aug.2009 while the Grand finale on 11th.Sept.2009.
Registration formalities must be completed at the ICC office only. For any further details, please contact ICC reception at 4674845 / 4674891 from 10 to 12am and from 4 to 10pm.
APTECH SUMMER CAMP( COMPUTER EDUCATION)
FROM 1ST OF JULY
REGISTER :4673399
Junior Hotel Academy
Let your child enjoy the summer season and let them feel being a young professional hotelier.
It's open for children ages 6 to 12 years old. Schedules will be every Thursday from July 2 to August 20, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more inquires please call Catherine Vidonia on 496-6511, 496-6600 or email her at catherine.vidonia@movenpick.com
Entertainment Village
Doha Exhibitions Center
children’s rides, ‘extreme rides’ and organised sporting activities in the outdoor area, with entertainment, games, restaurants and shopping areas indoors. Artistes from Europe and Asia will perform live shows, including plays, acrobatics, puppet shows and magic tricks to entertain the young and old alike. An appetising collection of restaurants and cafes will satisfy visitors of all tastes. The Entertainment Village will welcome fun-seekers from 10am to 10pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 4pm to 10pm on Fridays.
SEE COMMENTS ON IT
BEACHES IN QATAR
AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF BEACHES , LOCATION , DESCRIPTIONS
Regatta Summer School - Learn to Sail
5 afternoons, Sunday through Thursday.
Starting of the week 5th, 12th and 19th of July, 2 pm to 5pm.
QR 800 per students per week. Minimum age 6 yrs.
Qualified RYA Instructors, Buoyancy Aids Provided, Safety Boats on hand at all times.
For further details contact 442 4577 / 550 7846
email : regatta/-a-t-/qatar.net.qa
Evolution Soccer Summer Holiday Club
Evolution Soccer will be hosting summer courses.
5th to 9th of July at Doha College from 9 am to 1pm.
12th to 16th of July at Doha College from 9am to 1pm.
Each weeks will cost QR 700.
Children can attend a minimum of one day at the cost QR 150 per day.
For futher info pls call 506 4794 or email evolution_soccer/-a-t-/hotmail.com
CHILDREN COURSES - Dar Al Founoun Art School, Waqif Art Center
Drawing
MONDAYS: 4:00pm ! 5:30pm
Beginning: June 8th, 2009 ! 4 sessions once per week
Ending: June 29th, 2009
QR 650 (all materials included)
Children: age 7 -10 (grades 3-5)
Children will learn to look and reproduce on paper what they see by using
the 5 basic elements of drawing: dots, ovals, straight lines, curves lines,
and angle line. Through a variety of exercises they will learn to draw
abstract designs, animals, faces and objects.
info@waqifartcenter.com
434 09 21
Opera for kids
Hansel and Gretel
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra
Date: 07/13/2009 to 07/23/2009
Venue: Aspire Hall Shows are at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m
QR 25 per child, QR 75 per adult
available at the door or reserved by phone
call 520-6319
MY GYM
498 0099
SUMMER CAMP - 3 TIMES A WEEK
QR 2750 PER MONTH
Café Céramique Summer Camp
on Thursdays , Fridays , Saturdays
QR 95 per day
cooking ,craft , snacks included
tel :4671100
CONTRASTS IN QATAR
an old district in Mammoura,Doha
and the futuristic zig zag buildings in a new district
see my next post about summer with kids in qatar
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Places in Qatar : Diplomatic Club
It is a common form of entertainment in Qatar -going to recreational clubs .Companies , hotels , villa compounds have their own ones .The cheapest ones were closed down .The least expensive club nowadays have no beach - but swimming pools .
The Diplomatic Club offers no information on their membership fees on their homepage . I have visited it for an event recently .I was all impressed by the decor ... somehow it reminded me a little bit Gellert spa in Buda .
Friday, June 26, 2009
MILESTONES ON MY ONLINE ART BUSINESS
It is time to celebrate ! I got 100 orders till now and the last one was cleared yesterday !I have been member at Zazzle since August 2007
I got my first order from Qatar . Perhaps because of this free shipping special offer !
Cute purple giraffe designed for kids ! The little ones will like Alma Wad's unique mug !
Thank You A . from Qatar for the purchase !
It is time to celebrate ! I got 100 orders till now and the last one was cleared yesterday !I have been member at Zazzle since August 2007
I got my first order from Qatar . Perhaps because of this free shipping special offer !
Cute purple giraffe designed for kids ! The little ones will like Alma Wad's unique mug !
Thank You A . from Qatar for the purchase !
Scenes from our life
It felt like we were at home
We were sipping our cappucino in a fast food place .It was our unofficial monthly gettogether , Hungarian expat mums ..
- Alma ,you got new handbag ,wow ! -said Marta
- Special offer ,Carrefour ,it had a junk flower on it which had to be removed - 20 rial( less than a dollar) -I answered
- Then Timi showed off her handbag .What do you think about this ?
Twice but nice shop ,Hungary 50 forint ( 25 cents) ...
Then we burst out laughing .... that was the best laugh I have had in this "you must show off" country where I have been living for almost seven years !
We were sipping our cappucino in a fast food place .It was our unofficial monthly gettogether , Hungarian expat mums ..
- Alma ,you got new handbag ,wow ! -said Marta
- Special offer ,Carrefour ,it had a junk flower on it which had to be removed - 20 rial( less than a dollar) -I answered
- Then Timi showed off her handbag .What do you think about this ?
Twice but nice shop ,Hungary 50 forint ( 25 cents) ...
Then we burst out laughing .... that was the best laugh I have had in this "you must show off" country where I have been living for almost seven years !
expat life in the world
according to an article in the gulf -times expats earn the best worlwide in japan , russia and qatar
though prices are the lowest in india ,malaysia and china - but in the three above countries one third of the expats earn more than $200.000 per year ...
i made a little calculation - it means 60 - 70 thousand rial per month ...
who are making this big money ?
one third of the population here?????
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Lost on a train - my childhood stories
from my childhood stories
It was a wonderful trip with my father to Budapest .I do not remember exactly why and how but we traveled to the capital and visited my uncle and my cousins . We had great time together and Budapest ,the metropolis was always full of wonders for the little girl who I used to be .
Our two or three days were filled with joy and fun and when the time came then we took the train as usually to ride along Lake Balaton to reach our home hundreds of kilometer far ...Traveling together was pure joy . The beauty of the nature and the kids magazine that dad bought for me on the train made me feel that all the time was very special ! When the young man who was selling sandwiches and coffee came then my dad bought a coffee for himself . I asked him to buy for me some chestnut puree which looked so delicious with some whipped cream on the top . I did not suspect then that this sweet treat would turn our dream journey into a nightmare .
It was a very hot day and the whipped cream must have been stale on the chestnut puree ! At least it made me sick soon after I had it and I threw up the whole thing . This was just the beginning of the troubles . After cleaning me - my father was looking for potable water on the train -but nobody had any of that . Two hours or more ride was ahead of us and it was scorching heat .
"There is no other solution than getting out of the train and filling your bottle at the tap" said the conductor woman on the train . She consulted her timetables then she added " We will wait 20 minutes at the next railway station - you will have plenty of time to get water "
So my father left the train . I promised him to keep sitting there where I was whatever happens !
I was waiting quietly . One fellow passenger looked out of the window and told me " lots of folks at the tap - you must be patient ,little girl !"
So was I .
Then I heard the sound of whistle soon . Then the train was rolling under me . I could not understand the whole thing ! But one thing was clear : only some minutes passed after my father left the train and he was not back !
As the train started to gain full speed my hope to see my father faded . Suddenly I wished to cry - but I kept telling myself : "Do not cry ! There is no problem ! If you cry then it means there is a problem ! "
A fellow passenger looked up from his magazine "little girl - your father did not come back ?"
"No"
Then he went on reading ...
The conductor woman soon arrived excited ." Little girl ,your father missed the train - but do not worry I will take you home once we arrive " "what is your name address - can you tell me please ?"
Luckily ,my mother taught us well our personal details.Though I was so little but I knew all my personal data by heart .Then the conductor woman was relieved ."so no need to go to the police to find your family" "Do not worry your father is coming soon in the next train "
I looked at her at that moment like a savor !
All these things made me quiet but also made me wonder about other things :" what will my mom say when she sees me with this woman and my father lost ." "what will she say when it turns out that all the problems started because of that chestnut puree because I wanted it so much " 'will she blame me for all that ?"
But I did not have to think about those things for a long time ...
The train started to slow down and we were approaching another railway station ... The door opened violently and my dad stormed into the compartment .He just hugged me and did not say a word . He was not able to....He was exhausted !
I could not understand anything nor did the other passengers !
Then came the conductor woman and started to yell at him : " You made a terrible thing it could have cost you your life ! It is strictly forbidden to jump on a train while it is moving "
Then my father shouted back and other passengers were angry with that woman who made a terrible mistake when consulting her timetables and gave wrong information about the time the train would spend at that station.
Finally everything became quiet around me ...And sitting in my father's lap I could listen to his story ....
When it was his turn at the tap then the train started to move . He filled the bottle and was running after the train . He was running more than two kilometers when he managed to jump on the last carriage . All he could do was to hold himself tight while the train was at full speed .He could open the door and enter only when the train was slowing down ...
He knew very well how dangerous all of it was .. But he felt he must do it because all the time a terrible image haunted him : his little daughter opens the train's door wishing to find his dad and falls out of the carriage ...
Since that time I had known that my daddy is a real hero ...
DO you adore trains like I do ? See this Hungarian trainspotting page !
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Qatari girls - education and marriage
Numbers
According to a blog written by a Qatari woman 35 % of them suitably aged for marriage are single !
According to the local news in high school examinations girls got 29 out of the 36 top spots ! Even in Maths !
According to a blog written by a Qatari woman 35 % of them suitably aged for marriage are single !
According to the local news in high school examinations girls got 29 out of the 36 top spots ! Even in Maths !
AWARD WINNING DESIGNS
I keep telling you news about my designer boutique here and there . Lately I have got so many awards that it is difficult to tell it one by one .
So I set up a page just for Alma Wad 's designs .
Also I am featuring other designers' work .Come and have a look at my award winning designs . Any feedback is greatly appreciated !
See all my awards here !
I keep telling you news about my designer boutique here and there . Lately I have got so many awards that it is difficult to tell it one by one .
So I set up a page just for Alma Wad 's designs .
Also I am featuring other designers' work .Come and have a look at my award winning designs . Any feedback is greatly appreciated !
See all my awards here !
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Mango season
It's mango season here or rather at the trade partner countries of Qatar - the other day I was at the supermarket and there were a lot of kinds of mango for sale : Indian , Pakistani , Yemeni , Brazilian . The Indian was the cheapest around 2.5 US dollars per kilo . I found a site with very good mango recipes . I mixed some thick cream , with fresh mango puree and some yoghurt and topped it with whipped cream . Some gelatin powder would have made it professional looking gourmet dessert - but I could not make out how to use that strange stick which is sold here
for making jelly . It is made in India and there is no any instruction on it - I just guess that it is an algae the agar -agar .
Friday, June 05, 2009
Rita Szarvas; Hungarian; therapist at a Budapest center for children with motor disabilities. Her 7-year-old son was also aboard, but his name was not released.
May they rest in peace !
Why did this young mother have to die with her little son and their friends son ?
Why the modern and safe airplanes are not built though invented some seventy years ago? Why only the military can enjoy that safety and why civil passangers have to fly in outdated models ? Find the answers here !
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