Life on the Spot! Life and Leisure in Doha, Qatar

We’ve only spent the Holiday season in the Philippines once since we had Xianelle.  No doubt it was one of the best and nothing comes close to spending it back home.  However, we are here and have to make the most of it.  I never thought that we’d be having a very busy holiday despite being here in Doha.  So far this is the busiest we’ve ever been since we got here.  We’ve had several friends come to our house for dinner before Christmas.  On the eve of Christmas and Christmas Day itself, we had 2 sets of guests.  We didn't try to invite a lot of people as we didn't want to spend to much time preparing (though we still spent quite time!). We invited our friend Mel from Angeles and my Tita Irma on the 24th. While we invited Tian's childhood friends and neighbors on the 25th.

On the 26th we attended 2 parties in just one night.  One was a children’s party at Ray’s Reef while much later that evening a party at a friend’s house.  It was great to be going to these parties.  All three of us had a great time.  It was nice to be with friend whom you consider your family away from home and it was also good way to meet people.

I was hoping to invite a few more friends to our home before the New Year but unfortunately there wasn’t time anymore.  I am keeping my fingers crossed though that I’d finally be able to invite them the next time I get the chance. 

On the 31st, we decided to just stay home and wait for coming of the New Year.  A friend joined us for dinner.  Then we spent the evening calling our families.  On New Year’s day, we went out to hear mass and then went to a party at a friend’s house where we stayed until midnight.  It was really nice to be reunited with friends once again.

Today, the 2nd of January, we visited an aunt at her place where we had lunch.  We then proceeded to City Center and checked out some stores.  Although a lot of stores are on sale, I only managed my hands on a few pieces of clothes which I’ll be needing when I go back to work.  Then when we felt our stomachs rumbling we ran off to our favorite Applebee’s.  The Applebee’s staff had a very warm welcome for us as usual.  They were so glad to see us, especially Xianelle.  We spent an hour or so dining there and our daughter Xiane did her usual socializing as well.

The last two weeks have been pretty busy with us inviting friends and being invited by friends as well.  It definitely made our holiday interesting and a little less boring.  Now I couldn’t believe that a month has passed already and we’ve only got a day left before I go back to work and Xiane goes back to school again.  The holidays are over and it’s back to reality once again, that is having to wake up early and juggling work and my daily house chores.  But surely work and school we’ll be keeping us all busy and before you know it, it will be our annual vacation once again.

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We are waiting for Tian to finish work as I write this article.  Xiane and I just had our dental checkup today (December 28, Sunday); and since the clinic is just across his office, we’ve opted to just wait for him.  Our last visit to the dentist was in June before we went off for our annual vacation.  Still on school break, this is the perfect time for Xiane to have her checkup once again.  So Tian fetched us home just in time for Xiane’s 11:30 am schedule while mine was at 12:30 noon.When we got to the clinic though, I was told that Xiane’s dentist is on sick leave today.  We would either have to wait for one of the other dentists to finish...

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We went to City Centre a couple of weeks back, right after the Eid, and there were no decorations for Christmas yet. Possibly because it was just right after Eid. Usually, the decorations can be seen as early as late November. Just the other night, as we went to give some gifts in City Centre, we saw this huge Christmas display. I'm just glad that Qataris are quite open to such display. Anyway, Merry Christmas!

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Dec. 20, 2008 - Last night we stepped out of our laziness and decided to go out.  But instead of going to our and most people’s destination here in Doha, which are the malls, we went to The Pearl instead.  I guess a lot of residents here have already heard of it.  It even has a big billboard just in front of the Toyota building.  It surely has gained popularity among us because it is like the counterpart of “The Palm” in Dubai; the very first of its kind here in Qatar.

Just recently, my husband heard that an area of The Pearl is now open to visitors though not really completed yet.  We wanted to go during the Eid but it didn’t push through until last night.  The funny thing is that we even got lost last night.  We first went to the Four Seasons area at West Bay thinking that it was close to the said hotel.  But after reaching a dead end and not finding “The Pearl” or even a single signage, we realized that it was nowhere near that area.  So Tian had to call a friend who knew where it was.  We then finally reached our destination.

Upon entry to the bridge, you instantly see how special the place is.  It was like you’re entering a different world.  True enough, once you get inside you feel like you are not in Qatar anymore.  Once of the security guys asked if we had the VIP pass.  We didn’t but he let us through anyway.  However it makes you think whether it will be exclusive once it is completed.  I hope not but you can’t blame if the residents would like some privacy and exclusivity since they have invested a lot of money in order to acquire a place there.  But since there isn’t really a final word yet about that, make the most of the chance to visit. 

You are allowed to go to "Porto Arabia". There is a parking space for vehicles and a pick up point where visitors are meant to board golf carts to be dropped off the main entrance of the future mall.  There were about 10 golf carts going to and fro the mall and the parking lot.  Inside the mall, there isn’t any store yet but you could see which stores are going to be there and they are surely signature shops.  You exit to an open air, long and wide park or walkway, the highlight of which is the view of the seawater.  There are benches to perch on and already there are a number of coffee shops doing business.  Among them are 2 Costa outlets, Cinnzeo, and two other the names of which I forgot.  Since there was nothing else, people were actually buying coffee from these stalls.  It was also a good way to keep yourself warm especially if you are visiting in the evening during this time of the year.

Last night was quite windy thus it was a bit cold.  We stopped by Cinnzeo since Xianelle wanted a cinnamon roll which she ate all by herself.  It would require someone to have a sweet tooth to be able to eat a whole cinnamon roll.  It was way too sweet for my taste thus I never tried it again after one bite.  Since we didn’t want coffee, the LPG-fueled lamp heater kept us warm.  Now talk about more demands on LPG’s and the consequent shortage here in Doha.  Luckily, it will only be during the cold months.  

The Pearl is also in a festive mood as there were lights everywhere and a nicely lit and decorated giant tree.  It was so lovely to look at the giant balls hanging on the tree.  It was like our Christmas tree here at home, only much bigger.  As way of entertaining guests, they commissioned two stilt walkers, one male and one female snow costume and fully made-up.  I’ve always wondered how it felt to be walking in those stilts.  It must have made them feel mighty high.  When we reached the very end of the walkway, we decided to go back.  It wasn’t long before we could get our golf cart ride back to the parking area.  It was a good way to spend the evening.  Next time we will try to visit during the day so it won’t be too chilly.

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