Doha Diaries pt 1
Hi everyone,
Welcome back! This blog is reaching you from somewhere above the Indian Ocean where I have set up camp for the next 13 hours on my way to Adelaide. I’m feeling so many emotions right now but amazingly, as I’m writing this, my overriding feeling is pure contentment. I feel a deep sense of peace. Not because I know how this whole adventure will pan out, but because I am being true to myself. Jumping head first into a dream that this time last year was exactly that- just a dream. And now, as I sit here writing this, it’s becoming a reality.
So, lets rewind and recap my last few days exploring Qatar and the small glimpse of the Middle East that I am keen to explore more of one day. I will be splitting this into a couple of posts so it doesn’t get too long (I like to ramble) After a smooth journey (despite being sat next to a man with no concept of personal space) I was greeted by my lovely cousin Chloe at arrivals. I will note this was after a mild internal panic after ending up in the wrong part of the airport upon arrival but all is well that ends well!
Day 1 - While Chloe was working, I plucked up the courage to take myself out exploring. This came with it’s own anxieties- mainly the idea of trying to navigate a new place and a new culture by myself. I decided to head to the National Library which was truly stunning. I wandered around taking in the sheer scale of the architecture- how clean, bright and futuristic it felt. After having a mooch and a read of a book called ‘Living Life Fully’ by Bill Karelis, I went for a walk in the nearby oxygen park. Below are a few snippets from my morning…
After Chloe had finished work we headed into the city where we enjoyed a sunset cruise on a traditional Dhow boat. There’s one thing you should know about me- I will never get bored of sunsets. The boat ride lasted an hour and as the sun dipped below the horizon, we watched the lights of Doha city come to life. The tour guide was a fabulous photographer!
The boat docked just a short walk away from the Souq Waqif- a traditional marketplace that sells garments, perfumes, spices and souvenirs. I was lost in the scent of oud, spice and sweetness. I wish I could relay how divine the concoction of roasted nuts, rosewater and the smoky perfume of incense were on my senses. However, just like I expected, the homesickness hit as soon as we sat down and before I knew it I was crying into my chicken shawarma. It was the first time since leaving Manchester that I felt the biggest urge to curl up into a ball and run straight to my comforts- home. I always feel better after a good cry though and I’m trying to not get frustrated at myself when these feelings come up. I am actually keeping a tally of how many times I do cry! I think it will be funny to look back on.
I’m going to leave this blog post here for now so it doesn’t get too long! Stay tuned for part 2.
Rach x
