by Natasha Tynes | Feb 9, 2005 | Doha affairs, Shutterbug, Sports
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It’s nearly 9:30 PM here and I’m already beat! The reason is that I was spending a very pleasant day engaging in a sport in which I have never taken a real interest: Golf. As Ghalia is still in town we decided to spend the day doing something out of the norm (at least for us). So we, joined by Amal, made our way to the Doha Golf Club. It was loads of fun, not only because it was such a unique experience but also because the weather was extremely pleasant and the place itself was very lush — something we miss deeply living as we do in the desert.
I have always known that I was horrible at sports and today was just another reminder. All my husband’s relentless efforts to teach me to swing the golf club were useless. I’m just not in tune with my body, that’s a fact that I have to live with. Regardless of my frustrating efforts to swing that damn club I had a great time, especially after I put down the club for a bit and spent the day taking pictures of our adventure. Would I do it again? Oh yeah, in a heartbeat. Click the pictures for enlargements
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by Natasha Tynes | Feb 8, 2005 | Doha affairs, Shutterbug
We had a very nice day today. My good friend Ghalia is in town on a business trip so we made sure to meet up and explore the wonders of Doha.
We agreed to meet at the Equestrian Club in Doha, where Ghalia was taking part in organizing the Asian Equestrian Championship held here in Qatar. We didn’t know of the existence of the club, so taking the trip out there was a nice change to our daily Doha routine.
After we watched some show jumping rounds we hit the road and made our way to al Bandar, a lovely seafood restaurant by the water. The food was great and the weather was very pleasant, although a wee bit chilly. In order to make Ghalia’s trip here complete, we stopped by City Centre, Doha’s famous landmark, where we had some coffee and then were joined by Amal for a bit of shopping.
The day ended at our place where we made a quick dinner — Macaroni and Tuna Casserole — and then watched one of my all-time favorite movies, which I’ll save for discussion at a later date. Ghalia is staying at our place tonight and tomorrow we have plans … big plans.
Okay it’s 1:15 am and I’m beat! Time to get some beauty sleep. I will write more tomorrow.
by Natasha Tynes | Feb 5, 2005 | Doha affairs
It seems the Qataris are doing much better than the Saudis when it comes to mobile phone camera scandals. They have devised a fairly ingenious solution.
DOHA: A new type of security service provider is fast emerging in Qatar, thriving on the fear of young Qatari women being photographed on the sly with mobile handsets fitted with a camera, particularly in wedding parties.
The companies employ a number of Arabic-speaking women who are provided training in handling devices that can detect a mobile phone. The women are trained in dealing politely with others and keeping an eye in wedding parties especially, to see if someone has nonetheless sneaked, hiding a camera-fitted mobile phone.
Secret use of mobile phone cameras has generated so much fear among young Qatari women that it is almost a must for a family having a wedding party in a hotel or a hall, to hire a security agency to prevent the nuisance. This is making Qatari weddings a more expensive affair, according to Al Sharq.
Source: [The Peninsula]
by Natasha Tynes | Feb 2, 2005 | Doha affairs, Everyday me!
Last night we did something out of the ordinary in this desert peninsula. Believe it or not, we actually found ourselves at a wonderful cultural event. The happening was a political cartoon joint exhibition by famous and controversial cartoonist Shujaat — with work that has upset a number of countries (including the US and Iran) — and that of Frenchman Jean Plantureux.
It was fun to see Shujaat’s work displayed at the French Cultural Center. I was impressed by the many awards he has won from different international organizations. His work is smart, witty and oh so politically-risque! It really is wonderfully expressive stuff, even if you don’t always agree with his political message.
During the exhibition, Shujaat was very busy drawing caricatures of visitors. However, I managed to interrupt him to tease him about a sexy drawing of Salma Hayek in a huge montage image that he managed to sneak in alongside all those politically controversial cartoons. Really, what’s with men and Salma Hayek anyway? Plantureux had his moments as well, peaking our interest with his curious "Thong-Hijab" [in the middle below] cultural comparative.
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 26, 2005 | Doha affairs
While we were waiting for Amal at the airport last night, we caught a glimpse of some Arab celebrities that were in Qatar to take part is some sort of Arab song festival. The first one we saw was this guy: Exhibit A (he enlarges). This is that Libyan guy who won the Superstar singing competition. I don’t know his name, as I haven’t watched this highly popular show in some time.
The second guy was famous Egyptian singer Hani Shaker, seen here: Exhibit B (he enlarges as well).
But of all the celebrities we saw, the young woman in Exhibit C remains our favorite. This is Amal emerging from Customs after returning from Lebanon and her vacation, which lasted over a month. We are very glad she is back. We missed her a great deal!
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 18, 2005 | Doha affairs, Site features
The weather girl was right. She predicted rain, a rarity in Doha, and it happened! Here is a picture from our kitchen window of this uncommon occurrence. Click it for an enlargement where you can almost make out what proved to be a downpour.
For those who haven’t met the weather girl, click here to go down below the “Blogs I’m following” section. Here you’ll find an animated icon that predicts the weather in Doha, or where ever you desire once you set it up. The cool thing about this weather girl is that she changes her attire according to the temperature. Last night she was holding an umbrella. How cool is that?
