Doha, Baby: A Drummer's Dizzying Dive into the Desert Heat
okay, so. d’oh-ha. i’m still kinda buzzing from the flight, honestly. landed yesterday, and it’s… well, it’s like someone cranked the sun up to eleven. i just checked and it’s hovering around 20 degrees Celsius, feels like 20.03 - which, for a touring drummer used to damp basements and questionable venue heating, is a lot. humidity’s clinging to everything like a lovesick gecko.
I’m here with The Static Echoes - we’re playing a gig at the Qatar National Convention Centre next week. It’s… fancy. Like, really fancy. Everything is gleaming marble and gold accents. My drum kit feels a little out of place, to be honest.
I’ve been wandering around *Souq Waqif - it’s a maze of tiny shops selling everything from spices to falcons (yes, actual falcons). It’s chaotic in the best possible way. I got completely lost, naturally. Ended up buying a frankly ridiculous amount of dates. Apparently, they’re a big deal here. I’m gonna need a bigger suitcase.
Someone told me that the best shawarma in the city is at a place called Al Usta. Apparently, there’s always a queue, and it’s worth every minute. I’m adding it to the list. I’m also trying to find a decent coffee shop. My usual pre-gig ritual is a triple espresso, and so far, the options have been… underwhelming. I need to find a place that understands the importance of crema. Check out this list of coffee shops in Doha if you're looking for something similar: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g294714-Doha.html
I overheard some serious gossip at a juice bar earlier. Apparently, the Pearl-Qatar is the place to see and be seen, but it’s also ridiculously expensive. Like, buying-a-small-island expensive. I’m sticking to the souq for now, thanks.
“Don’t even think about hailing a cab off the street,” a woman with a very impressive headscarf warned me. “Use the Karwa Taxi app. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”
My neighbors, if you get bored of the desert vibes, are Abu Dhabi and Dubai - both a short(ish) drive away. I might squeeze in a quick trip to Abu Dhabi if I have time. Need to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, apparently it’s insane.
Pro-Tips for Doha (from a very tired drummer):
*Hydrate. Seriously. The heat is no joke. Carry a water bottle everywhere.
*Dress respectfully. Shoulders and knees covered, especially when visiting religious sites.
*Bargain in the souq. It’s expected! Don’t be afraid to haggle a little.
*Learn a few basic Arabic phrases. Even just “shukran” (thank you) goes a long way.
*Download the Karwa Taxi app. See above. Seriously.
*Check out the local events.* There’s always something happening. https://www.visitqatar.qa/events
I’m heading back to the hotel now to attempt to sleep before soundcheck tomorrow. Wish me luck. And send coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. I also found this Yelp page with some local recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Doha%2C+Qatar
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/bukhara-beans-bitter-chills-a-coffee-snobs-frozen-morning
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- https://topiclo.com/post/daegus-average-salary-am-i-just-a-walking-dollar-sign-here
- https://topiclo.com/post/religious-and-cultural-diversity-in-durban-a-real-talk-guide
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-real-cost-of-utilities-and-bills-in-bangui-and-why-youll-probably-just-burn-candles