Hello, world! I am currently writing to you from an absolutely fabulous outdoor cafe in Doha, Qatar. Safe to say I’m living my best life right now. South Dakota, who?
It might be because I arrived here in the evening and my first time seeing this city is at night (aka the best time to see a city), but I’m already obsessed. I feel like I’m walking through history. It reminds me of the first time I saw Paris. The difference is, here I feel like I was dropped into a time from 1500 years back instead of 500. This city is the perfect mix of modern and ancient. Just the way I like it!
It’s been pretty easy to get around so far. Honestly, I had a much harder time in France, lol. Everyone here speaks English to varying degrees, which is great because I speak/understand exactly zero Arabic. Definitely motivated to learn after only a few hours in this city!
The flight was about as tolerable as a long international flight can be. Managed to sleep (albeit uncomfortably) for about half of it. Spent the other half binge-watching Al Jazeera content. I got really into their investigative reporting series. I learned all about the black market rhino horn trade (so, so tragic already, even worse once you meet the criminals behind it), shady surveillance tech company deals with problematic governments, the government corruption in the Maldives, and so much more. Al Jazeera has some of the best reporting in the world. I strongly urge everyone to take the time to peruse their website. I’ve been reading Al Jazeera English since the Arab Spring (2011) and highly recommend taking a look. It’s definitely a very pro-democracy and pro-human rights organization. That’s why I support them and Netan-yahooooooooooooooooooooo doesn’t!
I digress. I would definitely fly Qatar Airways again. The major perk I found is that they don’t take no for an answer when it comes to food. They don’t accept “I’m not hungry” as an answer. They just keep offering you different options until you say yes. The food is pretty decent for airplane food. They also gave me a to-go bag of snacks to take with me when I left. It had a granola bar, a KitKat, a bag of popcorn, an apple, a banana, and a bottle of water. I know, awesome, right? As an American, I vote for less upcharging on every little damn thang and more free snack bags.
Also noteworthy: no problems with money, cards, or making payments. My ATM card worked on the first go and I could actually use it to pay for things as well. That aspect did not go so well for me in France in the past, but that was 5, 13, and 20 (AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!) years ago. We now live in a world where you can use PayPal to pay for a Taxi. It’s awesome.
I did get a SIM card, but it’s not a very good one. Reason: I cannot text or call my brother, who is my main contact point. Instead, I messaged my older sister because the SMS went through. We never, ever talk so she had no idea I was leaving until I was literally boarding the plane. Kinda took her by surprise to get a text from a random number from Qatar, lol.
Have not had any success finding a converter yet. The hotel came back with a couple different options, but none of them fit my laptop. Problem. Guess I’ll head out to the market tomorrow and try to find one.
UPDATE just now: the hotel staff finally found me a converter that fits after three tries. Best hotel service ever. They’re getting a 5-star review just for that act of heroism. They saved my laptop battery! Hurray! This would never happen in the US.
Spent the evening walking around said marketplace. I had absolutely no issues whatsoever safety-wise. Sure, people stare, but people always stare at me (especially in SD). I just ignore it and keep walking. It’s essential to look like you know where you’re going and wear a resting bitch face, that way you won’t look vulnerable when you inevitably get lost in the maze known as the bazaar. I didn’t mind getting lost earlier too much. More to see! I honestly didn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable walking around alone at all. Must be the CCTV cameras everywhere, lol.
Currently out for a late dinner. I wasn’t feeling very adventurous after 36 hours of travel, so I chose a familiar comfort dish: pasta with chicken and mushrooms in a parmesan cream sauce. It was incredible. So much better than the crap I’ve been getting at my local grocery store. I know, I know, I’m not here to eat my comfort dishes, but I really need to feed my soul and recharge right now.
I will be adventurous tomorrow instead. There’s so many options from all over the Middle East. I might randomly try the Azerbaijani restaurant I passed earlier. I don’t even know what the heck Azerbaijani food even is. That’s why I’m gonna try it! Then I’ll hit the Mesopotamian place, the Persian place, and, of course, one of the little halal kebob shops. Number one must-have!!!!!
Costs are pretty reasonable. $1 USD is about 3.5 QR. Pretty good deal if you ask me. You know I’m about to hit up the spa with that exchange rate. Hair did, nails did, everything did, then a trip to the hammam! Yassssssss! Make me as beautiful as all the women around me right now!
Took a taxi from the airport to the hotel. I always do that. I made that decision a long time ago. Yes, I know, it’s significantly cheaper to take the metro, but why would I want to drag my suitcases on another train after 36 hours of travel? Exactly. It’s called a “convenience fee.” It was only 45 QR. You do the math. I’ll take the metro everywhere else.
Taking a taxi from the airport was also worth it just to see the city itself. So gorgeous! When I landed, it was still light out and very hazy, so I couldn’t see the city skyline. By the time I got through customs and flagged down a taxi, it was night. I got to see the skyline all lit up as we drove into the city! And the highways! WOW! SO COOL! The street lamps are their own work of art. They are either pillars covered in Arabic calligraphy that light up in different colors, or they are shaped like palm tree leaves with lights on the end of each frond. Everything here is an extremely detailed work of art. Every doorway, every lamp, every building, every piece of decor, everything, literally everything. The attention to detail is insane. It’s especially beautiful in contract to the all-greige, boxed-in look America is currently going for. Some of the hotels I’ve stayed in while traveling… ugh. That’s part of the reason why I switched from the generic options to historic hotels with their original historic features. Let’s say I made the right call on my choice in hotel here!
It’s getting later now. Everyone at this cafe is here to watch football (soccer). They are all drinking tea or coffee and smoking shisha. I like shisha, but not enough to order a hookah on my own. I used to hang out in a hookah bar in high school with my friends, so I’m used to sharing them. I don’t think I could smoke one alone if I tried. It usually makes me nauseous if I have too much.
Instead, I’m having a mocktail mojito. This establishment does not serve alcohol. Most of the local establishments do not serve alcohol because Islam forbids it. I’m pretty sure I would have to go to the Marriott if I wanted to drink. Not happening tonight. I need to rehydrate after my long flight. Radical idea: what if I explored the world without alcohol for once?! Imagine the possibilities!
Weirdly enough, I don’t even want it right now. History is my drug of choice. I just want to be here in this world for awhile. Plus, I’ve already heard the Call to Prayer twice today, so I feel kinda rude for partaking in a place where most people don’t. What wisdom do they have that I don’t? Perhaps it will rub off on me.
So much to explore tomorrow. Not sure where to even start. There’s museums, markets, mosques, an Oryx preserve, an equestrian center, beaches on beaches, the Al Jazeera headquarters, the hotel pool and spa, women’s only spaces (which I dream of after too many ridiculous incidents with men in bars). How do I decide?! Maybe I’ll just come back here and teach English and then I’ll have all the time in the world.
For now, I am so fucking tired, lol. All I want to do right now is lay in bed and watch Al Jazeera, which is exactly what I’m doing. My room is so fucking awesome. This whole hotel is awesome! I want to write about it SO BAD but I can’t yet because I have a set of safety rules about posting when I travel that I abide by now, so you will have to wait a bit. I’m mainly writing this to test out my travel writing style. This is the second version of this post, but I think it could get better with the right editing and formatting.
Wow, you guys. Isn’t this awesome? Two weeks ago, I was sitting at the bar drinking alone, feeling sorry for myself, and now I’m in motherfucking QATAR! WHAAAATTTTT! How did that even happen?! Is my life finally beginning?! I think so, if only because the greeter at the airport looked at me with a huge smile and said, “Welcome back!” Yep, that’s right. I’m back, and I’m about to be better than ever! Woo hoo!
May you end your day inspired AF to try a new adventure!
#FreePalestine