Doha's Winter Sonata

When we talk of winter all we want is how cold is the weather or how chilly is the wind. This is true for the rest of the world, but for the gulf residents! Indeed. It is a different saga here in Gulf region in the period called winter. Yes, we experience the bone-chilling cold, and added to it witness episodes of some extremely erratic dust storms,  and some unpredictable  down pour. 



 Doha's winter sonata comes in a package of take one get two free.

PC- Jidhu Jose

Entire Qatar went gaga over the temperature dropping each day this winter. All the residents walked proudly with chest widened to 56". Guess why? It was quite an experience after a decade to see a temperature recorded less than 10 degree Celsius in this sand land. We residents in Qatar love wrapping ourselves in full clothes and cover our head with scarfs even in summer, to save our skin from scorching heat. But every winter we simply wait to say "too cold man, too cold ".

The cold desert went hot in excitement.



I was reminded of my Bangalore days. Even on a coldest morning at 5AM, with teeth chattering, I had the audacity to walk tall with only a cotton salwar suit and wrap my head with the "dupatta". Wrap myself in wool? No way! I was a proud manipalite( I hail from Manipal) and we do not buy or wear wool or leather jackets in our life unless it is a visit to Kashmir or to London.

Indeed, it is true that the winter has it's own charm. Now, we Qatar residents, most times, give ourselves a Switzerland feel, by just uttering "wow it's getting colder today". The meteorological department had it's own announcement and we had our own agenda for the "too cold man" season.

If you figure our the number of cars and headlights behind the fog, don't tell me. I have no clue too.

Fog formed cold morning view from the doorstep of my villa

Social media flooded with super duper photography of fog shot from different heights and angles. My girl gave a superb comment " The sun is lost in Qatar. If anybody finds it please DO NOT return". And the viral humour and memes! Especially where people said "Dear Rajanikanth please close the door of your refrigerator, it's too cold here, even here...".  But Doha had to request Rajanikanth not to close the doors though. Hell yeah. We literally shivered to tingling spine, yet wanted the change from the parched summer. And some even told "dear temperature bohoth gir chuke ho aur kitna giroge?"



At once all the malls and boutiques flooded with winter clothing in all colours, sizes, shapes, from different parts of the world. Nah, we do not buy "made in china". We went to expensive boutiques to find winter attire, matching beanie and those boots that our legs never heard of.




Barbecue! That was once the party galore and roosters wildest fear, now turned into our fire place for the surprise guest called winter. On every barbecue fire we would conduct the oath taking ceremony before we start decorated stand with multicoloured marinated roosters or veggies.


Now, the Doha winters are not just all about fog, chill and beanie.  Yes. For us the bonus "double dhamaka" is one free with another. The most awaited cloudbursts. We would almost be satisfied with some good drizzle too. Most parts of gulf sees good rain and few states see the solid form too. Oh!  Snowing in the gelf too.  



As for Doha we had enough windy rains to clog few roads, to blow a few roofs off and for us to term it "torrential downpour in the gulf". 

My girls waits to wander in the rains with colourful umbrella gifted by her beloved grandparents 

While my little fella found tranquil peace, standing in attention and watching the rain drops trickling down his foot, or the little ants washed away in flood

Who does not like rains? The earthy scent after a sky shower, smell of freshly bathed leaves in rains. Trust me, in summers, I satisfy ourselves by sprinkling tap water through hose, in the porch of our villa, and enjoy the feel of a imaginary rain.





Now, we are aware of erratic storms in winter, in different parts of the hill but one will dread the dust storms of the Arab land. And who would prefer a dust storm while we crave for the winds of the winter? Imagine a few hours and you feel a siliceous layer all over you and your lips taste of some forms of carbonate or rock salt. The worst is when you have to tidy up an entire house and car decked up with a coating of fine red sand. 

Dust clad  front exteriors of my residence.

However, after more than a decade's stay in Qatar, I have found solace in what is gifted to us on platter by mother nature. We have found a home away from sweet home after seeking the bread and butter. Be it the heat or cold, sand or dust, we have curbed our crave for winters too.  

With PC

Whenever the whether hits to it's extreme, we just pat our chest, breathe full and say "all is well, all is well" , take the best of what nature has offered us and say aloud "NEXT ".

The Fairy Tale Park Of Doha Calling

Why I Call the "Aspire Park" of Doha as Fairy Tale Land. 

A perfect magical land; enchanting greens; the squirrels and the birds; the duck pond and those quack quacks greeting you with warmth; the green molded hillocks; water springs in vivid forms of fountain and much more.

An exemplary fairy tale park for kids and the adults too. One just cant stop seeing the child in you when you roll down the green hillocks or feed the ducks.

Make your first visit to the Aspire Park or for any other such park in any part of the world and you definitely turn out to be the Alice in Wonderland. 

Children need time and space apart from unconditional love. Our cities have conglomerated with endless suburban development, and many of the vacant plots of children have filled up with beautiful sky scrapers. Often fancy malls, plastic play pens and music and fun. What we truly miss is the open air parks which have their best impact on children.

We all fit in best only in our natural habitats. I would always suggest open parks to be considered more often and here is my thumb rule for the same. 

• Parks can be the best recreation. 

Neighbourhood greens, and playgrounds are ideal hangouts. An contradiction to this is the new hanging out in the malls which I discourage on frequent basis. Parks have natural potential and component for physical recreation and activities. For any social gathering, picnics, or a place to meet for family with or without kids, parks can be a first choice given weather is suitable. 

Activities like running, playing and climbing keeps kids healthy, fit and improves their motor skills and also help in concentrating in their studies. Kids exerting and sleeping early  at nights is an added advantage for the parents! Playing in the open air contributes to healthy lungs than the closed room games. It is safer to pick up play ground or visit to the greens once in a while, in our today's life style. 

• Parks create a sense of community. 

Many of us can walk down the memory lane and feel those days we spent at the parks and got to know other kids and friendly adults in our neighbourhood. Outdoor jogging, walks and yoga classes, laughter therapy sessions, are other ways for people to find an ideal rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul. Social tie-ups strengthen here in healthier fashion than on WhattsApp. Trust me. 

Aspire park sure meets up the aspirations of residents of this giant sand pit called Qatar. 

So what's your favourite thing about your neighbourhood park?

The Quaint Souq Of Wakra, Qatar

Mud rendered walls;  wood beamed ceilings; Gulf waters dotted with date palms; Hookah stalls- Sheesha-flavoured tobacco; Exotic Arabic and Indian food; Pet shops with aquariums birds, bunnies and even cats and roosters; Souq- Market of Wakra-Doha.



Don't we all look forward to the small weekend evening outings? A place so close by to our residence, enchanting, easy eatery availability, peace and what more?  

Well, the Corniche in the Souq of Wakra, (in Doha, Qatar) is just one such place. A peaceful weekend spot. Although one could spend few hours there. Especially when we chose nature and some fun. Nature fills our hearts with awe by it's spectacular ways. Food to fill your heart's and stomach content without disturbing the major balance of your wallet!

Watching sunrise here is a charm. What a luxury it will be, sip your coffee, get to the corniche in like 10 minutes, watch the sun rise, lying on the cold sands and return home for a cheerful day to follow.  Does it not sound exciting? It was this trip of mine that finally drew me to write this so I could share it with you all.

Qatar  has maintained it's polished beauty. Though it is just like a thumb off traditional Saudi Arabia border, the tradition has steeped off a little to meld with modernity. The old markets called Souq is a perfect soak up of tradition. The Souq of Doha has been there since the times the Beduion traders bartered sheep, goat, camel and wool for materials required for their living.

Exotic aroma of spices, numerous flavours of tea, unending stalls of shawarma ( Arabic Food ) and other Arabic food charm up the lane parallel to the corniche. 

Don't expect the waves in the sea here. Still beach and a beauty of it's own. How does it feel that you reside just across such a spot, drive for 10 minutes and reach corniche.  Moreover, in the cold winter of Doha with temperatures like 10 degrees Celcius it's a feast to be in such a spot.

Nature can never stop entertaining you, inspiring you, nail you up to be fresh and positive always. We stand captivated by the blue waters. the molten gold coloured sand, the sky forming myriad colours playing with the sun, spell bound and we realize the real awe of nature.

Dancing Silhouette

Dawn to Dusk ebbs the day in silence

As the twilight dances in glory

So does the silhouette of the little dancer





Dusk conquering over the sunshine

Sun diminishes reluctantly

Like the shy bride unveils

The cold wind that kissed my cheeks closed my eyes

Sun seemed to bid good bye whispers in my ears

And I smiled





There went a trail of thoughts in the mind

Agony and high expectations are like friends hand in hand

Peace and low expectations another pair so joyous




Hopes resemble those blooming flowers

Spring awaits those new triumphs

Fondness is that tool



It cradle your thoughts like a baby

That sprouts into new dawn, new hope, new wish

Life blossoms into laughing flower



New dawn demonstrates smiles and promises

Again to end in a dusk

That which seems dark and painful like agony yet promises cheers.

Through The Terrific Traffic

This post depicts only my experience in humorous way and means no offense to anything or anybody in anyway.

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The traffic lights turned green and all the cars of that row zoomed straight and haulted with breaks abruptly. The Traffic Police diverted the traffic unusually. I was a victim too. Alright. Late home today too. Immediately my daughters tears [crocodile tears] apeared in my mind as I walk home late or work on saturdays.

Drat the traffic of the city. Now that is just the beginning of my tale of the terriffic traffic .

It was not just one diversion that pissed me off. Several ones on the way that made me go round the bush. Was that all. The fuel tank could go empty any time unusually of me as I am a prompt visitor to the fuel station feeding my Land Cruiser on time. In anxiety I turned the air conditioning off perhaps that would help?

I peeked out . Rows of cars. Some honked [against road rules of Qatar though] in frustration. Some moved restlessly behind the wheels. One has his hands on his forehead wonder what awiats at home from his wife who might take this traffic tale to be tall story after all to hide his being late perhaps. Am sure each one had thier own story. It was a lengthy and troublesome traffic issue. Wonder that the reason was anyway.

The cars were absolute stationary. The traffic did not move an inch and on another side I noticed a white lady frantically running her fingers through her mobile and often looking out of the window. I wondered may be she was lost! Critics picturise blondes as " dumb brunettes".

The dirty traffic did after all add a bit of fun just when a car pulled in beside mine with some arabs who kept the window glass lowered, threw cigar ahes down on the road, laughed loudly and honked often I noticed all this from the corner of my eye. My blood boiled. I breathed full. [Has anybody seen the movie Singh is King where they humorously show the blood in the bottle literally boiling- Khoon khaula- Ha Ha] But  immediately my  conscience prompted me to just continue looking  straight, and neglect them.

Phew! What an evening. Every day travel of 20 minutes was replaced by 90 minutes today when I finally zoomed into my parking.My daughter peeked in through the balcony. Earlier as I had called, amid-st  the traffic I was concerned  for the girl waiting and had told her about the delay. But was ashtonished to receive a unexpected answer from her "don't worry amma- the traffic will soon clear, I shall call you in between and throw a kiss on the phone".  Huh. I wondered who shuld have been telling this actually. My girl is growing up fast!

Well, this was an hurried interminable post , perpetual thoughts zooming in and out. My head spins but my writer heart prompts me to finish this post till the finishing line. And that reminded me of my athlete times when though I was a sprint I ran the 400m race like a horse and  towards the end I could see blurr figures outside the track shouting "S.K [Sushma Kalllianpur for you] , you can do it, common, little more.....pull..and you can finish it"  cheering me to keep up the winning place.

Cheers,

Sush

Interesting board

A pathetic board that hung in the inside of a passenger boat of Corniche-Doha