Top three things to do in the desert

Recreational activities in Qatar are limited.  Besides eating and drinking, the next best thing is traveling into the desert.  No matter which direction you go from Doha, you will get to the desert in 45 minutes.  This is where you will find most of the local people too.   So while the city is sleeping on the weekends, the desert is wide awake.  So far I have found three activities that I would consider to be the best things to do in the desert.

1.   

        1.  Dune bashing

As one of the first things that I did when I came to Qatar, dune bashing is one of my favorites.  It is also a top choice on weekends for locals.  Dune bashing is what us country folk would call mud-slingin’….just without the mud and add sand.  I used to do my fair share of mud slingin’ in my young teenage days, so I know this activity quite well.  (Never in my car dad, always in some crazy boy’s truck!)  The secret to dune bashing is making sure you let enough air out of your tires so that you can drive easily on the sand.  As a Nissan Altima driver, I have never been the designated desert driver here in the country.  Usually the driver is someone with a large SUV, lots of horsepower, and balls.  (Just being honest)  The driver needs to be quite confident of him/her self and drive with full speed in order to make it up the steep dunes.  When reaching the top of the dunes it is important to slow down quickly for two reasons:  a) you never know who or what is coming up the other side and b) the other side may be a complete drop-off.  Going up and down and sideways on these desert dunes is exhilarating.  It is like a roller coaster without safety regulations.

        2.  Camping

Camping is also a fun desert activity.  Just be sure to bring lots of water!!  I have only been camping once so far, but I can’t wait to do it again.  Camping is another big thing for Qataris.  It wasn’t too long ago when most Qataris ‘camped’ 365 days a year.  Now they have huge tents with air-conditioning, electricity, sofas, and carpets out in the middle of the dessert for weekend family get togethers.  Ex-pat camping is a little different.  We do it with small tents, blankets, coolers, camp fires, and chairs.  (By the way, I bought a $10 one person tent in Qatar.  Can you believe that?)  Camping in the desert is nice because it gives you a chance to get out of the dusty city, relax, and see the stars.  It is also worth camping just to see the sun set over the dunes- amazing really.  The desert also gets really cold at night…so it is a good break from the heat.  Although, I have heard the cold nights do not exists in the hot summer months.  I guess I will soon see. No matter what season- as soon as 6am rolls around in the desert, you are wide awake and burning hot. 

3.       

        3.  Four wheeling

Oh the freedom of four wheeling.  This activity is for sure my favorite!  Four wheeling in the dessert is so different than four wheeling in the country side of NC.  Its wide open with no obstacles, only huge hills to go up and down.  Last weekend, some friends and I each rented four wheelers and rode into the dunes in the Mesaieed desert area of Qatar.  I have never really driven one of these things by myself, but I kept that a secret because I didn’t want anyone to say that I couldn’t go.  Heart racing as I climbed on, I fastened my helmet and gave her some gas.  Off I went!  Flying over those dunes like I actually knew what I was doing.  Though I about threw myself off one or five times, I was smiling ear to ear and having one of the best times that I have had in a really long time.  Luckily, the day we went it was cloudy and lightly raining so it was not too hot while we were out.  I can see why the young Qataris love it so much.  Its addicting.  I would go every weekend if I didn't value my pool side tanning time so much.  A girl's gotta have her bronze glow!  :)

Dates, the new black

Before coming here, I had always heard about dates being a Middle Eastern treat.  I would think to myself ‘what is so special about a date?  It’s just like a dried plum but not.’  Same, same, but different.  Ya?  Ok, sorry for the Indian joke.

In the US, I only had one way that I would eat dates….stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon- the American way.  Because we all know everything is better wrapped in bacon.  A few weeks after arriving, I began trying these Middle Eastern treats just plain, no cheese, no bacon. Fresh.

...mmm….Spectacular….better than chocolate….

Seriously, these dates are the new black.  Everywhere you go in the Middle East, there is some sort of date pastry or fresh dates.  Quality, nice dates are considered an essential luxury, if that makes sense.  My favorite place to buy gourmet dates is this store called Bateel. (http://www.bateel.ae/products-dates-fresh.html)  They are a global company, but their dates are fantastic.  Chocolate covered dates, dates with candied walnuts and pecans inside, almond filled dates, look at the website.  However, my favorite dates are the lighter colored dates.  They taste just like caramel and are a nice treat after a salty meal.  I have a big sweet tooth and usually eat a chocolate after a meal- but over the past few months dates have become the replacement.  And they are oh-so good.  Soft and chewy- mother nature’s candy.

I have even achieved the skill level of placing the whole date in my mouth and being able to eat the ‘meat’, while pushing the seed the other side and then spitting it out.  Raw talent I tell ya. 

I also enjoy date filled cookies- ma’amouls.  The outer crust is a shortbread mixture and the inner is pureed dates.  It’s an acquired taste I believe, some think it is too bland, but for me it’s perfect.  Not too sweet and melts in your mouth.  My favorite brand is made in Saudi Arabia, but sold in grocery stores across the Middle East.  I stock up every time I see them.

So yes, dates are the new black.  Who wants me to bring them dates home?  Place your orders now.

Diverting to Dubai

Last week I traveled to what I like to call the Manhattan of the Middle East- Dubai.  I went for a business trip but decided to stay the weekend so that I could explore the city.  The plane ride from Doha to Dubai is almost a joke.  You take off and before you know it you are landing.  Somewhere in between they TRY to serve a full meal, but it is more like 'Here- shove this food down your throat as quick as possible because we are about to land'.  The 45 minute flight is a trip that many take on a daily basis for commuting to and from work.

This was my second time in the city- although the first time was a whirlwind day trip back in November during my interview for my current position.  At that point- I was paying more attention to my first trip abroad and alone than I was taking in the city.  This time I paid close attention.

Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and as most of you already know, it is known as the top vacationing and shopping spot of the Middle East.  I got off the plane and got a cab to the hotel; it was night and I was able to see the city at its finest.  Bright, colorful lights and fast cars on the freeway- Dubai is full of life and much much larger than my little Doha.  Dubai also has a public transportation system, unlike Doha, and has boarding stations around the city that resemble something out of Star Wars.  Large, silver, slug-like hubs. When morning arrived, the city was just as beautiful and striking as it was the night before.  Lots of green palm trees and grassy knolls in the midst of the tall sky touching towers.  I began to feel like a country girl gone to the BIG city!  From Doha to Dubai- there are too many differences to count.

My trip lasted for about five days- from good food to spectacular shopping, there was not a boring moment.  I wanted to go into the Burj Khalifa (currently the World's tallest building) but it was closed for maintenance- my luck and also a regular situation for the Middle East.  Since the height thrill was no longer an option, I filled my time with: dancing at a terrace bar overlooking the marina, attending a VIP beach party, riding a private row boat to dinner, and shopping, shopping, shopping.  I went to both the Mall of the Emirates (where the ski slope is) and the Dubai Mall (which is very close to the Burj Khalifa).  My Dubai Mall trip lasted from 11am to 7pm-  how that happened I am really not sure but the slimness of my wallet is proof that it actually happened.  By the end of my last day in the city- I was ready to go home....back to Doha.

Looking up at the Burj Khalifa

There is no way to cover Dubai in five days (maybe Doha), so I will definitely be back to the city again.  But I will have to admit, on my cab ride back to my apartment in Doha I felt a strange sense of home.  Doha has become my home away from home and as much as I complain about it, it is starting to hold a special place in my heart.  The past two months has flown by so fast that it took me leaving for a few days and returning to really understand my attachment to the small city.  I know that I don't want to live here for ever, but its kind of nice to call it home for now.  (Now don't you worry North Carolina-  I haven't forgotten you and cant wait to feel your cool grass between my toes)