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

The past week was just as  hectic as it could be and too tiring but well worth it. We went to Khalifa Tennis Stadium 3 days straight, from Wednesday to Friday, to watch the girls play some real good tennis at the Qatar Total Open 2008 Tournament. We were lucky to have been able to get West Side Down seats on Wednesday although our tickets were for the Upper Seats. Photos from those matches can be seen on my previous post as well as from our GALLERY here and here. I have hundreds of photos just for that day but decided just to post some of the good ones. Anyway, Mandy, arrived late that Wednesday night and instead of us fetching him from the airport, he just took a taxi. Since I stil lhad work on Thursday and Mavis had to do something in the morning, we met up with him in Khalifa Stadium on Thursday afternoon.  We didn't get any lower courtside tickets though we arrived at 3 PM at the gates. Apparently, they were giving out tickets in the morning and before the morning ends, all lower courtside tickets would  have been given away. There were Season Tickets which sold for 200 Rials before the whole thing started, which we didn't know about. These Season Tickets would seat you on the middle lower courtside and of course, assures you of a seat. I think the capacity of the Center court was only 5,000. Anyway, once we got inside, Mavis was able to talk to a Filipino who had extra lower courtside tickets which he gave us! Thank you! Mandy, on the other hand, had to tell the "escorts" that he came from Saudi just to watch the matches. They let him in. We enjoyed the games and taking photos. The thing is, if you are taking photos, you really wouldn't be able to concentrate on the match. But it's a thrill all together as you have to get the proper timing and luck to get the photos you want. Xiane was kept busy with the Nintendo DS. It was a saviour! Oh, by the way, it was freaking cold!!! COLD! COLD! FREEZING COLD! The temperature was reading at 14 degrees but the wind was just to harsh. I'm sure it lowered the temperature to less than 8. The players were having a difficult time controlling the ball. We got home late on Thursday since we finished the matches.

 

On Friday morning, Mandy and I decided to go to Khalifa Tennis Stadium at 8:30 AM to line up for tickets; if they were really givng them out. Sure enough, we were among the first to arrive and line up. They opened booth at about 9:30 and we got the tickets we wanted.

 

After having lunch in Applbees', courtesy of Mandy, we went to Salam to buy some camera stuff but found out they only open at 3. It would be too late to get good seats if we wait for Salam to open so we decided to just go to Khalifa. By now, a long line has already formed as people were trying to get tickets. We got seated at the East Down 3 (Center Court) which was just perfect. The game themselves weren't that good but again, it doesn't matter when you're taking photos. We had to leave by 9 PM since Mandy was to catch his plane at 12 midnight back to Bahrain. Poor guy had to drive to Saudi once he reaches Bahrain.

 

Mavis and I decided not to watch the Saturday and Sunday matches anymore since we were just too tired. Besides, we already got to watch Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovich, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Jelena Jankovic play so I think that's enough to satisfy us.

 

I'll post more phots when I get the time...