DEMOLITON IN DOHA

Doha is a constantly moving city - up and down - there is as much demoltion as construction going on. One day an old building, the next day - under the swing of the wrecking ball and then a pile of quite interesting rubble.

This was, I believe a men's gymnasium by the pictogram on the wall.

This building is still standing, but probably not for long. Zoom in at the center stairwell facade - 3 spheres per row x 55 rows!Can you imagine this buildign new (70's?) or cleaned up and painted? It could be quite fabulous!

DAY 65 - THE MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART

My apologies to all who have been here looking for updates. I am not quite the blooger I thought I might be.

ISLAMIC ART MUSEUM

I need to back-track to Februaray 5th;my first visit to the MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART. This is a beautifully spare building on the outside, from a distance just looks like stacked sandstone blocks with a long sloped approach lined with palm trees. The museum seems to float on the water with lovely reflecting pools and a series of arches that nicely frame the city view in the background. Sunset is the best time to view this area. The interior is initially a wonderfully spare 3-story hall with a wall of glass at the back where the café seating is. All the galleries are situated on the perimeter with very low light levels and finishes to complement the exhibits. The space is cool and a welcome relief from the sun and heat. Its open though not loud and echo-y, lit by a huge circular light fixture hung from the ocular at the uppermost “block”. a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrG5Wes9L_mpQlM04svWPoTn-3uGGW9K4gRiAB5lL4xhCNZcN3QimWRCi1xh3-pZn4eMwZPoI4iLJBXsfO0gEyWP5bEq_vcpFfKawdpq21OHzvdi10DcBDWdRH_pUWoXzvvn_-lXBInm5/s1600-h/IMG_0715.JPG">

< The museum’s permanent collection holds Islamic calligraphy, ceramics, textiles….from 3 continents not only the Arab peninsula. Currently a stunning temporary exhibit PEARLS is on view. Photography was not allowed so check the link for information and exhibit photographs.

I made a return visit recently to have lunch with a friend and was disapointed to find the café still not open. The seating area is still a great place to sit with a laptop, enjoy the water and city view and people watch. With free entrance, free wi-fi and stunning architecture, it may be my newest favorite place.a>


parting shots...

STILL HERE..

Ok..ok… I know, I know…why have a blog if I am not going to blog!? So here I am blogging away…today February 4th marked my 4th full week at the office and technically my 4th week here in Doha, Qatar. Only 48 more to go! It feels like a long way off… people say there will be ups and downs..and several stages of ex-pat exile ..I have met people ( American ex-pats) that have been here 9 years!..I don’t see how they do it. I for one am desperately missing the fresh air in San Francisco! and yes the morning fog that we all complain about.

Today the air quality here was very poor (it would be a triple Spare the Air Day in the Bay Area), but not as bad as it can get..there was a lot of wind the last couple of days and you would think it would clear the particulates out of the air, but no, its stirs up the tiny, tiny sand dust and whirls them into the air..it looked very post- apocolyptic … ugh! I recently read “The Road” by Cormic McCarthy..(now a movie) the entire world is covered in ash..everything grey and dry..despair in the air! It was like that only a light sandy color..From a health standpoint its pretty serious too. My coworker who has lived here a good long time says its going to get orse.. it made me really sad to look towards the sky; I could'nt see it. (insert sad face here)

OK, so maybe I am in the down part of the first curve..that and the fact that I caught some sort of Arabian flu..(I use the adjective “Arabian”; makes everything more exotic/ mysterious..like the Arabian flies here, and the Arabian cat I saw.) is making me pretty darn homesick. I was down for the count for 2 days and am now minus 2 days of PTO, thank you very much! Back to work still feeling seasick and eating practically nil…but today I felt better and now pay very close attention to what I eat, where I eat, wash my hands constantly and the CLOROX wipes are always close by.

Here is a shot taken from my apartment towards the bay and the Al Corniche – which is a grand promenade that hugs the curve of the bay–the water is surprisingly clear (why, surprisingly I can’t say) and the color known as sea foam green. I can see the bay and a tiny island through the tangle of high rises in various stages of construction, to the other side where the impressive I.M Pei Museum of Islamic art sits smartly casting shadows on the boats nearby.

Lets talk about money..:-) yes? OK the currency here is the Qatar Riyal..$1=3.65QR..I walk around with 100 bills in my wallet feeling like I have so much money when in actuality I need to think of them as 30 bills..and its always gone so quickly!

To the left is a detail of the 100Riyal bill. PRETTY!

Here are several bills, starting with the 100Riyal in the upper left, then moving clockwise, the 10, both sides, the 5, the 1 on the bottom left, showing both sides.Clearly the Arabic side is more interesting, ornate and colorful..the "English side is plain in comparison.

Typically this is a coinless economy..the grocery bill is automatically rounded down (never up) to the nearest .25 but most places just drop it..example..my grocery bill was 155.35, rounded down to 155.25..I gave 155..done..easy…no pesky coins. It varies though, the convenience store here at The Ezdan Suites..marks everything so your bill is mysteriously always XX.50 – seriously – always! The first time they gave me a little packet as change..I thought it was .50 in coins.. maybe 5 “dimes”..no it was chewing gum!!..4 little pieces neatly wrapped..The next time I went in, the total was XX.50 and I got nothing back. No gum, no coin..hmm..Now I am getting the hang of it..don’t give 1 Riyal to make up the .50.. sometimes they won’t mention it. Last night they didn’t give me the .50 change,,so I asked, and received 2 “dimes”..LOL WHATever! Yes we are talking pennies…roughly 14 cents, but hey. Its getting to be a challenge–winning or losing is not important..its how you play the game right?

Ok, until next time…338 Arabian Nights remain..

ma’al salam,

anne

MY FIRST ARABIAN NIGHT

January 7, 2010

NIGHT ONE - DOHA, QATAR
Arrived at DOHA INTERANTIONAL AIRPORT in pretty fair condition after 2 flights - the first a 4-hour to Houston and then a 13 hour direct flight into Doha ... QATAR AIRWAYS is the best! There were a total of 6 people in Business Class which means I had an attendant to myself ... I was totally spoiled and I barely had to glance up and there was someone either bringing me something or asking if I wanted more of what I already had ... more French Chanpagne?? So not only did I get the typical First Class kit with lotions and slippers and eye mask,, but a set of pajamas! 2 pillows with linen cases and a comfy blanket, the better to sleep in the power operated reclining beds with massage,, OK, OK I hear you ... enough right?? Sorry I won't go on (even though I could) .. Jeffrey was there to pick me up at the airport, which was a breeze to navigate and getting through immigration and customs was a snap, thanks again to QATAR AIRWAYS special business class line! J The handsome men wearing the dishdash (sp) - traditional white shirtdress, .. western collar, long sleeves w / cuffs then falls to the ankle and I see sandaled brown feet poking out, were all around. There were plenty of westerners .. Yeah even the dude with the baggy shorts and unlaced sport shoes ugh! Next stop my hotel, a nice refreshing gin and tonic with cucumber at the bar with Jeffrey and Brenda and then .... Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Awoke to the sounds of birds chirping .. even though it was still dark, the moon was out and whoo hoo,. Fog! Must be a silent communiqué from San Francisco ... I tried to go back to sleep but kept getting up see the birds and check my view .. I am at the Ritz-Carlton ... in a beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the water, Palm trees on lush grounds with numerous pools and fountains, an array of little luxuries and services you would expect to find at a 5-star hotel ..
So, down to the restaurant for breakfast - I walked into a gorgeous 2 story space opening on to the gardens with a most impressive endless spread of fresh breads and pastries, meats, cheeses, fruits, cereals, drinks, etc etc, I had coffee , a couple of slices of some beautiful full grained bread, halloumi cheese, fig jam w / cardamom seeds, seder honey, fresh melon, grapefruit, oranges, Foul Madame (a bean dish) yogurt, coffee .... I resisted the pastries and meats!
This is probably where my luxury stops ... I will head over to EZDAN SUITES, my permanent "residence for the next 30 days. More later and a picture or two!