Doha, Baby: Sweat, Dates, and Questionable Taxi Drivers
okay, so. doha. i’m still kind of processing it, honestly. i just got back and my brain feels like a plate of overcooked rice - all clumped together and vaguely beige. i’m a touring session drummer, you see, and i just wrapped up a gig with a band playing at this… well, let’s just say it wasn’t the Royal Albert Hall. it was a corporate thing. lots of very serious men in suits nodding along to our slightly-too-loud funk. but hey, a gig’s a gig, right? and it paid for a lot of falafel.
let’s talk weather. i just checked and it’s… a furnace. seriously. twenty-nine degrees, feels like twenty-seven. humidity’s low, which is a small mercy, i guess. you’ll be sweating just thinking about walking anywhere. i’m not kidding. pack light, breathable clothes. and a hat. and maybe a personal air conditioner. i’m not even joking.
getting around is… an experience. the taxis are… enthusiastic. i swear one driver tried to take me in a complete circle just to run up the meter. i ended up using Uber most of the time. much less stressful. check out the reviews on TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294745-Activities-Doha.html before you commit to anything, though. you’ve been warned.
food. oh, the food. i ate my weight in shawarma. seriously. i think i’m 50% shawarma now. there’s this tiny place in Souq Waqif - i can’t remember the name, but it’s near the falcon market - that makes the best shawarma i’ve ever had. it’s a hole-in-the-wall, super basic, but the chicken is marinated in something magical. someone told me that the secret ingredient is cardamom, but they were probably just drunk. still, worth seeking out. Yelp https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Doha%2C+Qatar has some decent recommendations, but honestly, just wander around Souq Waqif and follow your nose. you won’t regret it.
“Apparently, the pearl district is haunted by the ghosts of divers who died searching for pearls. Don’t go wandering around alone at night, they say.”
and speaking of Souq Waqif… it’s amazing. a total sensory overload. spices, textiles, carpets, falcons… it’s like stepping into another world. just be prepared to haggle. aggressively. i managed to get a beautiful hand-woven rug for about half the original price. felt pretty smug about that, to be honest. i’m a drummer, so i’m used to negotiating for better rates.
“The locals say the Corniche is best at sunset. Apparently, the light hits the skyscrapers just right and it’s breathtaking. But watch out for the pigeons, they’re ruthless.”
if you get bored, abu dhabi and al khuwair are just a short drive away. i didn’t make it out there this time, but i’ve heard good things. i’m already planning my return trip. i need more shawarma in my life. and maybe a slightly less stressful taxi ride.
“Don’t even think about jaywalking. Seriously. The fines are insane.”
pro-tip: learn a few basic arabic phrases. even just “shukran” (thank you) goes a long way. the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they really appreciate the effort. also, download a translation app. you’ll need it.
and one last thing: the pressure is 1011, humidity is 28, ground level is 1010. i don’t know why i’m telling you this, but it felt important. maybe it’s the sleep deprivation. i’ve been living on coffee and adrenaline for the past few weeks. i need a vacation from my vacation. check out this local forum https://www.qatar-living.com/ for more insider tips.
okay, i’m going to go lie down now. and dream of shawarma.