Through the magic of Slingbox, John and I were able to watch the Superbowl live. We set the alarm for 2am and watched the pre-game show and the entire football game. We had popcorn and beer during the second quarter. We had to eat something to get the feel of things, the beer was a little strange at 3:30. John kept dosing off and on and I took a nap during the third quarter.
I thought there were some good commercials, great commercials and really bad commercials. I really liked the Budweiser Clydesdale, Jeep, RAM and Tide. I also liked the Bud commercials that were set in New Orleans because they embraced the city. A lot of them were hyped so much when you finally saw the entire commercial you felt let down.
Here's to next year in New York. Go Lions!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Back in the swing of it
We are back in Doha, starting our third year. The jet lag was not so bad this time and I am back in the swing of it. I am very active with the AWA: general meeting, coffee morning and outings. Recently I went to the Camel Race Track to see them train the camels (have yet to catch a race) and the greenhouse near by. It is so nice to get fresh produce in the desert. That same day I went to tea with a group of ladies in the revolving restaurant here, you can see all of Doha from 47 stories up.
Friday John and I walked the Corniche, a promenade along Doha Bay of the Arabian Gulf from the Sheraton Hotel to the Museum of Islamic Art, about 5 miles. A favorite past time here for locals and expats to do on a Friday. The museum just put in a nice park with play equipment and cafes. We had a snack then got a ride home. That night we had a wonderful Mediterranean dinner outside and listened to Greek Music.
Friday John and I walked the Corniche, a promenade along Doha Bay of the Arabian Gulf from the Sheraton Hotel to the Museum of Islamic Art, about 5 miles. A favorite past time here for locals and expats to do on a Friday. The museum just put in a nice park with play equipment and cafes. We had a snack then got a ride home. That night we had a wonderful Mediterranean dinner outside and listened to Greek Music.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Souq Shopping
Last week my Dad, Stepmom and I went to the fabric souq (escalator souq) I got some green velvet, about 4 1/2 yards to use as our Thanksgiving table cloth and to bring home and craft with for $15.00. Then we went to our favorite tailor and my Dad got a sport coat made and my Stepmom got two skirts made. For women they can't measure you so they can make copies of clothes you already have. She took in her skirt and got 2 made to match for $18.00 each (including the fabric!)
Yesterday we picked up the clothing (all fits great) and then went to Souq Waqif for dinner and shopping. A souq is kind of like a mall. Souq Waqif is an outdoor "mall" with all kinds of shops and restaurants. I got some Christmas shopping done and we had dinner outside at the Italian place we like. Then John and my Dad smoked some shisha and we all had tea. I also got a new chain for my camel necklace at the Gold Souq.
Yesterday we picked up the clothing (all fits great) and then went to Souq Waqif for dinner and shopping. A souq is kind of like a mall. Souq Waqif is an outdoor "mall" with all kinds of shops and restaurants. I got some Christmas shopping done and we had dinner outside at the Italian place we like. Then John and my Dad smoked some shisha and we all had tea. I also got a new chain for my camel necklace at the Gold Souq.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving in Doha
I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, we did here in Doha. I was able to get a turkey, potatoes, green beans, stuff to make pumpkin pie and even Grands biscuits. My dad and step-mom came over and brought the cranberry sauce and few more ingredients. We had six British friends over to celebrate, their first time to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Through Slingbox we were able to watch the Detroit parade and the Lions game.
Like John did last year, we had a second Thanksgiving on Friday. An Austrian friend who spent many years in Chicago, had us over along with more British people for another fairly traditional Thanksgiving dinner. This time we sat on their balcony. They live at the Pearl too so we were able to walk there and back (working off some of the food.)
We didn't do any Black Friday shopping, but the stores here are decorated for Christmas, I almost bought a tree just because I could. Of course I didn't since we won't be here. All in all it was a great Thanksgiving!
Like John did last year, we had a second Thanksgiving on Friday. An Austrian friend who spent many years in Chicago, had us over along with more British people for another fairly traditional Thanksgiving dinner. This time we sat on their balcony. They live at the Pearl too so we were able to walk there and back (working off some of the food.)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Back To Doha
As most of you know, we recently returned to Doha, Qatar for the month of November. Not much has changed here at the Pearl, still no alcohol served at the restaurants and only a few new shops opened. I have gotten back involved with the AWA and going to the pool and gym.
Grocery shopping is still a challenge at times, we haven't been able to find skinless chicken breasts (been to 4 stores since we have been back.) Luckily, I think we will be able to have a pretty traditional Thanksgiving here. My first order of business here was to get the turkey, and I got a 20lb. Jennie-O turkey.
Grocery shopping is still a challenge at times, we haven't been able to find skinless chicken breasts (been to 4 stores since we have been back.) Luckily, I think we will be able to have a pretty traditional Thanksgiving here. My first order of business here was to get the turkey, and I got a 20lb. Jennie-O turkey.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Going to the Mosque
Last Sunday instead of going to church like many of you did, I went to the State Mosque of Qatar. The QWA invited several women's groups to tour the mosque and mingle.
The adventure started with our confused driver, John kept saying the state mosque, you know the biggest one in the country that we drive past all the time. After we gave him directions, we realized his confusion was not where the mosque was, but rather why I was going there. We explained I was invited there. Of course I entered through the ladies door, covered my head and took the elevator up to the second floor, the first floor and larger area is for men. From the female area you can look down onto the men's area. This mosque has beautiful wood carved panels and plaster work on the walls. There is some decorative stained glass windows and huge brass chandeliers. A mosque is nothing like a church, much more simple and of course no pews, just a wide open room in order to kneel and pray. The real treat was we got to go up in the minaret (where the call to prayer comes from) and see great views of Doha. This was a real treat to be invited and all who went where glad they did!
The adventure started with our confused driver, John kept saying the state mosque, you know the biggest one in the country that we drive past all the time. After we gave him directions, we realized his confusion was not where the mosque was, but rather why I was going there. We explained I was invited there. Of course I entered through the ladies door, covered my head and took the elevator up to the second floor, the first floor and larger area is for men. From the female area you can look down onto the men's area. This mosque has beautiful wood carved panels and plaster work on the walls. There is some decorative stained glass windows and huge brass chandeliers. A mosque is nothing like a church, much more simple and of course no pews, just a wide open room in order to kneel and pray. The real treat was we got to go up in the minaret (where the call to prayer comes from) and see great views of Doha. This was a real treat to be invited and all who went where glad they did!
Laddies Prayer Room
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Back to Doha with fanfare
As many of you know we fly using American Express points, which means we are always on different airlines and different routes. This time we took United, a small plane from Detroit to Washington DC with a short layover then to Doha. When we got the the gate in DC we realised this was United's inaugural flight to Doha, which meant cake for everyone!
We were in business class (yes Kate, I got champagne) so the seats were 2/4/2, except that our row of 4 was facing the tail of the plane (like on a bus) and the 4 behind us, but we couldn't see them because that is where the monitors were and the 2s were back to back, very strange.
We had to stop in Dubai and get off the plane, which meant going through security twice, then back to the gate, where they hand sandwiches for everyone. There were plenty of United people on the plane for their first flight into Doha and we told one lady how stupid it was to have to get off the plane, wait 40 minutes then get back on. Later she said they are working on fixing this problem.
I was the first passenger on the flight! I didn't get anything for it though. When we landed in Doha, there were more people to greet us then were passengers on the plane. In Doha you have to take a bus from the plane to the airport, with this flight we had the most plush buses I have ever seen and the plane was as close to the airport as possible, that was neat. Now it's back to normal life here.
We were in business class (yes Kate, I got champagne) so the seats were 2/4/2, except that our row of 4 was facing the tail of the plane (like on a bus) and the 4 behind us, but we couldn't see them because that is where the monitors were and the 2s were back to back, very strange.
We had to stop in Dubai and get off the plane, which meant going through security twice, then back to the gate, where they hand sandwiches for everyone. There were plenty of United people on the plane for their first flight into Doha and we told one lady how stupid it was to have to get off the plane, wait 40 minutes then get back on. Later she said they are working on fixing this problem.
I was the first passenger on the flight! I didn't get anything for it though. When we landed in Doha, there were more people to greet us then were passengers on the plane. In Doha you have to take a bus from the plane to the airport, with this flight we had the most plush buses I have ever seen and the plane was as close to the airport as possible, that was neat. Now it's back to normal life here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)