Celebrating a dream.

Last Thursday, the FIFA committee announced something that many thought was just a dream- Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup!

 As a resident of Qatar, I have been a victim of the marketing campaign that has plastered the country with posters, billboards, car stickers, and soccer balls over the last year. Since I have arrived, the slogan ‘Expect Amazing’ (the marketing phrase for Qatar’s bid) has been engraved in my mind. If you check out the bid, you will agree, Qatar is promising an ‘amazing’ event. Their website: http://www.qatar2022bid.com/
 

Though their promise was like a dream, many of us felt that Qatar would not be chosen because of one key factor- the summer heat. How will the players survive games in the 130 degrees F summer? Well, air-conditioned stadiums of course. Last Thursday, the citizens of Qatar waited anxiously for the evening announcement. Crowds gathered in the main souq, the bay area, and around the Khalifa stadium. I was sitting in my apartment with the windows open when I heard it- an explosion of car horns and voices. I knew immediately that Qatar had won the bid and the 2022 World Cup will be a significant part of Arab history. It will be the first World Cup to be hosted in a Muslim, Middle Eastern, and Arab country.

 Maybe you’re curious as to how the Arabs celebrate without that beverage that we all know and love. Do not worry, they celebrate plenty without it. Immediately after the announcement, cars flooded the bay area of the capital city, Doha. Qatari nationals were standing on the tops of their cars and shooting silly string as they paraded through the city. Small fireworks were being set off from every 1 out of 3 vehicles. Horns blowing, loud cheering, tears of happieness, and flags flying started at 6:30pm and lasted for the next three days.

 

Almost one week after the announcement, citizens across the country have plastered their cars with pictures of the Emir holding the FIFA bid award. Some have even spray painted their cars with ‘Qatar 2022’. I don’t have to tell you that this is a HUGE deal here. I have never seen the people of Qatar so happy and full of excitement…but then again I have never been here for Qatar National Day, which is coming up very soon. 

 I am happy for Qatar. I don’t plan on staying here until 2022, but I would love to come back and see the result of this promise of 50 billion dollars to create the most amazing World Cup ever.

Qatar 2022.

Shisha, for the socially elite.

Do you remember the caterpillar in Alice & Wonderland?  Ever wonder what that chubby blue creature was puffing on?  Shisha.  Also known as, hookah, hubbly bubbly, nargeela...It is also one of the most common social activities in the Arab world.  Shisha, which comes from a Persian word meaning 'glass' is the commonly used term in coutries around the Persian Gulf, including Qatar and Egypt.

In Qatar, smoking shisha is very popular and is done by the in many public places.  It is relaxing and a great way to enjoy time with friends and family, while simply watching the world pass by. 

The pipe or apparatus that is used during this activity is known locally as the shisha.  Shisha's can range from very plain and simple to vases decorated with gold and diamonds.  The bottom of the device usually has a glass vase, to be filled with water, and then a metal piece at the top that hooks to a long pipe with a mouthpiece.  This allows for the smoke to be filtered through the water before it is inhaled.  The pipe is usually long and flexible so that it can reach further distances.  At the top of the metal piece, the tobacco is placed in a small clay bowl with filter holes in the bottom of it and covered in aluminum foil.  Hot coals are then placed on top of the punctured foil and 'start the fire' to the whole process.  Confused yet?  Take a look at the picture below to see what I am talking about.

 Many restaurants and coffee shops in Arab countries offer shisha.  In Qatar, the Souq Waqif is one of the most popular places to gather as a group and smoke shisha.  As you walk through the winding cobblestone path in the souq, you will see people sitting at tables all along the sides smoking shisha, laughing, and spending time with friends.  I really enjoy the smell that comes from the burning shisha.  To me, its a reminder of where I am and the history of the country.  Smoking shisha has been a common past time in the Arab world for centuries and it still exist today.

There are also many different flavors of shisha to choose from- grape, strawberry, apple, mint, melon, coffee, watermelon, I have even seen Red Bull flavored shisha.  I would say that grape is the most popular among all of the flavors. 

I have discovered a shisha shop in Qatar that allows you to pick every piece that makes up the device. Color, size, material- they have it all.  I've been thinking about it for a while and last week, I finally went and bought one for myself.  My very own shisha.  It has a black porcelain bottom and a gunmetal gray steel top with a fancy deep red & leather pipe.  I must say, its very posh. I don't plan on smoking it regularly, but it is nice on special occasions.  I think it also makes a nice piece of decoration- don't judge me.

So when in Rome, I mean Qatar, why not do as the Qataris do? Try a shisha.