Doha, Qatar

A work trip took me to Doha, Capital of Qatar, a place that dramatically changed since the discovery of the giant gas reserves making Qatar the largest exporter of liquified natural gas. A place full of contrasts, richesses dompted the relatively inhospitable desert, elevating scrycrapers around the bay, thanks to the millions of foreign workers who work through blood and under scortching heat and humidity to create the illusion of a paradise.

I transited many times through Doha as the hub of Qtar Airways, just enough to appreciate how brutally hot and humid is the summer here. I was relieved to visit in January when the climate is very pleasant, especially around the Corniche.

Souq Waqif in the heart of the old city has been renovated but keeps its old charm and is very vibrant, locals and tourists mix meandering the stalls or enjoiying the diverse cuisine offered on the streets.

On the northern side of Souq Waqif lies the falcons shops and hospitals where the qatari citizen come to share their love for the bird, a cultural heritage, inherited from the bedouin’s need for hunting. Craftsmen manufacture all hoods, gloves and jesses. Today, falconry is a source of pride and an occasional sport which I have not managed to witness.

A visit to Doha would not be complete without an excursion in the desert, to explore the dunes with the local queen, the 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser. It may be the best attractions for the locals who venture there for a sunset facing Saudi Arabia, driving like maniacs up and down the dunes or to simply admire the skillful drivers on their buggy, a training ground that propulsed Nassar Al-Attiyah at the top of the off-road endurance racing.

Jean Nouvel was inspired by the Desert Rose Crystal when designed the superb National Museum of Qatar. The museum architecture is stunning, both in and out, and well complimented by a fascinating exhibit spanning history, cutulral heritage, natural science and the oil & gas boom.

Qatari citizens gather in the market after work, at Souq Waqif.

Clothes, spices, toys, birds, candies and crafts can be found at Souq Waqif. To me, the most unsual part of the market was the gold market where jewleries can be bought by the kilos.