Of football, missiles and the passing of Qatar’s ‘architect’
12 July was an odd-ball day. It’s one that will go down in the annals of Qatar’s history. And ours too, simply because it was just such a strange day. Or, to quote a friend who texted me that evening, “Today is pretty eventful, huh”. “An understatement,” I’d replied because Sunday, 12 July, began before […]
Opening the door(s) of Qatar
Ornate, Arabic, automatic, closed, revolving, wooden or whatever … As an expatriate living in Qatar in the Middle East, doors here can be very different. It’s both the visual contrast between doors here and those of our home countries, and the symbolic significance. Granted, a closed door may still indicate a dead-end, a glass one […]
Qatar’s great green escape – Katara Hills
Katara Hills is our antidote to Qatar’s flat, desert environment. It’s green, hilly, loaded with trees, has a freshwater stream and fabulous views over the ocean and other Doha landmarks. It’s all man-made and perfectly manicured, of course. But this matters not a jot when you’re seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of Doha […]
Adapting to a war (that’s not ours) in Qatar
Life goes on. Life goes on regardless of incoming missiles and ongoing uncertainty in Qatar, one of the six Gulf countries caught in the crossfire of the US-Israel-Iran war. In my previous post, just four days into a growing conflict that is not ours, I related how scary and surreal everything was. And it still […]
Living in a war (that’s not ours) in Qatar
Surreal and scary. That’s as it is for me – and so, so many others – living in Doha, Qatar, in the Middle East right now as I share what day-to-day life is like presently. I do so in my personal capacity – as just one of the 3 million people who live in Qatar, […]
‘World cup’ of rock art mystery in Qatar
From the mundane to the mysterious, Qatar’s leading rock art site, Al Jassasiya, gives you much to see and even more to mull over. Not least is that, at face value, with its stunning architecture, high-tech infrastructure and visionary focus, Qatar is a picture of modernity, when actually, it’s truly old – like 5th Century […]
All revved for Qatar’s F1 Grand Prix – and some
It’s the “and some” that I want to share. This is the fun, the mardi gras, carnival atmosphere – call it what you will – that happens alongside the high-octane racing at Qatar’s Formula One Grand Prix that I want to tell you about it. No doubt, such sideshows take place at each of the […]
Doha’s arches sparkle with meaning
They are Doha’s famous arches, the tallest and most symbolic of Qatar’s monuments, but actually, they belong to me, too. The Al Wahda Arches are mine in the same way that a building, park or any other significant landmark in your own neighbourhood becomes yours. By proximity and familiarity, we take ownership. Or, at least, […]
The night the bombs fell in Qatar
I am not sure what moved fastest – the bombs, my fingers or heartbeat. The bombing of the US Air Force base in Qatar feels surreal now, less than 24 hours later. But last night it was in-your-face, shudderingly real. And I mean that literally, as the ground shook, reverberating with each large boom, as […]
Eid and its many meanings in Qatar
For the Muslim faithful, Eid (al-Fitr) marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and a time to give thanks and celebrate. And, by default, it also offers other faith groups living in the Middle East exciting “Eid break” benefits, too. Confused? Of course you are (unless you are Muslim or are already accustomed […]